From a compact basal rosette of toothed leaves rises a dividing system of branches, heavily hung with large cream bell-shaped flowers. This pretty Bosnian campanula relative should gently self-seed, giving glorious drifts in future years. ... Learn More

This unusual form of the old cottage garden plant (Symphytum grandiflorum) is one of the first spring flowers to appear in March. Short, rough stems bearing hairy leaves carry terminal bunches of long pink buds opening to blue and white tubular flowers. ... Learn More

Early rosettes of bright golden leaves brighten up the spring garden with snowdrops and crocuses. Later appear the pale blue and pink flowers. This form comes true from seed, viable seeds being very few and very difficult to collect! ... Learn More

Knowing that a plant has a common name synonymous with a mythical ancient city full of riches should give you a clue that someone thought very highly of the plant. Jewels-of-Opar has attractive, succulent-looking foliage and is quick to send up arching panicles adorned with light to hot pink star-shaped flowers. Amazingly, these flowers appear repeatedly over a long period of time. You might think you've heard of Jewels-of-Opar before, and you may be right. Your grandma may have grown the regular green version and called it Jewels-of-Opar. On the other hand, if you are a fan of Tarzan, then th ... Learn More

This ancient cottage garden favourite has (if you squeeze it) deliciously fragrant, ferny foliage and large showy sprays of composite white flowers with yellow centres and this plant grows so quickly that it can be grown as an annual. Although it has always been an important cottage garden plant, its most important claim to fame is as a cure for migraines. Traditionally, many people maintain that eating a sandwich filled with the leaves is a cure-all! We cannot confirm or deny this though. ... Learn More

The fragrant leaves of this attractive golden-leafed form of the ancient herb and cottage-garden flower, bears golden-eyed white daisies on small, golden-leaved compact plants. They have long been used herbally to treat migraines and headaches. ... Learn More

These curious propeller-like flowers produce stubby white tubular petals which surround the yellow disc on this unique and unusual form which produce a shimmering effect when wind moves them. The name derives from Malmesbury in Wiltshire where it was found by Martin Cragg-Barber of the Natural Selection nursery. ... Learn More

Supplied by a collecter of these seldom-seen-or-grown old plants, this ancient cottage garden variety has cartwheel-like creamy-white flowers, with short spokes and a disproportionally large 'hub'. Flowering in profusion from May until August, this rare and quite distinct flower is superficially like Malmesbury, but has the added bonus of a shallow central dome of crested petals. ... Learn More

Clusters of bright yellow button-like flowers are shown off proudly on erect stems with deeply divided darkish green foliage. This bone hardy, old-fashioned, aromatic perennial herb will be happy on most soil types so long as they are well drained, and will make a cheerful addition to your cottage or herb garden. ... Learn More

From flattened rosettes of deeply-lobed leaves arise short, strong, hollow stems bearing most attractive, and quite remarkable flowers which bear more than a passing resemblance to a fried egg! Frilly, ivory-white petals radiate out from a golden-eyed centre, and although it vaguely resembles our native "dandelion", this plant is guaranteed not to become a weed in your garden, just a lovely intriguing specimen. In the wild, as the name suggests, it comes from cold areas in Mongolia and the Far-East. Very few fertile seeds available. ... Learn More

Taraxacum officinale, commonly known as dandelion, is a well-known perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Dandelion is characterized by a basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves. The plant produces distinctive yellow flowers, each consisting of numerous tiny ray florets. The flower heads are borne on hollow stems that rise above the foliage. After flowering, dandelions form the iconic spherical seed head known as a "dandelion clock" or "parachute ball." Each seed is attached to a feathery pappus, allowing it to be carried by the wind. Dandelions typically bloom in spring and early su ... Learn More

Yes, a variegated Dandelion, and as expected, rosettes of brightly-splashed, toothed leaves produce the good old fashioned yellow flowers. This newly discovered plant will be a bit like Marmite...you will either love it or hate it! ... Learn More

This rare and most unusual dwarf "dandelion" makes a tiny rosette of beetroot-red, almost black leaves, with short-stemmed yellow flowers. An attractive little gem which could certainly never become a weed, it sets very few seeds for a start!! ... Learn More

This long-lived, bone hardy giant improves over the years producing a huge pyramid of large perfumed leaves and wide, yellow frilly-petalled daisies. "It is a very fine thing to grow in an isolated group in turf." (E. A. Bowles) (Syn. Buphthalmum speciosum or B. cordifolium) ... Learn More

"Fringe Cups" A North American plant suited to a shaded spot producing, from solid clumps of hairy leaves, numerous long arching stems each bearing racemes of many lime green flowers which age to a deep wine. Long-loved by flower arrangers as a cut flower. ... Learn More