Although this plant has been long-grown and naturalised in the UK, it is not in fact a native, having come from the Mediterranean region hundreds of years ago. It is now found in less than 50 localities throughout the UK, and it sadly seems to have gone out of fashion as a garden plant, which is very sad, as it makes attractive, bone-hardy clumps of thin-leaved flowers, all with pointed petals of brightest golden yellow, and which will indeed spread if given the chance to compete with more vigorous intruders! ... Learn More

This little gem is a dwarf, clump-forming species, bearing star-shaped, deep orange flowers with the petals tipped with cream and marked on the back red and green. Its main value is its very late flowering period, whilst it is also probably the best, most long-lived tulip species for rock gardens. This lovely archetype of tulips is the one most often found in the wilds of the Turkish mountains. ... Learn More

Pretty, star-shaped white flowers with deep golden yellow at their throats, 3-5cm across, are produced either singly or in racemes of up to a dozen, and are contrasted by thin straps of grey-green foliage. Flowering in mid March and best in full sun, it makes a perfect feature for the rock garden, or in containers on the patio for some early interest. ... Learn More

Pretty star-shaped white flowers with deep golden yellow at their throats, 3-5cm across, are produced either singly or in racemes of up to a dozen, and are contrasted by thin straps of grey-green foliage. Flowering in mid March and best in full sun, they make a perfect feature for the rock garden or in containers, or even on the patio for some early interest. A native of Asia, this rare variety is found in the Aman Kuta mountain pass and can show coloured stamens, either black-tipped or purplish-black throughout. ... Learn More

This dwarf species from Iran and Turkey, with narrow leaves and bright golden yellow flowers which are bronzed on the outer side with reddish brown ribs, is a long-flowering miniature botanical tulip, which holds both its leaves & flowers close to the ground. April blooms are followed by ornamentally appealing seed heads. It is justly a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit. It is native to the northern shore of Lake Urumiya in Azarbaijan, and is named for that lake. It also grows along Lake Rezaiyeh in northwestern Iran. ... Learn More

Absolutely perfect for walls or crevices in your garden, this delightful plant produces fleshy round leaves with an uneven edge, spread at the base of the plant, from which emerge reddish stalks covered with tiny green flowers. A fascinating curiosity, this is the one you may have spotted many times out on your country walks and wondered "What is that?!" ... Learn More

Very rarely seen and seldom offered is this lovely flower from the Mediterranean where it forms a neat rosette of wavy-edged leaves slowly spreading into clumps, and opening continuously over an all-summer-long period, gorgeous, black-eyed, soft lemon-yellow flowers, two inches or so across with beautifully and geometrically arranged petals and a ruff of hairy leaves half way up the flower stems. Although a rare alpine plant it makes a superb rockery or border specimen. ... Learn More

V. officinalis is a clump-forming, upright, herbaceous perennial with fleshy, branching stems, aromatic, bright green basal and stem leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers in summer.Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. ... Learn More

From an impressive rosette of large pleated leaves arises a strong branching stem carrying pale greenish-yellow starry flowers. This slow-growing but long-lived aristocratic plant will improve slowly over the years. ... Learn More

Growing up to 6 feet tall, each spring this magnificent plant pushes up a strong leafy stem, which is heavily-branched at the top. Masses of buds, held as tight green spheres, open into delicate purple-eyed flowers, which cluster closely on the stems, the massive, basal, heavily pleated and veined, bright green leaves growing to more than a foot long. It prefers quite moist soil, when it will provide a stunning display until mid summer. ... Learn More

A superb, very long lived border plant, with strong spikes arising from leathery green leaves carrying dark purple, almost black, star-shaped flowers. This superb lily relative will improve in stature and size over the years if planted in well-prepared ground. ... Learn More

From Crete comes this charming one with woolly white leaves and yellow flowers with protruding scarlet anthers. These are ideal for a rock garden or wall, and are the dwarf relatives of many of the giants that often self-seed so prolifically along the roadsides of the world. ... Learn More

This compact and adaptable species has wonderful, deep purple flower spikes above a rosette of dark green foliage. Plants bloom throughout the summer months and do best on well-draining, sandy-rocky soils that are not overly fertile in full sun to light shade. ... Learn More

Slender spikes of purple-eyed white flowers arise from rosettes of glossy, crinkly dark green leaves. This plant is an absolute must for every cottage garden where it may gently self-seed into gravel or empty corners but is never a problem. ... Learn More

Slender spikes of bright cadmium yellow flowers with purple filamentous eyes, arise from rosettes of glossy dark green leaves, later forming hard green seed capsules. This plant is an absolute must for every cottage garden. It may gently self-seed into gravel, or empty corners but is rarely a problem. These seeds may produce the occasional white flower. ... Learn More