This relatively easy-to-grow, deciduous orchid produces broad, pleated, aspidistra-like leaves. In late spring, arching stems of superb pink orchid flowers appear, with the very occasional white form appearing. Once established, this plant is a valuable garden treasure as it is quite hardy, but it may be grown in a pot to overwinter inside where winters are extremely cold. It prefers a cool, organic soil if possible in a shaded or woodland situation where the rhizomes can slowly spread over the years. Fresh seeds are collected from our gardens each year. ... Learn More

Drifts of fragrant, nodding "Common Blue Bells" are one of the most enduring sights of spring in English woods. These seeds were collected from the wild plants on Devon banks surrounding our gardens. These are Scilla non-scripta seeds. ... Learn More

From China and Korea comes this giant feature plant, which makes a clump of tall stems with dangling panicles of tan flowers, loved by butterflies and other pollinating insects. Although it is in the same family as the horrid stinging nettles, it has no stinging abilities whatsoever, just 'stunning' abilities. With its intricately-veined, shiny, green leaves, it makes a great bold feature in any garden, living happily in sun or shade as long as the soil is evenly moist but well-drained. This venom-less pussycat can even gently self seeds if happy. ... Learn More

This is the rare pure white form of Borago officinalis, "Borage" or "Bugloss", which is a famous old medicinal plant with a very rich history, having been used in a versatile manner for medicinal, culinary and ornamental purposes. In the early part of nineteenth century, and indeed right up until today, the young leaves can be used in salads and the young tops boiled as a pot herb. The fresh herb is considered as a coolant that renders 'coolness' when steeped in water. Refreshing and restorative summer drinks can be made with it after mixing it with lemon, water or wine! In addition, the com ... Learn More

This rare collector's succulent plant has an amazing adaptation! Climbing inflorescences that harvest photosynthetic light in the absence of aerial leaves. This has made it a valuable curiosity amongst bulb enthusiasts worldwide. But in southern Africa this species faces severe threat due to collecting for the medicinal market. Herbalists constantly rate this species as one of the top six medicinal species to have become scarce as a result of over-utilization. ... Learn More

This exceptionally dainty rock plant has thin, dark-coloured stems, bearing clouds of gypsophila-like, red-eyed white stars, possessing an unusual peppery perfume. Very rare in the wild in the USA this unusual plant makes a choice specimen for a moist shady bed in the garden. ... Learn More

From the Rocky Mountains, this high alpine Boykinia relative has heads of five-petalled, cherry-red flowers, held just above a cushion of leathery, scalloped leaves in early spring. It is long-lived when happy in the rockery or alpine trough, where it prefers lean, gritty soil or scree, in full sun with a cool root run. ... Learn More

This is the rare white form, from the Rocky Mountains, this high alpine Boykinia relative has heads of five-petalled, pure white flowers, held just above a cushion of leathery, scalloped leaves in early spring. It is long-lived when happy in the rockery or alpine trough, where it prefers lean, gritty soil or scree, in full sun with a cool root run. ... Learn More

Thin stems bear open arrays of many white flowers, each with five tiny pointed sepals and five larger oval petals. Native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to California, it grows in shady areas near riverbanks and streams, each heart-shaped leaf having reddish hairs and several rounded lobes with teeth along the edges. ... Learn More

This uncommon plant is endemic to southern California, where it grows in shady forested areas near streams in the mountains. It bears a dense array of many small white flowers, each with five tiny pointed sepals and five larger oval petals and reaches up to a meter tall on a thin wiry stems. ... Learn More

Sprays of white flowers, held on short stems on this loose tufted plant, age to a rosy-purple colour in June and July. It is incredibly hardy down to -28C, and is native to the Eastern Alps and also the Arctic. ... Learn More

This bulbous gem opens its delicate but tough powder blue flowers, much loved by butterflies, on slender, graceful spikes in May. Although a distant cousin of hyacinths, this fragrant, fairy-like cousin (which is NOT the "Spanish Bluebell) is much more refined. ... Learn More

This is the pure white form of the more commonly-seen blue variety which will establish happily on a hot rockery. ... Learn More

Clumps of rush-like leaves arise on this rapidly-growing lily relative from the South African mountains. It flowers very quickly the first year from seed and will even self-seed when happy on stems which are produced in succession all summer long holding a multitude of yellow starry flowers. On a gravel drive or poor soil area it will excel! ... Learn More

These unusual, fast-growing, yellow, lily-like flowers come from Australia, where they are found in all states except Northern Territory. They are usually found in the drier northern regions, for example, north and west from near Bendigo, and are often found on light, sandy soils, extending to the far north-west near Lake Wallawalla. This unusual species includes a large number of forms within a complex polyploid series. ... Learn More