"Coventry-Bells" and "Bats-in-the-Belfry" are but two of the quaint old names for this bellflower which apparently came into cultivation in 1561. Stout stems carry wide blue bells, with thickly set leaves below. ... Learn More

Large flared ivory-white bells open along many strong stems which carry rough, nettle-like (but non-stinging!) leaves.The pure white version of this ancient cottage garden favourite comes quite true from seed as long as it is grown alone. This clump-forming, non-running plant will only spread by seed. ... Learn More

We have produced a superb mixture of the two forms of this lovely flower, and you will get, in roughly equal proportions, sizeable, flared, ivory-white or deep blue bells, which open along many strong stems carrying rough, jagged-edged, nettle-like (but non-stinging!) leaves. This tough, long-lived, clump-forming, non-running plant will only spread by seed, and is one of the essential cottage-garden plants of olden days. ... Learn More

A new plant given to us as 'collected in Turkey', but we cannot identify it. From a flat rosette of tufted grey leaves come several prostrate stems bearing a succession of soft blue flowers. An unusually attractive dwarf rockery plant. ... Learn More

Fragrant trumpet flowers, ivory-white with a slight greenish cast, open on stems up to five or six feet tall making it easy to enjoy their excellent fragrance. This is one of the dwarfer form of the giant Yunnan Lily, with basal rosettes of shiny leaves that in early spring resemble those of a glossy Hosta. ... Learn More

(Cardiocrinum cordatum var. glehnii). The much rarer and slightly dwarfer form of the "Giant Yunnan Lily" has been collected for us on the Russian island of Sakhalin. Massive, fragrant, creamy white trumpets hang from strong tall stems, which rise above large, thick, dark green, leathery leaves. ... Learn More

The "Giant Yunnan Lily" or "Giant Himalayan Lily" is a stately giant, producing two inch thick stems, with dinner plate sized leaves above which open numerous eight inch green and white waxy, very fragrant trumpets, followed by enormous "everlasting", toothed seed-pods when dried. A fantastic plant in all respects which blooms in late spring to early summer. Adaptable to partial shade or full sun, this plant thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. It's hardy in zones 6-9 and requires moderate watering. If you're seeking to cultivate your own outdoor haven, these seeds provide an opportunity to ... Learn More

Historically used in love potions, hence the name, this beautiful summer perennial provides a stunning blue accent to planting schemes. Bright blue, cornflower-like flowers on tall, upright stems appear continuously from early to late summer, peaking in midsummer. Later, attractive seed heads form, prolonging the season of interest right into autumn. Plant three or five in a group to make more of an impact in the border. A long lasting cut or dried flower. ... Learn More

This beautiful fast-growing perennial is very easy to grow and is often used as an annual, blooming in the first year if sown early. 'Amor White' produces stunning blooms of white, star like flowers each with a dark purple-blue eye and unique papery petals. The blooms rise on strong, single stems above neat clumps of grey-green foliage. Super planted in groups in the garden border, they also make a wonderful show in containers and are a long lasting cut or dried flower. ... Learn More

From the Canary Islands comes this attractive and very fragrant plant which bears three-lobed leaves that are strongly aromatic, and in summer pretty sprays of pink, two-lipped flowers appear over a long period in late spring and summer. The dried leaves are often used in cooking as herbs and spices. It is ideal for a sheltered or hot position, where it will best thrive and is a perpetual magnet for bees and butterflies. Plant it on the edge of a pathway where the spreading stems constantly get brushed and crushed for best effects! ... Learn More

A new, quite priceless, late-season plant. The shoots only appear above ground relatively late in the season, and soon produce fat buds which open into bright crimson flowers from July until October on thin stems, which bear very attractive, thick, rubbery blue leaves. This bone hardy plant, collected at high altitude, in boggy conditions, above Copper Canyon on our Mexican expedition in 2003, is almost certainly unknown in cultivation. ... Learn More

Cornflower is one of the hardiest and easiest flowers to grow and the masses of dark mauve, double flower heads will be stunning in the border. This variety makes for an ideal choice for a cut flower and dries brilliantly too. A long standing favourite. Extremely attractive to bees. Prefers full sun and a rich well drained soil. ... Learn More

Classic Magic Cornflower produces single, semi-double flowers in attractive purple to almost black shades, and purple and white bi-colours. This stunning flower is ideal for cutting or creating swathes of colour when sown in drifts. Sow in early spring for armfuls of flowers to pick all through the summer. Easily grown, it also makes a most attractive pot plant for the cold greenhouse. ... Learn More

"Yellow Hardhead" or "Great Golden Knapweed". Too rarely seen in gardens. From robust clumps arise strong stems bearing tennis-ball sized rich yellow blooms enclosed in intriguing silver-brown papery bracts. Perfect for cutting or drying. ... Learn More

The grey-green waxy leaves and very sweetly-perfumed red flowers, occasionally pink or white with no intermediate shades, combine to perfection, and look best grown en-masse on banks, or when allowed to self-seed in walls and paving. They are very attractive to bees and butterflies and other pollinating insects and will even grow well in shallow soil where virtually nothing else will grow. And additionally, in olden times, and even now, both leaves and roots can be eaten, the leaves either fresh in salads or lightly boiled, the roots boiled in soups! ... Learn More