This lovely diminutive native of of the Dalmatian mountains makes compact tufts of narrow grass-like leaves, 2 to 4 inches in length, with drooping flower-stems which become erect later. Violet-blue starry bell-shaped flowers appear in clusters in July and August. Rarely seen, this tough little gem is perfect for the alpine garden or front of border. ... Learn More

Short stems arise from a tiny grassy-leaved tuft of silver-blue foliage in spring, supporting beautiful blue bells that are very large for the size of the plant. This bone-hardy rare endemic from the Komovi mountains of Montenegro is probably best grown in a trough or in a site in the rock garden, where it will not be overwhelmed by neighboring plants. ... Learn More

One of the very smallest species, this makes clumps of thin, grass-like foliage, topped with blue, skywards-facing bell-flowers. This prize-winner is absolutely superb in a pan, scree or rock garden. ... Learn More

From an inconspicuous green tuft of grassy leaves, sprout six inch stems bearing clusters of large, bright purple flowers, each blooming spike being around two inches across. This plant, a native of the Balkans, demands a location with good drainage such as a pot, rock garden, or alpine trough. ... Learn More

This charming member of the Saxifrage family has deep green, notched and lobed, rounded basal leaves. Pale Yellow-green flowers open, each bonnet-shaped calyx being cream coloured and trimmed with five tiny pure white petals that are lobed or fringed. Found on the Pacific coast of USA and Canada, it is clump-forming, spreading by rhizomes, but is not invasive. ... Learn More

This absolutely diminutive, rather rare, summer-flowering perennial is found in the alpine screes and rocky areas from 900–1800m altitude in the mountains of New Zealand's South Island from Nelson to Arthur's Pass where it makes a prostrate creeping carpet of tiny succulent leaves spangled with almost stemless, pretty pink flowers. Later, the curious, erect seed pods are formed, from which the tiny gossamer seed-parachutes are soon blown aloft, but rarely to become a pest! ... Learn More

Greyish narrow leaves and massed spires of rosy pink blooms on this dainty Russian plant. Flowers for a long period in midsummer. Neither weedy nor invasive. "A beautiful plant in full flower." (G.S.T.) ... Learn More

This compact and delightful flower from the Alps is seriously under-used in the garden where its delicate, fragrant, pink flowers, which have four pointed thin dark purple sepals and four bright pink ovate petals, borne on reddish stems against gray-green foliage, would be a welcome addition. It is native to the European mountain regions and to nearby mountain ranges such as the Carpathians, where it typically colonises acid gravels near rivers particularly after the retreat of a glacier. It immediately reminds you of Chamerion angustifolium (Rosebay Willowherb) but is instead a lovely, dwarf, ... Learn More

Slowly creeping growths push up short stems, clothed with small leaves, topped in July with spikes of red-infused flowers with brownish sepals around an intricate white and yellow lip. The overall effect is entrancing. It will do best in full sun in a seasonally wet or damp soil, which for best results should be alkaline. This lovely hardy orchid is native to Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, West and East Siberia, and Central Asia. Please be aware that these plants are very slow indeed to germinate, but when established are easy to grow and very long-lived as they spread by underground runners. ... Learn More

This lovely geographical variant has larger yellow flowers than the commonly encountered form, and these open around a month later giving a useful progression in the garden. The ruff of leaves also has many more frilly segments which are attractively tinged bronze as they emerge from the ground. It comes from areas around the Mediterranean, especially Turkey and is soundly perennial in ordinary garden soil but enjoys a warmer, sunnier, drier spot than its relatives. ... Learn More

This dazzling plant, which is totally hardy and very long-lived, competes with the snowdrop as the first flower of the year, but is too seldom grown or seen. Buttercup yellow shiny flowers above tiny posies of cut leaves, sprouting from tubers which slowly multiply over the years. ... Learn More

Beautiful star-shaped flowers, in shades of brown and purple, grown on spikes which can grow up to 2 feet high. The grey-green, straplike leaves grow in a tuft from the crown at the base. Prefers a sunny spot, in well drained soil and is ideal for beds and borders. ... Learn More

This is probably the largest of the foxtail lilies, growing to a staggering 3m tall. It produces very tall spires of pale pink flowers with yellow stamens atop leafless stems which tower above all else in the early summer border. The individual florets open from the base and continue upward, the effect being particularly dramatic when lit from behind. ... Learn More

Desert Candles are native to dry, semi -desert grasslands and so need lots of sun and well drained soil and a sheltered position from wind. They produce tall flower spikes from low, rosette like strap leaves which make it an ideal addition to the back of borders and beds. A real magnet for pollinators due to the sheer number of flowers, but if you can spare them from the garden and the bees, they are great for cutting to give a real impact and height to any floral arrangement. In some areas, additional frost protection maybe needed to protect the roots. Also known as foxtail lilies or d ... Learn More

Only recently developed from a chance seedling, this gorgeous, exceptionally dwarf, bone-hardy alpine has golden-eyed bright mauve, rather than pinkish daisy flowers. These burst open from late spring to early summer, above a slow-growing, semi-evergreen cushion, making it a perfect butterfly and bee plant, ideal for rockery, border or even a container! ... Learn More