A winter hardy, evergreen perennial from mountain meadows and rock crevices in central Europe, making upright stalks with rich blue globular flowers above glossy leaves in a dense basal rosette. It is very easily cultivated in any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. ... Learn More

Almost stemless lavender-blue powder puff flowers open on hummocks of deep green lustrous foliage made of glossy spoon-shaped leaves spreading outwards forming dense mats, giving this little beauty year round appeal. It does best in gritty, sharply drained soil, for example in a rock garden, scree bed, alpine house, or trough, as it is native to rock and scree areas in the mountains of the Mediterranean. Very few good seeds collected. ... Learn More

Bright blue puff-ball flowers open on short stems in early summer above densely packed, shiny, evergreen leaves which spread to make an evergreen carpet. Coming from the eastern Mediterranean and Balkan Peninsula which are dry areas, this may be best suited to well-drained soil or on a rock garden. ... Learn More

Native to the Spanish Pyrenees, this compact, cushion-forming, evergreen perennial has stiff, prostrate, spoon or lance-shaped, grey-green leaves and erect, leafy stems bearing attractive, fluffy, violet to blue flower heads in summer. One of the larger and more attractive species species, it prefers gritty well-drained soil. ... Learn More

Bright golden shaggy flowers open on branched stems, which are leafy and upright and are generally covered in long, soft, shaggy but unmatted hairs. This rarely obtainable, late-summer blooming plant serves as an important late-season source of pollen and nectar for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. It grows only in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia where it thrives in wet meadows and marshlands. Its relatives in the South American Andes are equally attractive, and have white, glue-like resin covering their buds, but they prefer dry, desert-like mountainsides! ... Learn More

Even more attractive than Gunnera flavida. Slightly larger bronze foliage and finger-sized spikes of lipstick red berries in profusion from summer until Christmas. ... Learn More

Dividing wiry, branching stems carrying masses of tiny white flowers wind in between neighbouring plants from June to September. "Baby's Breath" is an essential flower for every border and cottage garden. ... Learn More

One of the dwarf members of this family, this tufted perennial bears long grey/green leaves and in spring produces globose heads of pure white flowers. This is a little gem for a sink or scree. ... Learn More

AS absolutely exquisite plant which thrusts up close-packed bunches of large cream trumpets, delicately brushed in pink. In a well-drained, dry environment these plants will spread by seed and offsets! ... Learn More

This mix of "miniature Amaryllis" plants have gorgeous golden or cream funnel-shaped blooms emerging from broad grey-green leaves. For a well-drained rockery or a pot in the conservatory. The mixture is made of several different varieties collected in quantities too small to sell individually. ... Learn More

These very large, Hippeastrum-like flowers, bright pink with a paler eye, can multiply rapidly and soon carpet the garden in late spring. In a warm spot in the UK, or in warmer countries, they are one of the most impressive plants that can be allowed to naturalise. ... Learn More

These attractive plants from South America have orange funnel-shaped flowers, striped darker underneath. They are perfect for a well-drained rockery or even a pot in the conservator, where they form attractive clumps which then produce a steady flow of blooms over a long period. R.H.S. 'AGM' Award Winner ... Learn More

Sizeable, strong, red-throated pink flowers, which deepen as they mature, are flushed strongly outside with deep madder. In the wild flowers are borne freely from June to September with sporadic blooms through the year, whenever moisture follows a dry period. In cultivation do not overwater them though. They are easily grown in a pot or greenhouse in any fertile, well-drained compost, which should be kept dryish over the summer. ... Learn More

A distant relative of the enormous, showy, florist's bulbs, this dwarf African mountain gem has the same opulent regal look as its larger brethren! Beautiful flared golden goblets, delicately pencilled in crimson, open in springtime. Makes a stunning addition to a protected raised bed, or even better in a pot where it can be taken indoors to admire its perfection. ... Learn More

This attractive dark foliage form of the rarely-seen New Zealand plant (Haloragis erecta) is a relative of the much larger gunnera plants. Bronzed leaves and spikes of many greenish-yellow flowers add colour to the border both before and after the main flush of garden flowers. This new form was obtained from Wellington Botanic gardens 30 years ago and named by us at Plant World. ... Learn More