Vast, three inch, fragrant lemon-yellow saucers open actually in the daytime on this adorable back-of-the-border plant, which is unusual in that the flowers open during the day time when they can be best admired. Evening primrose oil, derived from the seeds, is a well-known source of gamma linoleic acid (GLA), said to be a good dietary supplement for women in particular. The small drop of this nutrient in every seed serves as a readily available energy boost for the plant, allowing it to germinate and grow faster than its competitors. ... Learn More

Vast three inch fragrant lemon-yellow saucers slowly change colour through apricot to pink with age. This adorable back-of-the-border plant is unusual in that the flowers open during the day time when they can be best admired. Evening primrose oil, derived from the seeds, is a well-known source of gamma linoleic acid (GLA), said to be a good dietary supplement for women in particular. The small drop of this nutrient in every seed serves as a readily available energy boost for the plant, allowing it to germinate and grow faster than its competitors. ... Learn More

In spring and summer appears a long succession of large, fragrant, pale pink flowers, whilst the previous day's flowers fold up and turn red. We discovered this new plant in 2003 in a damp meadow, 7,000 feet above Copper Canyon in Southern Mexico. ... Learn More

This fast-growing smasher has strong stems of flowers with orange petals ageing to red giving a striking display. It is often, and understandably, mistaken for a "Crown Imperial Fritillary" when in full bloom! ... Learn More

Compact star-bursts of pretty, bright icing-pink flowers open from April to July on these lovely dwarf iris relatives that have thin, grass-like leaves and indeed were originally called "sisyrinchiums". We originally collected seed of this plant on our Expedition to Chile in 1994 where they grew on sunny, rocky slopes at altitudes that ranged from 1000 to 2600m above sea level. These pretty plants can bloom the first year grown from seeds, but will display their best from the second year on. They make superb rock garden plants, as well as being perfect for pots and containers, where they will ... Learn More

Vert rarely seen or offered, and exceedingly beautiful, "Blue-eyed Mary" is one of the most desirable spring plants. Sprays of bright blue flowers on darker stems open from earliest spring to early summer, over a slowly creeping, but staying compact, semi evergreen carpet of shiny leaves. It is fabulous in a damp shady corner, but will perform well in almost all aspects. Viable seed falls of quickly and is very rarely offered as little is produced, so we carefully collect every seed here! (R.H.S. Award of Garden Merit) ... Learn More

A quite spectacular small plant with grey-green leaves, above which arise profuse sprays of faintly sweet-scented, pure white, golden-eyed flowers all summer long. This lovely thing will very gently self-seed around the garden but never, ever becomes a nuisance here! Unsurprisingly it is an 'AGM' Award Winner. ... Learn More

This is truly one of the most impressive plants you can grow in the UK if you can give it room. Candelabras of large mauve flowers open on much-branching white woolly stems which arise from a huge grey spiky rosette in spring. ... Learn More

From the high limestone cliffs of Turkey comes this rare little plant with pendulous clusters of palest yellow flowers from May to August. En-masse these resemble melting wax, and as they age they turn blue and pink. The foliage consists of a small cushion of bristly tufted stems, with densely hairy narrow spoon shaped leaves. This perfect plant for a sunny, well drained site in a crevice, wall, raised bed or a scree sets very few good seeds. ... Learn More

Superb, slow-growing, tight cushions of fine silver leaves produce tight buds with pale pink flowers. Preferring a dry sunny spot, this is a rare and unique plant only available in small numbers. ... Learn More

Three-foot-tall scapes bear large, waxy, white, green-striped blooms with yellow stamens in late May and June. This long-lived, easily cultivated and well-behaved, giant snowdrop relative is perfect for the sunny perennial border. On sunless days the blooms will remain closed, rendering them invisible, their petals blending in with the flower stalks. But as soon as the sun appears, a burst of brilliant white stars and bells will dazzle your eyes! A common name for these sun lovers is "Sleepy Dick" (?), referring to their usually late-in-the-day “awakening”. It is a complete puzzlement why th ... Learn More

Tall slender spikes of starry pale green and white flowers appear extremely early in the year, sometimes as early as Christmas. This rare and fascinating British native has the extraordinary quality of having young flower shoots which may be eaten as a vegetable, similar to asparagus. The common name "Bath Asparagus" comes from the fact it was once abundant near the English city of the same name. ... Learn More

An amazing, non-chlorophyll producing, parasitic plant, attaching itself to the roots of its host plant without actually harming it. Produces bizarely beautiful, orchid-like, purple-veined cream flowers on wax-like stems. ... Learn More

Resembling a giant sisyrinchium with large, dark inky blue flowers, this showy Mexican plant will show of its best in a hot well-drained position where it will slowly clump up giving reliable midsummer colour. ... Learn More

Incredibly lovely pale Wedgwood blue starry flowers appear above thin iris-like leaves. This plant was originally grown in a friend's Australian nursery, but grows and flowers unprotected here and produces a rare and valuable colour in the garden. ... Learn More