The fragrant, long-lasting, pastel-blue flowers of the grape hyacinth ‘Ocean Magic’ contrast beautifully with other spring bulbs such as small daffodils and species tulips. Flowers arise in mid-spring on erect, leafless, ankle-high stems whilst the clumps of grass-like leaves appear in autumn and persist throughout winter and most of spring. ... Learn More

This popular species blooms early, in March in some areas, with turquoise blue frilled bells with indigo stripes on noticeably tubby flowers. They self-sow freely, providing more flowers to enjoy the following year, grape hyacinths being hardy, easy to grow, and having long-lasting blooms. ... Learn More

This is the original, and very well-known and loved "Grape Hyacinth". In a rock garden it is short and not too leafy with deep blue flowers tipped with white at their open ends. It will gently self-seed when happy, but makes a welcome splash of blue in spring when little else is around. Absolutely bone hardy, it originally came from woodlands throughout eastern Europe and the Balkans. ... Learn More

Originating in south-east Europe to Turkey and Iran, and described by Polunin as "a striking plant", these are the most unusual "grape hyacinths". The "Tassel Hyacinths", at 40cm, with their cluster of brilliant violet sterile flowers held above the creamy-brown fertile flowers, are one of the tallest varieties, and are almost as tall as kniphofias. They are also much later flowering, in May rather than the more normal March-April. ... Learn More

From clumps of thin fleshy leaves arise bell-shaped crowns of purplish blue, sometimes almost black, flowers. The flower heads appear two-toned due to paler crowns, which are the sterile flowers. Grape hyacinth is good for naturalizing in gardens or lawns, for forcing or growing in container displays, and for rock gardens and although it will produce seedlings, it does so in a restrained manner, never exceeding its welcome. ... Learn More

This highly attractive plant has flowers of a deep richest blue, an effect unbroken except that each tiny flower is picked out with a delicate white crinoline-edge. They are natives of rocky hillsides in central Asia, but will do well in any well drained soil in a sunny spot and are fully cold-hardy. ... Learn More

In spring, spikes arise, covered with grape-like, long-lasting blooms, the bottom flowers being deepest, darkest, Oxford blue. Grape hyacinths are hardy, very easy to grow, and have long-lasting blooms, being particularly spectacular when allowed to naturalize. ... Learn More

A very rare and stunningly attractive plant originating from Madeira. However, unlike the similar and equally lovely michauxias, this plant is perennial. After a year or two building up energy to perform, the hairy rosette explodes into a firework display of numerous branching stems carrying greenish-yellow bells. Everyone who sees it finds it remarkable. ... Learn More

One of the main components in true mustard, mustard oil is rich in non-saturated and unsaturated fats, and hence is beneficial for the heart. ... Learn More

Abundant, true blue petals open in a disc, with a tiny yellow "ring" at the centre, blooming constantly from late spring into summer. It self-sows anywhere it is happy, giving the appearance of a cloud of blue surrounding spring bulbs to a magnificent effect. The Alpine Forget-me-not is the county flower of Westmorland in the UK, and also the state flower of Alaska where it grows well in open, rocky places high in the mountains, flowering in midsummer. Just a few seeds collected. ... Learn More

A brand new plant, coming true from seed, recently discovered as a chance seedling discovered here at Plant World. Compact domes of golden leaves are held beneath sprays of blue forget-me-not flowers which appear in mid summer. This lovely new plant will very gently self-seed making a blue-studded golden carpet! ... Learn More

Also called Sweet Cicely, Garden Myrrh, and Spanish Chervil, this uncommon and beautiful British native, has ornamental, much-divided, delicate, fern-like foliage and crowded umbels of small white flowers followed by extremely large, shiny-black, decorative seed-heads which are fluted and slightly curved. The whole plant has a pleasant odour of aniseed. Budding chefs can use it for flavouring stewed fruit such as plums, when it is said that it is possible to halve the amount of sugar required. Its crisp stalks make an excellent substitute for celery after light cooking and the leaves have been eaten either boiled like spinach, in soups, or fresh in salads, whilst the seeds are used as an aniseed flavouring. ... Learn More

The "hoop-petticoat daffodil". This earliest and tiniest dwarf gem with golden conical cup-flowers, and narrow pointed petals, thrives on the hottest of rockeries and will do well and even self-seed in moist turf rather like cylamen do. ... Learn More

From the high meadows and woodland edges of central Spain come these wild classic daffodils with large bright yellow flowers, and which are very similar to Narcissus hispanicus, but have less flare in the corona. ... Learn More

This miniature species has flowers with broad petals arranged in sideways-facing clusters of chrome-yellow over thin grassy leaves. Its big attraction though is the overpoweringly strong scent. It prefers a sunny site with good drainage. ... Learn More