Countless star-shaped lipstick-red flowers open over a very long season into late autumn on bushy, spreading plants. A new and very rare flower, it was only discovered as recently as 2007 in the remote jungles of Brazil. When grown as a container plant in a sheltered spot, or even better in a conservatory, it is a true perennial and will continue opening its buds right through the winter making a dazzling display on a solid compact plant. This gorgeous species was under threat of extinction, with just 14 wild plants left in its native country. ... Learn More

Sprays of fluffy, lacy, parsley-like green foliage, support intricate heads of soft, greenish-yellow, and sometimes pinkish white flowers, which open from from July to September. With a main locus in the Italian Alps, this unusual dwarf has only recently been introduced to gardens . ... Learn More

A regal plant for the back-of-the-border. Broomstick-sized, but hollow, ruby red stems ageing black, clad with triangular leaves, bearing great umbels of purple and white seedheads. Hugely impressive. ... Learn More

Flared lavender-blue trumpet flowers with bright blue pollen, and loved by bees and butterflies, open on hairy stems bearing toothed, hairy leaves, very late in the season, from May into August. This astonishing tough perennial (yes! A bone-hardy perennial phacelia) is native to cold Douglas Fir and Redwood forests in Northern California and Oregon, and makes an amazing display in any open spot. ... Learn More

This rare, showy perennial species of Phacelia, endemic to western North America, grows mainly at subalpine to alpine elevations in forest openings, or above the treeline among rocks and sand. The showy, deep blue-mauve sprays of flowers have prominent anthers, which add to its appeal, but the foliage is quite extravagant being composed of tufts of deeply cut, grey silky foliage. A magnificent plant for a dry rockery or to win a prize as a potted alpine specimen! ... Learn More

With strong heads of golden yellow flowers amidst thick, evergreen, sage-like, silver-grey leaves, this compact, low growing, sun loving, frost hardy, drought tolerant, seaside friendly shrub will flourish in any well drained soil, whether sandy or chalky and especially in a sheltered spot in full sun. ... Learn More

Although it looks tender, this Syrian plant is actually bone-hardy, stout stems bearing tiered whorls of hooded, butter yellow flowers in summer, above rough heart-shaped basal leaves. A valuable and easy plant that thrives in poor dry soil. ... Learn More

A bold and architectural perennial, Phlomis 'Samia' brings structure and soft colour to the garden with its whorls of soft lilac-pink flowers held on tall, upright stems above clumps of large, grey-green, felted leaves. Flowering from early to mid-summer, the striking seed heads that follow add long-lasting interest well into winter. Drought-tolerant and easy to grow, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for Mediterranean-style borders, gravel gardens, and wildlife-friendly planting schemes. A fantastic choice for adding texture, movement, and a relaxed, natural feel ... Learn More

Tiny, creamy-white flowers appear in midsummer above oval green foliage. Later, the berries develop within eye-catching, red, papery Chinese Lantern like calyces. If left on the plant the calyces will slowly skeletonize, adding ornate winter interest to your garden. The stems can then be cut to create wonderful decorative flower arrangements. Ideal plant for a container display, great end of year interest and goes well with Heucheras. Prefers full sun, or partial shade with moist soil or compost. ... Learn More

This extremely choice and rare plant, which is quite easy to grow, has sizeable, lavender-pink tubular flowers which open in the stem tips in early spring above compact sprays of attractive, oblong, greyish-green, thick, pubescent leaves, the entire plant going dormant in late summer. It is native of montane, rocky slopes from the Caucasus to the Transcaucasus and Turkey, and makes a bone hardy tuber, doing well in any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Very few good seeds are ever set. ... Learn More

Physostegia virginiana 'Rose Bouquet', commonly known as Rose Bouquet Obedient Plant, is a vigorous herbaceous perennial that produces dense spikes of tubular, rose-pink flowers. The blooms appear in mid to late summer, creating a vibrant display that adds vertical interest to borders, cottage gardens, and naturalized settings. Its common name, "obedient plant," comes from the ability to temporarily reposition individual flowers on the stem. This adaptable perennial thrives in moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile choice for variou ... Learn More

Forming small clumps up to 6 inches high, this lovely alpine, found in the wild in the eastern Alps, bears compact heads of attractive mauvey-purple tubular flowers, each head, rather than being a single bloom, actually consisting of a collection of smaller ones, huddled together, rather imitating a scabious to which it is totally unrelated. ... Learn More

Spiky, violet-blue pom-pom flowers open with curious, shiny-blue claws protruding from them. The lanceolate, deep green leaves unfurl in early spring forming a neat rosette. This extremely neat and tidy little herbaceous alpine is perfect for the rock garden or scree. ... Learn More

A truly delightful rare campanula relative bearing unusually attractive spiky blue flowers on short stems which hold bright-green, heart-shaped leaves. ... Learn More

Unique amongst this genus, claw-shaped green buds open into narrow, spiky cones of creamy-white flowers, on rigid stems which rise above neat rosettes of lanceolate, deep green leaves in early spring. This is a lovely plant either for a small garden, rockery or a large pot. ... Learn More