A lovely relative of the "mimosas", sprays of fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers open in very early spring at the ends of branches clad in delicate fern-like leaves. This plant was promoted as a "miracle tree" because of its worldwide success as a long-lived, highly nutritious forage tree. As well as forage, leucaena can provide firewood, timber, human food, green manure, shade and erosion control. In addition, the young pods are edible and occasionally eaten with Javanese vegetables salad with spicy peanut sauce and spicy fish wrapped in papaya or taro leaves in Indonesia, papaya salad in Laos and in Thailand, where they are known as phakatin ... Learn More

A challenge for your knowledgeable friends to name. Whilst related to L.formosa, this beauty bears no comparison, with trusses of golden yellow trumpets showing prominent stamens, amidst distinctive bronzed foliage which clads the cane-like stems. ... Learn More

A gorgeous form of this multi-value plant which has bright green bamboo-like stems in winter, along with delicate, white pendent flowers amidst tasselled, ruby-coloured bracts in summer. Finally, in autumn, soft bunches of purple-brown caramel flavoured berries (loved by birds) appear. But this new form also has the most gorgeous crimson-tinged bright golden leaves. Coming completely true from seed this exciting new plant is perfect to brighten up a shady corner. ... Learn More

This dwarf, evergreen shrub opens its bright yellow flowers successively over a very long period throughout late spring and summer. It will do best in a hot sunny spot and is completely frost hardy. ... Learn More

This much-loved fan palm has been popular since Victorian times and makes a superb potted palm for the home or terrace. In warmer climates over a period of years it grows into a handsome, medium-sized tree with a slender trunk and is cultivated in the tropical and subtropical specialty plant nursery industry for use as an ornamental tree in gardens and conservatories. The broad, lime green leaves have elegantly drooping and curled tips, which gives rise to its other name, "Fountain palm." The fruits, which are produced in large numbers, are an attractive bright blue. It shows a good tolerance to cold and frost and may be used in the sheltered temperate garden, but will also happily accept hot and humid tropical condition. The common name is something of a misnomer since it is actually native to Japan's Ryukyu Islands and Volcano Islands and also is native to Southern Japan, Taiwan and several islands in the South China Sea. ... Learn More

Dark, blood-red flowers are followed by large numbers of cherry-red berries which are sprinkled liberally over the entire plant giving a pleasing effect. Cultivated since the 16th Century, this attractive deciduous shrub has dark green, shining leaves, and is found in the wild in woods and stony places in the mountains of Europe. Normally a medium-sized shrub, it can be easily clipped to maintain its dwarf stature, under 3ft if required, making it a good hedging plant. ... Learn More

From a low dome of tiny, silky, silvery blue-green "lupin" leaves, arise short, stumpy spikes of gorgeous blue and white flowers. This little gem looks exotic and tender, but is completely frost-hardy, and if pot grown, and starved, can win many a prize! In the USA its habitats include coastal sage scrub, chaparral, northern coastal scrub, dry foothill woodland, and yellow pine forest. One of the only plants that absolutely thrives on drought! Very few viable seeds have been collected ... Learn More

Lupinus versicolor with a spreading dwarf habit, has crossed in our gardens with the large tree lupins producing plants with an astonishing range of habits, from prostrate to erect bushes. Flowers are blue, white or pale yellow. ... Learn More

This evergreen, semi tropical large shrub or tree has large mid-green leaves and sweetly fragrant orange flowers in spring. The strongly fragrant flowers from this fabulous, exotic tree are used to make the expensive perfume 'Joy', and the flowers are used in south east Asia for several purposes. They are primarily used for worship at temples, and more generally are worn in the hair by girls and women as ornaments, as well as a natural perfume. Flowers are also floated in bowls of water to scent the room, as a fragrant decoration for bridal beds, and for garlands. Although it is a tropical tree, it is surprisingly tough, and established plants can tolerate light freezing. ... Learn More

This spreading, deciduous shrub blooms from late spring to late summer, with superb, white fragrant blossoms. It is best grown where the nodding flowers which have rich rose-red stamens can be admired from below. Very few fertile seeeds collected. ... Learn More

This breathtakingly beautiful species bears nodding blooms which open as pure white cups with rosy-purple or crimson stamens, later opening fully like bone-china saucers. Introduced from China nearly a century ago, it is also fortunately lime-tolerant. ... Learn More

Yellow-brown fragrant flowers form on racemes up to 6cm long, with male and female flowers growing on separate trees. Forming a bush to a small or medium sized tree, it has a trunk which is fluted and irregular at the base and grey bark which is smooth, or with occasional wrinkles or corky bumps. It has long been in use as a traditional medicinal tree in India and is also a source of Kamala dye which is used in colouring silk and wool, and finally is used as an anti-oxidant for ghee and vegetable oils. Its home is south east Asia, Afghanistan and Australia. ... Learn More

The tree produces white-pink, non-hairy (glabrous) flowers in spring along glabrous branches. With a pleasing, rounded crown, abundant flowers and small, edible fruits, forming dense clusters and resembling cherries from a distance, this crabapple has been introduced widely as an ornamental tree. It can also be used for bonsai. ... Learn More

Unlike the common garden stocks, the white form of the fragrant tree stock is rarely encountered. Slowly, with age, it develops a trunk supporting several radiating rosettes of grey lanceolate leaves, each rosette producing spikes of sweetly perfumed white flowers. It is hardy and long lived in a sheltered well-drained spot. ... Learn More

Native to Australia and South East Asia, this attractive tree opens its clusters of purple and white flowers in early summer before forming the inedible, fleshy yellow fruits in autumn. Birds though can eat them and spread the seeds around in their droppings. It prefers open sun and can do well in partial shade too. It is hardy to most frosts and can withstand extended dry periods and can also adapt to a wide range of soil conditions. ... Learn More