This popular broad-leaved evergreen shrub can grow over 6' tall with an equal spread. Large, upright clusters of fragrant white urn-shaped flowers appear in April after which they become small brown seed capsules which persist into the winter. It thrives best in partial shade to nearly full sun and prefers soils which are acidic and very well-drained, but not excessively dry. ... Learn More

This stunningly handsome clumping and clustering palm comes from rain forests in Indonesia, and from Sumatra to the Lesser Sunda Islands, South East Asia. It is usually grown for its elegant form and attractive cream-coloured trunks, as it forms a clump of many trunks, thick enough to be used as a screening plant while being attractive enough to stand alone as a garden specimen. Additionally, as a potted plant, it can be divided when it gets uncomfortable. ... Learn More

In March, short spikes of furry flower buds open to reveal large, bright-yellow, showy flowers, rather like laburnum but in short upright clusters, and which smell of vanilla and last until June. The yellow-green, flat, pendulous seed pods are about four inches long and are evident in August and September. The youngest stems are dark green, almost black, in spring, and the leaves are a shiny dark green on the upper side, blue-green underneath. This lovely shrub grows quickly once the seed has germinated ... Learn More

An absolutely glorious variety, having sizeable, shiny, richly coloured flower heads during winter. One of the very few proteas that can thrive in both alkaline or acidic soils, making it one of the most adaptable proteas for many gardens. With a robust-growing habit, it makes a large upright rounded shrub, 2–4 m tall with a spread of up to 5 m, and an incredibly stout main trunk up to 600 mm/2feet in diameter. The inner involucral bracts are hairless and shiny with a fringe of silver white hairs along the margin, the colour varying from deep carmine to creamy white, with many shades of pink in between. Flowering occurs from autumn until spring, peaking during midwinter dependent on location. Proteas require extremely well drained soil which is both acidic and very low in nutrients, fertiliser containing excess phosphates or nitrates may kill them (this variety being the exception) Proteas should not be fed with standard liquid feeds. Protea feed is available from specialist stockists. Proteas prefer full sun on a south facing slope in an open unshaded position. ... Learn More

The large deep red flowers of this sturdy, densely shrubby Protea are an excellent addition to any "wild-life" garden, as the large amount of nectar produced attracts birds, bees and other insects. The latin name "repens" is wrong and was caused by a mix-up in ancient times. The botanist Thunberg later named the same plant Protea mellifera, referring to the sweet nectar produced by the flowers. However, this later correct name was not valid so so this upright shrub is now called Protea repens! Proteas require extremely well drained soil which is both acidic and very low in nutrients, fertiliser containing excess phosphates or nitrates may kill them! Proteas should not be fed with standard liquid feeds. Protea feed is available from specialist stockists. As a rule proteas prefer full sun on a south facing slope in an open unshaded position. ... Learn More

Attractive, white-powdered, quite bitter blue fruits appear in late autumn and have a long list of culinary uses, most famous being in the preparation of Sloe Gin. Berries are lightly pricked and then steeped in gin and sugar for many months. The resulting liqueur is held in very high esteem and rarely lasts long in the bottle! One of the delights of the English countryside in early spring, sprays of white flowers appear in March and April, which are often mistaken for Hawthorn, or "May" which predictably flowers...in May! ... Learn More

This rarely-offered plant has striking, linear, purple-brown and white foliage. This slow-to-grow endemic shrub from South Island, Fiordland, the Southern Alps and northwest Nelson in New Zealand is more of less hardy, preferring montane to low alpine forest in damper regions mainly west of the Main Divide. ... Learn More

This attractive tree has a loose crown which is rounded and open, and produces bunches of fragrant yellowish flowers in summer followed by persistent hop-like fruits. An excellent wildlife plant, it also produces copious nectar and pollen for insects. Originating in North America, especially in Ontario to Connecticut and Michigan, it grows also on dry rocky slopes in the mountains of Mexico. ... Learn More

Large fragrant nocturnal white flowers open on stems bearing enormous mature leaves which can reach a length and width of up to thirty five centimetres. Indeed, they can be used as actual dinner plates or as packaging and storage for wrapping materials inside. The leaves are also used as a primitive method of re-enforcing roofs and preventing leaks. The wood is flexible and durable and is often used for box making. Mostly planted as an ornamental or shade tree, the leaves, flowers, and wood thus all serve a large variety of functions. It is home to Southeast Asia, from India to Burma. ... Learn More

Collected on our 1994 Chile expedition, (RB 941010,) this shrubby and spiny unlikely verbena relative, with small, shiny evergreen leaves, produces clusters of smallish mauve bell-flowers in spring followed by most attractive violet berries in autumn. ... Learn More

This is not just a superlative rhododendron, it is in fact one of the most magnificent plants one can grow. Maturing as a large evergreen shrub, it can, in many years, become a tree, with enormous, magnificent, glossy dark green leaves up to 30cm in length, with whitish down beneath. The large flowers, in dense rounded trusses, are bell-shaped, cream to pale yellow with a purple blotch in the throat. Both the BBC and Independent TV companies filmed this in full flower during the spring here in Plant World Gardens, whilst visitors come to our gardens especially to see these plants in full bloom! ... Learn More

Closely related to Kerria, this rarely encountered deciduous shrub is the only species in this (monotypic) genus. It has arching shoots and tapered, sharply toothed, deeply veined mid-green leaves, above which, in late spring and early summer, sizeable, four-petalled white flowers are produced from shoot tips, the large glossy black berries following later. ... Learn More

"Stag's-horn Sumach". Velvety shoots produce large divided leaves turning brilliant purple and orange in autumn. Clusters of deepest red fruits are displayed on female plants. If cut back hard in spring, enormous leaves, up to three-feet long, are produced. ... Learn More

This rose is one of the only species worth growing from seed, all aspects being desirable. Thornless, purple-red stems of attractive grey leaves, and pale-centred, cerise pink flowers age to bunches of dark red hips. Superb as a bush, but magnificent as a standard. ... Learn More

For several weeks in summer, this lovely, vigorous rambling rose produces dense, arching branches bearing large clusters of single white flowers with a rich fruity fragrance, which slowly fade to red producing an attractive bi-colour effect. These are later followed by lush red hips in autumn, and are much loved by birds which feed on these fruits and disperse its seeds widely. It is absolutely ideal for covering a wall or shed, especially north-facing walls as it is more tolerant of shade than other roses. ... Learn More