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

This rare and beautiful rose comes from the Central Iberian/sub-Mediterranean areas, where it makes dense deciduous thickets smothered in fragrant pale pink flowers. Its preferred habitat is deep, moist soils, especially in the supra-Mediterranean zone of the Meseta, the Ebro basin, the Cordillera Central, the Southern Iberian Range, the Montes de Toledo, and the Sierra Morena mountains, where it grows in association with Berberis hispanica and Prunus spinosa ("Sloe") ... Learn More

Charming single pink rose flowers, with a white centre behind a mop of prominent stamens, displayed against bright green foliage with serrated edges and a fragrance of apples. The flowers later give way to large red hips making it an attractive autumn feature too. This plant has a dense and thorny habit and lends itself well to hedging or for masking unwanted features. ... Learn More

Large shocking pink single rose flowers, with petals like tissue paper, stand out like beacons against the deeply-veined, large bright green leaves ultimately giving way to fat, glossy orange hips that are just as attractive as the flowers. This is a fast-growing rose with a dense and bushy habit that makes it a good choice for a summer-flowering hedge with autumn interest. The extremely thorny stems make it a good deterrent barrier too. ... Learn More

This delicate, small suckering shrub boasts pretty, single, creamy-white flowers, up to 2 in. across (5 cm), in late spring to early summer. Sweetly scented, these are borne in profusion on prickly stems bearing handsome, fern-like foliage of bright green leaves that are composed of rounded, delicate leaflets. As an extra bonus, the blossoms are followed by sizeable, spherical, purplish-black fruits. Disease, salt and drought tolerant, this beautiful species rose is perfect as a groundcover or as a low hedge. A hardy, tough and reliable plant, it is extremely suitable for use on poor soil and coastal areas. ... Learn More

The national tree of Cuba is a spectacular palm tree and according to some authorities is probably the most beautiful palm in the world. Unlike most other palms, the Royal Palm tree will grow rapidly if they are well watered and fertilized. Their straight, flag-pole like gun metal-grey trunks are striking, and the deep green crownshafts make for a very tropical, elegant look. native to southern Florida, Mexico and parts of Central America, Roystonea regia has been planted throughout the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental plant and in addition the seed is used as a source of oil and for livestock feed, whilst the leaves are used for thatching and the wood for construction. ... Learn More

This mysterious, and very rarely-seen plant makes attractive compact bushes of rigid, branched stems bearing evergreen spiny leaves, and bears greenish flowers followed by sizeable gorgeous red berries throughout the winter and following spring! Quite incredibly, it is a member of the lily family! For hundreds of years herbalists have used butcher's broom in the treatment of various ailments. And presumably butchers-of-old used branches to clean their work tops with the sharp foliage? For the chemists amongst you, Butcher's Broom contains 0.8-1.5% quinolizidine alkaloids, principally sparteine which inhibits the passing of sodium ions across the cell membrane and thus is an effective anti-arrhythmic substance. It is is frequently used in its sulphate form as an oxytocic drug - a substance which stimulates contraction of the uterine smooth muscle. sparteine also appears to extend the diastole. But we do not recommend experimenting without first consulting your doctor! Very few valuable fertile seeds are produced and we pick them individually from our plants, with only one large seed per berry, hence the high price. ... Learn More

This is a tall, single stemmed, slow growing palm from the South-eastern states of the US, and has compact, spherical heads of many fan-shaped leaves to 2m long. A sub-tropical or warm temperate palm, they require a hot humid climate in the summer to grow well but they are nonetheless very hardy and in the winter are capable of surviving temperatures down to at least -14 C. A very tough and hardy palm all round, being tolerant to both salt, wind and poor drainage, making it suitable for coastal gardens. ... Learn More

This shrub or small tree can be found growing wild just about everywhere in Britain, the fragrant, flat topped, cream flower heads appear in May and June followed by the purple-black berries in September. The flowers are used to make the delicately-perfumed elder flower champagne, whilst the berries are used for wine. It used to be said that if you had an elder tree in the garden you had a medicine chest, or even a larder! The pith of the stems is easily pushed out and whistles were made from the hollow stems, the belief being that the sweetest sounding ones were made from trees that grew away from the sound of cock-crow. Pop guns were also made out of the stems by country children. ... Learn More

Seeds collected from the very best cultivars of the dark, narrow leaved forms of the fragrant-flowered elder such as 'Black Lace'. Seedlings will vary, with less than half having dark or very dark foliage, and pink or dark pink flowers. It is very important indeed to remember that many green seedlings will turn darker as the plants mature through the summer in their first year, so do not discard all green-leaved seedlings. ... Learn More

White, fragrant spring flowers give way to dazzling, pendulous clumps of pillar-box red berries, which shine with great intensity. A great improvement on our own black-fruited elder and now you can make red elderberry wine! Collected on our Russian trip to Sakhalin (RBS0265). ... Learn More