Coffea Arabica Cattura is a dwarf coffee variety that is said to have been discovered in a plantation in Brazil. It is popular in Central and South America for its modest size to less than 2 m tall and its tolerance of full sun. Plants generally start flowering when only 30 cm tall. The coffee plant is originally native to the humid montane forests of Ethiopia and South Sudan but today it is cultivated in many other parts of the world. Coffee trees can grow outside in a subtropical climate, or provide an attractive pot plant and talking point in cooler climes. ... Learn More

This is an easily-grown shrub with pea-like yellow or deep orange flowers, delicately pencilled in red throughout the summer followed by large, translucent, inflated bladder-like seed-pods. This is one of the amusing plants that children delight in 'popping', and I well remember being chased by an angry neighbour when I popped his pods! ... Learn More

In summer, sizeable racemes of fragrant, pea-like yellow-orange flowers open, which are followed by translucent, pale brown seed pods. When mature it forms an upright, bushy, rounded, deciduous shrub with pinnate leaves divided into oval, grey-green leaflets, making a striking specimen in an open position. ... Learn More

A rare, relatively small-growing tree bearing exquisite, bright orange flowers that grow in large cone or cylinder shaped clusters, the fine ferny foliage adding to the artistic appearance. Although growing predominantly in tropical and subtropical gardens it can make a superb specimen in a large pot. Also known by the common name Colville's Glory, it was named for Sir Charles Colville, an ex Governor of Mauritius. ... Learn More

"New Zealand Tie-Palm". A long lived 'palm' producing a slowly thickening trunk, carrying at the top a rosette of strap-shaped long leaves. This tree is in the same family, and similar to a "Dragon Tree" or dracaena, but it is hardier in winter, and easier and faster to grow. Older plants grow enormous panicles of deeply scented white flowers in early summer, producing white berries in autumn and winter. Severe winters can kill the leaves but this invariably results in the trunk sprouting several heads. ... Learn More

Rare and very difficult to source from apparently anywhere in the world, this graceful long-leaved Cordyline from the North Island and the north-western parts of the South Island of New Zealand grows in coastal and lowland scrub and rocky banks. Even in New Zealand it is not especially well-known compared to the much more familiar Cordyline australis and indivisa plants. In mid-summer enormous sprays of white flowers are produced followed by heavy, cucumber-shaped bunches of small round red/purple berries. The leaves are quite different from Cordyline australis being longer and broader in the middle section and tapering at both ends. They have a distinctive midrib and are held in a graceful arching manner that gives them a more tropical look. Like all cordylines, this plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects. ... Learn More

This rarely-seen plant is a magnificent species for the connoisseur, with wide, thick bronze/green leaves with orange midribs and glaucous, blue-grey undersides. When mature these broad blades can grow up to 4ft long and 5-6in wide. These beautiful native New Zealanders grows high in the mountains on deep organic soil in forest clearings, and are perfect for cool, moist conditions, where you might also grow tree ferns. They are able to withstand lower temperatures than the closely related and much easier Cordyline australis, although they appreciate some protection in very hard winters when they are young. However, even in a rare arctic winter they will re-shoot from the base if cut down by severe cold. ... Learn More

One of the more compact and stout members of the cordyline family, this rare and unusual member has multiple branches of wide, strappy leaves diverging from the trunk. The large panicles of flowers, followed by white seed capsules, are held stiffly erect above the foliage unlike other species which are pendulous. In New Zealand, it is quite common on the main islands of the Three Kings which are now protected as Nature Reserves. It is very localised and possibly at some risk on Norfolk Island, and is less common south of there, but still rather widespread, especially on remote Murimotu and the Poor Knights Islands which are also Nature Reserves. ... Learn More

This rare and striking smallish species bears deep green rosettes of leaves on branching stems. Very large spikes of spectacular, fragrant purple flowers, white inside, open in mid summer, creating a dazzlingly dramatic effect. The amazing display is followed by heavy clusters of large berries containing hard black seeds. This smallish Cordyline lives in the wild in moist, temperate forests in southern Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia at altitudes of up to 2200m (7200 ft.). It is a tough plant that prefers cool climates and can take windy conditions and considerable freezes. So far it is little known in cultivation, but should be. Like all cordylines, this plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects. ... Learn More

This rare deciduous sub-shrub, originating from E Nepal, is notable for its striking fruit and foliage. Red arching stems bear opposite pairs of pinnately arranged fern-like leaves, and terminal cylindrical spikes of red-tipped flowers which are later followed by very unusual, succulent, spherical, lobed, translucent, amber-yellow, flower-like fruits in summer and through autumn. It grows with a semi-prostrate habit quite low to the ground. ... Learn More

This outstanding shrub or small tree bears long-lived "flowerheads" of enormous, impressive, buttercup-shaped flowers, consisting of waxy, creamy butter-coloured bracts, followed by red, strawberry-like fruits. This is certainly the best of all the cornus species growable from seed and seed is already stratified. ... Learn More

Clusters of tiny, bright yellow flowers open in late winter, and are followed by glossy, ruby-red, cherry-like fruits, the oval leaves which open later, finally turning purple in autumn. The fruit, which only fully ripens after it falls from the tree, has an acidic flavour which is best described as a mixture of cranberry and sour cherry. It is mainly used for making jam, and an excellent sauce similar to cranberry sauce when boiled with sugar and orange. These shrubby trees are found through Southern Europe, and into near Eastern Asia. ... Learn More

This extremely attractive, erect, bushy shrub bears branching, woody stems covered with small grey green leathery leaves. In summer it produces clusters of beautiful starry yellow flowers followed by yellow berry fruits. It is perfect for for coastal and windy and exposed gardens and is quite incredibly hardy, coming from high elevations in New Zealand, and accordingly makes an impressive hedging shrub. ... Learn More

Hazel nuts are an essential addition to Christmas time and are slightly smaller than cobnuts. Used in pralines, Nutella, sweets and cooking. they are also an excellent wildlife plant, giving both shelter and food to pheasants, squirrels, woodpeckers and all of the various rodents who struggle in a hard winter. The catkins are ever-popular for cutting along with daffodils in the spring. These seeds/nuts were collected from our hedgerows surrounding Plant World, and being easy-to-grow, they often sprout up where squirrels have buried them. They do on the lawns at Plant World anyway. They also provide cover and nesting places for birds and are excellent additions to hedgerows and windbreaks, yet are ornamental enough to use in home landscapes. ... Learn More

These rarely seen sweet nuts, a larger-fruited form of the much larger more common Hazelnut, have been in cultivation for centuries, and make a tasty addition to any orchard or large garden. They are native to south eastern Europe and south western Asia, from the Balkans to Ordu in Turkey, and will grow in almost any soil, cropping heavily, with little maintenance, for many years. ... Learn More