An unusually small tree in the wild, it has disproportionately large leaves, hence one of its common names, which start intensely red, and turn more and more green when reaching their ultimate size of up to 50 cm length. Its edible fruits, which ripen both on branches and the trunk, are used to make jams, juices and curries in India, whilst in Vietnam, unripe fruits are also used in salads. It also provides various traditional medicinal uses, and its large strong leaves are often used as plates! The tree is cultivated in India and from Myanmar to Vietnam and SW China and Brazil. ... Learn More

This is the tree that is grown worldwide to produce plum-sized, juicy, sweet purple/brown figs and although there are hundreds of cultivars this is still a favourite. Fruits will ripen from midsummer onwards in the UK but earlier in warmer countries. These are good, fertile seeds and are ready-stratified for sowing. Fruit from seedlings may vary but all will be superb fruits. ... Learn More

This attractive tree usually has a distinctive crooked trunk and a spreading crown, but unlike the banyan, it has no aerial roots. The most distinctive aspect of this tree is the large number of short compact clusters of red, furry figs which amazingly grow directly out of the trunk of the tree. Native to Australasia, SE Asia and Indian sub-continent, it has long been used in Ayurveda, the traditional and ancient system of Indian medicine. It is also one of the sacred trees of Buddhists and Hindus. ... Learn More

This lovely tree with pale grey bark produces figs which are primarily pollinated by fig wasps, which enter the flower through the hole at the base of the fruiting structure. It is sacred to Buddhists and Hindus as the Buddha himself was thought to have sat under one when he received enlightenment (bodhi). The oldest plant in the world of known planting date is the bo tree called Sri Maha Bodhi planted at the temple at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, in 288 BC. It is native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, south-west China and Indochina and Sadhus (Hindu ascetics) still meditate bene ... Learn More

This rarely-seen, but most attractive tree, sometimes used in parks and public gardens, bears attractive divided leaves surmounted by sizeable panicles of fragrant white male and female flowers which are very decorative in May and June. Fairly slow growing, it makes a large shrub to small or medium-size tree and is rarely taller than 10 m under cultivation. It prefers somewhat drier soil and a warm, sunny position. Very few fertile seeds collected. ... Learn More

A spectacular plant from the highlands of Central America, this rather un-Fuchsia-like shrub with glossy-green leaves, bears on red stems many beautiful, large panicles of bright pink flowers all through the summer and autumn. It was even reported to have flowered continually for 13 months through a particularly mild winter in Cornwall. It can survive a few degrees of frost but would benefit from some protection over the winter. ... Learn More

This rare and delightful diminutive shrub has very many small, coral-red flowers with frilly reflexed petals, which open for almost every month of the year, and tiny delicate leaves, the stems being deep red on the young growth. Bunches of small, shiny, black, spherical berries are later produced. Originating as a natural hybrid from Mexico, it is evergreen in all but the hardest winters, when it is often cut back to the ground but always regenerates in the spring. Very few fertile seeds are ever produced. ... Learn More

An absolutely stunning, showy species, native to southern Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina, producing exotic, hanging clusters of 10 centimetre flowers in a stunning combination of pure white and fluorescent red. The long trumpet-shaped blooms open progressively down the cluster for several months, followed, quite incredibly, by tasty green fruits! This is an extremely valuable plant that can either be grown in a large pot or be centre-stage in the garden. Freshly picked seeds are very rarely offered for sale. ... Learn More

We are offering the even rarer form of this elusive flower which displays incredible bi-coloured flowers with an ivory white tube and fluorescent scarlet petals. These pendent blooms, borne in late summer and autumn, are displayed in large drooping corymbs up to 20 cm long. This hard-to-find variety from the Andes mountains, which in the right climate can become an impressive shrub, sends down super-long clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms which open progressively down the cluster over several months. Hardy to about -4 °C for short periods, it is best in a sheltered spot or a large pot indoors. ... Learn More

We collected this most beautiful and bone-hardy plant, which can flower just four months after sowing, on our Chilean Expedition of 1994. Scarlet and purple 'ballerina' flowers open throughout summer and autumn and into winter in mild places, making a gorgeous hedge. ... Learn More

These seeds have been collected from plants, some of which are sizeable bushes, in all shapes, colours and sizes which have actually overwintered outside, here in our gardens in Devon. You will get a surprising mixture of new forms from these seeds. ... Learn More

A spectacular plant from the highlands of Central America, this rather un-Fuchsia-like shrub with glossy-green leaves, bears on red stems many beautiful, large panicles of bright pink flowers all through the summer and autumn. It was even reported to have flowered continually for 13 months through a particularly mild winter in Cornwall. It can survive a few degrees of frost but would benefit from some protection over the winter. ... Learn More

This lovely endemic (only grows in Tasmania) shrub opens its white flowers in May and June followed by showy pure white 'berries' throughout the autumn. It is snow & frost hardy in the UK, but prefers a cool spot in the garden. Native to Tasmanian temperate rainforest, it has attractive red foliage on young growth which have coarse reddish-brown hairs on the leaves as they mature. ... Learn More

This medium-sized shrub or small tree produces a generous quantity of flowers, its arching branches often being weighed down by the densely packed racemes of fragrant, nectar-rich pink blossoms. With a medium-sized, open crown it is particularly valued for its use as a shade and support tree, as a producer of green manure and forage crop in plantations, and when cropped down is even established as living fences. It is deciduous, but may be evergreen and flower sporadically through the year in areas with rain all year round. A very valuable multipurpose tree and important component of various ... Learn More

Stiff stems with grey leaves carry bunches of starry white, fragrant flowers excellent for cutting. This rare buddleia relative from alpine South Africa (the 'River Star'), is traditionally used to restore strength. We grow a lot here! ... Learn More