Gliricidia sepium, commonly known as Gliricidia, Mexican Lilac, or Madre de Cacao, is a fast-growing, semi-deciduous tree native to Central and South America. It is highly valued for its versatility and ecological benefits. The tree features pinnate leaves and produces clusters of fragrant, pea-like, pale pink to lavender flowers with yellow throats during the dry season. These blooms are followed by flat, green seed pods that mature into brown pods containing hard, shiny seeds. Thriving in full sun and adaptable soils, Gliricidia sepium is widely used in agroforestry systems for purposes s ... Learn More

Gmelina arborea, commonly known as Gmelina, Yemane, or White Teak, is a fast-growing, deciduous tree native to South and Southeast Asia. It is highly valued for its quality timber, which is lightweight yet durable, making it ideal for furniture, cabinetry, and construction. The tree features a straight trunk with a broad, umbrella-shaped crown, and its leaves are large, ovate, and bright green. During the blooming season, it produces tubular, yellow flowers with purple streaks, which are both fragrant and attractive to pollinators. These are followed by fleshy, drupe-like fruits that turn yell ... 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

A shrub or small tree, rarely more than 2 m (6 ft.) tall, growing in dry deciduous forests, in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa. It usually develops multiple stems, covered by dark gray-brown bark, upright, elliptical leaves with toothed margins, grayish-green above and pale green below and yellow or orange flowers, followed by spherical, reddish brown, edible fruits. In Botswana, the fruits of Grewia flava are highly appreciated and are used in the preparation of traditional beer and snacks. It is best adapted to warm temperate and drier tropical climates. Seeds germina ... Learn More

Purple star-shaped flowers that appear in early summer, and continue for a very long time, are much-loved by bees, birds and butterflies, and are finally followed by red-brown berries. This rare, choice and captivating hardy evergreen shrub, with a neat, natural, compact topiary shape, is a valuable addition to any garden or even a patio, where it will thrive, especially in a hot summer. It is both frost and drought-hardy, and will thrive if planted in well-prepared soil either in full sun or shade. Besides being an attractive flowering shrub or compact tree, it can sometimes be trained to d ... Learn More

Grewia similis, commonly known as Cross Berry or Lavender Starflower, is a scrambling shrub or small tree native to regions of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, eastern tropical Africa, and Ethiopia. It typically grows up to 3 meters in height and may exhibit a climbing habit with woody knobs on older stems. The plant produces simple leaves with serrated edges and lovely lavender flowers, followed by small, orange-red, sweet, and edible fruits measuring 5–10 mm in diameter. These fruits are consumed fresh and are also used to sweeten porridge. In its native habitat, Gr ... Learn More

This rarely grown American sub-shrubby plant is an unlikely member of the 'Loosestrife' family. Thin woody stems, which will slowly spread to form a clump, produce masses of small, bright yellow flowers in early spring. ... Learn More

Deep crimson to purple flowers with darker striped petals and dark eyes, open on stems clad in dissected foliage which is very reminiscent of Japanese maple leaves. These are at least as attractive as the flowers, and can vary from dark bronze to deepest purple, and this is the one hibiscus that is grown for its beautiful foliage as well as for the flowers! The fast growing and shrubby habit of this unusual plant makes it a good choice for a seasonal hedge, an attractive annual specimen plant, or even an indoor container plant. Very few seeds obtainable. ... Learn More

This is the very-rarely seen or offered pure white-flowering variety of the normally red flowered shrub, which if grown alongside the red one can make a dramatic statement. Relatively hardy in a well-sheltered and well-drained spot. ... Learn More

Possibly the largest flowers of any of the mallow family, these truly astounding, exotic, supersized blooms can grow to the size of a dinner plate across (10"-12" or 25 - 28 cm), usually white with a crimson centre, but often in shades of white, pinks and crimson and even more shades! Individual blooms can be picked and floated in a large flat dish, like a huge water lily, as a unique table centre-piece. Whether grown in the garden, in tubs, or in the greenhouse, they will delight and amaze all who see them. This gem thrives in sunny, moist, or even wet sites where it is sought after by many ... Learn More

Absolutely enormous primrose yellow flowers up to 30cm (12”) across are produced on this new, hardy, dwarf, Nebraskan-bred Rose Mallow, which is best grown from seed. It has a strong, vigorous habit and a compact rounded shape making it ideal for planting in patio containers or dotting among perennial borders. The flowers open in succession throughout the summer providing a long flowering period that reaches well into autumn. Very few good seeds are produced. ... Learn More

Beautiful flowers open ivory-white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base of each petal, the attractive leaves being deeply three-to-five-lobed, arranged alternately on the stems. The fleshy seed pods are also most attractive turning bright red as the fruit matures. Native to West Africa, this attractive shrub has a long list of herbal attributes. ... Learn More

From New Zealand comes this unusual shrub/small tree which, surprisingly, belongs to the mallow family. Delightful sprays of white flowers are borne from midsummer onwards. ... Learn More

Probably the best of the popular Christmas hollies, despite its name, this variegated form is a female holly! Holly is dioecious, meaning plants are either male or female, therefore you need to grow several to ensure you get some of the berried females. Males are used purely to cross-pollinate them to ensure plentiful berries are produced! It makes a compact, conical, evergreen shrub that has broad, ovate, friendly and only partly spiny leaves, that are slightly shiny and variegated with dark green and a rich yellow edge. You will various forms and variegations, and it is very hardy, and tole ... Learn More

These beautiful dusky-purple-leafed, semi-evergreen, bushy plants have an upright habit, bearing contrasting yellow flowers in mid-summer followed by ornamental clusters of berries that slowly change from pink to red to black. Excellent in cut-flower bouquets, it also has a superb autumn effect. It is best cut back heavily in spring as the darkest leaf colour is displayed on new growth. ... Learn More