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 agroforestry systems, it is often cultivated in many tropical countries of Central and South America, S and SE Asia, the Pacific islands and Africa where it serves as a pioneer species to establish new sites. ... 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

Although it can be a relatively fast-growing evergreen tree, this plant is often grown as an annual for foliage effect, making a bushy shrub to 3m, clad in attractive, olive-green, fern-like leaves which are paler beneath. Racemes of attractive, fragrant golden-orange bottlebrush-like blooms open in the spring and these are often used commercially for honey production. It is not related to the true oaks, Quercus, and is actually a native of eastern coastal Australia. Before the advent of aluminium, its timber was widely used for external window joinery, as it is resistant to wood rot and it has been used in the manufacture of furniture, cabinetry, fences and guitars. It has also gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. ... Learn More

Forming a neat, tight mound of grey-green, evergreen foliage, this attractive shrub looks like it has just been clipped over, hence its name. White flowers open in June and July on knobbly branches bearing half inch long, eliptical leaves. This one is completely hardy in the UK. In its New Zealand home, it grows wild in the Nelson mountains, to the north of the South Island. ... 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

This hardy hibiscus, that looks much like Cannabis sativa (marijuana,) produces enormous, rose-red, flared trumpets, sporting massive stamens, which appear in mid summer each year. Although in its home in Florida it grows in wet, marshy places, it may thrive better in colder countries in a sheltered well-drained spot! In addition to the scarlet flowering variety, there is a rare white flowering variety which is known as the white Texas star or lone star hibiscus. ... 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

One of the most unusual shrubs in the UK, this beauty bears willow-like leaves, arranged tight to the branches. Both male and female plants occur, but only the females bear the amazing solid clusters of soft golden berries. These are famous for their many health benefits and are most commonly used in herbal teas. It is also making its way in to some of the most adventurous chef’s kitchens, becoming a very popular alternative in household recipes. With a sweet, sharp flavour, the berries add a fresh twist to many recipes, and also make a refreshing health juice drink. Some studies have also shown that it can help with cardiovascular, memory, growth, anti-inflammatory, and skin health. The berries are popular in Denmark, especially in home made pies and jams, where they are an alternative to more traditional berries. A powerful antioxidant, the berries are sometimes called Nature’s most balanced fruit, full of vitamins and minerals such as, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, K, P and also omeaga 3, 6, 7 and 9. In ancient times, both leaves and young branches were fed to horses to support weight gain and also appearance of the coat. This lead to the name of the genus, Hippophae derived from hippo (horse), and phaos (shining)> ... 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

In spring the spectacular trusses of pink and white flowers hang between the huge distinctive leaves, which have five or more long leaflets. The common name "horse-chestnut" originated from the erroneous belief that the tree was a kind of chestnut, (it is only distantly related), and that that eating the fruit cured horses of chest complaints despite this plant being poisonous to horses. In Britain and Ireland, the gorgeous, very large and highly polished seeds are used for the popular children's game conkers, when the seeds are drilled, threaded onto string and used to hit another's "conker" until one breaks, they are the "loser"! The large seeds are said to repel spiders although many do not believe these claims! This lovely flower is the symbol of the city of Kiev, capital of Ukraine. Seeds are best planted about 6-8 cm. deep after they have dried and shrivelled a little. ... Learn More

This delightful, diminutive, aromatic shrubby plant is a British native, freely producing from June into autumn its yellow flowers with conspicuous stamens. These are followed by red fruits that turn purple-black when ripe, all above beautiful purple tinged foliage. It grows well and flowers in shade and is very dependable with early summer blooms. ... Learn More

Native to north eastern Turkey into Russia, this bone-hardy, fascinating, rare and unusual species has perfoliate, paired, fused leaves clasping the stem, forming a cupped arrangement. Large, golden-yellow flowers with reflexed petals and prominent, very long stamens form a broad pyramidal inflorescence. In a semi-shaded spot in moisture retentive soil it will make a superb specimen. ... Learn More

This ever-popular prostrate or low-growing shrub is widely cultivated for its attractive yellow flowers. Although it is widely grown in Mediterranean climates, it is a popular, evergreen hardy shrub throughout the world. In the wild it occurs in the Strandja Mountains along the Bulgarian and Turkish Black Sea coast. ... Learn More