This lovely tufted shrub has erect to decumbent stems up to a foot or so in length with golden flowers in small terminal bunches. In the wild it lives in Northern Turkey and the Caucasus in light woodland or among volcanic rocks in the mountains. ... Learn More

The soothing foliage of Henry’s St. John’s Wort is a pleasant backdrop for the golden yellow flowers borne in summer on this upright, deciduous shrub. The erect, arching branches of this species typically form a vase shape, and are covered with red-brown bark. In midsummer to autumn, loose clusters of starry, cup shaped, golden yellow flowers open at the branch tips where they attract bees and butterflies, and are followed by small, red-tinted, green fruits. ... Learn More

This miniature-leaved holly is one of the most desirable evergreen garden shrubs you can grow. Tiny leaves with sharp triangular edges cling tightly to the branches giving a dwarfing, almost bonsai effect. In winter the entire plant is covered with bright red berries, making the elegant cut stems especially desirable for Christmas decorations. These bright berries also attract hungry birds. ... Learn More

Sweetly fragrant, lavender-blue flowers with a curved trumpet shape and a white inner throat that shows only slightly at the base of the upper petals, are formed in abundance in terminal panicles in the late spring and summer. This sub-tropical tree, native to South America, has been widely planted elsewhere because of its beautiful and long-lasting flowers. ... Learn More

A rare and stunningly beautiful plant from the colder parts of Chile and also New Zealand. Thin, branching stems with attractive wavy-edged leaves produce clusters of countless delicate orchid-like cream flowers gently marked with yellow and purple, which appear throughout spring and early summer and produce very few dust-like seeds. This delicate plant will stand severe frost in well-drained soil, and will almost always re-shoot from the base when killed back by severe winters. (RHS Award of Garden Merit). ... Learn More

The well-known laburnum tree produces long racemes of beautiful yellow flowers in early summer followed by pods full of black seeds which are poisonous. ... Learn More

This very old, softly-prickly cottage garden plant, between June and August, has hairy flowers which are pale pink to purple, alternating up the stems, with whorls of leaves which are oak-shaped and deeply lobed into three. Motherwort has a long history of use as a herb in traditional medicine in Central Europe, Asia and North America. Midwives used it for a variety of purposes, including uterine tonic and prevention of uterine infection in women, hence the name Motherwort. And finally, in the Victorian 'Language of Flowers' it symbolizes concealed love. ... Learn More

Bearing grey-green foliage, which is highly aromatic when crushed, this evergreen, upright shrub has hairy white stems, and saucer-shaped white flowers borne in summer. It thrives in a hot sheltered position, but is nonetheless quite frost hardy in a well-drained spot. ... Learn More

A lovely relative of the "mimosas", sprays of fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers open in very early spring at the ends of branches clad in delicate fern-like leaves. This plant was promoted as a "miracle tree" because of its worldwide success as a long-lived, highly nutritious forage tree. As well as forage, leucaena can provide firewood, timber, human food, green manure, shade and erosion control. In addition, the young pods are edible and occasionally eaten with Javanese vegetables salad with spicy peanut sauce and spicy fish wrapped in papaya or taro leaves in Indonesia, papaya salad in Laos and in Thailand, where they are known as phakatin ... Learn More

A challenge for your knowledgeable friends to name. Whilst related to L.formosa, this beauty bears no comparison, with trusses of golden yellow trumpets showing prominent stamens, amidst distinctive bronzed foliage which clads the cane-like stems. ... Learn More

This multi-value plant leaves its bright green bamboo-like stems in winter, but opens delicate white pendent flowers amidst tasselled, ruby-coloured bracts in summer. Soft bunches of purple-brown caramel flavoured berries (also loved by birds) appear in autumn. ... Learn More

A gorgeous form of this multi-value plant which has bright green bamboo-like stems in winter, along with delicate, white pendent flowers amidst tasselled, ruby-coloured bracts in summer. Finally, in autumn, soft bunches of purple-brown caramel flavoured berries (loved by birds) appear. But this new form also has the most gorgeous crimson-tinged bright golden leaves. Coming completely true from seed this exciting new plant is perfect to brighten up a shady corner. ... Learn More

This dwarf, evergreen shrub opens its bright yellow flowers successively over a very long period throughout late spring and summer. It will do best in a hot sunny spot and is completely frost hardy. ... Learn More

Dark, blood-red flowers are followed by large numbers of cherry-red berries which are sprinkled liberally over the entire plant giving a pleasing effect. Cultivated since the 16th Century, this attractive deciduous shrub has dark green, shining leaves, and is found in the wild in woods and stony places in the mountains of Europe. Normally a medium-sized shrub, it can be easily clipped to maintain its dwarf stature, under 3ft if required, making it a good hedging plant. ... Learn More

The commonly-grown evergreen form, best known for making quick-growing hedges, is always sterile. This rare mutant produces white flowers which later become attractive, bright purple berries, covering the entire stems in August and September, and if neatly trained makes a most attractive standard. ... Learn More