The gorgeous dark red flowers only open at night and are pollinated by bats and hawk-moths, a feature which is unusual for a bat-pollinated species (bats are normally attracted to white flowers), and finally large sausage-shaped fruits hang from the branches. The sausage tree is found across sub-Saharan tropical Africa and as far south as South Africa and is used as an ornamental tree in Australia, the USA and parts of Southeast Asia. The generic name Kigelia comes from the Mozambican name for sausage tree, "kigeli-keia". These trees are sacred to many communities and are often protected when other forest trees are cut down. In Kenya, the Luo and Luhya people bury a fruit to symbolise the body of a lost person believed to be dead. ... Learn More

A mesmerising medium-sized deciduous shrub, prized for its beautiful appearance. From May to June the arching stems play host to masses of pale pink, trumpet-shaped blooms that contrast beautifully with the delicate yellow throat. These gather in abundant clusters on arching branches amongst simple green leaves. As the flowers fade, this dark green foliage makes an elegant backdrop for other summer-flowering shrubs and perennials. Beautiful enough to be awarded the prestigious RHS AGM. ... 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

Also known as Angel Lips, Spanish Flag, or West Indian Lantana, these spectacular shrubby plants have aromatic flower clusters (umbels) in a mixture of red, orange, yellow, and white florets. The flowers, which are hummingbird magnets, typically change colour as they mature, resulting in inflorescences that are two or three-coloured. Indeed another common name for Lantana camara is "Ham 'n Eggs" due to the adjacent white and yellow inflorescences. Although they are more often seen as specimens and borders around the entrances to hotels in warmer countries, in the UK they are just as much at home in a large container in a conservatory. The bunches of black berries which finally appear are much loved by hungry birds too! ... 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

This much-loved fan palm has been popular since Victorian times and makes a superb potted palm for the home or terrace. In warmer climates over a period of years it grows into a handsome, medium-sized tree with a slender trunk and is cultivated in the tropical and subtropical specialty plant nursery industry for use as an ornamental tree in gardens and conservatories. The broad, lime green leaves have elegantly drooping and curled tips, which gives rise to its other name, "Fountain palm." The fruits, which are produced in large numbers, are an attractive bright blue. It shows a good tolerance to cold and frost and may be used in the sheltered temperate garden, but will also happily accept hot and humid tropical condition. The common name is something of a misnomer since it is actually native to Japan's Ryukyu Islands and Volcano Islands and also is native to Southern Japan, Taiwan and several islands in the South China Sea. ... 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

From a low dome of tiny, silky, silvery blue-green "lupin" leaves, arise short, stumpy spikes of blue and white flowers. This little gem looks exotic and tender, but is completely frost-hardy, but if pot grown, and starved, can win many a prize! Very few viable seeds have been collected. ... Learn More