This superb, sizeable agave, from Tolimán, north of Mexico City, has distinctive and exceptionally attractive, broad, pale blue leaves. In open ground it can finally reach a diameter of up to 4 m (13 ft), but will stay much smaller in a suitable container. Easy to germinate, it is also robust, fast growing, and is perfect for dry or drought conditions, even making a striking house plant, and can even be grown outside in milder climates. ... Learn More

A fantastic, rare, succulent agave, native to the Durango region of Mexico, where the greyish-blue rosette of agave spikes have attractive spines, growing very large in the dry and warm desert. This valuable sub-species, which can produce many basal "babies", can be extremely hardy compared to many other Agaves. ... Learn More

The distinguishing features of this stunning agave variety are both the powdery-blue colour of the broad leaves tipped with black spikes, and the spectacular size of the broad, ovate and fleshy leaves. The overall appearance is a dense, round ball. This rarely-seen sub-species of agave was discovered in the northeast of Mexico under the canopy of pine forests. ... Learn More

This attractive, small-to-medium-sized agave has numerous, unusually-narrow, widely-flared, bluish-green succulent spears. Usually growing to no more than 90cm or so, this rarely-seen sub-species from South-East Mexico is perfect for a smaller garden or a container. ... Learn More

This rare sub-species of Agave has unusually round, almost tubular, pale-green and cream bicoloured succulent spears, in a dense cluster atop a slender trunk. Indeed, when fully grown it is often mistaken for Yucca aloifolia! The ends of the leaves are adorned with striking black spikes, forming a formidable living fence when it grows in dense colonies at altitude in the states of Oaxaca, Puebla and Veracruz. It is also a principle source of raw material for the distillation of mezcal! ... Learn More

A superb, very-rarely-seen, medium sized agave, the rosettes of which ultimately form incredible spherical 60-120cm balls of countless, needle-like, densely packed slender spears. Native to limited areas in the Puebla region of Mexico, just south east of Mexico City, it is easy to cultivate, and relatively hardy to moderate frost and drought. ... Learn More

Surely one of the neatest and most diminutive of this race, this tiny agave, with delicate, slender, green or bluish-green foliage, looks just like a miniature firework of succulent leaves. A wonderful addition to any rockery or gravel garden, this rare variety was discovered in the slightly more humid forest of central Mexico between 450 and 1500 m (1500 and 5000 ft.) Consequently, it is happy in areas of high rainfall in summer. ... Learn More

A very rare and unusual agave with striking, broad and thick, paddle-shaped, silvery, powdery leaves. The rosette is more compact than other varieties of agave, growing to a maximum of 3ft (1m) however this does not detract from its superb ornamental qualities. Will thrive in any well drained and sunny spot, even tolerating mild frost. It can also make the ultimate display specimen in a large pot. This fantastic variety was discovered along the boundary between Puebla and Oaxaca in southern-central Mexico. ... Learn More

A beautifully compact variety of agave with many thin and densely packed dark green leaves. The crown has very few or no teeth, and is striking with its numerous spiralling leaves. Another rare and exclusive variety, which was first discovered at altitude between southwestern Puebla and northwestern Oaxaca, thus it tolerates light frost and drought. ... Learn More

This rarely grown, dwarf, clustering Thai palm really does make a nice potted plant or smaller plant, where it will do well in a shady spot in the tropical or warm subtropical garden. Native to Thailand and other parts of South-East Asia, it is an understorey palm, with densely clustering, thin, canelike stems and small leaves that are dark green above and silvery white below. The attractive leaflets are roughly fishtail-shaped and have jaggedly toothed margins. ... Learn More

This very well-known and distinctive fruit has ridges running down its sides, usually five but sometimes more, its cross-section resembling a star. The entire fruit is edible and is usually eaten out of the hand, having a unique thirst-quenching ability like no other. It is also used in cooking, and for relishes, preserves, and juice drinks. The tree needs, above all, good drainage, and will not tolerate being waterlogged. It is popular throughout its native lands in south east Asia, the Southern Pacific, East Asia, and is also cultivated throughout other non-indigenous tropical and sub-tropical areas, such as Latin America, the Caribbean, and the southern parts of the United States ... Learn More

This lovely tropical and sub-tropical shrub or bushy tree has glossy, ovate, evergreen leaves on twigs which are covered with rust-coloured scales when young and are bare when older. Sprays of attractive pink and white flowers open, producing striking, bright red, two-valved fruits, covered with dense soft bristles. When ripe, they split open revealing masses of small, inedible, fleshy seeds, covered with red-orange pulp. The inedible fruit is harvested for its seeds which produce the reddish orange dye annatto, which is one of the most important food grade natural colourants widely used in the dairy industry, and also for confectionery and bakery products, as well as non-edible purposes such as cosmetics and dying leather. ... Learn More

This tough palm has large, unusually attractive, bluish-green, very finely-divided fan-shaped leaves, which are rounder and wider than those of Brahea armata. A medium-height palm, it can reach 3 metres or more, and is thus well adapted to small gardens. Endemic to Mexico, it will thrive in sandy, well-drained soil, in the sun or partial shade, and can withstand frost and drought well, and is happy down to 23°F (-3°C). A slow growing palm, It makes a perfect, easy-to-grow specimen for temperate and subtropical climates. ... Learn More

Although Brazil nuts are technically seeds, not nuts, their brown nut-like casings have led most people to call them nuts. Produced by a South American tree in virgin rain forests, they are an extremely popular food in many Latin American nations, and indeed in the rest of the world having a rich, creamy flavour. In nature, Brazil nuts develop inside a large capsule rather like a coconut, which, if cut open, reveals a number of three-sided nuts. In good growing conditions in the tropics, the tree can reach heights of 150 feet, so plant it carefully! ... Learn More

This amazing bromeliad looks almost otherworldly with its large dark green rosette of spine-edged leaves surrounding the centre, in which the leaves turns a spectacular lipstick-red in mature plants, before they produce a long stem of attractive flowers which later become beautiful round yellow fruits. The fruit is edible although rather acidic, but the medicinal properties of the bromeliad family are often used as a natural anti-inflammatory. This fabulous plant is commonly found in northern South America in countries like Mexico and the Caribbean islands. ... Learn More