Golden-eyed yellow flowers open amongst attractive, densely-packed, silver-backed, vine-like, foliage. Originally found in Mexico, this unusual plant can be grown as either an annual or a perennial when it will become almost shrub-like. Its main claim to fame though is its astonishing ability to make the soil more fertile, and it is often grown entirely for this purpose. Incredibly, just to recap on your school chemistry, when used as an environmentally and ecologically sound fertilizer, it contains 1.76% Nitrogen, 0.82% Phosphorus, and 3.92% Potassium. By comparison, all three properties are ... Learn More

This very long-lived and most attractive palm is probably the only one which is completely hardy in the UK. However it is best grown in a sheltered spot to preserve the beauty of the impressive fan-shaped leaves. ... Learn More

Impressive large fans of pleated leaves, which are much more divided than those on the normal variety, adorn a slender fibrous trunk and bring an instant touch of the Mediterranean to your garden. Despite its delicate appearance, this plant is hardy across most areas of the UK and tends to be quite slow-growing so that you can be sure it will not be too quick to overwhelm whatever space you give it. ... Learn More

This stunning palm has large, nearly-circular leaves, and when mature forms a smooth, grey, bare trunk. It has a very restricted geographical range in the wild and is found only in an isolated pocket in the Sikkim Himalayas in north-east India which is immediately threatened by destruction. This palm has only recently been introduced into cultivation, but is about to make a huge impression in the palm world! It is heat-resistant and hardy: -10 to -12°C (14 to 10°F) . ... Learn More

An exotic looking pea relative with vibrant unbranching inflorescences, densely covered with vibrant purple/pink flowers. A beautiful ornamental widespread in tropical Asia and Australasia but can be grown elsewhere as an annual or when given winter protection. ... Learn More

Up to 10 tall spikes of small yellow star shaped flowers appear from dramatic strappy pleated leaves and are displayed from spring through to summer. A large and dramatic waterside plant originating from South Africa, it needs full sun and damp peaty soil. Will tolerate light frost. Definitely a statement plant. ... Learn More

Unusual in this genus because of its height, this fishtail-like palm from the Himalayan region has a solitary trunk and large, stiff, feathery leaves arranged in opposite rows in the same plane. An extremely unusual looking palm, the leaves form just two rows on either side of the trunk, so that looking down on the palm from above, the leaves would all form a single straight line. The long, attractive leaflets are dark green above, and greyish white underneath. ... Learn More

This famous medium to large evergreen palm has a tree-like growth habit, and a sturdy columnar trunk crowned by beautifully shaped, fan-like, waxy gray-green blades, up to 3-6 ft. long (90-180 cm). Erect at first, they spread and arch from stout, spiny petioles, and unlike other palms, the dead leaves fold down against the trunk rather than dropping off. This palm tree is sometimes called " Petticoat Palm" in reference to the shaggy mass of dead leaves hanging against the trunk and forming a dense skirt. In summer, gorgeous, creamy-white, tubular flowers are produced in huge sprays, up to 15 f ... Learn More

This tall, vigorous, stylish and elegant palm quickly grows a stout trunk, wider at the bottom, and rather thinner than its sister species Washingtonia filifera. Grown worldwide, it is probably most famous from the avenue plantings in California. Trunks are topped by a crown of large (1.5m wide or more) fan leaves that have loose threaded margins and often a purplish brown patch at the base of the leaf stalk. Although sometimes scorched by frost below -5C or so, it quickly regrows when the weather improves and replaces the damaged leaves. It is native to western Sonora and Baja California Sur ... Learn More

Towering spikes of fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers appear in July and August above clumps of stiff, dark green, lance-shaped leaves. Adam's needle makes an excellent focal point for a sunny, well-drained Mediterranean-style garden. A gravel mulch accentuates the architectural foliage and helps to protect the crown of the plant from frost damage. The leaves have sharp tips and serrated edges, so it's best not planted where you are going to brush past it. Though all Yuccas appreciate a good amount of sun and well drained soil, they are fairly low maintenance and as such need fairly little w ... Learn More

A truly divine plant, midsized and similar to Yucca rostrata but with wider, rigid, bright blue-grey leaves, complemented by clusters of pure white flowers in late-spring. It is native to northeastern Mexico and will withstand heat, drought and moderate to quite severe freezes. It’s perfect for adding a touch of drama to the garden and does well in exotic and tropical planting schemes. Grow in a very free-draining soil in a sunny, sheltered spot. Although hardier than most yuccas, it may need protection in winter, particularly from wet conditions. Alternatively, grow in a pot, which you can ... Learn More

This striking architectural plant produces an abundance of thin glaucus, silver grey leaves which continue to form from the centre eventually forming a trunk which can reach up to four metres in height. They can also produce a large flowering spike from the centre every few years. The species is native to Texas, Chihuahua and Coahuila. A very popular plant in a tropical or exotic themed garden due to being quite tolerant of the average UK winter. ... Learn More

From architectural clumps of thick, bright green, arrow-shaped leaves arise serene white flowers (actually spathes). As well as being a superb garden plant this can be a wonderful architectural plant for pond margins. It is native to southern and east Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Madeira. The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit. (AGM.) ... Learn More

Absolutely stunning, creamy-white orchid-like flowers have a showy, patterned lip, heavily pencilled in deepest red. These open on strong stems bearing attractive, banana-like leaves, in mid to late summer, and later appear the attractive bright red seed capsules which persist for a long time before the stem finally dies away in winter leaving a rhizome deep underground. ... Learn More