This attractive plant is short-stemmed, with a swollen trunk , forming a uniquely 'pot-bellied' base, and an attractive crown in cultivation. In cooler climates it is one of the few deciduous cycads, losing its leaves every winter, although fresh ones sprout reliably at the end of every winter. It is similar in character to Cycas circinalis in some respects, but darker in colour, with leaves more upright in growth, and it also appears to be a more rapid grower! ... Learn More

The "Umbrella Plant" makes an attractive feature in a bright window or sun lounge where it produces strong stems topped with striking umbrella-like spokes. On mature plants, sprays of white flowers appear. It may also be used as an impressive marginal plant in a pond or bog garden. If planted deeply it will survive the average winter although is best given winter protection. It is a native of the swamps of Madagascar and a relative of the famous Papyrus of the Nile river and is also sometimes called Umbrella Papyrus, Umbrella Sedge or Umbrella Palm. ... Learn More

Like its closely-related cousins the ordinary common tomatoes, the egg-size fruit makes good eating, and is typically made into jams or conserve, although it is recommended that the skin and seeds are removed before cooking. It is easily grown from seed and makes an attractive contrast to the more typical foliage of cannas, gingers and bananas. The roots of this plant are quite tough surviving moderate frosts, and in relatively mild areas usually re-grow from the base. It therefore makes either a fruiting shrub, or even a perennial tree, with a trunk, producing a crop of fruit yearly in warme ... Learn More

Delonix regia, "Flamboyant" or royal poinciana is a very distinctive, deciduous tropical tree with fern-like leaves,and large clusters of bright red and scarlet-orange blossoms, that is considered one of the most beautiful trees in the world! It produces enormous pendulous, 60 centimetre long seed pods! Although widely cultivated in the tropics since the 19th century, the native habitat of flamboyant was unknown to science until the 1930s, when it was rediscovered growing in the wild in Madagascar. The tree is commonly cultivated in the tropics and subtropics, but is under increasing threa ... Learn More

A small, lily-like plant growing to about 1m tall, it produces clusters of flax-like, green leaves and panicles with bright blue flowers, followed by attractive, dark blue to purplish fruits. Grows well on poor, sandy soils, and is particularly colourful, with golden hues and reddish margins to the leaves. It makes a great, colourful ground cover for tropical and frost free warm temperate climates and is great in containers. ... Learn More

This lovely tree is valued for its very large fragrant flowers, which are up to 5 inches or 12cm across and have five white, waxy petals and numerous yellow stamens, and arise solitary at the ends of the twigs facing downward. Later ripen its lemon-flavoured fruits which are used in jellies and curries, often mixed with coconut and spices to make chutneys. The thick attractive leaves are 15-36 cm long, with a conspicuously corrugated surface with impressed veins, rather like wavy potato chips. It is native to Southeast Asia and western Malaysia. ... Learn More

This lovely, long-leafed shrub produces shiny leaves, whilst the flowers of this tree mature into attractive winged fruits which become red or purple as they mature, making it a popular garden plant in warmer areas. It has a wide distribution of areas where it will thrive, from subtropical to warm temperate region. The wood is unusually tough and durable and the Maori of New Zealand have used it to fashion clubs and other weapons, the Maori name for the shrub, akeake, meaning "forever and ever" ... Learn More

Velvety, fleshy, pulpy fruit, rather like a tomato or small apple, fills this rarely-seen member of, believe it or not, the willow family! An attractive tree at all times, it is widely grown in warm temperate to tropical gardens around the world. And as it is many-branching, and has a dense crown, It is also used as an inpenetrable hedging plant, on account of the masses of spines that adorn the inner branches. And finally, it has valuable uses in local and popular medicine, specifically for relieving pain and rheumatism. ... Learn More

One of the most beautiful of the clumping/clustering palms, this is a beautiful specimen for smaller gardens and can be used as a smaller dramatic palm in a larger garden design also, and even in a large container. Native to montane forest throughout Madagascar, it is mostly admired for its prominently ringed multiple trunks which rtesemble tyhick sugar canes. It performs best in a sheltered, shaded site, however it will certainly take full sun as well. While it closely resembles the popular Golden Cane Palm (Dypsis lutescens), this one is more tolerant of cool conditions and light frosts, and ... Learn More

This lovely tree from the Himalayas has both a prickly trunk and also branches, which display beautiful orange-red flower clusters. It is relatively tough, and can be overwintered at a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius. The name coral tree is used as a collective term for this group of trees, as the growth of the branches can resemble the shape of sea coral. ... Learn More

Fantastic, striking, torch-like flowers, formed of countless waxy bracts, are borne on separate, leafless stems and on this rare form are brilliant pink edged with a white margin. One of the world's most magnificent plants, this gorgeous Indonesian beauty produces long, elegant arching canes which are produced annually, and bear pointed banana-like leaves. In hotter countries, this fabulous exotic gem can be enormous. In SE Asia, it is sometimes used as a food ingredient for delicacies and also as a medicine. ... Learn More

A rare and narrow-leaved form of this hard member of the pineapple family collected from the southern Chilean Andes. In autumn the centre of the large rosette of leaves turns flaming red around the central golf-ball like cluster of egg-shell blue flower buds. ... Learn More

The sizeable rosette of this immensely striking, tough plant is surprisingly hardy. When it reaches maturity it sprouts a rapidly growing spire. This is quickly covered with numerous branches bearing absolutely countless beautiful palest lemon flowers, which in turn produce many plum-sizes seed capsules. However, normally only a few ripen into solid seed pods, the remainder falling off. But do not despair, each place that lost a flower, soon sprouts a sizeable baby plant! These occur in some number, and they progressively fall off into winter to instantly become new plants!! From Mexico, and ... Learn More

This small exotic perennial produces stems of bright yellow flowers, with heart-shaped narrow, green leaves. Native to the Himalayas and Thailand, it prefers well drained soil , in full sun or partial shade, but will not tolerate frost, so should be brought inside for the winter months and the rhizome kept dry. It also makes a good houseplant as long as it is kept humid. ... Learn More

This beautiful climbing lily opens its waxy orange flowers over a very long period over the summer, usually growing to six feet or more. Although it is related to the more common and more showy gloriosas, this one is easier to grow and can actually be grown out doors in the UK as long as it is given adequate shelter, as one grew here on our hillside for many years before being killed by an Arctic winter. ... Learn More