Growing on almost any terrain, even on gravelly, sandy or saline soils in tropical America, this large ornamental shrub bears ivy-like leaves, and clusters of yellowish-green flowers and large yellow fruits. Although the plant and seeds are toxic, it is a plant of many uses, being used to manufacture soap, cosmetics, fuel and medicines. It is also being cultivated for biodiesel oil including its use as an airline fuel. In Nigeria, tests with 200 and 400 mg/kg, physic nut extract produced pain relief that compared well to aspirin, the researchers believing the extract works through both central ... Learn More

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 ... Learn More

In September, later than all other pokers, arise massive heads of red, later changing to greenish-lemon, above very broad grey leaves and elephant-trunk-like stems. "Very valuable and perhaps the only truly hardy large poker" (G.S.T.) ... Learn More

With a similar habit to Kniphofia caulescens, this little treasure has lighter, almost lime green foliage which is elongated and slender. Flower heads are lemon in colour with a hint of orange on new petals, hence the name 'Citrina'. Flowers last for a long period of time from Spring through into Summer. Kniphofia in general are hardier than they look, plants in our gardens have withstood temperatures down to -5 or -10. In summer they drink water freely and are not harmed by over watering. ... Learn More

An early flowering, popular perennial with large, sword-like, grey-green leaf blades and bright red, orange and yellow blooms of 30 45cm (12-18"). These showy flowers are perfect in the front of a shrub border, in the back of flower gardens, or lining a long driveway. A great cut flower. They tolerate wind and prefer moist soil. ... Learn More

A fine sturdy new addition to our collection of pokers producing fleshy leaved clumps with numerous strong stems holding fat flower heads, deepest orange at the top brightening to pale yellow at the base. ... Learn More

A colourful selection of red, yellow, green and bicolored "pokers" of all sizes from our African garden. Includes Kniphofia brachystachya, northiae, rooperi, triangularis and uvaria. ... Learn More

Probably the most impressive of all red-hot-pokers. Massive, wide, heavy leaves make a solid, agave-like rosette from which arise very thick stemmed flower-spikes of yellow and orange. A stunning plant which improves with age. ... Learn More

A dwarf "Red-hot Poker" from the alpine zones of South Africa. Broad, stumpy spikes of bright orange flowers on very thick stems above a rosette of short fleshy broad leaves. Very lovely here. ... Learn More

One the most distinctive kniphofias, this impressive landscape plant thrusts up strong, tall stems carrying large, rounded, egg-shaped, chunky-heads, opening into brilliant-red and lemon flowers, all held over clumps of thick, strong, broad arching foliage. This valuable late-flowering perennial from South Africa is really one of the highlights of the late summer to early autumn border. ... Learn More

This compactish, slow growing, pretty palm makes a slender, smooth trunk topped by large, circular, fan-shaped leaves with silvery undersides, which are arranged in a dense crown. A remarkably useful plant, the leaves are a popular thatching material, and are often harvested from the wild for local use, the stem of the plant being used to make poles! It is native to the Caribbean, the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas, Southeast N. America down to the Florida Keys, and much of the Caribbean region. In the wild it grows in open woodlands and coastal areas, but will thrive in an ... Learn More

This rare and totally unique, graceful, fast growing palm has gorgeous, finely divided, weeping fan leaves, and is easy to germinate and fast and easy to grow. Adaptable and hardy in every respect, it is one of the most rustic and most resistant to the cold, in short, a nearly foolproof palm, which will tolerate all types of soil, drought and sea wind. It has an unusual attractively-marked trunk, because dying leaves fall away cleanly. It is ideal either as a pretty landscape specimen, or even as an indoor plant on a commercial basis. It is endemic to the woodlands of Queensland, Australia, an ... Learn More

From Chile comes this handsome but curious plant bearing dark green, lobed, acanthus-like leaves. In summer, highly attractive bright orange-yellow, concave-petalled flowers open, each an inch or so across. But take care! This is one of the surprise plants of the Chilean woodlands as my legs discovered on our last Andean expedition. The entire plant, including the flowers, is covered with fine stinging hairs, just like a stinging nettle. Grazing animals keep away! ... Learn More

Remarkably similar to the Puya of the Andes in South America or Echium wildpretii from the island of Tenerife, this giant unrelated rosette plant displays the evidence of parallel evolution, producing similar looking plants as they evolve in similar habitats. Although the dark maroon to black flowers are attractive, they are almost completely hidden within the bracts. This rare and astonishing plant is native to wetter spots in the alpine zone of Mount Kenya between 3300 and 4600 m, where the extreme climate is usually clear and cold in the mornings, with intense sunshine, and cloudy or foggy ... Learn More

One of the most lovely garden flowers and completely hardy, this rarely-seen beauty displays its narrow, flared, fiery red and orange trumpet flowers, much loved by bees, above clumps of fine foliage. At the bud stage, the flowers are tubular and red over most of their length, fading to yellow toward the tips. When they open, the tips curl back in a two-lipped fashion, showing off the yellow interior. Completely vice-less, and rarely setting any good seeds, it will very slowly spread over the years making a solid clump in the garden. ... Learn More