This absolute smasher is probably the hardiest and most reliable of the ginger family, and is ideal for giving a tropical appearance to a UK garden, as unlike so many others in the genus, it flowers quite reliably, very valuably and very late, before the onset of winter, in September. Its delicate, and sweetly-scented, creamy-white to pale yellow flowers have a coral apricot-pink colouring towards the base, and are held high on the flower spike, about 3-4 feet above ground level. It makes seed readily, and when ripe the bright green seed capsules burst open to reveal attractive orange linings ... Learn More

The superb red stalked form of H. foetidus - only so called because of the odour released on breaking the foliage, so look, don't manhandle the poor plant. On some plants the deep colouration continues from the main stem to the leaf petiole and into the flowering head consisting of numerous purple rimmed green flowers. Seedlings come rewardingly true, but select the very darkest for cuttings. The deepest coloration is very pronounced in a dry spot and especially in a dry season. ... Learn More

Wide open, nodding, golden-eyed flowers in reds and deepest pinks, and all attractively speckled within, flaunt their beauty in earliest spring. These plants are exceptionally easy to grow, are very long-lived and once established will put on a wonderful trouble-free annual display. After two or three years you will find they also spread by self-seeding! ... Learn More

This fragrant basil with vibrant purple leaves and a strong taste blended with a hint of the sharpness of cloves also produces pink flowers making it a superb ornamental plant. It is perfect when used fresh for making vinegar and oils as well as adding colour to salads. ... Learn More

Bright airy sprays of countless, delicate, pinkish-red flowers open on long thin stems which erupt from compact sprays of narrow, arching, bluish, evergreen leaves, which often acquire an attractive reddish tinge in response to cold. It will make a fabulous and very rarely-seen addition to a warm, well-drained rockery or hot garden. Very few seeds available . ... Learn More

In spring, as a rule, three to eight starry white flowers per spike, all with a brown or red reverse, open in late afternoon or evening, with a delicious perfume of jasmine or frangipani. The perfume persists right throughout the night until next morning. Very much resembling a dwarf "schizostylis", this rare and beautiful flower is found on sandy and shale slopes in the western Karoo and the northwest Cape from the BokkeveldPlateau to the Biedouw valley. In cultivation a sunny, free draining situation suits best. ... Learn More

In spring, incredibly fragrant (jasmine to frangipani) white flowers, with a flush of red on the outside, open late in the afternoon or evening when they are pollinated by bees or moths. This beautiful dwarf plant is found growing in the wild on sandstone and shale slopes and coastal flats from the Northwest Cape to the Eastern Cape. ... Learn More

Puckered, folded and pleated leaves, from beetroot red to deep purple and which appear to be transparent in the sun, produce a mound from which arise thin stems carrying fluffy white, superbly contrasting flowers. ... Learn More

Deep crimson to purple flowers with darker striped petals and dark eyes, open on stems clad in dissected foliage which is very reminiscent of Japanese maple leaves. These are at least as attractive as the flowers, and can vary from dark bronze to deepest purple, and this is the one hibiscus that is grown for its beautiful foliage as well as for the flowers! The fast growing and shrubby habit of this unusual plant makes it a good choice for a seasonal hedge, an attractive annual specimen plant, or even an indoor container plant. Very few seeds obtainable. ... Learn More

This is the very-rarely seen or offered pure white-flowering variety of the normally red flowered shrub, which if grown alongside the red one can make a dramatic statement. Relatively hardy in a well-sheltered and well-drained spot. ... Learn More

Beautiful flowers open ivory-white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base of each petal, the attractive leaves being deeply three-to-five-lobed, arranged alternately on the stems. The fleshy seed pods are also most attractive turning bright red as the fruit matures. Native to West Africa, this attractive shrub has a long list of herbal attributes. ... Learn More

Hieracium aurantiacum is also called Pilosella aurantiaca, with common names including Orange Hawkweed, Tawny Hawkweed, Devil's Paintbrush and Grim-the-collier! This favourite old cottage garden plant has brilliant coppery, orange-red flowers with black tips (hence its name) which appear on short stems for a long period in spring and summer. It will run slowly and is perfect for a wild garden or a rockery. ... Learn More

A generous mixture of various red hollyhock shades from darkest maroons and scarlets, to palest pinks, all collected from our cottage gardens. The odd bee-pollinated intruder may sometimes appear! ... Learn More

These beautiful dusky-purple-leafed, semi-evergreen, bushy plants have an upright habit, bearing contrasting yellow flowers in mid-summer followed by ornamental clusters of berries that slowly change from pink to red to black. Excellent in cut-flower bouquets, it also has a superb autumn effect. It is best cut back heavily in spring as the darkest leaf colour is displayed on new growth. ... Learn More

This delightful, diminutive, aromatic shrubby plant is a British native, freely producing from June into autumn its yellow flowers with conspicuous stamens. These are followed by red fruits that turn purple-black when ripe, all above beautiful purple tinged foliage. It grows well and flowers in shade and is very dependable with early summer blooms. ... Learn More