This vigorous, astonishingly hardy, evergreen climber has extremely fragrant flowers which can vary from white through pale green to pale purple, and appear in clusters in spring and early summer. Much later, right into early winter, very large, pinkish-purple sausage-shaped fruits ripen. In late winter and spring these split open revealing the seeds held in a mass of edible white jelly. This beautiful, vigorous, evergreen climber has dark green leathery leaves which are composed of three oblong, pointed leaflets held on strong twining stems enabling it to climb. It is native to central China ... Learn More

The luffa sponge, also known as loofah, vegetable sponge or running okra is a quick-growing climbing plant producing fascinating fruits. Normally these rather resemble long, ridged cucumbers, slightly fatter at one end, and growing to 30 to 40 centimetres long, but we offer the rarer smooth-skinned variety. Whilst the young fruits are edible, the mature ones can be boiled or dried to remove the flesh, revealing the intricate network of tough fibres that make it so useful in the bath! Grown up fences or trellis in a warm sheltered site or in a greenhouse they fruit in around 16 weeks from plan ... Learn More

This ancient hardy fruit looks like a cross between a small apple and a huge rosehip and when ripe is surprisingly hard and green. They must be picked at this stage, but are not edible until they have become fully ripened or even half rotten or ‘bletted’, (what an ancient word!) when they turn brown, soft and edible! In olden times they were stored in sawdust or bran in a cool dark place until they had developed an aromatic flavour. Very few of the extremely large, woody fertile seeds are ever produced. ... Learn More

This quick growing banana from the Himalayas has a grey stem, with new leaves being tinged red on the underside, darkening to green as they grow further. Flowering in July with beautiful red flowers, the edible fruits are then produced in October of the same year. ... Learn More

Originating in south-east Europe to Turkey and Iran, and described by Polunin as "a striking plant", these are the most unusual "grape hyacinths". The "Tassel Hyacinths", at 40cm, with their cluster of brilliant violet sterile flowers held above the creamy-brown fertile flowers, are one of the tallest varieties, and are almost as tall as kniphofias. They are also much later flowering, in May rather than the more normal March-April. ... Learn More

Neolamarckia cadamba, commonly known as Kadamba or Burflower-Tree, is a fast-growing, evergreen tree native to South and Southeast Asia. Known for its straight trunk and broad, umbrella-shaped crown, this impressive species can grow up to 45 meters tall. Its leaves are large, glossy, and ovate, contributing to its lush appearance. During the rainy season, the tree produces fragrant, spherical orange-yellow flowers, which are highly attractive to pollinators like bees. The flowers are followed by small, fleshy, orange-yellow fruits, which are reportedly edible. This adaptable species thrives ... Learn More

Rare and sought-after, native to East Asia and China, this little known annual is edible and known as the Bluebell of Japan. A member of the mustard family, its violet flowers are a beautiful addition to the garden. Growing to around 60cm tall and 30cm in spread, it grows pale green basal leaves around 15cm long. The leaves are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked into dishes. The gorgeous flowers are around 3cm across, and are produced in racemes of up to 25 flowers. Petals appear in a cross shape, with four petals surrounding a yellow eye with blooms from late spring to early summer. Enjoys ... Learn More

Attractive white and purple flowers produce unusual fruits which become dark violet as they mature, but they are definitely not edible like many other passifloras and contain toxic chemicals. Large-lobed leaves add to its attraction, and these have most unusual hooked trichomes which help them to climb, and also makes them adhere to clothes similar to velcro! Once the plant is of sufficient size, flowering can be stimulated by frequent pruning. Originating from Central America, Mexico, and Peru, it must be grown in a sheletered spot or even a large container. ... Learn More

This vigorous climber has deeply 3-lobed leaves, climbing tendrils, and purple-centred frilly white flowers, followed by a heavy crop of purple, edible fruit. It is native to Paraguay, Brazil and parts of Argentina and although it is half hardy, it may be killed off down to the ground in hard winters, but reliably re-grows from the roots next spring. ... Learn More

From Colombia and Ecuador comes this rare and seemingly newly-discovered, profusely-flowering Passiflora, which opens saucer-shaped, strawberry-red flowers, white at the bases, with short blue and white coronas, and prominent yellow anthers. Whilst red-flowered ones have been available for a long time, this combination is unique. This evergreen to semi-evergreen vine dies back to the ground in colder areas, but will return reliably if well mulched or planted in a sunny location. The fruit is fragrant, smelling like a cross between the purple passion fruit and banana passion fruit, and may be ... Learn More

A robust, woody vine common in the Andes in South America from Colombia to Bolivia, where it is found in cloud forests at higher elevations between 1400 and 3800 m. It is popular for its lovely pink to red flowers and edible, roundish, very sweet and tangy fruit. They are both eaten fresh and made into juice. Passiflora mixta is well adapted to cool conditions and will grow in many warm temperate climates. ... Learn More

An excellent hot chilli that is both edible and ornamental. "Balls of Fire" is a compact variety that is early to mature with a multicoloured effect of white, orange and then, mature red fruits. Great to eat whole in salads or to pick and slice for general use. Scoville units / heat level: 20,000 ... Learn More

These seeds have been collected from the queen of all dates, the famous, luscious, and very expensive Medjool. These large, soft, sweet fruits will only fruit in the ground in hotter countries, although the smaller specimens make attractive potted plants for a warm courtyard or conservatory. All true edible date palm trees are desert plants, originally from the Middle East, and where they are native they prefer to get 20 to 40 inches of rain per year in the winter, with summers preferably being hot and dry with low humidity. These seeds have been cleaned and stratified and are ready to plant ... Learn More

Impressive masses of yellow flowers are borne in large inflorescences in summer, and most of the species later bear heavy clusters of edible dates. Large, floppy, pinnately compound, evergreen leaves grow above clustering and leaning trunks, with pretty leaf scars making crowded rings, although in younger palms, the stem is covered with leaf bases and matted fibers until they finally fall away. Phoenix is the palm genus par excellence, and as a rule they are native to tropical and subtropical areas where they do best in full sun and do well even in dry and infertile soils. ... Learn More

Attractive spikes of pink-red flowers show-up well against large, deeply-veined vivid green leaves on strong stems, and are followed by glossy black berries in the Autumn (these are not edible). A rapid-growing plant, it prefers full sun and moist soil but will tolerate some shade. ... Learn More