This is truly one of the most impressive plants you can grow in the UK if you can give it room. Candelabras of large mauve flowers open on much-branching white woolly stems which arise from a huge grey spiky rosette in spring. ... Learn More

Three-foot-tall scapes bear large, waxy, white, green-striped blooms with yellow stamens in late May and June. This long-lived, easily cultivated and well-behaved, giant snowdrop relative is perfect for the sunny perennial border. On sunless days the blooms will remain closed, rendering them invisible, their petals blending in with the flower stalks. But as soon as the sun appears, a burst of brilliant white stars and bells will dazzle your eyes! A common name for these sun lovers is "Sleepy Dick" (?), referring to their usually late-in-the-day “awakening”. It is a complete puzzlement why th ... Learn More

Tall slender spikes of starry pale green and white flowers appear extremely early in the year, sometimes as early as Christmas. This rare and fascinating British native has the extraordinary quality of having young flower shoots which may be eaten as a vegetable, similar to asparagus. The common name "Bath Asparagus" comes from the fact it was once abundant near the English city of the same name. ... Learn More

A rare and lovely New Zealand foxglove relative making a spreading carpet of dark green, rounded, leathery leaves beneath dense sprays of white, tubular, mimulus-like flowers in candelabra-type whorls up the stem. This lovely plant is breathtaking in light shade in a moist spot when it will slowly spread to form a succulent carpet. ... Learn More

Tufted and stemless white to red-purple flowers open on upright stems above a compact cushion of ferny compound leaves growing from a persistent woody base. This alpine plant is found at high elevations in gravelly, well-drained locations, screes, bare slopes and alpine fellfields up to 4100m in California to Alaska and eastwards to Colorado and Quebec. It is unique within its genus by virtue of its viscid, 'sticky with glandular warts', bracts and inflorescence. ... Learn More

Paeonia daurica, a member of the Paeoniaceae family, showcases resplendent blooms that captivate with their intricate beauty. The large, showy flowers come in various hues, including shades of pink, magenta, and white. The layered petals create a lush and alluring floral display. This herbaceous perennial typically reaches a height of 60 to 90 centimeters, forming a robust and elegant presence in gardens. Its attractive, deeply lobed foliage complements the striking flowers. Originating from the Caucasus and parts of Turkey, Paeonia daurica thrives in well-drained soils and temperate climates. ... Learn More

This rare and lovely plant, which is attractive from spring until autumn, is often confused with P. japonica, which bears similar flowers but blooms later. Red shoots with a crystalline dusting emerge in early April followed by long, egg-shaped leaves that mature to a dark, reddish green. Each stem bears a 2-3 inch diameter, chalice-like, single, pure-white flower with yellow anthers and purple filaments. Later, mature seed pods open revealing metallic-blue, pea-sized fertile seeds, and holly-berry red infertile seeds. ... Learn More

This charming miniature alpine poppy bears flowers in hues of peach, yellow and white, sometimes all on the same plant. Although they are technically short lived perennials, they self-seed well on a rockery or scree, but never ever seem to become a nuisance. ... Learn More

Beautiful annual Poppy with bright scarlet to pink, fully double, pom-pom like flowers with a contrasting white blotch. Ideal for borders and as a superb cut flower; the dried seed heads are also perfect for crafting and dried flower arrangements. ... Learn More

These impressive peony poppies display large double-flowered heads in beautiful creamy white and will brighten up any gaps in your border from June until August. They are slightly shorter in stature than most opium poppies and so you might want to consider a spot nearer to the front. ... Learn More

This is a dwarf variant of the more common alpine poppy, Papaver alpinum, with very short stems bearing large white flowers with a large boss of yellow stamens, and very full petals. It grows on high screes and rocks in the Austrian Alps. ... Learn More

The best bread seed poppy (Maanzaad means poppy seed in Dutch). With beautiful white, single flowers with pink markings they are beautiful grown en-masse in the border. After flowering, the seed head holds onto the seeds rather than allowing the seeds to scatter making collection easier. Home grown seed is ideal for use as a topping for bread, or use in salads, curries and other Asian dishes . ... Learn More

Huge flowering heads appear in mid summer which produce a stunning display of saucer size flowers, white centered with a vibrant pink ring around the edge. I highly desirable plant not just for gardeners but also the local wildlife, especially bees which will spend the entire day swarming beds of these poppies. Papaver somniferum has a rich cultural and historical background. It has been cultivated for its seeds, which are used in culinary applications, and for the latex produced by the unripe seed capsules. The latex contains alkaloids, including morphine and codeine, leading to the histor ... Learn More

This unusual poppy features a striking white cross in the centre of the single, red flower and each single petal is fringed with lacy edges. Ideal for informal borders and cottage garden settings. Use the dried seed heads in autumn flower arrangements when flowering ends. ... Learn More

A statuesque and elegant alpine lily with thin grassy leaves bearing fragrant, green-spotted, white bell-shaped flowers. This beauty is perhaps the only worthwhile member of the asphodel family which will increase by self-seeding. ... Learn More