This amazing bromeliad looks almost otherworldly with its large dark green rosette of spine-edged leaves surrounding the centre, in which the leaves turns a spectacular lipstick-red in mature plants, before they produce a long stem of attractive flowers which later become beautiful round yellow fruits. The fruit is edible although rather acidic, but the medicinal properties of the bromeliad family are often used as a natural anti-inflammatory. This fabulous plant is commonly found in northern South America in countries like Mexico and the Caribbean islands. ... Learn More

Masses of enormous, ivory-white, delightfully fragrant trumpets, 20 to 25cm (8 to 10 in) long, adorn this fabulous plant. There is only white forms, and they can often bloom the first year from seed, and from their second year on, if they are allowed to grow, they can make large shrubs or trees, with lush foliage, and producing flowers continually. A mature plant, blooming from midsummer until frost, may display as many as 80 to 100 blooms at one time! In the cool, moist air of evening, their perfume is spellbinding. They do well either in the ground in warmer climes or large pots elsewhere, a ... Learn More

Enormous, slightly fragrant, pendulous, yellow-veined orange trumpet flowers hang in substantial numbers from branches clad in large, soft, slightly hairy leaves. Easy to care for, it is a robust flowering shrub, native to the Andes mountains in South America. In cultivation it makes a truly impressive specimen either in the garden in warmer climes, or in a very large pot elsewhere. For centuries, South American shamans have used the Angel Trumpet plant for various rituals and healing techniques....we do not advocate this though.. ... Learn More

Smaller than green Brussel sprouts, these neat, red vegetables have a sweet mild taste. Very hardy, the taste improves and the colour deepens the colder the weather. Both the sprouts and the leaves are sweet enough to be used raw in salads, but also taste lovely steamed or braised. Ready to harvest from November to January. ... Learn More

Bryonia dioica, commonly known as White Bryony, is a fast-growing, herbaceous climbing vine native to Europe and parts of Western Asia. This dioecious plant produces male and female flowers on separate plants, with small, greenish-white blooms appearing in late spring to early summer. Following flowering, female plants develop round, bright red berries that contrast strikingly against its deeply lobed, dark green leaves. Often found in hedgerows and woodlands, Bryonia dioica thrives in well-drained soils with access to full sun or partial shade. While visually striking, all parts of the pla ... Learn More

From the mountains of southern New Zealand comes this fine hardy plant, with dwarf grassy clumps which sprout thick spires of starry, deep yellow flowers, vaguely like "Red-hot Pokers". With fleshy edible roots, (should you be hungry), this New Zealand gem is totally hardy and improves over the years. ... Learn More

This gorgeous, slow-growing South East Asian native tree opens its bright orange-red flowers, produced in clusters up to 15 cm long, from January to March, when it becomes a tree of flame, an absolute riot of orange and vermilion flowers, which cover the entire crown, massed along the ends of the stalks. Each flower consists of five petals comprising a standard, two smaller wings, and a curved beak-shaped keel, hence the name of "Parrot Tree". Traditionally the flowers were used to make the bright colour for the festival of Holi. In Manipur, when a member of the Meitei community dies and his b ... Learn More

A delicious, red pointed cabbage perfect for shredding into salads and coleslaw. With a high sugar content and a wonderful crunch and colour it is best eaten raw, but can be pickled, or cooked with red wine, apple and raisins for an alternative to boiled cabbage (although the colour will reduce). It is best grown for summer and early autumn use when firm, solid hearts have few waste outer leaves. ... Learn More

This popular heirloom variety produces a round solid heart in stunning red with dense leafy heads in a variety of red/purple shades. This easy-to-grow cabbage is perfect for cooking, pickling, coleslaw and salads, and is adaptable to heat, whilst also producing crops between mid summer and winter. ... Learn More

Native to Chile and Argentina, this lovely alpine forms low, compact rosettes of hairy leaves from which arise wiry stems each bearing a pair of inflated golden pouch flowers marked with tiny red spots. It performs well in moist but well-drained soil, especially a rock garden alpine trough, or gravel scree. ... Learn More

Inflated, pendent pouches, speckled red inside, hand from dividing thin stems, which arise from rosettes of pointed leaves, an unusual feature for this genus. Calceolaria falklandica is native not only to the Falklands but also to the Andes Mountains of Chile down to Patagonia. The genus name means "small shoe." ... Learn More

Calliandra calothyrsus, commonly known as Red Calliandra or Powderpuff, is a fast-growing, thornless shrub or small tree native to the humid and sub-humid regions of Central America and Mexico. It typically reaches heights of 4–6 meters but can attain up to 12 meters under optimal conditions. The plant features a dense canopy with bipinnate, feathery leaves that fold together at night. Its most striking characteristic is the profusion of bright red, powderpuff-like flowers composed of numerous long stamens, which attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. Thriving in full sun to par ... Learn More

This spectacular, and unexpectedly hardy shrub, bears dense spikes of flamboyant red bottle-brush flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. Narrow, sharply pointed leaves adorn this dazzling shrub that is possibly the hardiest of all bottle brushes. ... Learn More

This exceptionally hardy shrub produces large furry greenish-yellow "bottlebrush" flowers in profusion in spring. An outstanding new colour in the more usually red "bottlebrush" range. ... Learn More

Fragrant flowers in pink, red coral/apricot, light blue and creamy-white bloom from mid summer to early autumn. Plant should be watered regularly, although over watering should be avoided. These plants self-sow freely and you will need to deadhead if you do not want self-sown seedlings next season. ... Learn More