Long arching compact sprays hold tightly packed, deeply fragrant, yellow-eyed, pure white flowers. Most attractive to all pollinating insects, but especially butterflies, the more common blue form was only discovered in the late nineteenth century in central China where it is native to Sichuan and Hubei provinces. Jean-André Soulié, a botanist-missionary, sent seed to the French nursery Vilmorin, and B. davidii entered commerce in the 1890s. It was named for the Basque missionary and explorer in China, Father Armand David, who first noticed the shrub. ... Learn More

A dwarf variety with subtle Ivory-cream flowers on an upright, but containable habit. Prefers full sun, or partial shade with free-draining soil or compost. Excellent for containers and raised beds for the spring through summer, but can be planted in the border afterwards to enjoy for years to come. Some variation from seed may occur! ... Learn More

The "African Butterfly Bush" or "Mountain sage" is a splendid dwarf shrub from the high mountains of Southern Africa where it grows usually above 6,000 feet. Sweetly-scented, creamy-white or sulphur-coloured, orange-centred flowers appear in midsummer and attract many flying insects including bees and butterflies, whilst the wrinkly, narrow leaves are covered in attractive rusty brown hairs. It makes a superb standard in our African garden at Plant World where it survives arctic winters well on a bitterly cold East-facing slope. ... Learn More

From South Africa comes this beautiful, rare, easy-to-grow, desirable treasure. In early spring, long-stemmed, erect spikes of white flowers open from pink buds, the frothy blooms being topped by the rest of the densely held buds which open from the bottom upwards. It is drought and heat tolerant and will grow in any well-drained soil, and in warmer climes it is evergreen, increasing both by root and seed with time. An excellent cut flower, it is widespread in the winter rainfall area of South Africa where it grows on sandstone, granite, or clay. In cooler countries it will need protecting fro ... Learn More

This lovely dwarf catmint forms a low cushion of hairy fragrant leaves, above which, from July until September, arise short spikes carrying globular clusters of bright pink flowers, rather like a candelabra. This is possibly the last of the catmints to be in flower. Wild Basil has mauve coloured flowers unlike Garden Basil which has white flowers. ... Learn More

Another superb Chinese Aster, with huge, fragrant, double flowered discs in all colours from white to deepest purple, which are held on 2 foot stems. These fabulous flowers which are easy and fast to grow are quite irresistible to butterflies and bees. ... 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

This is the very rare, white flowered form of our normally yellow native marsh marigold, which luxuriates in damp boggy soil or even as a marginal plant in a pond, but will also do well in ordinary, moist garden soil. Its golden-eyed, ivory-white blooms open in spring just before the glossy leaves are fully unfurled. A second flush of bloom is very often produced in early autumn. ... Learn More

Imagine an enormous, strong-stemmed, fragrant bluebell with dense, erect spikes of six-petalled, star-shaped violet flowers. This large, bone-hardy, reliably perennial lily relative, flowers in early summer with the very occasional plant giving pure white, green-eyed flowers. ... Learn More

The pure white form of the more commonly seen blue one resembles an absolutely giant, fragrant bluebell. A large, bone-hardy, reliably perennial lily relative, it has dense, erect spikes of six-petalled, star-shaped white flowers. An easy and valuable hardy treasure. ... Learn More

In early spring this bulbous perennial pushes up narrow leaves, glaucous above, and tall, strong, bare stems carrying spires of creamy starry flowers which take up little space among other rounded plants or shrubs. It seeds freely making glorious swathes in time. ... Learn More

From low, spreading clumps of smooth, shiny, toothed foliage (resembling birch leaves hence its latin name!) hang numerous pendant white bells, which sometimes have a slight shade of pink, the edges of the flowers having long hairs, somewhat like those of the bearded bellflower. From Armenia, this gem for the connoisseur is delightful in gritty fertile soil or hanging over the edge of a trough or in a crevice on the rock garden. It is different from almost all others but is an easy plant to grow ... Learn More

Great branching heads of deep violet blue flowers atop stout stems clad in pointed leaves. Invaluable mid-border plant. Busy bees will ensure you have a quota of pale blue, white or even pink flowers amongst these plants. ... Learn More

This long lived clump-forming plant bears strong spikes of large, white funnel-shaped bell-flowers in late spring and early summer. A favourite old Cottage Garden plant. ... Learn More

One of the most typical cottage garden flowers, Campanula medium, or "Canterbury Bells", has a timeless charm and grace. Masses of bells are produced in an astonishing range of blues, whites and pinks. Flowers appear all summer long and are from 60-90cm high (2-3ft). They will grow in almost any position whether sun or semi shade. ... Learn More