Carica Papaya, the Papaya, Pawpaw or Fruta Bomba, is a fruit tree that comes from sub-humid tropical regions of South America and Central America, especially Mexico, where, in the open ground it often reaches up to 8 meters high and 4 meters wide. These trees can make extremely attractive specimens with palmed leaves when grown in a large pot indoors. The succulent yellow and green fruits, with yellow-orange pulp and weighing up to 1kg, grow attached to the trunk. Although there are now hybrids that can have both sexes, the male trees have cream flowers whilst the female trees have white-yellowish flowers. ... Learn More

A hybrid 'Munchkin' type producing small, white pumpkins, typically 750 grams in size. Fruits feature excellent skin finish and strong handles. Fruit diameter 12-14cm in size. Recommended cropping of 5-10 fruits per plant. ... Learn More

This attractive herb produces pretty white flowers with yellow cone-shaped centres and light green feathery foliage. The flowers give off an apple-like fragrance when crushed and this gives the herb its name - chamomile comes from the Greek for "earth-apple". It is widely used in herbal medicine, often as an aid to sleep and a remedy for digestive problems. ... Learn More

A short, stump-shaped carrot which gives heavy yields. The roots have a golden-orange flesh and a sweet taste which retains flavour even when large. These carrots, which rarely split are the ones to choose if your soil is heavy. ... Learn More

Chervil is a hardy annual herb which can be used almost all year round. Its rich savoury flavour makes it a good accompaniment to fish and meat dishes and it is also part of the classic French herb mixture "fines herbes" (along with tarragon, chives and parsley). The leaves can be used as parsley substitute when adding a garnish to dishes. It is also used in folk medicine as an aid to digestion. ... Learn More

This new, softer, loose-leaf form of Chinese Cabbage has dense, narrow leaves with a deeper green outer colour, and lighter green to almost white interior leaves with wide, flat white celery-like ribs. It has a cylindrical, leafy head rather like a large romaine lettuce. The flavour of Chinese cabbages is more subtle and pleasant than our familiar European head cabbage, they are crisper and more refreshing and also less fibrous. Michihili was developed to have a stronger flavour than other cabbages. It can be sown in the spring for young salad leaves or in late summer for an autumn crop of full-sized cabbages. A dual purpose variety, the tender leaves are often used raw as a romaine lettuce would be, in salads or coleslaw. It can also be steamed whole, finely cut into slices for a salad, or cut coarsely for a stir-fry, the huge mature heads typically weighing up to 2 kg. ... Learn More

This mild cucumber can be used young for slicing but is more commonly used as a ingredient in Chinese soup-making. The fruit starts green, then turns yellow, before appearing a leathery, orangey-brown at maturity. Excellent yield. ... Learn More

The ball-shaped, mild and sweet roots of this Italian (1840's) heirloom are resistant to bolting and have light red skin. Cutting open reveals attractive alternating dark pink and white rings (another name is Candy Stripe Beet). ... Learn More

An indispensable grass-like herb with a hollow centre that produces beautiful purple flowers, chives have a tasty, gentle onion flavour that complements a huge range of foods whilst the attractive flowers can also be used in salads. It is also said to keep black spot away from roses. ... Learn More

This variety of chicory, a round red ball type chicory from Chioggia Italy, (Cicoria variegata de Chioggia) well-known for its compactness size and flavour, has very good winter hardiness. Round headed, greenish leaves turn a reddish-white and variegate as colder weather beckons and the heart formation becomes more noticeable. Leaves can be boiled to remove bitterness, whilst fresh chicory leaves add zest to a mixed salad. ... Learn More

The quality of these bright green spears with deep purple tips, and huge yield, is exceptional for a non hybrid. One of the most sought-after vegetables, asparagus is not difficult to grow if kept well-fed and weed-free, the delicately flavoured young shoots of asparagus being one of the great luxuries of the vegetable plot. Plants remain productive for at least 15 to 20 years. Plant this perennial vegetable just once and enjoy the succulent spears for years! RHS AGM winner. ... Learn More

This highly fragrant herb also known as Chinese parsley, originates from Asia and the Mediterranean, where the leaves (Cilantro) are used raw in salads and dressings, whilst the seeds (Coriander) are used to add flavour and dimension to curry dishes. ... Learn More

These very pretty, elongated white and green striped, dwarf fruit contain yellow flesh with a delicate and sumptuously nutty flavour, rich in vitamin A. This award winning compact Cornell strain gives excellent yields and has good disease resistance. ... Learn More

A superb main-crop variety of Parsnip which is known for its uniform, conical, white-skinned roots. Its flavour and taste are first rate and it is noted for its vigour and heavy yield. This hybrid is resistant to disease and adaptable to a wide range of soils and conditions. (RHS AGM winner) ... Learn More

Large, red, vitamin-filled berries are produced on evergreen plants in mid to late summer. The wild cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is an evergreen, ground-cover plant native to North America which flourishes in boggy conditions and actually contains very few seeds. Consequently we can only give ten seeds per packet. ... Learn More