This traditional favourite, named after a small island off the Scottish coast, has a distinctive globe shape with straw coloured skin and white flesh. The bulbs can grow very large and be used for exhibition, while their tolerance to cool weather while growing makes them very reliable. ... Learn More

A popular, versatile variety, ideal for successional sowing, which produces large velvety-white, well protected heads with an exceptional flavour. These are great for shows, freezing or eating fresh from the garden as they retain their flavour when boiled or steamed. ... Learn More

A really easy-to-grow substitute for water cress, which reaches maturity in 7-8 weeks. The peppery leaves are absolutely packed with calcium, iron and minerals and can be used in salads, soups and stir fries. The plant overwinters well especially if protected with a cloche. ... Learn More

Tasting somewhat like a Golden Delicious, because they're related, these apples are excellent for both eating and baking. Originally developed in New Zealand, this apple is now grown extensively in the United States since its introduction in the 1970s and is now the second most popular apple in the world. Important, you will not grow identical apples to these from these seeds, as fruits produced will vary greatly, but you should get a lovely new cultivar as new varieties are produced by growing large numbers of seedlings and choosing the best! ... Learn More

A delicious late-ripening apple originally discovered as a seedling growing on the large Penn Inn roundabout at the entrance to our market town of Newton Abbot in South Devon. Even on the poor rocky substrate, this tree produced a large crop of sizeable red-blushed golden apples, and seedlings may produce different fruit. These soft, sweet-fleshed fruits should keep until December, by which time many other varieties will be well past their eat-by date. ... Learn More

Popular and reliable with gardeners since Edwardian times, Black Beauty is an early-medium variety of aubergine. The sturdy plants grow to about 1.2 metres tall and produce good crops of 10-15 centimetre long glossy, purple-black, oval fruit. ... Learn More

A traditional French winter heirloom that is hardy and cold-resistant as well as being an attractive addition to the cottage garden. The flags are blue-green which turn violet after a cold spell whilst the shanks are thick/medium length. ... Learn More

This kale variety has a deep red textured leaf and a striking pink mid vein running through the leaf and can function as an attractive ornamental addition to the vegetable plot. A versatile variety that is suitable for multi-cut production. Best suited to baby leaf but will also work well as a mature plant. ... Learn More

The attractive oval aubergine fruit of this rare variety are borne in heavy clusters on bushy habit, very productive, erect plants with dark green foliage that provides plenty of cover from the sun to prevent sun-scald. Despite the name, the fruit colour changes from green through orange to scarlet. Another aubergine variety which is often grown ornamentally. ... Learn More

An attractive baby marrow which only grows to three quarters the size of a normal marrow. The bush habit and relatively small size, but high yield, make it an ideal choice for growing in tubs or containers. ... 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

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

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