Native to much of Eurasia and North Africa, these gorgeous plants open dazzling spring flowers resembling pink and magenta tongues of flame, each several centimeters long, with stamens and style protruding from the throat. The slender sword-shaped leaves appear before the flower spikes that often carry as many as 20 blooms on each stem. In a well-drained spot they will slowly spread and increase. ... Learn More

This charming, relatively small Gladiolus open bright spikes of rose-wine flowers with delicately-marked, noticeably split-apart petals, in spring and summer. Completely winter hardy in Central Europe, it thrives in wet meadows and similar damp situations. ... Learn More

A native of South Africa, this winter growing species has wonderful scent in the evenings which is absolutely heavenly in April when the greenish-white flowers open progressively up the long rush-like stems. It is quite unique amongst Gladioli because as it originates from a wet part of South Africa it will do perfectly well in damp locations. ... Learn More

This rare, fabulous and choice connoisseur's plant is very rarely seen or offered. Large and exquisite cup-shaped lavender flowers are held above soft lobed leaves making this one of the most luscious flowers you can grow. This rarely offered, unique, and quite priceless specimen will entrance you as it is staggeringly beautiful if grown in shade and rich, moist soil. "A great treasure" (Graham Stuart Thomas). Very few good seeds collected. ... Learn More

A mix of the blue and white forms of beautiful connoisseur's plant. Large and exquisite cup-shaped flowers are held above soft lobed leaves making this one of the most luscious flowers you can grow. This rarely offered, unique, and quite priceless specimen will entrance you as it is staggeringly beautiful if grown in shade and rich, moist soil. "A great treasure." (Graham Stuart Thomas) Very few good seeds collected. ... Learn More

The pure milky white form of this fabulous and choice connoisseur's plant is even rarer than the blue form, and is almost never seen or offered. Large and exquisite cup-shaped flowers are held above soft lobed leaves making this one of the most luscious and coveted flowers you can grow. This priceless specimen will enchant you if grown in shade and rich soil. "A great treasure." (Graham Stuart Thomas) Just a very few good seeds collected. ... Learn More

One of the very choicest of this unusual group of flowers, this variety has unusually tall stems, slightly bending at the top, holding truly exceptional, large, bright blue, spiky powderpuff flowers. Even the foliage is attractive consisting of thick, leathery, spathulate leaves, deeply veined beneath. ... Learn More

A seldom-seen but very easy little alpine, producing a low, shrubby, trailing mound of leathery, evergreen leaves. In late spring, shortish stems bear soft lavender-blue, shaggy daisy flowers over several weeks. This is a perfect choice for the sunny rock garden, and is also useful in an alpine troughs or gravel garden as it is drought tolerant once established. ... Learn More

This bone-hardy and slow-spreading plant opens its amazingly deep cobalt blue flowers in early spring which arise, on short stems, from a compact rosette of leathery oval leaves. It thrives best in a well-drained rock garden with occasional summer rain, and where other more vigorous plants will not encroach upon it. It also makes a perfect wall or trough plant. ... Learn More

A winter hardy, evergreen perennial from mountain meadows and rock crevices in central Europe, making upright stalks with rich blue globular flowers above glossy leaves in a dense basal rosette. It is very easily cultivated in any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. ... Learn More

Almost stemless lavender-blue powder puff flowers open on hummocks of deep green lustrous foliage made of glossy spoon-shaped leaves spreading outwards forming dense mats, giving this little beauty year round appeal. It does best in gritty, sharply drained soil, for example in a rock garden, scree bed, alpine house, or trough, as it is native to rock and scree areas in the mountains of the Mediterranean. Very few good seeds collected. ... Learn More

Bright blue puff-ball flowers open on short stems in early summer above densely packed, shiny, evergreen leaves which spread to make an evergreen carpet. Coming from the eastern Mediterranean and Balkan Peninsula which are dry areas, this may be best suited to well-drained soil or on a rock garden. ... Learn More

Bright golden shaggy flowers open on branched stems, which are leafy and upright and are generally covered in long, soft, shaggy but unmatted hairs. This rarely obtainable, late-summer blooming plant serves as an important late-season source of pollen and nectar for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. It grows only in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia where it thrives in wet meadows and marshlands. Its relatives in the South American Andes are equally attractive, and have white, glue-like resin covering their buds, but they prefer dry, desert-like mountainsides! ... Learn More

Even more attractive than Gunnera flavida. Slightly larger bronze foliage and finger-sized spikes of lipstick red berries in profusion from summer until Christmas. ... Learn More

Dividing wiry, branching stems carrying masses of tiny white flowers wind in between neighbouring plants from June to September. "Baby's Breath" is an essential flower for every border and cottage garden. ... Learn More