One of the fabulous Madeiran giants, this new and quite magnificent umbellifer is certainly one of the finds of recent times. In its second year a strong stem with bronzed leaves sprouts a broad crown of several branches carrying finely divided leaves beneath several absolutely enormous umbels of bright pink flowers, making an unforgettable picture. ... Learn More

In late autumn, fans of soft, lance shaped leaves similar to those of the freesias and irises arise, seldom more than 3 to 4 inches in height. In Spring, they flaunt their "fairy bells", each sending up a thin, wiry stem with alternate branches carrying a waterfall of dwarfish blossoms, that tremble in the slightest breath of wind. Every pale yellow or cream flower is less than a centimetre wide, and is etched finely along the centre of the pointed tepals with a fine, darker line. A choice and lovely South African plant, but just a very few viable seeds collected. ... Learn More

"Porcupine Bush" This rare relic plant exists in the wild only in the South Island and a few loci of the North Island of New Zealand. Bone hardy and long-lived, it produces, amongst small, weather-resistant leathery leaves masses of tiny, pendulous cream flowers in Spring followed by relatively sizeable , blue-splashed white berries. People have remarked that it resembles a dwarf cotoneaster at first sight! ... Learn More

The stature and dividing branches of this lovely plant qualify it as the biggest clover plant in the world, a veritable tree clover! It opens its heavy load of white flowers in July and August when it is a major source of nectar for bees in apiaries, and indeed, its botanical name means "honey-scented white lotus". Its characteristic sweet odour, intensified by drying, is derived from the coumarins it produces. ... Learn More

This pretty mint relative is also called "Lemon Balm". Aromatic, spikes of small white flowers, loved by bees, arise above lemon scented foliage. Plant it where you can brush against it and enjoy the perfume, or pick it to make lemon tea or add to soups, sauces or salad-dressings. The large, lemon scented green leaves are also excellent for flavouring salads, summer drinks, stuffings, poultry and fish. Well known for its medicinal value, the leaves can be infused with honey and water to energise, revive and calm the nerves. It really is quite a useful plant overall! ... Learn More

This tough and long-lived plant is better used as an ornamental herb rather than a culinary one. Grown for its long, fragrant, nectar-rich purple flowers, it is also very attractive to butterflies and bees, whilst its long green-grey leaves have a delicious minty scent. ... Learn More

M. spicata is a vigorous rhizomatous perennial forming an extensive colony of erect stems bearing spearmint-scented, lance-shaped leaves, and small light purple flowers in interrupted terminal spikes. Aka herb spearmint. ... Learn More

In late winter and earliest spring the curious corms of these little beauties send up crowds of inch-wide, pale-pink star-flowers, making them ideal candidates for an alpine trough or sand bed, where they will self-seed readily and spread by underground runners. They are found in the wild from eastern Europe through Russia into Iran where they grow in grasslands in moist, sandy soil, often up to an altitude of 1400 meters. ... Learn More

Numerous curious, lantern-like buds open into a huge candelabra of branching stems holding fantastic, pure white, passion-flower-like blooms, beginning in early summer and continuing until August if dead-headed. One of the world's most astonishing and spectacular flowers, this arrestingly beautiful plant is actually easy to grow either as a biennial or as a short-lived perennial. An unusual member of the Campanula family, it is native to Lebanon and Israel, the genus Michauxia beings named after King Louis XVI of France’s royal botanist, Andreas Michaux, who travelled to America during the la ... Learn More

A rare and stunningly beautiful plant coveted by all who see it. Numerous waxy, pendent buds open to pure white, madonna lily-like flowers with reflexed strap-like petals, opening over a long period. But oh dear, what do you say when friends ask its name? ... Learn More

This plant will bring hours of entertainment to kids of any age as the leaves instantly fold up when you touch them! And give them an hour or so and up they’ll come again. As potted plants mature, they form small pink puffs of bloom adding an extra benefit to this unique species and what a perfect way to introduce children to the world of plants. Technically speaking, the leaves have the capability to display thigmonasty (touch-induced movement). When the leaves are touched, shaken, or heated, the speed of the response depends on the magnitude of the stimulus. Hitting the leaf hard with the fl ... Learn More

This uncommon plant resembles none of the common mimulus, or "monkey flowers". It is an erect woody-stemmed plant, which produces bright tomato-red pinched snapdragons from June onwards amongst downy foliage on tall woody stems. ... Learn More

"Monkey Flower". This lovely Chilean flower produces a succession of red-spotted bright yellow "snapdragon" flowers from earliest spring. It will grow in moist soil or will grow equally well with its feet in water, when it spreads with gay abandon, making a glorious floating carpet of flowers all summer long. ... Learn More

Originating from the foothills of the Andean mountains of Chile, this new and adorable, low-growing, spreading perennial makes clumps of hairy, sparsely-toothed, pale to mid-green leaves, above which open most unusually-coloured trumpet-shaped flowers. These are borne in late spring and summer, and are white to cream-coloured, overlaid with a pink to purple flush, fading to cream at the edges, with the tongue spotted purple. ... Learn More

This absolutely amazing mimulus bears masses of blue "snapdragon" flowers, a rare colour in this genus, on strong erect stems over an extended period from late spring to early autumn. Small thin pointed leaves clad the stems on this lovely hardy and reliable plant which will grow almost anywhere but excels in good moist soil or even in shallow water! ... Learn More