An unusually small tree in the wild, it has disproportionately large leaves, hence one of its common names, which start intensely red, and turn more and more green when reaching their ultimate size of up to 50 cm length. Its edible fruits, which ripen both on branches and the trunk, are used to make jams, juices and curries in India, whilst in Vietnam, unripe fruits are also used in salads. It also provides various traditional medicinal uses, and its large strong leaves are often used as plates! The tree is cultivated in India and from Myanmar to Vietnam and SW China and Brazil. ... Learn More

Measured by canopy coverage, the giant banyan trees of India are the largest trees in the world. These amazing trees produce propagating roots which grow downwards as aerial roots and once they reach the ground, they become woody trunks that can become indistinguishable from the main trunk. The leaves are large, leathery, glossy green and elliptical in shape, and the leaf bud is covered by two large scales which falls as the leaf develops, young leaves having an attractive reddish tinge. This tree is considered sacred in India and often shelters a small temple underneath, and indeed it is one ... Learn More

Probably the most commonly grown evergreen tree indoors throughout the world, this species can make an excellent house or patio plant, with pendulous branches bearing glossy, slender-pointed ovate leaves, up to 12cm in length. The flowers are followed by small, reddish-orange fruits which slowly change to black. Outdoors it is one of the easiest trees to keep looking perfect in the correct climate (USDA zone 9b). With its elegant growth and tolerance of poor growing conditions, it does best in bright, sunny conditions but will also tolerate considerable shade. ... Learn More

This is the tree that is grown worldwide to produce plum-sized, juicy, sweet purple/brown figs and although there are hundreds of cultivars this is still a favourite. Fruits will ripen from midsummer onwards in the UK but earlier in warmer countries. These are good, fertile seeds and are ready-stratified for sowing. Fruit from seedlings may vary but all will be superb fruits. ... Learn More

This lovely tree with pale grey bark produces figs which are primarily pollinated by fig wasps, which enter the flower through the hole at the base of the fruiting structure. It is sacred to Buddhists and Hindus as the Buddha himself was thought to have sat under one when he received enlightenment (bodhi). The oldest plant in the world of known planting date is the bo tree called Sri Maha Bodhi planted at the temple at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, in 288 BC. It is native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, south-west China and Indochina and Sadhus (Hindu ascetics) still meditate bene ... Learn More

Frangula alnus, commonly known as Alder Buckthorn or Glossy Buckthorn, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It is admired for its smooth, dark bark and oval, glossy green leaves that turn yellow in autumn, adding seasonal interest to landscapes. Small, pale green flowers appear in late spring, followed by berries that change from red to black as they mature. These fruits are a valuable food source for birds, making this plant a favorite in wildlife gardens. Thriving in full sun to partial shade and a range of soil types, Frangula alnus is tol ... Learn More

The European Ash Tree, scientifically known as Fraxinus excelsior, is a deciduous tree with a straightforward, natural appeal. It typically grows to heights ranging from 60 to 100 feet, featuring dark green compound pinnate leaves. The bark starts off smooth and gray, developing fissures and patterns as the tree matures. In spring, inconspicuous greenish flowers appear, and by late summer or early autumn, the tree produces distinctive winged seeds known as "keys" or samaras. Adaptability is a notable feature of this tree, thriving in various soil types and tolerating both full sun and parti ... Learn More

A spectacular plant from the highlands of Central America, this rather un-Fuchsia-like shrub with glossy-green leaves, bears on red stems many beautiful, large panicles of bright pink flowers all through the summer and autumn. It was even reported to have flowered continually for 13 months through a particularly mild winter in Cornwall. It can survive a few degrees of frost but would benefit from some protection over the winter. ... Learn More

An absolutely stunning, showy species, native to southern Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina, producing exotic, hanging clusters of 10 centimetre flowers in a stunning combination of pure white and fluorescent red. The long trumpet-shaped blooms open progressively down the cluster for several months, followed, quite incredibly, by tasty green fruits! This is an extremely valuable plant that can either be grown in a large pot or be centre-stage in the garden. Freshly picked seeds are very rarely offered for sale. ... Learn More

We are offering the even rarer form of this elusive flower which displays incredible bi-coloured flowers with an ivory white tube and fluorescent scarlet petals. These pendent blooms, borne in late summer and autumn, are displayed in large drooping corymbs up to 20 cm long. This hard-to-find variety from the Andes mountains, which in the right climate can become an impressive shrub, sends down super-long clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms which open progressively down the cluster over several months. Hardy to about -4 °C for short periods, it is best in a sheltered spot or a large pot indoors. ... Learn More

We collected this most beautiful and bone-hardy plant, which can flower just four months after sowing, on our Chilean Expedition of 1994. Scarlet and purple 'ballerina' flowers open throughout summer and autumn and into winter in mild places, making a gorgeous hedge. ... Learn More

These seeds have been collected from plants, some of which are sizeable bushes, in all shapes, colours and sizes which have actually overwintered outside, here in our gardens in Devon. You will get a surprising mixture of new forms from these seeds. ... Learn More

A spectacular plant from the highlands of Central America, this rather un-Fuchsia-like shrub with glossy-green leaves, bears on red stems many beautiful, large panicles of bright pink flowers all through the summer and autumn. It was even reported to have flowered continually for 13 months through a particularly mild winter in Cornwall. It can survive a few degrees of frost but would benefit from some protection over the winter. ... Learn More

A beautiful, small, evergreen shrub with colorful branches, simple leaves and bell-shaped, pink and yellow flowers. Fuchsia sessilifolia is native to montane and cloud forests in Ecuador and Colombia between 1900 and 3200 m. In cultivation it adapts well to a range of warm temperate climates. ... Learn More

Hanging clusters of long, tubular, pinkish red and orange flowers open on this rare, superb and sought-after plant, followed by small, edible fruits. It is easily cultivated in cool temperate climates without extremes of heat or cold, either in a well-drained spot in the garden or a large container. In a severe winter it can be cut to the ground, but invariably re-emerges the following spring. A marvelous shrub to about 1.5 m tall it is native to paramo and cloud forests of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador between 2500 and 4000 m. ... Learn More