This elegant plant, perfect for the rockery or trough, forms neat spreading mats of tiny, bright green ferny leaves, topped with dense clusters of fragrant, crisp white flowers from spring to autumn. Even out of flower, the plants are attractive, as it is an evergreen. A delightful little plant from the European high Alps. ... Learn More

This stately flower is distinguished from the common UK bluebell by its paler, larger, blue-striped flowers, more erect flower stems, broader leaves, and blue anthers, the common bluebell having creamy-white ones. A strong, robust plant, it comes from the woodlands and moist meadows of Spain and North Africa where it forms large clumps. It is a very effective bulb for planting under shrubs in garden borders or in woodland gardens, where in spring, strong, erect spikes of bell-shaped flowers appear. They can tolerate a wide range of soils but refer humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Care ... Learn More

Ironically, this is a much better garden plant than the British native "Bluebell". It is also an exquisite blue, paler than the native species, with a remarkable ability to complement and enhance the effect of just about any other flower colour it comes near. Whilst the native plant has flowers that lean to one side, this one is more symmetrical, much like a hyacinth, to which it is of course related. It provides colour and contrast to the woodland garden, border front, rock garden or even a wild/naturalized area, and is particularly effective when naturalized in large drifts under deciduous ... Learn More

In its first year this plant produces an attractive symmetrical, jagged-leafed rosette. The following spring, branching stems arise, holding thick fleshy leaves. Bizarrely attractive, purple-throated, creamy-yellow funnel-shaped flowers open, all beautifully and intricately netted with deepest purple. But beware, the smell of the flowers is supposed to induce giddiness, and in some cultures it is used for ritual and recreational purposes due to its strong hallucinogenic properties. It contains amongst several other drugs, hyoscyamine, hyoscine and scopolamine, and was historically used in co ... Learn More

This lovely alpine bears stemless golden saucers which stud the tight blue green cushion throughout early summer. Where hypericums are concerned this is a diamond in a bag of stones, adding form and colour to any rock garden. ... Learn More

This vigorous UK native plant forms plant colonies topped with countless, five-petalled yellow flowers. Later, the attractive, pointed, red seed pods form. Hypericum is used in very many herbal remedies, but care must be taken before experimenting with any of these plants. ... Learn More

Rhodohypoxis come in reds, pinks and white, but we bet you've never seen a yellow one before! Thin, grassy stalks hold a long succession of distinctive bright yellow stars from spring to late summer. This little gem comes from the cold, high, wet mountains of South Africa. ... Learn More

"White Hyssop". Snow white flowers smother this popular old bushy plant which doubles as both a minty herb and a lovely garden flower, and is especially loved by bees. ... Learn More

Plump spikes of bright blue flowers appear on this popular old bushy plant which doubles as both a minty herb and a lovely garden flower, and is especially loved by bees. If cut back hard each spring will make a superb specimen for many years. ... Learn More

This is the more unusual and incredibly lovely pastel pink form of this floriferous herb which is usually blue. In addition, this is one of the most attractive flowers you can grow to fill your garden with bees and butterflies. ... Learn More

Lavender-pink flowers, attractive to bees and butterflies, open very pale pink in late spring to summer, before darkening to pale purple with age. These quite rare and protected evergreen plants are the symbol of the Upper Rock nature reserve in Gibraltar, and after blooming can be cut back to keep them compact and bushy and also promote a second flowering. ... Learn More

A very low-growing, evergreen cushion with dark green leaves and large, fragrant white flowers in spring that sometimes fade to lilac. It does best in full sun with very well-drained soil and is very hardy. In the wild it grows in Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Greece and Romania. ... Learn More

A dwarf evergreen shrubby plant, ideal for a sunny hot spot. Branches clad in fleshy rounded leaves hold massed racemes of palest lilac flowers all summer long. ... Learn More

Domed clusters of fragrant flowers in all shades of pink, mauve or white, open all summer long. A popular and easily-grown plant, it is particularly useful for providing colourful ground cover in poor soil. This species is native to the Mediterranean region, but is also present in most of Europe, especially along the coasts, from Spain to Greece and also in northern America. ... Learn More

Thin dividing stems form a medium-sized mound which only buds up in late autumn, producing clouds of small, bouncing, bee-like yellow flowers, which appear on thin delicate stems. This is another 'surprise' plant, which only performs late in the year when you are beginning to give up hope of ever seeing a flower! This new-to-cultivation plant was discovered and collected recently on an Himalayan expedition, although it may have originally been an introduction from North America. We recommend that these plants should not be allowed to spread into the countryside. ... Learn More