Sometimes called Chinese oranges, these are the smallest, weirdest, and certainly the rarest of the common citrus fruits. In a contrary turnaround from others in this group, the tasty skin and zest are extraordinarily sweet and tasty, whilst the juicy insides are just the same as many oranges. The size of very small plums, they are often used as an expensive winter treat and can be eaten whole, just as they are, (yes really, I have tried them), or cooked with sugar, spices or spirits to make sweet compôtes and aromatic chutneys, and are often sliced whole and used in curries. The small fruitin ... Learn More

Unlike most lachenalias, these bright yellow urn-shaped flowers are born upright and only just push above the rosettes of strap-shaded leaves. These dwarf plants, from wet sandy flats in the south western Cape, are also ideal for pot culture, this species flowering over an extended period, stretching from the first week in June to the second week in October. ... Learn More

Also known as Angel Lips, Spanish Flag, or West Indian Lantana, these spectacular shrubby plants have aromatic flower clusters (umbels) in a mixture of red, orange, yellow, and white florets. The flowers, which are hummingbird magnets, typically change colour as they mature, resulting in inflorescences that are two or three-coloured. Indeed another common name for Lantana camara is "Ham 'n Eggs" due to the adjacent white and yellow inflorescences. Although they are more often seen as specimens and borders around the entrances to hotels in warmer countries, in the UK they are just as much at ... Learn More

Large clusters of sizeable lavender-mauve flowers which sadly are not fragrant, make excellent cut flowers and are good on dry sunny slopes. A relative of the annual Sweet Pea, this bone-hardy perennial will sprawl over the available space or form a solid clump of dark green leaves smothered in flowers. Can be clipped back hard after flowering to prevent spread through self-seeding. ... Learn More

Masses of white and mauve pea flowers over hairy grey creeping foliage. Superb over rocks in hot spot. Very long-lived and hardy. ... Learn More

An easy-to-grow plant bearing countless strong stems each carrying 6 to 10 large, terracotta to brick-red flowers, all summer long, amongst a compact mass of pretty, rounded leaves. This rather rare RHS 'Award of Garden Merit' Winner is the Persian version of the everlasting pea. ... Learn More

This very long-blooming, vigorous and early pea produces a scrambling dome of small white flowers, that will soon cover a small shrub or climbing frame, over a very long period. The seeds of this unusual pea are rumoured to have been found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun. ... Learn More

Numerous, small, darker-veined, orange-red pea flowers are carried on a creeping compact dome of thin grass-like leaves and stems. This rare dwarf annual from California, also called the grass pea, makes a compact addition to a rockery or edge of border. ... Learn More

This rare, trouble and maintenance free, and unusually attractive British native climber improves yearly, throwing out enormous numbers of sizeable, flesh pink flowers on strong stems, being even more vigorous and floriferous than Lathyrus latifolius. It is tough and totally hardy and ideal for cloaking a bank where little else will grow, and in winter it dies away to an underground tuber! One of the most garden-worthy British native plants. ... Learn More

The "Tangier Pea" is a strikingly lovely plant with long-stemmed clusters of large, showy, pink, purple and scarlet flowers. It will grow very rapidly as the soil warms up and will cover a fence or screen with a long succession of bright blossoms. Few seeds were collected this year. ... Learn More

Very valuable spring colour is produced by one of the most lovely dwarf perennial peas, with masses of violet blue flowers in April and May. Some L. vernus var. albus (white) are also included in here. ... Learn More

This popular shrub is grown for the masses of dark pink, hollyhock-like flowers that smother its branches all summer long from June to September. The deeply lobed, grey-green leaves are attractive too. Extremely long-flowering, this vigorous tree mallow will thrive in a well-drained shrub or mixed border, but needs plenty of space to spread itself out as its puts on tremendous growth in just one season. In cold areas of the country it may be best grown against a warm wall to minimise wind and frost damage. ... Learn More

This famous and delicious Scottish 19th century heirloom variety of winter leek has large, very thick stems which have a fantastic sweet yet mild flavour. This variety is winter hardy and is slow to bolt. ... Learn More

This is the perfect Cos Lettuce, being quick to mature, dwarf and compact, producing crisp, sweet, medium-sized hearts. It is resistant to root aphid and perfectly-suited to sowing March-July outdoors, and is also good under cloches. The solid hearts, which stand for a considerable time before going to seed, are highly esteemed by those who prefer a small, crisp lettuce. If ever a variety deserved its name it was Little Gem! RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Also Recommended by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany. ... Learn More

Numerous white or pale pink flowers which open fully on sunny day nestle in a tight rosette of deciduous glaucous-green leaves. Plants are best plunged in the alpine house, keeping moist in spring, and just slightly moist even after flowering when they quickly become dormant, new growth appearing in September/October. ... Learn More