From South Africa comes this beautiful, rare, easy-to-grow, desirable treasure. In early spring, long-stemmed, erect spikes of white flowers open from pink buds, the frothy blooms being topped by the rest of the densely held buds which open from the bottom upwards. It is drought and heat tolerant and will grow in any well-drained soil, and in warmer climes it is evergreen, increasing both by root and seed with time. An excellent cut flower, it is widespread in the winter rainfall area of South Africa where it grows on sandstone, granite, or clay. In cooler countries it will need protecting fro ... Learn More

This lovely dwarf catmint forms a low cushion of hairy fragrant leaves, above which, from July until September, arise short spikes carrying globular clusters of bright pink flowers, rather like a candelabra. This is possibly the last of the catmints to be in flower. Wild Basil has mauve coloured flowers unlike Garden Basil which has white flowers. ... Learn More

Another superb Chinese Aster, with huge, fragrant, double flowered discs in all colours from white to deepest purple, which are held on 2 foot stems. These fabulous flowers which are easy and fast to grow are quite irresistible to butterflies and bees. ... Learn More

Fragrant flowers in pink, red coral/apricot, light blue and creamy-white bloom from mid summer to early autumn. Plant should be watered regularly, although over watering should be avoided. These plants self-sow freely and you will need to deadhead if you do not want self-sown seedlings next season. ... Learn More

This is the very rare, white flowered form of our normally yellow native marsh marigold, which luxuriates in damp boggy soil or even as a marginal plant in a pond, but will also do well in ordinary, moist garden soil. Its golden-eyed, ivory-white blooms open in spring just before the glossy leaves are fully unfurled. A second flush of bloom is very often produced in early autumn. ... Learn More

Imagine an enormous, strong-stemmed, fragrant bluebell with dense, erect spikes of six-petalled, star-shaped violet flowers. This large, bone-hardy, reliably perennial lily relative, flowers in early summer with the very occasional plant giving pure white, green-eyed flowers. ... Learn More

The pure white form of the more commonly seen blue one resembles an absolutely giant, fragrant bluebell. A large, bone-hardy, reliably perennial lily relative, it has dense, erect spikes of six-petalled, star-shaped white flowers. An easy and valuable hardy treasure. ... Learn More

In early spring this bulbous perennial pushes up narrow leaves, glaucous above, and tall, strong, bare stems carrying spires of creamy starry flowers which take up little space among other rounded plants or shrubs. It seeds freely making glorious swathes in time. ... Learn More

This rarely seen or offered hardy evergreen plant boasts glossy green, pointed and, predictably, fragrant leaves which are smaller than other camelias. The appearance of delicate pure white flowers, with an enormous central boss of golden anthers, means that this shrub has more to offer than just a refreshing cuppa. If you can grow other varieties of Camellia in your garden chances are you’ll be able to grow this fabulous hardy evergreen shrub. It is the exclusive source of the highly-valued, genuine Darjeeling tea, which is an aromatic black tea, grown in the Darjeeling district of West Benga ... Learn More

From low, spreading clumps of smooth, shiny, toothed foliage (resembling birch leaves hence its latin name!) hang numerous pendant white bells, which sometimes have a slight shade of pink, the edges of the flowers having long hairs, somewhat like those of the bearded bellflower. From Armenia, this gem for the connoisseur is delightful in gritty fertile soil or hanging over the edge of a trough or in a crevice on the rock garden. It is different from almost all others but is an easy plant to grow ... Learn More

Great branching heads of deep violet blue flowers atop stout stems clad in pointed leaves. Invaluable mid-border plant. Busy bees will ensure you have a quota of pale blue, white or even pink flowers amongst these plants. ... Learn More

This long lived clump-forming plant bears strong spikes of large, white funnel-shaped bell-flowers in late spring and early summer. A favourite old Cottage Garden plant. ... Learn More

One of the most typical cottage garden flowers, Campanula medium, or "Canterbury Bells", has a timeless charm and grace. Masses of bells are produced in an astonishing range of blues, whites and pinks. Flowers appear all summer long and are from 60-90cm high (2-3ft). They will grow in almost any position whether sun or semi shade. ... Learn More

A beautiful double flowering form of Campanula medium. Each flower is surrounded by a calyx of the same colour as the petals making it appear a double bloom and from which it derives its common name of 'Cup and Saucer'. Excellent for cottage gardens, this charming, old-fashioned plant in shades of purple, blue, pink and white also makes an excellent cut flower. Needs protection from the wind. ... Learn More

This rare colour-break in bell-flowers has proportionately large creamy yellowish-white bells on low arching stems in early to mid-summer and spreads, very slowly, with a gentle running habit. A long-lived little beauty! ... Learn More