Acanthus mollis or Bear's Breeches has handsome large dark green shiny leaves deeply lobed, with impressive tall flower spikes in late summer.  Flowers are white with purple-shaded bracts. Outstanding for the back of the border, where this Acanthus will create a stunning effect. Tolerates some shade and dry conditions. Easy to grow.

Agapanthus Headbourne Hybrids are fully hardy, dying back to the fleshy root stock over winter. Available in most Garden Centres but expensive - why not try growing some from seed if you can wait a few years for the plants to mature?

One of the most exciting plants to recently come out of the Mexican mountains is this cool and wet hardy Agave montana. It forms a tight rosette of variably patterned and variably armed foliage of immense beauty, up to 1.5m across. Given a very well drained site in full sun this is by far and away the best Agave to try and grow outside in the UK

Allium aflatunense is a late spring perennial  flowering bulb with strap shaped pale green leaves appearing soon after the last frost. The globe shaped flowers are about 7 cm across, composed of dense tiny lilac florets on a strong single stem held well above the leaves. Height 90 cm. Spread 15 cm. Best in a well drained soil with full sun. Once established they will spread making quite a show in late spring to early summer.

Allium cernuum Hidcote Pink is a very pretty ornamental onion to 50cm , this allium has pendulous loose flowerheads made up of clusters of bell-shaped, pink flowers. The fine leaved strappy foliage makes an attractive clump at the base of the plant.

Allium christophii is the largest of all the ornamental onions, with a huge 12" spherical head consisting of 80 individual star like purple flowers on strong stems up to 60cm high.  When they have finished flowering the seedheads can also be cut and dried for use in flower arrangements. Unlike many other varieties the strap like leaves remain in good condition while the plants flower and the flower heads last for weeks. Our favourite border ornamental onion.

Allium giganteum a beautiful ornamental onion from Iran produces dense 9" heads of lilac-pink, star-shaped flowers in summer. Its tall 90cm stems make it ideal for planting among lower-growing perennials where it can add an extra dimension to your planting. The bulbs produce spreading, strap-shaped basal leaves which die down just before the flowers are produced.

From the Alps, this rare flowering onion is considered to be among the most desirable of Allium species. Allium insubricum is closely akin to the equally beautiful Allium narcissiflorum. It can be difficult to grow and flower well and best suited to alpine rockery conditions.

Alstroemeria are exotic South American perennials from tuberous roots, producing abundant red, yellow, orange and pink flowers, often strikingly streaked and spotted. Excellent cut flowers. Easily grown in full sun or part shade, preferring rich deep soil. Best left undisturbed and mulched in hard frost areas. We have been growing these for many years with a fantastic colour display for most of the summer.

I have never been without this useful and easy-to-grow spectacular spring flowering plant in our garden. Alyssum montanum  is low-growing 7 to 10cm and evergreen and produces masses of bright yellow flowers in clusters in late-spring. It's a perfect companion for spring bulbs or purple aubrietia  on a rock garden or bank, but also good in difficult, dry Mediterranean theme situations such as on a hollow topped wall or cracks in paving. It can also be used as a containerised specimen. It thrives in the poorest soil provided it's well-drained. Annual trimming after flowering prolongs the life of plants, improves later flowering and keeps plants compact.

A fully hardy small to medium sized shrub from North America, Amelanchier alnifolia has pretty snowy white flowers in spring and bears tasty edible blackcurrant sized fruits in mid summer. The plants tolerate a wide pH range and will also grow well in heavy clay soils. Water needs are minimal. Although fruit production is best when grown in full sun, partial shade is also tolerated. The berries are sweet and juicy, can be eaten fresh, canned, frozen, made into jams, pies or wines, and can be dried and eaten like raisins. Some say the taste is far superior to Blueberries without the problem of needing and acid soil to grow them.

From Korea, Angelica gigas is an architectural and quite dramatic recent introduction growing to 4’, with huge, bold leaves and striking flowers produced in mid to late summer in large clusters resembling a large Allium. Flowers and stem are a rich, purplish red and the plant won a gold medal in 1993 when it was introduced.

Anthriscus sylvestris Ravenswing is a clump forming biennial or short-lived perennial with dark foliage providing a useful contrast in borders. The attractive dark purple-brown foliage and stems are followed in late spring to summer with lacy umbels of tiny white flowers, with small pink bracts. Pick out the best dark colours from the seeds discarding any green seedlings. Once established spreads easily from self sown seeds.

Aquilegia F1 Origami, a unique variety flowers the first year from seed because the cold stratification requirement is only 14-21 days with temperatures as high as 10C. An October/November sowing produces April/May flowering plants. Its hybrid vigour translates to a free flowering 12" to 18" habit with exceptional uniformity across all 6 colours that are clean and bright.

One of the easiest to grow, but spectacular, is the giant Arisaema consanguineum. The flowers have a purple-green spathe with narrow, white, vertical stripes and a hood with a filamentous tail-like tip. The spathe encloses the club-like spadix (itself extended by a whiplash tail), which has all over its surface hundreds of tiny flowers. In late summer, the spathe withers and exposes a head of tightly packed red-orange berries. A slender tall plant (to 2 meters!) with mottled snake skin patterned stems.

Tall growing Asian species with a large trifoliate leaf and dramatic dark red/purple hooded spathes, flowering from April to May. The spadix is nearly 70 cm long.

A fully hardy species with brown and straw coloured stems that adds interest to the brown & white striped flowers A good all-round species being reliably hardy in most parts of the UK.

This species grows native from Nepal & Northeast India to south central China. It has exotic looking dark purple to chocolate spathes striped or marked white. The mottled or purple-blotched leaf stem bears a huge tropical-looking shiny palmate leaf, divided to look a bit like three leaves with reddish brown margins. It is called a Double-Whip Cobra Lily because it has two tongues. The first is at the pointed tip of the hood or spathe, the "tongue" common to Arisaemas generally. But much stranger is an unexpected tongue that extends from the head of the spadix or jack. To 2ft.

Described as tortuous because of the extremely long, curling green, sometimes purple, spadix which curves out of the mouth of the spathe tube and bends backwards tapering to a fine tip. The spathe itself is lime-green and the stems are mottled green and maroon and snake like. Hardy and reliable Arisaema tortuosum is a robust plant once established, with large divided 2 to 3 leaves and flowering in summer. Height to 1 or 1.5 metres

Arisaema triphyllum or Jack-in-the-pulpit is a spring woodland wildflower usually growing 1ft to 2ft tall. Flower structure consists of the spadix (Jack) which is an erect spike containing numerous, tiny, green to purple flowers and the sheath-like spathe (pulpit) which encases the lower part of the spadix and then opens to form a hood extending over the top of the spadix. The outside of the spathe is usually green or purple and the inside is usually striped purple and greenish white, though considerable colour variations exist. Two large green, compound, long-petioled leaves (1ft to 1.5ft long), divided into three leaflets each, emanate upward from a single stalk and provide umbrella-like shade to the flower. The fleshy stalk and leaves lend an almost tropical aura to the plant.

Astelia chatamica or Silver spear is a hardy, clump-forming perennial with elegant silvery spear-shaped leaves. In very cold winters in exposed areas plants may suffer frost damage and may benefit from protection. During mid- to late spring long stalks of yellowish-green flowers emerge from female plants that give rise to orange berries in summer. This plant can make a dramatic feature in the garden especially when planted close to purple-foliage plants such as Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf'. It makes an unusual alternative to phormium or New Zealand flax.

Baptisia australis forms a spectacular multi-stemmed plant specimen in the flower garden capped with lupine-like spires of this rich yet subtle shade of blue.  Each floret is centred white offering eye-catching contrast.  After flowering the uniform, vase shape of the plant bears rich green foliage all season offering a most pleasing architectural form. Native to North America it is fully hardy eventually forming a clump 1 metre tall and about 2ft wide. Drought tolerant once established. Best planted in a sunny position in a free draining sandy or gritty soil.

Borinda fungosa (Syn Fargesia fungosa) is a popular ornamental weeping bamboo from china that can be used as a screen or centerpiece. Likes a half-day of morning sun to half-day afternoon sun, but the culms will turn chocolate-red and shiny with more sun. Has light green leaves, ½" x 5", which grow in small clusters at each node. Clumping habit growing to 14' and is hardy to around -10°C. The young shoots are also edible.

Buddleia are excellent hardy shrubs with spectacular large flower clusters in shades of white, pink, purple and blue. We grow many different coloured hybrids in our garden to attractive the butterflies and to see one of these shrubs in full flower on a late still, warm summer day, covered in butterflies is really quite magical. Can be flowered in the first year from seed from an early sowing, prune back hard in early spring each year to encourage flower shoots.

Camassia quamash are excellent plants and ideal for planting in a semi shaded garden position or in a wild meadow or orchard. Tall pale blue flower spikes in June. If they like their position they increase rapidly making them ideal for naturalisation. They become dormant in the winter producing underground bulbs.

Campanula carpatica are a robust, rock garden species, and will thrive on sunny walls or banks. They require moist, very well-drained soil and will grow in either sun or partial shade. Pearl Deep Blue blooms 2-3 weeks earlier than the species and is covered in cup-shaped 2 inch wide, vivid violet blue flowers with a lighter centre over dark green foliage from late spring to late summer. Regular dead heading increases the flowering period. Good choice for edging, containers, the front of borders, or growing among rocks.

Campanula latifolia Alba is a large, leafy perennial with pure white tubular bell-shaped flowers in summer. The leaves are nettle-shaped, but not hairy, larger at the bottom of the stem and becoming smaller towards the top. The stem is unbranched, and the flowers are in the axils of the upper leaves. One of our Cottage garden selections to complement your tropical planting.

Campanula latifolia Brantwood - a large, leafy perennial with dark blue to violet tubular bell-shaped flowers in summer. The leaves are nettle-shaped, but not hairy, larger at the bottom of the stem and becoming smaller towards the top. The stem is unbranched, and the flowers are in the axils of the upper leaves. One of our Cottage garden selections to complement your tropical planting.

Tall 3’ to 4’ tall plants with many bell shaped flowers in blue or white. The flowers are a good size and have a nodding habit borne on slender, almost leafless spikes from a basal rosette of glossy green leaves when not in bloom. Plants do best in moisture retentive soils in full sun to part shade. Campanula persicifolia has a some-what spreading habit, but not aggressively. Mid to late spring blooming.

Campanula persicifolia Telham Beauty is an excellent tall 3’ to 4’ tall variety with many bell shaped flowers in a lovely china blue. The flowers are a good size and have a nodding habit borne on slender, almost leafless spikes from a basal rosette of glossy green leaves when not in bloom. Plants do best in moisture retentive soils in full sun to part shade. They have a some-what spreading habit, but not aggressively. Mid to late spring blooming.

Campanula pyramidalis  is a superb and beautiful species forming a large basal cluster of leaves from which arise numerous pyramidal, leafy spikes of countless pale blue or white, saucer-shaped flowers, each 1 in. or more across, the whole making one enormous mass of bloom. Out of doors it will grow to a splendid 4 ft., but in your cool greenhouse, generously nurtured in a 10 in. pot, it will often reach a breathtaking 9 ft. or more! Often grown as a biennial but once established it tends to self seed. Certainly does in our garden!

An impressive discovery from Korea that is vigorous, easy and floriferous. Attractive glossy foliage supports nodding bells, faintly speckled or spotted maroon within. Excellent for quickly filling a border. Campanula takesimana Bell Ringers mixed has shades of pink, purple and white all with spotted centres.

Although classed as a lily for many years, Cardiocrinum giganteum an aristocratic woodland plant from the Himalayas is unmistakably different. The bulbs eventually make 8" across, from which a rosette of leaves then appear for 2 to 4 years before an astonishing and stately flower spike erupts, with up to 50, 6" long glistening white very fragrant trumpets. After that the main bulb dies, leaving many smaller ones that take a few years to reach flowering size again. RHS AGM award. Slow from seed but very expensive to purchase bulbs.

Chiastophyllum Solar Yellow is a hardy, arching evergreen perennial with large fleshy ovate leaves often used in rockeries or containers. In spring an intense flush of yellow weeping flowers are produced creating a real splash of welcome colour. Best in well drained compost and partial sun.

Selected for its colourful foliage, 'Solar Yellow' is a cultivar of Chiastophyllum oppositifolium, a hardy succulent perennial from the Caucasus. It spreads slowly to form a mound of fleshy oval blue-green leaves 15cm to 20cm tall. Hardy to -20C

Colutea arborescens is a vigorous deciduous shrub to eventually 3m with pinnate leaves and short axillary racemes of pea-like yellow or deep orange 2cm flowers in summer. These are followed by translucent, inflated bladder-like fruits to 8cm. Prefers a full sun postion.

The Cordyline is a well known plant that needs little introduction, tolerating about minus 10°C without protection. If planted in more severe conditions it would require some protection, otherwise the growing point would be killed by the frost. However, even cut down to the ground you could expect new suckering growth the following year to compensate for any top growth loss. Many people leave the old leaves on the trunk to provide additional protection, or tie up the crown leaves during the worst weather conditions. This plant is readily available from most garden centres, but it is easy from seed, making it an excellent choice for any summer bedding scheme.

This Cordyline produces an alternative, attractive purple/red foliage. Culture the same as above. Please bear in mind that the non green varieties are not quite so hardy if you are thinking of  a permanent position out of doors.

A magnificent Cordyline species, growing to 8m, with a truly exotic bold look, this is slightly more tender than Cordyline australis and not so often seen in cultivation in the UK, frost tender to -5C. Cordyline indivisa differs from C. australis by having much broader leaves often with a red central midrib.

Cyclamen neapolitanum is a hardy outdoor type of cyclamen with beautiful silver-marbled deep green foliage. Flowers August to November with soft rose flowers with a carmine base. Foliage dies off in the Summer. We have had these in our garden for many years and they always produce a great show and spread via self sown seeds over time.

Cynara is an architectural clump forming plant which if given space really comes into its own. The plant shown in the picture is about 3 years old, already 10' across. Flowers are carried on strong stems up to 10' high and new foliage, beginning early autumn, is a very attractive soft blue grey. The flower form relates closely to the shape of a classic artichoke flower, slightly smaller and more delicate than the edible varieties, topped by a brush of bright blue flowers, quite stunning.  After the flowers fade I cut down the old stems and new growth soon forms from the base. These remain over winter growing slowly and looking very attractive, with only the occasional light frost damage before the spring heralds rapid new growth. Easy to raise from seed but you will need space to accommodate  it permanently. Young plants from off shoots or seedlings make excellent bedding before  becoming too large.

A native shrub from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The dense clusters of pineapple scented yellow flowers appear in mid summer and together with the silvery grey green foliage present a wonderful sight. For well drained, even dry sandy soils in sun and tolerates frost to about -10°C. We have tried to acquire seeds of this wonderful Cytisus battandieri shrub for a few years and we are really pleased to be able to offer it again. 

The ornamental broom plant, or Cytisus, is a lovely short lived shrub with evergreen, long whip-like branches covered in small leaves. The pea-like flowers bloom from late spring through mid-summer in shades of red, yellow, white pink and some bi-colours from our hybrid seed mix. Resistant to pests and tolerant of dry weather changes, the broom plant is ideal for a low-maintenance garden. I used to grow these all the time but it seems to have gone out of fashion for some reason which is a shame, perhaps because it is seen as a weed in some countries. However it never gave me any problems and it can be kept pruned to size for a few years before becoming leggy.

This beautiful and vigorous bamboo is native to the mountain forests of south-western Sichuan and Yunnan province of China. Its robust, clustering culms can reach a height of 7m to 10m and a diameter of up to 6 cm. The leaves are long, narrow and deep green. A fabulous and easy ornamental for cool and warm temperate regions. It is unharmed by moderate frost down to -8°C but not much lower so best in milder districts of the UK. The young shooths are edible and of excellent quality.

Germination -- Easy ■ Moderate ■ and Challenging ■

Backlog for Fresh Seed ♦ Flavour ♪

Hardiness - To -5°C җ To -10°C җҗ Fully Hardy җҗҗ

Needs Shady Position ☻ Sunny Position ☻ Water Loving ♥