Aeschynanthus buxifolius KR7798

A subtropical epiphyte that can, given enough shelter, grow outside in some parts of the UK. Try it on a tree-fern maybe? Otherwise a prime candidate for a cool frost-free greenhouse, being a relatively small species with neat rounded leaves and vivid red flowers. 

Extremely choice.
£10

Clematis fremontii

 

A unique non-climbing species from the Prairies. The plant makes a low cluster of stems clothed in simple elliptical leaves, topped in spring with nodding bell-shaped flowers of very unusual colouring. 

The flower colour is somewhat variable but mostly violet on the outside, white inside. The petals curl back over time.

Easy to grow in a well-drained sunny site.
£20

Aechmea recurvata recurvata

 

Another near-hardy bromeliad – definitely hardy to a few degrees below zero, planted in a very free-drained bed as you would Fascicularia, or mounted on a branch or wall as an epiphyte. 

The small rosettes are green and produce dense stemless inflorescences of vivid pink and purple, surrounded by red tinted leaves. 

£10

Ribes laurifolium

Another winter flowering shrub and one of my favourites. Nothing like the blackcurrants to which it is related, this is a low, gnarly, rather picturesque evergreen, producing dangling trails of pale greenish yellow flowers from red bracts in earliest spring. 

Easy-going but probably best with some shade from deciduous trees and shrubs. Grow Cyclamen and Scillas through it. 

Male and female plants are available.

The common male form is known, confusingly, as Amy Doncaster and has more rounded open flowers

£14

The female form has denser clusters of flowers with conspicuous bracts. Black berries are occasionally produced

£14

Deutzia hookeriana

I used to think Deutzias were a rather boring group of shrubs but the cognoscenti know different. It's a surprisingly varied genus and many of them are exquisite in flower. 

Hookeriana is one of the best with almost unbelievably finely crafted sugar pink flowers in neat rounded heads in late spring. The overall shape and foliage are also good. Like most Deutzia, and easy adaptable plant. 

£15

Desmodium (Ototropis) callianthum

A seldom-seen scrambling shrub with subtly variegated clover-like foliage (2 or 3 shades of green) and rich pink pea flowers. 

Either grow it among other shrubs so it can scramble about among them, or, if you feel motivated, train it against a wall. Either way it makes a very welcome splash of colour in late summer and autumn

£15

Fuchsia magellanica Arauco

An absolutely exquisite, possibly naturally occurring, form of this popular shrub - always attracts attention with it's finely crafted purple white and pink flowers and neat dark green foliage. It can make a large shrub in time but, like most Fuchsias, responds well to pruning.

This is less drought tolerant than other Fuchsia - not good in small containers and definitely most at home in cool moist conditions.

nb. the variety Lady Bacon (left) is very similar and they can be hard to tell apart, but seen together, Arauco is definitely the more refined plant with better colours, and smaller leaves and flowers. I grow both but I would always recommend Arauco. It just has that certain something that even people who don't generally go for Fuchsias can appreciate.
£10