Vallea stipularis

A relative of Crinodendron and Aristotelia with small pink cup shaped flowers and variable leathery leaves.

This is a lax scambling species, best grown as a wall shrub or through other shrubs. Not considered very hardy in the UK – there is nevertheless a large specimen on a wall at Wakehurst

£20

Titanotrichum oldhamii

Classic gesneriaceae - sturdy basal rosette of fleshy crinkly leaves and stems of foxglove like flowers emerging from the centre. The flowers are a very striking bright yellow, deep red inside, and the leaves are purple on the reverse. Not well tried outdoors in the UK, but the main problem overwintering temperate gesneriads usually is not the cold so much as keeping them dry in winter, This doesn't seem to be a problem in this case.

Titanotrichum is best in a moist woodsy soil, and it is imperative that it does not dry out in summer, or else the flower buds will turn to tiny tubers (gemmae). A solid and vigorous woodland perennial as long as it has enough water

£10

Sophora flavescens

A herbaceous species from China with pale yellow, somewhat monk's-hood like flowers on slender stems over elegant pinnate foliage. A cool airy alternative to Baptisia and Thermopsis. Fully hardy.

£8

Salvia omeiana Crug Thundercloud

A stunning and wonderful Asiatic woodland species with broad, heart-shaped, beautifully textured and muskily aromatic leaves (sage & onion?) with a rich purple underside.

Sprays of soft yellow flowers appear in late summer.
£8

Salvia chamaedryoides

An absolutely gorgeous little Salvia from Texas and thereabouts, sprouting spikes of intense indigo violet over low ash-white bushes.

It will, like so many species from this area, need the driest sunniest site you've got but is cold tolerant and can eventually make quite a sizeable patch.

£6

Rhodiola rosea

Our native rose root – quite a common plant of uplands and crags forming dense clusters of grey succulent leaves on stems radiating from a compact root.

Clusters of yellow flowers appear at the ends of the shoots in spring. Very adaptable to any sunny well-drained spot

£6

Pycnanthemum muticum

Another North American that certainly deserves to be better known. Forms colonies of upright stems with fresh green rounded leaves ultimately developing an almost Euphorbia-like inflorescence of tiny white flowers subtended by silvery white bracts. At this stage the whole plant has a pale silvery sheen.

Not invasive. Has a lovely fresh peppermint fragrance too, and can be used in the same way. Any soil.

£8