Homalomena erubescens

It’s not often I sell houseplants, but I happen to have a few of these south-east Asian aroids about the place. It’s proved a ridiculously easy thing to grow – very like one of the red tinted Philodendrons with big hastate dark leaves on red stems, but on a stout stem rather than climbing. 

From time to time, clusters of ‘flowers’ appear under the leaves, each made up of a deep red spathe with a milky white spadix poking out. Each inflorescence is short-lived but there’s a succession of them over several days. 

Ordinary room temperatures and medium light are fine, and they don’t seem to need high humidity to look good. 
Mature plants in 3L pots ~ £15

Hypericum ascyron

A very striking herbaceous perennial from North America with substantial and shapely rich golden flowers in summer on upright green leafy stems up to 12ins high. 

New to me but so far easy and adaptable and not at all weedy. 
£8

Salix myrtilloides Pink Tassels

A very cute little Himalayan willow (see the wood anemones there for scale) - inconspicuous most of the time, but the pinky purple catkins are very striking - complementing winter flowering heathers well and lovely with Narcissus species. 

A naturally picturesque gnarly alpine shrub - I've found it more adaptable in our increasingly dry south-eastern climes than other dwarf Salix. 
£12

Viburnum brevitubum CBCH807

 
A beautiful new evergreen species for our gardens with masses of milky-white trumpet flowers and smart red-tinted bracts, new leaves and stems. The leaves are narrow and nicely textured and of a satisfying glossy mid-green - not at all dark and heavy in any way. Not scented unfortunately.

Flowers freely and for a long time from early in the year, and unaffected by frost so far (that might change if we had any proper frosts however). Another one from Pépinière Aoba that I got in just before brexit. 
£16

Phymosia umbellata Aubergine

A Mexican mallow with very dark glossy bell-shaped flowers in chunky green calyces. It may or may not be darker than other forms in cultivation, but I like the name because the flowers really do look a lot like aubergines. Photos of similar plants online look a lot more red. People who like black flowers (and who doesn't?) should definitely grow it.

Anyway it's my seedling so I'm naming it 😁  It's very photogenic.

In other respects it resembles other malvaceous shrubs like Abutilon and Lavatera and grows to about 6ft tall and across.

Hardiness is uncertain but it'll take some frost - probably safest fairly dry at the roots and in full sun, against a wall, or in a pot brought in for the winter. 

£16

Berberis insolita

Berberis have a bit of a bad reputation for being dull and shapeless. The flowers are nice but the overall look of the plant can feel oppressive. This species though challenges that description by being graceful and elegant, with fresh willowy leaves, and quite large pale greenish cream flowers. It's really very pretty.

It does of course have the usual savage thorns, but it's also, like most Berberis, extremely hardy and adaptable. Highly recommended. I sneaked this one in under the wire from AOBA in France just before the brexit wall came down.
£16

Correa Poorinda Mary

A very neat and unusual variety with rounded scurfy leaves on a low spreading shrub. The flowers are a rich bright pink with a brownish tinge. For those in the know it looks like one of the more unusual pink-flowered lawrenciana has been crossed with nummularifolia. 

Not much tested for cold but definitely fine in maritime gardens here in Sussex. Correas do well in dry semi-shade and well-drained sunny sites.

£16