Ecballium elaterium

The squirting cucumber – a bizarre and not unattractive Mediterranean cucurbit with rather coarse broad foliage and yellow flowers. The main attraction however is the ripe fruits, which, when fully ripe, whizz off across the garden leaving a trail of juice and seeds in their wakes. 

A tuberous rooted trailing perennial for a sunny, well-drained situation.
£6

Cymophyllus fraserianus

A very unusual North American sedge with broad glossy evergreen foliage up to 12ins long, reminiscent of a bromeliad perhaps, and flowers in dense white spikes – more like an aroid spadix. 

A choice and slow-growing woodlander, rarely offered. Excellent in dry shade.
£8