Agave parryi

A relatively compact species not more than about 40cms across but with the same characteristic blue-grey foliage and black spines of the larger species. Also this is fairly much fully hardy over much of the UK and tolerates winter wet well - though still needing full sun and a well-drained soil to avoid rotting. 

An ideal Agave for people with small gardens who don't have the space for a huge beast that will impale you as soon as look at you.

Various sizes and prices - please enquire

Chionanthus retusus

The Asian fringe tree. Similar to the more familiar American species – with the same masses of narrow-petalled white flowers, but with smaller, more leathery rounded leaves, plus blue fruits in hot summers.
£25

Alstonia yunnanensis

A new species for UK gardeners as far as I know – a possibly hardy shrubby member of the apocynaceae from southern China reminiscent of oleander but with beautiful richly tinted long oval leaves and sprays of rosy pink flowers in summer. 

My plants survived the freezing blast of December 2023 in pots in the unheated tunnel and can apparently handle -8C. 

£12

Trillium ludovicianum (or possibly freemanii)

I have a few pieces to spare of this very rarely offered plant. There's some confusion about the name but either way it's a lovely species.

I've found it easy to grow in a leafy shady spot and unfazed by summer drought. 

Prices on request

Two Underwhelming Shrubs

"Of botanical interest" is a phrase you come across sometimes in catalogues for plants of no obvious ornamental merit. Botanical gardens and other collectors might be interested. I grew them from seeds because I like obscure things and, while they're hardly show-stoppers, they are extremely hardy and might make an interesting addition to a shelter belt maybe, or a security hedge.

Maclura pomifera

The Osage Orange - a member of the moraceae from eastern USA. The flowers are interesting and if pollinated, make large, hard, orange-like fruit - which is sadly inedible but interesting nonetheless.

Makes a large shrub or small tree with nasty spines hidden among the leaves. Deciduous and very hardy, and suitable for a security hedge if trimmed. 

Be the first in your neighbourhood to grow it. Nobody will know what it is.

£20 

Too big to post

Flueggea suffruticosa 

Previously Securinega ramiflora - a willowy sort of shrub which used to be included in the Euphorbiaceae but is now in the related Phyllanthaceae. Tiny greenish white flowers appear in summer.

Widely distributed and very hardy. Maybe worth a try in places where people say "Nothing will grow here". Each year's shoots die back partially (hence suffruticose) leaving dry sticks so that's maybe a little interesting?

£10

Monocostus uniflorus

One of a very small number of houseplants I sell - because it's easy to grow but rare in cultivation. Costus are in a tropical family of ginger relatives with conspicuously spiralling stems with the leaves radiating outwards. Most are too large for the home but this is a compact clump-forming species from Africa up to about 12ins high, and it produces large soft lemon yellow flowers sporadically through the season. 

It needs medium light, normal room-temperatures (18-25C), with some humidity but is otherwise easy to grow. I grow it in a west-facing window among other plants, and mist them regularly.

£18

Clematis socialis

A gorgeous small species of non-climbing herbaceous and suckering habit - popping up here and there around the original plant, but without being in any way a nuisance. 

The foliage is narrow and fresh green. The quite large bell-shaped pale violet flowers are classic viorna type but are unusual for appearing in spring. 

A very rare plant from the Georgia and Alabama but hardy and easy to grow.

sold out for now