We sell a choice selection of extraordinary plants that are rare in cultivation.
Plants offered include a wide selection of Aroids, including Arisaema, Colocasia, Arum, Amorphophallus and Sauromatum. We also specialise in Lilium species and other unusual bulbs. And it’s not only bulbs that we sell…
Tall (up to 60cm) and majestic, this subspecies is far superior to the common A. flavum subsp. abbreviatum. It has large, sulphur-yellow flowers that demand attention. As the name suggests, it hails from Tibet and adjacent lands. It is very cold-hardy and, unusually for an Arisaema, can take very dry conditions in full sun. In fact, it prefers sun to shade.
Small offset tubers 20mm in diameter
Rare in cultivation and exceptionally beautiful, we are able to offer a few tubers for sale of Arisaema murrayi. The flower is unique: pure white with a bright pink rim around the mouth of the spathe. Spadix is dark purple.
This species is rarely offered for sale, but fairly easy to grow in a pot. These tubers should flower in the next year or two and will also produce dark brown offsets from which more can be grown. It is found in the Nilgiri Hills in Southern India but is a temperate rather than tropical species.
Tubers are 20-30mm diameter
Canary Island bellflower. This beautiful scrambling climber is, incredibly, related to our native harebell, being in Campanulaceae family. It is dormant in the summer, starts growing in autumn and produces large, attractively-veined orange-red flowers in the winter; the foliage is also very attractive. It is not hardy below zero degrees so it is best grown in a sunny conservatory or frost-free greenhouse in the UK; a tall window will also do but it does enjoy full sun. A climber growing 1.5-2m high, it should be trained over a trellis or obelisk and tied in as it grows. It is lovely to have this beauty flowering over Christmas - better than mistletoe!
Pot into fresh, free-draining loamy compost when dormant over the summer, during which time it should be kept fairly dry (if too wet it will rot - water it in once after re-potting, then leave it). The purple shoots start to emerge in September-October, when you can start to water it more frequently, though it does not like to be waterlogged. Occasional misting over the winter is welcome. It will flower for a few months over the winter, then start to yellow and die back in late spring. Allow the compost to (almost) dry out over the summer and then re-pot in late summer. Can be grown as a stunning winter houseplant and kept outside whilst dormant in summer.
These are small offset tubers from our stock plants. They will flower in a couple of years. You will receive 3 to 5 pieces, sent bare-rooted, as shown in the photograph. Pot up immediately on receipt. Despatched August-December.
This is the genuine article, endemic to Nepal. Many Arisaema offered as “erubescens” are in fact reddish forms of A. consanguineum. One obvious way to distinguish erubescens is that it is stoloniferous, whilst consanguineum does not produce stolons. Erubescens remains relatively scarce in cultivation, despite being an “easy” species.
The whole plant has a reddish-pink tinge to it - except for the tubers which are a distinctive blue-green colour. It is easy to grow in a shaded spot in the garden and, being from high altitude, is totally hardy outside in the UK. Stolons are produced and, if it is happy with the conditions, you will notice “daughter” plants popping up near to the parent. If grown in a pot, allow extra room for these stolons to develop.
These tubers are 30-40mm diameter and should flower after one more year of growing, as well as producing a number of stolons (i.e. new plants).
Despatched Oct-March
This charming little Arisaema is the perfect subject for pot cultivation, usually only reaching 30cm tall. The flower has a unique beauty and character which is best appreciated in close up - although the flowers are a decent size - like an exotic bird. The leaf is also highly decorative with many leaflets arranged in a fan. One of the most sought-after species for its incredible flower, which is held below the leaf.
These are good sized (25-30mm) tubers which should flower next year and will produce numerous offsets.
Despatch Nov-March
This form is more common than the pure white form but is equally attractive. The degree of rose-pink blush is variable but all flowers have a pleasant scent. This is an easy Arisaema to keep happy. Best grown in partial shade but it can take more sun than most Arisaema. Arisaema candidissimum has large trifoliate leaves and will form a clump in a few years.
Medium offset tubers around 30-40mm diameter
10 seeds per packet
Sauromatum venosum is a widespread hardy Aroid. This is one of the largest forms, meaning it can grow to produce a huge leaf around 1 metre across each year. This adds a fantastic tropical feel to a temperate garden; the leaf is large, glossy and long-lived.
The flower is produced first; it is unmistakeable, as is the smell (which fortunately only lasts for a day!). However, the leaves are probably the main attraction for most gardeners. This species prefers partial shade and good drainage: a sub-tropical border will suit it well alongside Canna and Hedychium. The tuber will quickly multiply and should survive the winter outside, as long as it has good drainage. Otherwise, you can lift the tuber and store it frost-free over winter, planting again in Spring with a good feed. It can be grown easily in a pot, but the tuber will eventually out-grow most plant pots!
10 seeds per packet
A large purple inflorescence is produced as the enormous, arrow-shaped leaves unfurl. The overall impression is like an Arum on steroids! This species is hardy but quite late to start into growth and some heat may speed up development. It needs a fairly decent growing season in order to bulk up and flower again next season. Suitable for “plunging” in the garden when in growth to get maximum effect from the foliage.
Seeds should be sown in a greenhouse, ideally with some bottom heat, and should germinate in two to three months. However, some seeds may not germinate until the following year so do not throw the seed pot out.
10 seeds per packet
An upright, distinguished species with a single trifoliate leaf. Green and white striped spathe. Although easy to grow, it is not common in cultivation. In nature it is usually found growing in open rocky situations and in the garden it prefers some sun and good drainage. Perfectly hardy in the UK.
Hand pollinated. 10 seeds per packet
Purple and white-striped spathes in mid-summer make this beauty stand out from the crowd. Perhaps even more spectacular are the huge broad trifoliate leaves, which can be 90cm long and nearly as wide in mature specimens. Really adds a tropical feel to your garden, although perfectly hardy. An easy to grow species which will do well in a sheltered part of the garden. Prefers sun to shade and will bulk up nicely in a sunny or semi-shade position, unlike many Arisaema.
(syn. Lilium taliense var jinfushanense)
20 seeds per packet
Beautiful big flowers: white with a bright yellow centre and purple-red speckling along the inside of the petals. This species grows tall (up to 2m) and produces a profusion of flowers from June to August. Although not often seen in cultivation, this spectacular species is relatively easy and undemanding to grow. Flowers in a few years from seed.
Mainly found in the biodiversity “hotspot” of Jinfo Shan, Central China, this may be a particularly large and striking form of L. taliense.
20 seeds per packet
Rose pink “turks cap” flowers with carmine red spots - a real beauty from SW China and Tibet first discovered by Frank Kingdon Ward. Several, sweetly-scented flowers are produced per stem. Like many of the lilies we grow, this species enjoys some shade and excellent drainage. Although we grow them in pots (to keep track of them as they will spread by stolons underground), they would be happiest in leafy well-drained soil in the garden, perhaps on top of a bank or even in a raised bed. Perfectly hardy in UK gardens.
20 seeds per packet
A beautiful medium-sized lily species which is easy to grow with good drainage and partial shade. Speckled “turks cap” flowers which are similar to L. lankongense, but in this species the base colour is white whereas with L. lankongense the flowers are pink. Fully hardy in UK.
20 seeds per packet
This medium-sized lily species is perfectly hardy throughout the UK. It prefers well-drained soil and sun or part-shade; it will probably do better planted in the garden than in a pot so that it keeps its roots cool in summer. Produces a number of pink “turks cap” flowers with darker speckling in July-August. Originally collected at 3300m altitude in Xianggelila, part of Yunnan which is close to Tibet. It grows on sunny, exposed gravel slopes there which are covered by snow in winter, therefore probably best if not too wet during the winter.
One of the largest and most impressive of all Arisaema species, The reptilian spathe can be 10cm across and the whole plant 1 metre tall. The leaves are enormous and often topped by the curious long purple filament of the spadix appendix. A real monster!
Rarely offered for sale, we have a few offset tubers to sell this year. It is easy to grow in a pot of adequate size (it produces large offsets so needs the extra space) providing the usual good drainage and feed are provided. It would be even happier to grow in a shady part of the garden with loose, leafy soil; ideally on top of a bank where the flower can be better-appreciated.
Medium sized tubers 6-10cm across. They bulk up quickly and you can expect them to flower in the next year or two.
Hand-pollinated seeds. 10 seeds per packet.
This form is pure white with green stripes and will come true from seed. It is less common in cultivation than the pink form, but has the same pleasant scent. One of the most attractive flowers of any Arisaema, it is hardy and easy to grow in the garden or a pot. Best grown in partial shade but it can take more sun than most Arisaema. Arisaema candidissimum has large trifoliate leaves and will form a clump in a few years.
20 seeds per packet
A tall, dominant plant which enjoys full sun and good drainage. Prolific pink “mallow-type” flowers are produced for months throughout the summer. Dies back in winter. It has a light and airy habit which makes it suited to a position in the midground of a sunny border. The flowers really stand out against a dark background - appearing to “float” on the breeze. A constellation of pink flowers. Attracts pollinators and will self-seed, but not in a problematic way.
A real show-stopper with its striped spathe and white spadix like a “Mint Imperial”. Some specimens also have variegated leaves. Early to emerge, this Arisaema is possibly best grown in a pot with perfect drainage in a shaded part of the greenhouse. Flowering as early as March, the leaves last for several months and during this time it needs to be kept cool and out of the sun.
Flowering-sized tubers despatched October-February.
This form is pure white with green stripes. It is less common in cultivation than the pink form, but has the same pleasant scent. One of the most attractive flowers of any Arisaema, it is hardy and easy to grow in the garden or a pot. Best grown in partial shade but it can take more sun than most Arisaema. Arisaema candidissimum has large trifoliate leaves and will form a clump in a few years.
Medium size offset tubers around 30-40mm diameter
Sauromatum venosum is a widespread hardy Aroid. This is one of the largest forms, meaning it can grow to produce a huge leaf around 1 metre across each year. This adds a fantastic tropical feel to a temperate garden; the leaf is large, glossy and long-lived.
The flower is produced first; it is unmistakeable, as is the smell (which fortunately only lasts for a day!). However, the leaves are probably the main attraction for most gardeners. This species prefers partial shade and good drainage: a sub-tropical border will suit it well alongside Canna and Hedychium. The tuber will quickly multiply and should survive the winter outside, as long as it has good drainage. Otherwise, you can lift the tuber and store it frost-free over winter, planting again in Spring with a good feed. It can be grown easily in a pot, but the tuber will eventually out-grow most plant pots!
Medium size tubers which will produce a large leaf and should flower after one more growing season.
Despatch Oct-March
20 fresh seeds moist-packed and kept refrigerated since cleaning - RARELY OFFERED
A stunning, dark form of what is already one of the most spectacular species of Arisaema. The shoots are almost black, unfurling to reveal a “reptilian” flower spathe around 10cm wide. The large leaves have an iridescent sheen like an old vinyl record. The flower is long-lasting and starts off below the leaves, usually extending to grow above the leaves before it starts to fade.
Price reflects the fact that these seeds are hardly ever available. They must be kept moist and sown in free-draining compost straightaway. Do not keep them to sow in the Spring, as experience suggests that this species will germinate even if refrigerated! However, they will not be viable if allowed to dry out, which is why these recalcitrant seeds are stored in moist vermiculite.
This form was originally collected in Nepal but ours were sourced from a woodland garden in the UK, where it has thrived for many years. We grow it in pots, and this is one of the few species where the tuber prefers to be stored slightly-moist when dormant, rather than completely dry. It would do even better if grown in leafy, well-drained soil outside; prefers cool and shady conditions.
Available now
We expect to have a whole range of unusual species of Arums to sell in Summer 2023
We don’t sell many Iris species, but this rarity is a stunner! Large mauve and yellow flowers in April-May. It is reasonably hardy but could do with some winter protection to protect the developing flower buds. If it gets frosted the plant will survive but you are unlikely to get flowers in the spring.
It is evergreen and at least 1 metre tall; we sell them in 3 litre pots from June to October. Foliage will be cut back on the potted plants to fit them in a box, but it will soon recover. Occasional feeding with tomato feed will ensure a spectacular display of flowers in the spring. It can easily be divided to give more plants.
This clone was originally collected in Manipur but it is found In North East India, Myanmar and Yunnan. Growing at an altitude above 2000m which means it is moderately hardy in the UK.