{"title":"Silver Foliage Plants","description":"\u003cp\u003eSilver foliage plants earn their place all year. Their pale, light-catching leaves cool down hot colour schemes, hold their shape through winter, and shrug off the dry, sunny spots where thirstier plants sulk.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"strobilanthes-auriculata-var-dyeriana","title":"Strobilanthes auriculata var. dyeriana","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eStrobilanthes auriculata var. dyeriana\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003ePersian shield\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most dazzling foliage exotics you can grow. Its large, lance-shaped leaves shimmer with an iridescent purple-and-silver sheen, veined and edged in green, and the colour seems to shift with every change of light. Grown purely for those spectacular leaves, it brings a jolt of the jungle to a summer patio, a container display or a sheltered \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a tender plant, rated around RHS H2, so in Britain it is best treated as a summer foliage exotic rather than a permanent garden resident. Stand it outdoors once the nights are reliably above about 10C, enjoy it right through the warmer months, then bring it back under cover before the first frosts. Kept frost-free over winter, or grown on as a houseplant, it stays richly coloured all year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e bright light or dappled part shade, warm and sheltered from cold winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or a good peat-free compost in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bushy 60 to 90 cm in a season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender, around RHS H2; protect from frost and overwinter at a minimum of around 10C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep it evenly moist through spring and summer, mist in dry heat and feed monthly to hold the leaf colour. Pinch out the growing tips for a fuller, bushier plant and remove any flower spikes so its energy goes into the foliage. It is a natural partner for ferns and other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eplants for shade\u003c\/a\u003e, layering beautifully into a lush planting scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor an even hardier sibling with the same shimmering look, see \u003ca href=\"\/products\/strobilanthes-brunetthy\"\u003eStrobilanthes 'Brunetthy'\u003c\/a\u003e, and browse the full range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e to build your own jungle. Every plant is nursery grown and selected for strong, well-coloured foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"12cm \/ 1L","offer_id":56452806934911,"sku":"STROAURIVARDYER12","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"13cm \/ 1L","offer_id":41654579789868,"sku":"STROAURIVARDYER13","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/strobilanthes-1.jpg?v=1744306937"},{"product_id":"agave-shaka-zulu","title":"Agave 'Shaka Zulu'","description":"\u003cp\u003eAgave 'Shaka Zulu' is a show-stopping architectural succulent and one of the most cold-hardy large agaves you can grow outdoors in Britain. Bred from the famously tough \u003cem\u003eAgave ovatifolia\u003c\/em\u003e (the Whale's Tongue agave), it forms a beautifully symmetrical rosette of broad, cupped leaves in a soft powder-blue that holds its colour right through the year. It is a true centrepiece plant, equally at home in a contemporary gravel garden, a Mediterranean-style border or a statement pot by the door.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy gardeners want it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong the wave of hardy exotics now grown in the UK, this is one of the best. The leaves are wide, smoothly arching and architectural, each finished with a neat terminal spine, and the whole rosette has a sculptural, almost geometric poise that few other plants match. Compared with a typical tender agave plant, 'Shaka Zulu' shrugs off cold far more readily, making it a reliable choice for adventurous gardeners.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking powder-blue, year-round evergreen foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExceptional cold tolerance for such a bold agave\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo get the best from it, plant in full sun in a warm, sheltered spot facing south or west. Sharp drainage is essential, so work plenty of grit into the soil or plant into a raised bed; chalk, sandy and loam soils all suit it, across the full pH range. The plant copes easily with dry summers and actively prefers it lean and gritty. Hardy to roughly -10C to -12C when dry, it is winter wet rather than frost that does the damage, so keep the crown free-draining. Expect a slow-building rosette reaching around 90cm to 1.2m across over many years. In colder or wetter gardens, grow it as a potted agave plant in the UK and shelter it over winter; like the species \u003cem\u003eAgave ovatifolia\u003c\/em\u003e, it makes a superb container specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Agave 'Shaka Zulu' we send out is a strong, well-rooted, carefully grown plant, hand-selected and packed to arrive in top condition, ready to become the standout feature of your garden for years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"15cm \/ 1.5L","offer_id":57809513808255,"sku":"AGAVSHAK15","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/agave_731844f0-85c2-4504-83ca-125cdd001a2a.jpg?v=1782488016"},{"product_id":"brunnera-macrophylla-jack-of-diamonds","title":"Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most striking silver-leaved selections of Siberian bugloss, prized for its enormous, frosted, heart-shaped leaves. Each leaf is washed in shimmering pewter, traced with fine green veins and edged by a narrow green margin, so a single established clump lights up the darkest, most awkward corners of a shady garden. In mid to late spring, dainty sprays of clear blue, forget-me-not flowers float above the foliage, which is why it is often sold as a false forget-me-not.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy gardeners love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome of the largest, most luminous leaves of any brunnera, reaching the size of a side plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAiry clouds of true-blue spring flowers loved by early bees, a quiet favourite for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ewildlife and pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent, low-maintenance ground cover for dry \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshade\u003c\/a\u003e once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a clump-forming hardy perennial, 'Jack of Diamonds' is the perfect partner for ferns, hostas, hellebores and woodland bulbs, and one of the boldest brunneras you can grow among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. Mature plants reach around 40 to 50 cm tall and spread slowly to 50 to 60 cm, making a generous yet well-behaved mound rather than a runaway spreader, ideal for the front of a shady \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eborder\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow it in partial or full shade in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. It is happy on chalk, clay, loam or sand at almost any pH, though it resents both waterlogging and prolonged drought. A spot with morning light and afternoon shade keeps the silvering at its brightest, while too much hot sun can scorch the leaf edges. Mulch with leaf mould in autumn to lock in moisture and feed the crown. Fully hardy across the UK (RHS H5), this Siberian bugloss dies back in winter and reappears dependably each spring, needing no protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eBrunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds'\u003c\/strong\u003e we send out is nursery-grown, well-rooted and carefully selected for strong foliage and healthy crowns, ready to establish quickly and reward you with that unmistakable silver glow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":57837726073215,"sku":"BRUNJACK19","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/jackfrost.jpg?v=1782487883"},{"product_id":"festuca-glauca-compact-blue","title":"Festuca glauca 'Compact Blue'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFestuca glauca 'Compact Blue'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a superb little \u003cstrong\u003eblue fescue\u003c\/strong\u003e, grown for its dense, rounded cushions of fine, steely silver-blue foliage. Evergreen and neat all year, it brings a cool, metallic shimmer to the garden that contrasts beautifully with greens, purples and hot colours alike. As one of the most useful compact \u003cstrong\u003eornamental grasses\u003c\/strong\u003e, it's a designer's favourite for edging, repetition and crisp structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts tidy, mounded habit makes \u003cstrong\u003efestuca glauca\u003c\/strong\u003e ideal for the front of a sunny border, for gravel and rock gardens, for lining a path, or for pots and window boxes. Plant it in groups or drifts for the strongest effect, where the silvery-blue tufts read as a continuous wave of colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it full sun and sharp drainage, the more sun it gets, the bluer the foliage. It thrives in poor, dry, sandy soils and dislikes winter wet, so avoid heavy, soggy ground. Fully hardy and evergreen, it needs very little attention: comb out or trim over tired foliage in spring, and lift and divide the clumps every two or three years to keep the colour vivid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun for the best blue colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e free-draining; perfect for gravel and dry gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e evergreen and low-maintenance; divide every few years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach plant is nursery-grown and hand-selected, arriving healthy and ready to add year-round colour and form to your planting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"11cm \/ 0.75L","offer_id":57809636262271,"sku":"FESTGLAUCOM11","price":5.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/fest-s.jpg?v=1782487485"},{"product_id":"eucalyptus-gunnii-azura","title":"Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEucalyptus gunnii 'Azura'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a superb, more compact and cold-hardy selection of the much-loved cider gum, prized for its rounded, silver-blue evergreen foliage and a fresh, menthol-eucalyptus scent when the leaves are brushed or crushed. If you have admired the silvery cider gum tree but worried about its vigour or hardiness, this is the cultivar to reach for, bringing year-round colour and a touch of the exotic to UK gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy grow 'Azura'?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntense silver-blue, aromatic evergreen leaves that hold their colour through winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore compact and notably frost-hardy compared with the standard species eucalyptus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFast-growing, drought-tolerant once established and brilliant for cutting and foliage arrangements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolds the RHS Award of Garden Merit for reliable garden performance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a true all-rounder among hardy eucalyptus trees. The young, rounded juvenile leaves are the most ornamental, and a regular hard prune keeps that lovely foliage coming while controlling size. Grown as a free-standing specimen it makes a graceful small tree; coppiced or pruned each spring it stays as a neat silvery shrub, ideal for smaller plots and for gardeners who want the eucalyptus look without a forest-sized tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow and where to grow.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 'Azura' in full sun for the best foliage colour and sturdiest growth. It is happy on most free-draining soils, including chalk, loam and sand, across the pH range, but dislikes waterlogged ground, so improve drainage on heavy clay before planting. Rated RHS H5, it shrugs off typical UK winters once established; simply give young plants a sheltered spot away from harsh, drying winds for the first couple of seasons and mulch the base. Water regularly in the first year or two to settle the roots, after which it becomes pleasingly drought-tolerant. Expect a mature height of around 3-6 m if left to grow, easily kept to 1.5-3 m with annual spring pruning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you are searching for a standout eucalyptus tree in the UK or specifically hunting down Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura', every plant we send out is nursery-grown, carefully selected and dispatched in prime condition, ready to settle straight into your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"15cm \/ 1.5L","offer_id":57810283069823,"sku":"EUCAGUNNII15","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/eucal.jpg?v=1782487061"},{"product_id":"brunnera-macrophylla-silver-heart","title":"Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most luminous shade perennials you can grow, prized for its broad, heart-shaped leaves washed almost entirely in pewter silver and traced with fine green veins. In mid to late spring, airy sprays of clear blue, forget-me-not flowers float above the foliage, giving this \u003cstrong\u003eSiberian bugloss\u003c\/strong\u003e its other common name, the false forget-me-not. It is the kind of quietly glamorous plant that lifts a dark, difficult corner and keeps on giving long after the blooms have faded.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Silver Heart' is a robust, garden-raised selection with notably thick, weather-resilient leaves that hold their metallic sheen right through to autumn. Compact and well-behaved, it earns its place among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e as dependable, year-after-year structure for shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e dappled or full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshade\u003c\/a\u003e. A cool, sheltered, north or east-facing spot beneath trees or shrubs keeps the silvering at its brightest, as hot sun can scorch the leaf edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e moist but well-drained and humus-rich. Happy on chalk, clay, loam or sand at almost any pH, though it resents both waterlogging and prolonged drought.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a tidy, clump-forming mound around 30 to 40 cm tall and 40 to 45 cm across, reached over two to five years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy across the UK (RHS H6). Deciduous, it dies back in winter and returns dependably each spring, needing no protection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater through the first summer to settle it in, then mulch with leaf mould in autumn to lock in moisture and feed the crown. The blue spring flowers are loved by early bees, making it a quietly valuable plant for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ewildlife and pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. Use it as ground cover, at the front of a shady \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eborder\u003c\/a\u003e, or to brighten woodland plantings alongside ferns, hostas and hellebores. It carries no reported toxicity to people or pets, so it suits family gardens too.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eBrunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'\u003c\/strong\u003e we send out is a strong, well-rooted, nursery-grown plant, carefully selected and ready to settle straight into your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57810283135359,"sku":"BRUNSILVHEART17","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/brunnera1.jpg?v=1784635495"},{"product_id":"begonia-sterling-moon","title":"Begonia 'Sterling Moon'","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew foliage plants stop you in your tracks quite like \u003cstrong\u003eBegonia 'Sterling Moon'\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is a rex begonia at its most theatrical, with broad, asymmetric leaves washed in moonlit silver and outlined by inky, near-black veins and margins. The effect is metallic and almost luminous in shade, lifting dim corners of a patio or shaded courtyard where flowering plants struggle to perform. Grown for its leaves rather than its modest pale pink blooms, it brings the lush, jewel-box quality of a rare houseplant out into the summer garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking silver and dark green foliage with real architectural presence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompact, clump-forming habit, perfect for pots and shaded displays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThrives in the shade where many exotics will not\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoubles as a covetable houseplant once the season cools\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a tender rex begonia, Sterling Moon is best treated as a patio plant for the warmer months and a houseplant for the rest of the year. Stand it outside once nights stay reliably above about 10C, choosing a sheltered, shaded position out of harsh midday sun, which can scorch and bleach those prized silvered leaves. A north, east or west-facing spot with bright, indirect light keeps the markings at their boldest. Grow it in a free-draining, peat-free or loam-based compost with added perlite or bark, and water when the top of the compost feels dry, keeping the rootball lightly moist but never soggy. It loves a little humidity, so summer days outdoors suit it perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a neat plant of roughly 20-30 cm tall and 25-40 cm across, ideal for a feature pot, a shaded table display or a sheltered doorstep. Because it is not frost hardy (RHS H1c), bring it back indoors or under heated glass well before the first autumn frosts, keeping it above 10-15C through winter. Please note that, like all begonias, it is toxic if eaten and can be harmful to cats, dogs and horses, so site it thoughtfully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have searched for a standout \u003cstrong\u003erex begonia\u003c\/strong\u003e or a more unusual \u003cstrong\u003ehardy begonia\u003c\/strong\u003e alternative for shade, Sterling Moon delivers drama in a small footprint. Every plant is nursery-grown and hand-selected for healthy roots and strong, well-marked foliage, ready to settle in and shine.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57810283889023,"sku":"BEGSTERL17","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/sterlingmoon.jpg?v=1782486620"},{"product_id":"hosta-elegans","title":"Hosta 'Elegans'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eHosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most iconic blue-leaved hostas in cultivation, prized for its enormous, heavily puckered, blue-grey heart-shaped leaves that look distinctly tropical in a shaded UK border. A single mature clump can reach over a metre across, the bold rounded foliage anchoring a planting scheme like nothing else. Pale lavender bell flowers rise above on tall stems through midsummer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the cornerstone blue hosta and one of the most architectural shade-tolerant perennials you can grow. Pair it with ferns, tree ferns and Asian woodland exotics for a lush, jungly feel that thrives where many plants struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e partial to full shade for the brightest blue colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e moist, humus-rich, free-draining; tolerant of most pH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e mature clumps to around 70-90 cm tall and 100-120 cm wide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHS H7, fully hardy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn anchor plant for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshaded woodland-style planting\u003c\/a\u003e alongside ferns and tree ferns. The architectural foliage looks at home in an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003eHardy Exotic understory\u003c\/a\u003e beneath palms and Japanese maples, and works brilliantly in a generous \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eshaded patio container\u003c\/a\u003e. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from outdoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e guide for seasonal notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA natural choice for an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic mixed border\u003c\/a\u003e wherever bold blue foliage is needed against a sea of green.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eHosta 'Elegans'\u003c\/strong\u003e we send is a strong, well-rooted plant, hand-selected for healthy foliage, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57849590415743,"sku":"HOSTELEG17","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/elegans_401e662a-fe65-4605-89c7-8b8ae88c93a5.jpg?v=1784354839"},{"product_id":"yucca-gloriosa","title":"Yucca gloriosa","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eYucca gloriosa\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Spanish dagger, is one of the most architectural evergreen specimens you can grow outdoors in a UK garden. It carries dramatic rosettes of long, stiff, blue-green sword-like leaves on a thick woody trunk that thickens with age. In late summer mature plants throw up tall pyramidal spikes of pendulous, creamy-white bell flowers that rise dramatically above the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a hero specimen plant, the kind of sculpture-on-a-trunk that anchors a courtyard or a hot dry border like nothing else. Native to the south-eastern United States and cultivated in the UK for nearly five hundred years, it has earned its place as a cornerstone of any Mediterranean, exotic or coastal planting scheme. This 26cm specimen is supplied as a substantial pre-grown plant ready for immediate impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in a south or west-facing position. Excellent in coastal gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e free-draining; sand, loam or chalk. Avoid waterlogged ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e trunked to around 2-3 m tall and 1.5-2 m wide over twenty years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHS H5, fully hardy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eYucca gloriosa is a hero plant for an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic mixed border\u003c\/a\u003e alongside palms, agaves and other architectural specimens. It is at home in a sun-baked \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edrought-tolerant gravel garden\u003c\/a\u003e and a brilliant choice for a windswept \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal planting\u003c\/a\u003e where few other architectural plants thrive. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from outdoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e guide for seasonal notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA perfect anchor for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003eHardy Exotic patio scheme\u003c\/a\u003e in a large container or directly in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eYucca gloriosa\u003c\/strong\u003e we send is a strong, well-rooted specimen, hand-selected for a healthy crown and balanced shape, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"26cm \/ 7L","offer_id":57849607979391,"sku":"YUCCGLOR26","price":59.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/yucca.jpg?v=1784358538"},{"product_id":"orontium-aquaticum","title":"Orontium aquaticum","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eOrontium aquaticum\u003c\/strong\u003e, the golden club, is one of the most striking and unusual hardy aquatic plants you can grow in a UK garden pond. Bold paddle-shaped blue-grey leaves float on or above the water surface, and in spring brilliant golden-yellow flower spikes (the 'clubs') rise on pure white stalks like luminous flares above the foliage. The contrast of acid yellow, pure white and blue-grey is utterly unique among pond plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a true Hardy Exotic for the pond margin or shallow water shelf, native to the eastern United States. Reliably hardy across the UK, slow to bulk up, and a real conversation piece. The 9cm starter is the easiest way to introduce it to a pond — plant straight into an aquatic basket and submerge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e aquatic compost in a basket, or pond-edge mud.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e foliage spreads to around 30-60 cm; flower spikes 15-20 cm above water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHS H7, fully hardy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5-30 cm above the crown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Golden club' is the perfect accent plant at the edge of a wildlife pond, in a bog garden, or in a sealed planter water feature on a patio. Its blue-grey foliage and acid-yellow flowers bring an exotic, almost prehistoric quality to water features that few other hardy aquatics can match. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from outdoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e guide for season-by-season notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with Acorus calamus 'Argenteostriatus', water iris, and other pond margin exotics in a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003eHardy Exotic pond planting\u003c\/a\u003e. Also fits naturally into an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic mixed border\u003c\/a\u003e alongside a small water feature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eOrontium aquaticum\u003c\/strong\u003e we send is a strong, well-rooted young plant, hand-selected for healthy foliage, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition. Plant straight into an aquatic basket and submerge on arrival.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57859274801535,"sku":"ORONAQUA9","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2222650016.jpg?v=1784332209"},{"product_id":"senecio-candidans-angel-wings","title":"Senecio candidans 'Angel Wings'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSenecio candidans 'Angel Wings'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most striking silver-foliaged plants in modern cultivation, a relatively recent (2015) cultivar that has rapidly become a Hardy Exotic favourite for sunny patios. Huge silver-white, almost luminous, velvet-textured leaves up to 25cm long form a compact rosette that glows in low light and seems to shimmer in summer sun. The texture is genuinely irresistible, the foliage feels like soft felt.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a half-hardy evergreen perennial native to Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, perfect as a summer patio specimen in the UK climate. Pair it with dark-leaved companions for dramatic contrast, or with hot-coloured cannas and dahlias to lift a Mediterranean exotic border.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun for the brightest silver colour. South or west-facing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e free-draining gritty soil; never waterlogged.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e compact mound to around 30-40 cm tall and 40-50 cm wide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHS H3, half-hardy; protect from frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Angel Wings' is a sensational \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003esunny patio container\u003c\/a\u003e specimen where the velvet leaves can be admired up close. It pairs beautifully with Aeonium 'Velours' for the silver-and-black exotic palette, or with hot-coloured Pennisetum and dahlias in an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic mixed border\u003c\/a\u003e. Bring containers under cover before first frost. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from outdoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e guide for season-by-season notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA natural choice for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003eHardy Exotic Mediterranean container scheme\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edrought-tolerant gravel garden\u003c\/a\u003e in milder coastal locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eSenecio 'Angel Wings'\u003c\/strong\u003e we send is a strong, well-rooted plant, hand-selected for healthy silver foliage, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"13cm \/ 1L","offer_id":57859277619583,"sku":"SENEANGEL13","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/angelwings.jpg?v=1784358475"},{"product_id":"washingtonia-filifera","title":"Washingtonia filifera","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/strong\u003e is a stylish, elegant fan palm and one of the quickest to find its feet in the garden. It is a fast-growing variety that establishes without fuss and looks the part even as a young plant, so you do not have to wait years for real presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge, tropical-looking fans in a soft grey-green are split to around half their depth into many slender segments, crowning a sturdy trunk that is neatly ringed with the scars of old leaves. Between the leaflets hang curly, thread-like filaments, and it is these fine threads that earn it the common name of Cotton Palm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is also notably salt tolerant, which makes it a superb choice for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e and breezy, exposed spots. Hardy to around -5C, it is happiest in a warm, sheltered position. It toughens up as it matures, though younger plants will still appreciate some protection through the harshest winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eClosely related to the popular Washingtonia robusta, the filifera brings the same striking, exotic silhouette to a border, courtyard or large container, and does it at a relatively affordable price. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-palms\"\u003ehardy palms\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e if you are building a wider exotic scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"18cm \/ 2.5L","offer_id":57907283427711,"sku":"WASHFILI18","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/filiferq.jpg?v=1784356821"},{"product_id":"astelia-chathamica-silver-spear","title":"Astelia chathamica Silver Spear","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAstelia chathamica\u003c\/strong\u003e, widely known as \u003cstrong\u003eSilver Spear\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most striking architectural evergreens you can grow, forming a bold fountain of broad, arching, silvery metallic sword-like leaves that catch the light from right across the garden. Native to the wind-swept Chatham Islands of New Zealand, it brings cool, shimmering structure to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e plantings, gravel schemes and large containers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrown for its year-round presence, Silver Spear holds its metallic silver rosette through every season. It is rated RHS H3 and is reliably hardy in mild and coastal areas, where it shrugs off salt-laden wind and makes a superb specimen. In colder inland gardens it is worth planting in a sheltered spot with sharp drainage and applying a dry winter mulch to protect the crown through prolonged hard frosts. For a fuller picture of how hardy exotics behave across the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade, with the brightest silver colour developing in an open, sunny spot sheltered from cold, drying winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any humus-rich, free-draining soil, as sharp drainage in winter matters more than anything else.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a slow, clump-forming habit reaching around 1.2 to 1.5 m tall and up to around 1 m across over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e hardy in mild and coastal gardens, worth shelter or a dry winter mulch in colder inland spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to settle the roots, after which Silver Spear is impressively tolerant of dry spells and exposure. Its silvery tones make it a natural partner for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal planting\u003c\/a\u003e, dry and gravel gardens and bold \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, while its compact, non-invasive habit makes it one of the best \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e and courtyard containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA first-class choice for anyone building a collection of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e, every Silver Spear we supply is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy, well-coloured rosette and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":57969806705023,"sku":"ASTECHATSILV19","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/astelia.jpg?v=1784328463"},{"product_id":"aeonium-haworthii","title":"Aeonium haworthii","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAeonium haworthii\u003c\/strong\u003e, widely known as the \u003cstrong\u003ePinwheel\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eHaworth's Aeonium\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most charming architectural succulents you can grow on a sunny British patio. Native to the Canary Islands, it forms a neat, freely branching dome of many small blue-green rosettes, each leaf finely edged in red, so a well grown plant looks like a cluster of spinning pinwheels. It is an easy, sculptural container plant that brings crisp, contemporary structure to any collection of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a tender succulent, not a frost hardy one, and understanding that is the key to keeping it for years. Rated RHS H1C, it is happy outdoors through the warmer months but must be protected once temperatures fall. Bring it under frost-free cover before the first frosts and keep it almost dry while it is dormant, watering only enough to stop the rosettes shrivelling. Grow it in a gritty, free-draining mix, keep it on the dry side over winter, and move it to a bright, frost-free place such as a porch, cold greenhouse or windowsill before the first frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun for the tightest rosettes and the strongest red leaf edges, ideally in a sheltered, east or south facing spot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e gritty, free-draining loam or sand based compost, and never leave it standing in water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a compact, bushy habit reaching roughly 0.3 to 0.6 m tall and wide over many years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender at RHS H1C, so keep it dry and frost-free through winter and it will reward you season after season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts drought tolerant nature makes it ideal for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e and for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry and gravel gardens\u003c\/a\u003e, where it thrives on sharp drainage and reflected warmth. The sturdy, salt tolerant rosettes also suit bright \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal and exposed\u003c\/a\u003e gardens through summer, and the bold geometric form earns it a place among the best \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e plants for a modern courtyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor a clear picture of how tender exotics like this behave across the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from hardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. Every Pinwheel we supply is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy, well branched crown and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57974364537215,"sku":"AEONHAWO9","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/aeonium.jpg?v=1784326605"},{"product_id":"fascicularia-bicolor","title":"Fascicularia bicolor","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFascicularia bicolor\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003ehardy bromeliad\u003c\/strong\u003e (also known as the \u003cstrong\u003ecrimson bromeliad\u003c\/strong\u003e), is one of the most exotic-looking plants you can grow outdoors in Britain. It forms an architectural evergreen rosette of narrow, spiny, silver-green leaves, and as late summer arrives the whole centre flushes vivid crimson while a cluster of powder-blue flowers opens deep inside the rosette. It is a true bromeliad from Chile, yet tough enough for a hot, sharply drained, sheltered spot or a large pot, and it revels in mild coastal gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRated RHS H3, this is a borderline-hardy exotic rather than a fully hardy one, and understanding why matters. Frost by itself seldom does the damage; it is a cold, \u003cstrong\u003ewet\u003c\/strong\u003e winter that catches it out. Waterlogged soil, and rain pooling in the rosette, will rot the plant well before frost does, so sharp winter drainage is essential. Grown on a sunny bank, in a gravel garden or in a pot of gritty compost, it comes through UK winters far better than its tropical looks suggest. In colder or wetter gardens, keep it in a container so you can move it under cover for the worst of the wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, in the hottest, brightest, most sheltered spot you have. Good light brings out the silver foliage and the crimson central flush.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e gritty, free-draining loam or sand, on a slope, raised bed or gravel bank. Sharp drainage matters far more than fertility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a slow-spreading clump reaching around 0.4 to 0.5 m tall and up to 1 m across over 5 to 10 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e borderline hardy to about -5C in mild and coastal areas. It is a wet winter, more than a cold one, that puts it at risk, so keep it dry from autumn to spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater through the first summer or two to establish, then leave it largely to its own devices, as mature clumps are impressively drought tolerant and thrive in a hot, dry corner. Its low, spiny rosette makes superb \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry or gravel garden\u003c\/a\u003e, and its salt tolerance suits it to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal and exposed gardens\u003c\/a\u003e. It is equally happy in a container: grow it in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ea pot of gritty compost\u003c\/a\u003e that you can move into the rain shadow of a wall for winter. Pair it with other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e such as our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trachycarpus-fortunei\"\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei\u003c\/a\u003e for a bold, jungle-meets-Mediterranean scheme, and read our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from hardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Fascicularia bicolor we supply is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy, well-coloured rosette and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57974379282815,"sku":"FASCBICO9","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-1280877688.jpg?v=1784326566"},{"product_id":"oscularia-deltoides","title":"Oscularia deltoides","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOscularia deltoides\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong\u003ePink Ice Plant\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eDassievygie\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most charming trailing succulents you can grow outdoors in a warm British garden. Chalky blue-grey, three-angled leaves edged with tiny red teeth are held on vivid red stems, and in summer the whole plant disappears under a haze of scented, daisy-like pink flowers that honeybees adore. It is a spreading, mat-forming succulent that cascades beautifully over the lip of a pot, a warm wall or a raised rockery.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeing a succulent from the sandstone slopes of South Africa's south-western Cape, it is tender here, rated RHS H2. Keep this trailing succulent frost-free over winter and on the dry side while it rests. Grow it in gritty, sharply drained compost, keep it much drier over winter, and it will cope with far more than its hardiness rating suggests. In colder or wetter gardens, grow it in a pot you can move under cover. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from hardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e guide for seasonal care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, in the warmest, brightest, most sheltered spot you have. Perfect for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e that can be moved under cover in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e sharp, free-draining and gritty. Add plenty of horticultural grit or perlite so water never lingers around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e low and mat-forming, only around 10 to 30 cm high but trailing and spreading to cascade over an edge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender (RHS H2). Keep it dry in winter and protect from hard frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce settled it is genuinely drought-tolerant, making it a natural choice for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry and gravel gardens\u003c\/a\u003e and sunny, free-draining borders. It also copes well with salt-laden air, so it earns a place in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal and exposed plantings\u003c\/a\u003e where drainage is good. The scented summer flowers are a magnet for bees, adding it to the ranks of our best \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExplore the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range to build a bold, sun-loving planting scheme. Every Oscularia deltoides we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for strong, healthy growth, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57974384689535,"sku":"OSCUDELT9","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-1143289215.jpg?v=1784326379"},{"product_id":"puya-chilensis","title":"Puya chilensis","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePuya chilensis\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eChilean Puya\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most dramatic architectural plants you can grow outdoors in the UK. A terrestrial bromeliad from the dry hillsides of central Chile, it forms a large rosette of arching, silvery, viciously hook-spined leaves, and in time sends up a towering spike of waxy chartreuse-green flowers that can reach well over a metre. This is a genuine statement plant for a hot, dry border, a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003egravel garden\u003c\/a\u003e or a big pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHardiness is where \u003cstrong\u003ePuya chilensis\u003c\/strong\u003e needs a little thought. It is borderline hardy, rated around RHS H3 (and likely H3 to H4 in a really favoured spot), but low temperatures are seldom what defeat it. Persistent winter wet and waterlogged soil are what rot the crown and roots of this bromeliad. Given sharp winter drainage in a hot, sheltered, sunny position, or grown in a large free-draining pot, it will shrug off short cold spells that would otherwise finish it in heavy, wet ground. For a fuller picture of how hardy exotics behave through the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in the hottest, most sheltered spot you have, such as a south or west-facing wall or a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal\u003c\/a\u003e, free-draining bank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e very free-draining loam or sand, opened up with grit; sharp drainage matters far more than fertility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a rosette to around 1 to 1.5 m across, with flower spikes to roughly 2 to 2.5 m when it blooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e borderline (around RHS H3); keep it dry in winter and protect from prolonged hard frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eHandle it with real care: the leaves are armed with vicious recurved hooked spines along their edges that readily catch skin, clothing and animals, so site it away from paths and give it room. Slow-growing and eventually monocarpic, a mature rosette flowers once in a spectacular display before setting seed. Its bold silhouette and drought tolerance make it a natural partner for agaves and other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e, and it is superb in a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003elarge container\u003c\/a\u003e that can be moved under cover for the wettest months. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e to build a full, sun-baked, low-water scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Puya we supply is nursery-grown and carefully selected for a healthy, well-rooted rosette, then packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57974388130175,"sku":"PUYACHIL9","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2171075557.jpg?v=1784326285"},{"product_id":"acacia-dealbata","title":"Acacia dealbata (Mimosa \/ Silver Wattle)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAcacia dealbata\u003c\/strong\u003e, known as the \u003cstrong\u003emimosa\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003esilver wattle\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most spectacular exotic trees you can grow in a mild British garden. Fast-growing and evergreen, it carries feathery, finely divided silver-green foliage all year round, then erupts in late winter into a haze of fragrant, fluffy yellow pompom flowers just when the garden needs it most. This is a plant that turns a warm, sheltered wall or courtyard into something close to the Riviera.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to south-eastern Australia and Tasmania and a member of the pea family (Fabaceae), \u003cstrong\u003eAcacia dealbata\u003c\/strong\u003e is rated RHS H3, so it is happiest in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK. For a mimosa, a cold and wet winter is far more of a threat than cold by itself. Waterlogged soil paired with low temperatures is far more likely to see it off than a short, dry frost. Give it a warm, sheltered spot with sharp drainage, and protect the plant during hard frosts, and it will reward you handsomely. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics seasonal guide\u003c\/a\u003e for what to expect through the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in a warm, sheltered spot, ideally against a south or west facing wall that stores heat and shrugs off cold winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e neutral to acid, free-draining loam or sand. It dislikes very alkaline or chalky ground, and sharp drainage is essential to avoid cold, wet roots in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e fast-growing to around 8-12 m in time, with a spread of 2.5-4 m, so allow room or prune after flowering to keep it in bounds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHS H3, hardy to about -5C. Protect young plants in hard frosts and shelter from cold, drying winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a fast, airy evergreen it makes a superb piece of living \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e and a natural centrepiece for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e. The nectar-rich winter flowers are a magnet for early bees, making it a valuable choice for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e, while in mild coastal gardens it thrives alongside other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal and exposed planting\u003c\/a\u003e. Pair it with a hardier structural partner such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trachycarpus-fortunei\"\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei\u003c\/a\u003e for year-round backbone, and browse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range to build a complete scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery mimosa we supply is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy framework and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"23cm \/ 5L (Collection Only)","offer_id":57974443999615,"sku":"ACACDEAL23","price":31.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/dealbata-3.jpg?v=1784904669"},{"product_id":"acacia-pravissima","title":"Acacia pravissima","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAcacia pravissima\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003eOvens Wattle\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eWedge-leaved Wattle\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most graceful of all the wattles and one of the hardier too. Native to the mountains of south east Australia, it forms an elegant evergreen shrub with arching, weeping branches densely set with tiny triangular grey-green phyllodes, wreathed in late winter and early spring with masses of fragrant golden pompom flowers. It has real architectural presence, perfect for bringing a soft, exotic elegance to a sheltered sunny wall or courtyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough it is one of the hardier wattles, tolerating around -5C in coastal and milder gardens, what it really cannot cope with is cold and winter wet together. Roots left waterlogged in freezing soil, more than frost itself, are what kill this species, so a warm, sheltered spot with sharp drainage makes all the difference. Grown well it rewards you with a haze of scent and colour just as the rest of the garden is waking up. For more on what to expect from tender exotics through the seasons, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in a warm, sheltered, south or west facing spot, out of cold drying winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, sharply drained, neutral to acid loam or sand, never heavy wet clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e reaches around 2.5 to 4 m tall and 1.5 to 2.5 m wide over five to ten years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHS H3, so protect the crown with fleece in hard frosts and keep the roots dry in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to settle it in, then ease right off in autumn and winter so the roots are never left cold and sodden. Its light, ferny outline makes it a beautiful foil among bolder \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e and a lovely centrepiece for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e. In milder coastal gardens it thrives among other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal plants\u003c\/a\u003e, and the fragrant spring flowers are a valuable early nectar source for bees, earning it a place with our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you are hunting for \u003cstrong\u003eAcacia pravissima UK\u003c\/strong\u003e stock or simply the most elegant wattle for a sunny wall, this RHS Award of Garden Merit winner sits beautifully within our wider range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. Every plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy shape and strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L (Collection Only)","offer_id":57974444589439,"sku":"ACACPRAV19","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/acacia.jpg?v=1784904530"},{"product_id":"brachyglottis-dunedin-sunshine","title":"Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) 'Sunshine'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBrachyglottis greyi\u003c\/strong\u003e (syn. \u003cstrong\u003eSenecio greyi\u003c\/strong\u003e), commonly known as the \u003cstrong\u003edaisy bush\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the toughest and most useful silver-leaved shrubs you can grow. This mound-forming evergreen is prized for its felted, silver-grey oval leaves, neatly edged in white, which catch the light all year and set off every plant around them. In summer the whole mound is topped with sprays of bright yellow daisy flowers, giving you the best of both worlds: superb silver foliage and a generous, cheerful bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHailing from the coast of New Zealand, it is built for hot, dry and exposed positions where softer plants sulk. It is genuinely hardy across most of the UK, rated RHS H4, and its real strength is shrugging off wind, salt and drought. The single thing it resents is sitting cold and soggy: damp, freezing winters and heavy, sodden clay packed around its roots are what let it down, far more than any dry cold. On poor, sharply drained ground in full sun it is as easy and rewarding as shrubs come.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, the more open and exposed the better. Superb for hot, dry, coastal and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003egravel gardens\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e poor, free-draining soil is ideal, from sand and gravel to chalk and loam. Good drainage is the key, so improve heavy clay with plenty of grit before planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bushy mound to around 1.5-2.5 m tall and 2.5-4 m across over five to ten years, and easily kept smaller with a trim.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e hardy to roughly -10 to -5C (RHS H4). Give it sharp drainage and it comes through winter reliably evergreen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater through the first summer to settle it in, then let it fend for itself; once established it is impressively drought-tolerant and needs only a light trim after flowering to stay compact. Its silver foliage is a natural partner for grasses, phormiums and other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border plants\u003c\/a\u003e, while its salt and wind tolerance make it a star of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal and exposed gardens\u003c\/a\u003e. The summer daisies are a magnet for bees and hoverflies, so it earns its place among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e too.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA brilliant, low-maintenance choice for anyone building a silver, gravel or seaside scheme, it sits right at home in our wider range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. For a picture of how these plants change through the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e. Every plant is nursery grown, hand-selected for a healthy, well-shaped mound and strong roots, and carefully packed to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57976159568255,"sku":"BRACGREY17","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2250409493.jpg?v=1784324794"},{"product_id":"tulbaghia-hazel","title":"Tulbaghia 'Hazel'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eTulbaghia 'Hazel'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the prettiest forms of \u003cstrong\u003esociety garlic\u003c\/strong\u003e, bringing a long, effortless summer show to sunny, well-drained corners of the garden. From a neat clump of slender, grey-green grassy leaves rise wiry stems topped with airy heads of dainty, scented pink-lilac star flowers, appearing in succession from summer right through into autumn. The faintly garlic-scented foliage is more than charming: it is said to help deter some pests, while the flowers are a magnet for bees and other pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a plant that thrives on warmth and sharp drainage. Rated RHS H3, it is borderline hardy in Britain, so the trick is to guard not just against cold but against cold and wet together. Waterlogged winter soil is what undoes it, so give it a free-draining spot in the warmest, sunniest part of the garden and keep it drier through the colder months. In wetter or colder gardens it makes a superb pot plant that can be moved somewhere frost-free for winter. For more on how these plants behave through the seasons, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics, what to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, in the warmest, most sheltered spot you can offer, ideally by a south or west-facing wall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e light, gritty, free-draining soil is essential; work sharp sand or grit into heavy ground and steer clear of cold, wet clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a compact clump reaching around 0.6 m tall and 0.3 m wide, perfect for the front of a border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e borderline hardy (RHS H3); keep it dry in winter and protect or move under cover during hard frosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew plants earn their place as easily in a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry and gravel garden\u003c\/a\u003e, where the free-draining conditions suit it perfectly and the flowers sway beautifully among grasses and other sun-lovers. It is equally at home in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e on a hot patio, at the front of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, and in any planting designed to draw in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ebees and pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. It sits happily alongside the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range for a warm, Mediterranean feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy clump and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57976166482303,"sku":"TULBHAZE9","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/tulbhagia-2.jpg?v=1784323695"},{"product_id":"vitex-agnus-castus-blue-diddley","title":"Vitex agnus-castus 'Blue Diddley'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eVitex agnus-castus 'Blue Diddley'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a compact, dwarf form of the much-loved \u003cstrong\u003echaste tree\u003c\/strong\u003e, bred to bring all the Mediterranean charm of the species to smaller gardens, borders and containers. Where the ordinary \u003cstrong\u003eVitex agnus-castus\u003c\/strong\u003e can reach 2.5m, 'Blue Diddley' settles at a neat 1 to 1.5m, making it one of the most manageable and free-flowering choices for a sunny, exotic-style planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom late summer into autumn it is topped with slender, upright spikes of fragrant, blue-violet flowers that bees and butterflies adore, held above deeply divided, aromatic grey-green foliage that releases a warm, peppery scent when brushed. It is a genuine pollinator magnet and a wonderful way to extend colour in the garden long after many summer shrubs have finished. Plant it near a path or seating area where the scented leaves and buzzing visitors can be enjoyed up close.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, ideally south or west facing, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Maximum heat and light give the best flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any free-draining soil, from chalk to sand and across the full pH range. Sharp drainage matters most, as winter wet is the main risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a dwarf, compact form reaching around 1 to 1.5m in height and spread, roughly half the size of the species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e hardy in milder parts of the UK (RHS H4, to around -10C). In colder gardens grow it against a warm wall and mulch the base in autumn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a deciduous shrub that flowers on the current season's growth, 'Blue Diddley' responds beautifully to a hard prune in early spring, quickly throwing up vigorous new stems tipped with flower. Water through the first summer to establish, after which it is happily drought-tolerant, thriving on the kind of hot, dry, free-draining spot that suits our other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edrought-tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e. Its compact habit makes it ideal for a large pot on a sunny patio, alongside the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse it to add late-season structure and scent to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, or as a standout in a wildlife planting with our other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. It sits perfectly within the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range, bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to a British summer. For a guide to how these plants perform through the seasons, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics: what to expect\u003c\/a\u003e page.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery 'Blue Diddley' we supply is nursery-grown, chosen for a healthy, well-branched framework and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in top condition ready to plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":58063994880383,"sku":"VITEAGNUCASTBLUE19","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/vitex_59fd7035-6e9b-45ad-99cb-bd7a08d5e65f.jpg?v=1785185273"},{"product_id":"begonia-little-moon","title":"Begonia 'Little Moon'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe compact star of the Moon series, \u003cstrong\u003eBegonia 'Little Moon'\u003c\/strong\u003e is the smallest member of the silver-leaved Lunar Lights collection and a jewel for the shadier patio. Neat mounds of rounded, angel-wing foliage are frosted with metallic silver over mint and olive green, brushed with soft pink and red highlights that echo the delicate pink flowers carried from summer into autumn. Grown above all for its shimmering leaves, it brings the collectable charm of a rare houseplant out into the summer garden without taking up much space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilver-frosted foliage with pink highlights on a tidy, compact plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHappy in the shade where many exotics struggle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect for pots, doorsteps and the front of a shaded display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoubles as a covetable houseplant once the season cools\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a tender exotic, Little Moon is best treated as a patio plant for the warmer months and a houseplant for the rest of the year. Stand it outdoors once nights stay reliably above about 10C, in a sheltered, shaded spot out of harsh midday sun, which can scorch and bleach the silvered leaves. A north, east or west-facing position with bright, indirect light keeps the markings at their boldest. Grow it in a free-draining, peat-free or loam-based compost with added perlite or bark, and water when the top of the compost feels dry, keeping the rootball lightly moist but never soggy. Being so neat, it is one of the best choices in the range for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003econtainer on a shaded patio\u003c\/a\u003e or tucked into the front of an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a compact plant of roughly 30-40 cm tall and 40-45 cm across, ideal for a feature pot or a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshaded corner\u003c\/a\u003e alongside its larger siblings \u003ca href=\"\/products\/begonia-sterling-moon\"\u003eBegonia 'Sterling Moon'\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/begonia-darkside-of-the-moon\"\u003eBegonia 'Darkside of the Moon'\u003c\/a\u003e. Because it is not reliably frost hardy in the UK (RHS H2), bring it back indoors or under heated glass well before the first autumn frosts, keeping it above about 10C through winter. For more on growing tender exotics through the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from hardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. Please note that, like all begonias, it is toxic if eaten and can be harmful to cats, dogs and horses, so site it thoughtfully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have searched for an unusual \u003cstrong\u003esilver begonia\u003c\/strong\u003e or a compact \u003cstrong\u003ebegonia for shade\u003c\/strong\u003e, Little Moon delivers real character in a small footprint. Part of our wider range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e, every plant is nursery-grown and hand-selected for healthy roots and strong, well-marked foliage, ready to settle in and shine.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"15cm \/ 1.5L","offer_id":58064013984127,"sku":"BEGLITTMOON15","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/littlemoon.jpg?v=1785411825"}],"url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/silver-foliage-plants.oembed","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}