Not only an impressive cropper but also an ornamental feature, you can grow tall and upright Artichoke ?Imperial Star? in rows on the allotments or as a dual purpose feature at the back of a sunny border. The flower buds are large and flavoursome, held above tall study stems during summer.
Globe Artichokes are considered a true gourmet food by many, probably because of there unusual and exotic looks. These large and architectural perennial plants are grown for their edible flower buds, but they also make great ornamentals in the garden. 'Imperial Star' is a very good cropper, even in its first year, and forms exceptionally large buds with a great taste that are ready to harvest between June and September. Any buds left on the plants will flower, looking like thistles that are a magnet for bees and butterflies. Remove the buds just before they open and begin to flower and boil or steam until tender before remove the leaf scales one by one. The scales and hearts are delicious dipped in melted butter. The plants will provide excellent crops for several seasons, but it's best to replace them ever 3 or 4 years as they become gradually less productive. Supplied as 3 established plants in 9cm pots, ready to plant, reaching 180cm (6ft) in height and 75cm (2½ft) wide.
Well known and reliable variety for over 100 years. Compact habit, producing firm, well-flavoured, pointed, tender hearts. Use also for spring greens when sown or planted more closely. Suitable also for spring sowing for summer and autumn cuttingHelp to retain bio diversity by growing these traditional varieties with the taste and garden performance well regarded by previous generations
Also known as Fritillaria imperialis, this stately 'Crown Imperial' is a must have for your garden this spring time. It get its name from the facinating whorl of leaves on the top of the bright orange, striking blooms that look like a crown. 'Crown Imperial' has a unique and usuaful fragrance that repels moles, mice, and other rodents. Perfect for early season and tough, hardy colour in mixed borders. Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is a proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence, for stunning displays for many years to come. Very easy to grow, after the psring season and the blooms have faded, just leave in the ground to naturalise and get bigger and better displays every year. Supplied as a pack on 2 bulbs, size 20/24 ready to plant out in autumn.
Dramatic scarlet flowersIdeal for the back of borders. A monarch among bulbs! Dramatic crowns of scarlet bell shaped flowers are topped with a whirl of leaf like bracts. Just a few of their tall stately stems is sufficient to create a bold display.
Dramatic regal-looking spring flowers - up to 8 large bell-shaped blooms drape gracefully beneath a crown of leaf-like bracts. Plant them in groups or rows for a stately garden display in late spring. Available in bright yellow (Maxima Lutea) and bright red (Crown Imperial). Fully winter hardy, these beauties will appear year after year. Ht. 100cm. Supplied as bulbs.
This RHS AGM variety produces dramatic crowns of bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers, topped with a whirl of leaf-like bracts. This exotic-looking hardy perennial makes a real statement in borders, where its impressive height is ideal for the back of the border. Plant Fritillaria imperialis 'Maxima Lutea' in groups for a colourful, eye-catching display in late spring. The foxy aroma of the bulbs is also said to deter moles and rodents.
A handsome house plant that cuts a dashing profile! Its large, leathery leaves have a glossy sheen that reflects the light and draws the eye. The foliage emerges dark red and gradually deepens through mahogany shades to a dark bronze-green.
Philodendron 'Imperial Green' is an impressive, fast growing houseplant with large, lush and exotic looking paddle-shaped leaves. 'Imperial Green' will bring an instant tropical feel to your home and is an eye-catching, large sized houseplant, ideal for a bright corner out of direct sunlight. This is a spectacular plant for those looking for something a little larger to make a real impact and it'll look great all year round. New foliage is fascinating as it unrolls from the stems, taking several days to fully open to heavily veined, lightly arching bright green leaves that are sometimes tinged with copper, as are the new stems. Large leaved tropical plants are great for the home, filtering the air and removing all manner of toxins and producing fresh oxygen during the night. Growing houseplants is great for all-round wellbeing too. Supplied as a potted plant in a 14cm nursery and growing to a height and spread of 1.2m (4ft).
Unlike most other Philodendrons that are native the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, 'Imperial Red' is a relatively new hybrid that has been bred specifically to be a houseplant. Growing with an upright habit, the stems are burgundy tinged and the foliage is nothing short of spectacular, with bright red new leaves that darken to deep maroon before finally maturing to dark, glossy green. This is a magnificent houseplant and will make a spectacular focal point. 'Imperial Red' is a moderately vigorously growing plant that will bring an exotic touch to any room, where it will thrive in bright, indirect light, looking incredibly handsome all year round.Not only spectacular to look at, leafy tropical houseplants also provide air-cleaning benefits. It has been found that houseplants can actually improve the environment in our homes, clearing the air, removing toxins and adding valuable oxygen to the air that we breathe. Supplied as a potted plant in a 14cm nursery and growing to a height and spread of 1.2m (4ft).