Why not grow something unusual this year and give the Cuban Lily a chance to wow in your garden. Also known as the Portuguese Squill, Scilla peruviana is a glamorous Mediterranean bulb which is a firm favourite in the herbaceous borders of grand estates and gardens. This is an absolute show-stopper that will bring a touch of class to your own garden, whether in borders or on your decking or balcony in a favourite container. Looking much like a cross between a hyacinth and an allium, this bulbous perennial grows to 30cm tall, forming a rosette of narrowly lance-shaped dark green leaves which are semi evergreen, especially if winters are mild. The bulbs usually lose their foliage for a few months during the summer and then sprout new leaves in the autumn which last through winter and spring as long as the winter is on the mild side. The eye-catching, violet-blue flowers are of course the main attraction, each being a 1.5cm wide star, and carried in large, conical heads in early summer - perfect for bringing colour to beds, borders and patio pots when tulips have faded, and perennials are still gearing up. Supplied as 3 bulbs, size 16/18 ready to plant out in autumn. They will ideally be planted in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.
Ancient Egyptians flattened and dried the stems of this decorative grass to make a form of paper. Best suited to houseplant culture, where plants need high humidity and moisture. Large clumps will throw up umbrella-like heads of grassy globes
The foliage of Juniperus chinensis (also known as Juniperus x pfitzeriana) 'Blaauw' has an unusual blue-grey tone. Its colouring makes this dwarf conifer stand out in rockeries and other sunny or partially shady parts of the garden. Alternatively, the Chinese Juniper can be grown as a specimen plant or tree. Like most Sabinas, it is slow-growing, but requires little maintenance once mature. The plant is therefore a useful and long-lasting hardy shrub. Height: 1.2m (3'11). Spread: 1m (3'3).
As a strong structual element in the garden, this upright Chinese Juniper with its steely blue, prickly foliage is a real winner. Its evergreen foliage provides all-year interest, and it bears small and distinctive violet-brown fruits. What's more, it needs virtually no maintenance. Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Alps' has aromatic foliage which smells a little like gin. A few sprigs thrown on the bonfire or used to light the barbeque, create a wonderfully rich and spicy scent. Height: 4m (12?). Spread: 3m (10?).
This low growing Juniper makes excellent, weed suppressing ground cover for rockeries and borders, or grown as an individual specimen plant. The low, sweeping branches are cloaked in aromatic, evergreen foliage, extending to 1.5m (5?) with maturity.
With a fresh Juniper scent, and an upright, thin habit, this architectural conifer is a great choice for the front garden, or as a conifer within a large rockery. It can also be used within a formal garden, for example, planted in pairs along the length of a path.
The unusual and immensely pretty Mirabilis jalapa opens its gorgeous flowers in mid-afternoon on sunny days in the height of summer - only to close them again at night, hence one of its common names 'The Four O'Clock Plant'. Incredibly, each plant produces its flowers in a mix of colours - from deep-magenta, to pure-white, bicolours, and even bright-yellow - it's no wonder its called the 'Marvel of Peru'! Plant this beauty in beds and borders, and it will form a neat, bushy shrub that will grow to about 1m (3ft) tall. Alternatively, plant them in deep pots, like carrots would grow (you will see what we mean when you get them!)
Known as Portuguese Squill, Scilla peruviana is a dramatic late spring/early summer flowering bulb that is certain to draw the eye in any display. Large heads, each containing up to 100 deep blue starlet flowers create domes of colour from May to June.