Compact habit with few waste outer leaves. Firm, conical pale green, tender and flavoursome hearts which stand well through the summer. Can be planted closely so ideal for the smaller garden. Ideal for using raw in salads and coleslaw. Help to retain bio diversity by growing these traditional varieties with the taste and garden performance well regarded by previous generations
Medium to large hearted, bright green leaved, crisp 'Iceberg' hearts which stand well without bolting during the hotter summer weather. Cut hearts store well in the refrigerator. Ideal for spring or summer sowing
Radish 'Poloneza' produces attractive round, red-skinned roots with a white splash at the root end, similar to Radish 'Sparkler'. The mild, crisp, white or pink tinged flesh is free from pithiness and makes an attractive addition to radish salads. This quick growing summer radish resists bolting and is suitable for earlier sowings under glass as well as outdoors. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 10cm (4).
Coreless, blunt ended, cylindrical roots with a bright orange skin and an outstanding flavour. Carrot 'Nandor' is one of the finest baby carrots available, at its best when freshly pulled and eaten raw, or lightly steamed. These superb 'finger carrots' are ideal for successional sowings in patio containers. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 15cm (6).
An early bulbing, glossy purple-red skinned salad onion when small. The colour changes to lovely pastel pink when larger bulbs are pickled or cooked
Basket/ ContainerTomato 'Tumbling Junior' is British breeding of a more compact tumbler type. This cascading cherry tomato is superb in baskets and containers, producing a bumper crop of golden-yellow, sweet, cherry sized fruits, each weighing about 25g (1oz). Height and spread: 30cm (12).
Well-branched, virtually spineless plants that produce an average of 15-20 fruits per plant. This colourful mix contains an attractive colour combination of shiny white, purple with white stripes, and deep purple fruits. The 'babyaubergines will grow to tennis ball-size fruits if left to mature. This compact mix is perfect for growing in containers on a sunny patio. Height: 75cm (30). Spread: 60cm (24)
A wonderful new basil from British breeding of Thai and Genovese crosses. Basil 'Christmas' produces large glossy leaves with a unique fruity, mulled-wine aroma associated with Christmas time. The aromatic foliage adds flavour to all manner of dishes, particularly Italian recipes. A profusion of stunning purple flowers makes this herb a decorative, edible pot plant for the kitchen windowsill, the flower border, or for containers outside. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 30cm (12)
From recent British breeding, an easy-to-grow, early-maturing variety, well suited to our summers. The flattened round-shaped fruits combine the attractive skin colour of a Butternut with the shape of Crown Prince. An average of 5 fruits per plant, each weighing 15kgs (approx 3lbs) develop on semi trailing vines. Fruits have a rich orange flesh with a 'melon aroma', and a small seed cavity. Stores well.
The attractive blossom pink flowers of Strawberry 'Florian' are followed by a heavy crop of good sized, juicy, red fruits from July to September. This delicious everbearing variety can be grown outdoors or under glass, but as it fruits from its runners as well as the main plant, Strawberry 'Florian' is ideal for growing in hanging baskets on a sunny patio. Height: 20cm (8). Spread: 30cm (12).
Now you can grow delicious ripe melons outdoors in the UK! Melon 'Orange Sherbert' produces netted skinned 'charentais typefruits that are more oval shaped than round. Each orange fleshed fruit weighs about 500g (1lb) on compact, semi trailing vines that can be harvested from midsummer. Height and spread: 2m (6', 6). Melons require high temperatures and humidity. In all but the very warmest areas cultivation is most successful in a greenhouse, or under cover of a cold frame or cloche when growing melons in the UK
Forms a clump of slender elongated bulbs and long green stalks, similar to chives. A type of perennial bunching onion usually grown as an annual, and winter hardy. Quite pungent flavoured, use both the leaves and small bulbs.
This highly decorative French Bean makes a fabulous talking point in the vegetable garden, or even in your flower borders. Climbing Bean 'Selma Zebra' is a T&M reintroduction from 30 years ago, and still as eye catching as ever. The unusual marbled pods are particularly early to mature in July and continue to set pods throughout the summer. These tasty beans turn green when cooked. Height: 180cm (70). Spread: 30cm (12)
Outdoor typeCucumber 'Masterpiece' is an early and reliable British selection for outdoor cultivation. This RHS AGM variety produces heavy crops of dark green skinned, slightly spined, 20cm (8) cucumbers. The crisp white flesh is tender and perfect for summer salads. Height: 3m (9'). Spread: 45cm (18)
Dwarf Bean 'Sonesta' is an early maturing variety producing waxy yellow beans on compact plants. The colourful pods are slender, straight and stringless, reaching up to 13cm (5) long. This variety is resistant to Bean Mosaic Virus and Anthracnose. Height: 45cm (18). Spread: 30cm (12)
A striking bicolour, mophead variety, with blue petals frosted with white edges. This eye-catching hardy shrub makes a striking focal point for patio pots and borders where it provides a long season of interest.
Smooth, round, dark red skinned roots with a superb dark flesh colour and increased sugar levels. Beetroot Kestrel is delicious cooked or eaten raw, used as 'baby beetsor when mature. Good resistance to bolting. Seeds are in the RHS Vegetable Collection
Greenhouse typeCucumber 'Carmen' is a unique variety with resistance to all known strains of powdery mildew, scab and leaf-spot, making it ideal for organic gardeners. The fruits are produced in abundance, from 50 to 100 per plant, and have a mild flavour with no bitter after taste. This climbing RHS AGM variety is easy to train in the greenhouse and its fruits are excellent for exhibition. Height: 3m (9'). Spread: 45cm (18)
A dual purpose Italian variety with a pungent flavour. Spring Onion Lilia is best grown as a salad onion with nice, dark green leaves and a shiny, intense red inner core. Onion Lilia can also be grown as a maincrop, storing bulb onion. When fully mature it shows off its defined red and white inner rings