Echium pininana - Boraginaceae

~   GIANT VIPER'S BUGLOSS   ~

A blue flowering biennial that will grow gigantic flower stalks in its second year. Unusual in its appearance, considered tender in the UK. Also a favourite food source for wildlife.

---

Tetrapanax papyrifer - Araliaceae

~   CHINESE RICE-PAPER PLANT   ~

Single or multi-stemmed small tree that is mainly grown for its spectacular foliage - a must have in the subtropical garden and hardier than its look might suggest.

---

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' - Asparagaceae

~   BLACK MONDO   ~

Mostly mistaken for a grass, this plant is actually a close relative to Convallaria sp. - Lily of the Valley. It forms a dense carpet of black foliage, a perfect and robust groundcover that will grow in pretty much any location.

---

Gunnera manicata - Gunneraceae

~   CHILEAN RHUBARB   ~

A semi-tender perennial with huge leaves. Jurassic jungle-look on a gigantic scale, highly architectural. Needs space and ideally moist to wet soils.

---

Alchemilla mollis - Rosaceae

~   LADY'S MANTLE   ~

An easy perennial suitable for a lot of locations - on the edge of a border or as groundcover underneath trees. With soft hairy foliage and yellow flowers in summer.

---