Dig into the joy of a life outdoors
Find peace and purpose by reconnecting with nature, creativity and the joy of making things in your own patch of paradise.
Discover extraordinary, unusual, and beautiful plants from around the world — each with growing and care tips to help you cultivate these weird and wonderful species in your own space.
Verbena bonariensis
Purpletop vervain
Tall, airy purple flowers held on slender stems above sparse foliage, loved by bees and butterflies…
- Full sun
- 1–1.8 m (3–6 ft)
- H4 · Zone 8
Pseudopanax laetus
Big-leaf Pseudopanax
A striking evergreen shrub from New Zealand with huge, glossy, hand-shaped leaves that give real jungle…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 2–4 m (7–13 ft)
- H3 · Zone 9
Solanum laciniatum
Kangaroo Apple
A fast-growing tender shrub with purple star-shaped flowers and glossy, deeply lobed leaves, followed by orange…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft)
- H2 · Zone 9
Strobilanthes mastersii
Strobilanthes mastersii
A little-known tender evergreen shrub from the Acanthaceae family, grown mainly as a curiosity plant for…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 0.6–1.2 m (2–4 ft)
- H1b · Zone 11
Smallanthus maculatus
Mexican yacon
A tender Mexican perennial closely related to yacon but less commonly seen in UK gardens.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
- H1c · Zone 10
Solanum pyracanthum
Porcupine tomato
A dramatic foliage plant with velvety purple-veined leaves covered in vivid orange spines, grown as a…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 0.6–1.2 m (2–4 ft)
- H1b · Zone 10
