Exotic Plants

Large architectural grey leaves with spines, suitable for sheltered hot dry sunny locations

Slow growing tree with dense spine-tipped dark green leaves

(A. durior) - heart-shaped leaves and twining habit. Rounded green flowers mottled with yellow purple and brown

Colourful and robust with golden canes, green grooved and sometimes burnished red in young growth. Fully hardy and best grown in the open so the full spectacle of these brilliantly coloured stems can be properly seen

bushy architectural palm suckering into many dense stems when mature with yellow flowers in dense panicles. Will survive happily outdoors in milder climates. 2-3ft fronds

When mature the fronds can be 4 metres long. Distinctive white undersides to the leaves

The fronds are tripinnate and up to 3 metres long in maturity. Black on the leaves

A tree fern with a slender trunk. The fronds have a distinct yellowish mid-rib. Needs a cool moist position sheltered from wind

(himalaense subsp. macropodum) - a magnificent everygreen shrub with leathery rhododendron-like leaves and pungent purplish clusters of flowers beneath new growth

A rare plant with spherical scented yellow flowers densely covered with silky white hairs

Beautiful rare semi-woody plant with racemes of waxen scarlet 'sweet pea' flowers

Remarkable small tree or tall shrub with cup-shaped white flowers which only open in a hot late summer. Crimson autumn colour

A tender climbing lily with spidery red flowers edged yellow

Vigorous climber with reddish-brown stems, leathery leaves and solitary yellow flowers

vigorous succulent greenhouse climber producing clusters of around 20 waxy star-shaped white flowers with a red centre. The flowers are night scented and secrete nectar

Bushy shrub with sharply toothed leaves and long racemes of tubular orange-yellow or brownish-orange flowers

Dark purple foliage and scented pink flowers in late winter

Bright orange-red flowers and large green leaves

Distinctive leaves which are brightly variegated cream-yellow in the centre and bright deep green outside. Young stems are a bright red and the leaves have a twist which shows off the variegation

Leaves with a broad, creamy-white margin

The hardiest of all the metrosideros which grew at Caerhays for many years. Coppery-scarlet flowers. Much more tender when young as those who have pinched seedlings from Tresco discover to their cost

One of the hardiest species which will thrive outside in Cornwall. Coppery young leaves and bright crimson flowers

large luxurious bright green leaves and striking blue flowers. Seems to do best in exposed positions with poor soil

Cream and green variegated foliage and pink flowers with dark red throat

Tubular creamy-yellow flowers streaked with reddish-purple

Vigorous evergreen climber, pink flowers spotted purple and borne in large pendulous sprays. Will thrive outdoors on a sheltered sunny wall

Thrives in hot, sunny locations near the sea. Long drooping branches divided into numerous leaflets. Huge drooping inflorescences of creamy-yellow flowers when mature

(betulinus) - a rare but graceful slender tree in maturity with light green leaves and panicles of white flowers during May. Tender except in the southwest

Despite the casualties from any colder winter proteas are much easier to grow than many people imagine and can readily be grown outside in milder areas PROVIDING the soil is very free draining, acidic and low in nutrients (ie no fertiliser containing phosphates). Full sun and a south facing slope would be ideal. To avoid proteas getting wet feet it is helpful to plant them on a raised mound and add bark or grit for improved drainage. See more care details on website

Foliage resembles large leathery maidenhair fern leaves