Rhapis alata
This beautiful palm has dark green, slender bamboo-like leaves. It is one of the finest, yet more expensive container plants as it can withstand poor light and neglect but does respond well to bright filtered light in a loamless compost. Water ... [... more]
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Jasminum polyanthum
Sweetly scented jasmine is one of Anne Swithinbank's favourite houseplants. In late winter and early spring, it is covered in bunches of white flowers, which open from pink-tinted buds. As an evergreen, this vigorous climber remians looking good ... [... more]
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Thunbergia alata 'Suzie Hybrids'
Black-eyed Susan is a native of east Africa and, as might be expected, enjoys warm, slightly humid weather with shelter from cold winds. It used to be regarded as a conservatory climber for growing in tubs, soil borders or from hanging baskets, ... [... more]
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Punica granatum var. nana
Pomegranate trees can get big and unruly, with their spiny branches and lax growing habit. This plant is a more compact variety that fruits very freely and is ideal for growing in a greenhouse or conservatory. In summer, orange-red, funnel-shaped ... [... more]
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Ceropegia linearis subsp woodii
One of Anne Swithinbank's favourite succulents, the rosary vine has trailing stems of fleshy green leaves that have attractive silver markings. Its lantern-like flowers are produced in summer. Found growing wild in southern Africa, it is grown as ... [... more]
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Aloe vera
This easy-to-grow succulent forms dense clumps of fleshy, light green leaves with soft toothed margins. Spikes of tubular yellow to orange flowers appear in summer, but rarely in the UK. It is best grown as a houseplant in the UK. Grow in a ... [... more]
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Howea forsteriana
This is an old favourite which will add a touch of elegance to your indoor displays. It has soft arching fronds borne on erect stems and makes an ideal pot plant when young. It can thrive in most conditions indoors but prefers a sunny position ... [... more]
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Hippeastrum 'Jewel'
Find out how to grow Hippeastrum 'Jewel' Cultivar: 'Jewel' Commonly known as amaryllis, Hippeastrum are popular flowering houseplants, often given as Christmas gifts. 'Jewel' is an eye-catching variety with almost pure white flowers with pale ... [... more]
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Aeonium canariense
A short-lived, succulent perennial which will eventually form a rosette that can be 40cm (16in)across. These are composed of fresh green, spoon-shaped leaves covered both sides with thick, velvety down and with the inner leaves folded up somewhat ... [... more]
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Gardenia jasminoides
There are few plants that have such an exotic fragrance as the evergreen shrub, gardenia. From summer to autumn, the large, showy flowers open white, fading to deep ivory over time. Plant in lime-free (ericaceous) compost and top-dress plants ... [... more]
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Bletilla striata
This is a lovely half-hardy orchid, with long linear leaves and sprays of magenta pink flowers from spring to early summer. Plant in moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered site with partial shade in summer. Mulch in winter, but in colder areas ... [... more]
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Acacia longifolia
This is one of the hardiest species of wattle and grows into a rounded, billowy shrub. It is used in Australia and America as a road screening tree to block out dust and headlights. Grown for its cyclindrical clusters of golden-yellow flowers in ... [... more]
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