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.
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
Setaria palmifolia
Palm grass
A dramatic tropical grass with wide, pleated, palm-like leaves that bring a lush jungle feel to…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 0.9–1.8 m (3–6 ft)
- H1b · Zone 10
Todea barbara
King Fern, Austral King Fern, Southern King Fern
A striking evergreen fern with leathery, dark green fronds, Todea barbara brings a prehistoric touch to…
- Full shade, Partial shade
- 0.6–1.5 m (2–5 ft)
- H3 · Zone 9
Vasconcellea pubescens
Mountain papaya, Mountain pawpaw, Chamburo
A tender evergreen fruit tree from the Andes, grown in the UK for its sweet orange…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 2–5 m (7–16 ft)
- H1c · Zone 9
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Star jasmine
A vigorous evergreen climber with glossy dark green leaves and masses of sweetly fragrant white, jasmine-like…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 3–9 m (10–30 ft)
- H4 · Zone 8
