A rarer variegated form of this reliable tropical style evergreen shrub. Large palmate glossy green leaves are adorned with a really attractive variegation, making Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' a great addition for shaded areas of any garden. A relatively fast growing shrub that can reach heights of 2m+, but tolerates hard pruning well. Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' has survived -6°C in the Grow Paradise garden and continues to thrive. In autumn white ivy-like flowers are produced and are followed by dark berries, providing food for pollinators and bird life.
Current size: 40cm tall, including pot.
Dramatic deeply divided palmate leaves and a bushy exotic evergreen habit. Fatsia polycarpa ‘Green Fingers’ is a relatively new introduction to gardeners here in the U.K. Fatsia polycarpa originates from the shady hillsides of Taiwan where it was once a rare plant to find. Fatsia polycarpa ‘Green Fingers’ is a tough exotic shrub and should be hardy in most UK gardens, but it will benefit from a bit of shelter from the most severe cold. Well worth growing for it’s amazing deeply lobed foliage, giving this Fatsia a much more tropical look than the regular Fatsia japonica.
Fatsia polycarpa ‘Green Fingers’ is best grown in partial shade where it can reach heights of up to 2m. In late autumn and winter it produces Ivy-like flowers that provide valuable nectar for pollinating insects.
Current size: 60cm tall, including pot.
A reliable climber with intensely purple coloured blooms. Ipomoea 'Grandpa Ott' is a cultivar selected for its particularly deep purple flowers with a eye-catching red star shaped centre. The flowers of this cultivar combine beautifully with the rich green heart shaped leaves. Ipomoea 'Grandpa Ott' can grow to 5m in one season, climbing happily up a trellis or scrambling through larger shrubs. Though half hardy, this plant is best treated as a fast growing annual in UK gardens.
PACKET CONTAINS 10 SEEDSSOWING TIPS:
Sow the large seed to a depth of 5mm. Sow in an unheated greenhouse in early spring to encourage natural germination. Use additional heat (18-24 degrees Celsius) and light to improve germination if sowing out of season.
A compact, clump-forming grass-like perennial with glossy evergreen leaves. Liriope mascari 'Purple Explosion' is an incredibly useful plant in UK gardens, providing a lush evergreen edge to your borders or pathways throughout the year. We use Liriope mascari 'Purple Explosion' as an evergreen foil for deciduous shrubs in the Grow Paradise garden. From late summer into autumn these resilient evergreen plants produce spikes of small deep purple flowers followed by very ornamental spherical black fruit that is loved by birds.
Current Size: 2ocm, including pot.
Known a the 'Brazilian Jasmine', this woody climber is native to tropical Central and South America. Given a bright spot these beautiful plants will produce deep red blooms all the way from spring to autumn. Mandevilla have thick glossy evergreen leaves that complement the bright red blooms perfectly. Mandevilla 'Rio Deep Red' will thrive in well drained soil, so we recommend growing them in pots with a support for climbing. These plants are evergreen but may loose leaves in cooler temperatures. They are best grown as a showpiece plant outdoors in summer and kept frosts free for winter.
Current size: Established plants in 12cm pots.
Known as the 'giant black parsley'. This fantastic and fast growing plant originates from the island of Madeira. In its first year it will produce large divided leaves that look great in a jungle garden. As the central stem matures it somewhat resembles bamboo. In its final year Melanoselinum decipiens will produce a crown of umbles of tiny white flowers that are loved by pollinating insects.
PACKET CONTAINS 10 SEEDSSOWING TIPS:
Sow the seed to a depth of 3mm. Sow in an unheated greenhouse in early spring to encourage natural germination. Use additional heat (20-24 degrees Celsius) and light to improve germination if sowing out of season.
A very architectural plant with bold exotic foliage. Melianthus major has large silvery-green leaves with serrated edges. Commonly called the ‘Honey Bush’, this plant makes a fantastic addition to exotic gardens. In mild areas it will remain evergreen and produce peculiar red flower spikes in summer/autumn. The seed pods that follow the flowers are very long lasting and add further winter interest. When the leaves of Melianthus major are touched they release a lovely aroma that is similar to peanut butter!
£8.50Original price was: £8.50.£3.50Current price is: £3.50.
The choice for commercial Banana fruit growers! The yellow 'Chiquita' banana fruits that are widely available in UK supermarkets are produced by this plant. Musa acuminata 'Grand Nain' is a very fast growing species that can produce huge fruit crops in a single season when grown in optimal conditions. This tropical species will need to be grown as a houseplant through winter to protects it from cold weather.
Current Size: Supplied as a plug plant.
Extremely fast growing hardy banana plants. Musa basjoo is always popular for exotic gardeners with its gigantic jungly leaves and reliable hardiness in British winters. A must have plant for gardeners looking to achieve the 'tropical style' garden with high impact. This banana plant will quickly multiply and produce 'pups' from the base (baby banana plants).
Current size: 30-40cm tall including pot.
An absolutely incredible Banana with red striped foliage on mature plants. Musa sikkimensis ‘Bengal Tiger’ is thought to have similar hardiness to Musa Basjoo, surviving -5ºC with a light wrap of fleece in the Grow Paradise garden. Musa sikkimensis ‘Bengal Tiger’ grows rapidly and can reach a height of 2.5m tall and 1m wide within 2 seasons. A fantastic specimen plant.
Please note: The red leaf markings are variable and will appear as the plants get larger and are exposed to more light. These plants have been cut back and are now pushing out their first leaves of the season. Current Size: Supplied as a jumbo plug plant.
A striking ornamental banana that is said to be cold hardy in the UK. Musa sikkimensis produces striking sail-like green leaves that are streaked with red markings, though these fade on older leaves. Musa sikkimensis s very fast growing once the seeds have germinated and can reach 1.5m in height in its first year. We find the leaves of Musa sikkimensis to be more wind resilient than the delicate leaves of Musa basjoo.PACKET CONTAINS 5 SEEDSSOWING TIPS:
Soak the seed prior to sowing. Sow to a depth of 1cm. Sow in an unheated greenhouse in early spring to encourage natural germination. Use additional heat (18-24 degrees Celsius) and light to improve germination if sowing out of season.
A beautiful and colourful form of American pokeweed. Phytolacca 'Laka Boom' is a herbaceous shrub that produces green foliage with purple stems and leaf undersides. Striking racemes pink flowers bloom from midsummer to early autumn followed by purple-black fruit in autumn. Phytolacca 'Laka Boom' looks great in garden borders and will also grow well as a specimen plant in containers on your deck or patio.
PACKET CONTAINS 10 SEEDSSOWING TIPS:
Sow the seed to a depth of 3mm. Sow in an unheated greenhouse in early spring to encourage natural germination. Use additional heat (18-24 degrees Celsius) and light to improve germination if sowing out of season.
A fast growing attractive climber that will flower from spring through to the first frosts. Heart shaped rich green leaves up to 8cm across combine beautifully with masses of singular tubular rich purple-black flowers with star cup shaped pink calyces. Rhodochiton atrosanguineus, sometimes called 'Purple Bells' is best grown as a climber against a trellis or as an unusual trailing plant from elevated pots and baskets.
PACKET CONTAINS 10 SEEDSSOWING TIPS:
Surface sow the small seed. Sow in an unheated greenhouse in early spring to encourage natural germination. Use additional heat (18-24 degrees Celsius) and light to improve germination if sowing out of season.
A incredibly fast growing and colourful exotic foliage plant that can reach heights of over 2.5m in one season! Ricinus communis 'Zanzibariensis' is a beautiful cultivar selected for large lush green leaves that can grow up to 60cm across. This amazing plant will grow very quickly from seed and will produce some of the most exotic looking leaves in your garden.
PACKET CONTAINS 5 SEEDSSOWING TIPS:
Sow to a depth of 1cm individually in small pots. Sow in an unheated greenhouse in early spring to encourage natural germination. Use additional heat (18-24 degrees Celsius) and light to improve germination if sowing out of season.
All parts of this plant are poisonous, including the seeds. More information below:
Prolific scarlet red blooms throughout the season. This compact and colourful Salvia will produce masses of tubular bright red flowers that are very attractive to pollinating insects. Once established, this plant is very drought tolerant and will thrive in the heat of summer where other plants may struggle. Use Salvia 'Summer Jewel Red' to add colour to your borders and container displays. Very easy to grow and fast from seed.
PACKET CONTAINS 10 SEEDSSOWING TIPS:
Surface sow the small seed. Sow in an unheated greenhouse in early spring to encourage natural germination. Use additional heat (18-24 degrees Celsius) and light to improve germination if sowing out of season.