Get to know 20 plants selected from Lesotho. Discover their scientific names, identifying features and growing needs.
Oxalis articulata
A rhizomatous, clump-forming, deciduous perennial up to 45cm tall in flower, with green, clover-like, three-lobed leaves on long stalks and masses of bright pink flowers in umbels on long flower stems, through the summer
Learn more →
Schlumbergera truncata
A cactus with erect stems that then become pendent-forming as a bushy, trailing plant with flattened and toothed, oblong stem segments. Flowers produced at the stem tips in autumn and winter are usually in shades of purple, pink or red
Learn more →Codiaeum variegatum
Codiaeum variegatum, commonly known as croton, is a striking evergreen shrub grown primarily for its bold, leathery leaves. The leaves come in a dazzling array of colors including green, yellow, orange, red, and purple, often with variegate
Learn more →
Cymbidium sinense
A small-sized, evergreen orchid producing a small clump of egg-shaped pseudobulbs. Each pseudobulb is 2-6cm long and 2cm wide and is enclosed with broader, leaf-bearing sheaths. Leaves are linear, 60-90cm long and 2-3cm wide. Three to five
Learn more →
Spathiphyllum wallisii
S. wallisii is an evergreen perennial with erect, lance-shaped, glossy dark green leaves, and ovate white flowering spathes to 15cm in length, each with a slender cream spadix within
Learn more →
Medicago sativa
Also known as 'alfalfa'or 'purple medic' this herbaceous perennial legume with a deep tap-root and clover-like green foliage produces small purple flowers in the summer followed by flat pea-like fruits. Used in many countries as animal foo
Learn more →
Phaseolus vulgaris
The wild common bean from which a vast number of edible beans have been bred, including all the 'French' beans. They are annual, twining climbers with green tri-foliate leaves, though many selected varieties are dwarf. The flowers are mostl
Learn more →
Sorghum bicolor
An upright plant with green strappy leaves. Flower spikes are covered in small, yellowish-green flowers, followed by pale, sometimes rusty coloured seeds. Seeds can ripen in the UK if given a long hot summer. Can be grown in the UK as a ten
Learn more →
Koelreuteria paniculata
An elegant small deciduous tree. Leaves pinnate, pinkish in spring, turning yellow in autumn. Small yellow flowers in conspicuous large panicles, followed by ornamental bladdery bronze fruits
Learn more →
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
P. quinquefolia is a vigorous large deciduous climber. Leaves with five ovate leaflets, turning bright red and orange in autumn. Flowers inconspicuous; berries blue-black
Learn more →
Psidium guajava
An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 6m tall with prominently-veined, ovate to oblong leaves up to 15cm long with serrated margins. White flowers to 2.5cm across with brush-like clusters of long stamens are borne singly or in small groups
Learn more →
Rosa banksiae
Tall, vigorous, semi-evergreen climber reaching 7.5m or more in a warm, sheltered location, with thornless, slender stems and rich green leaves. Small, fragrant, white or pale yellow blooms to 2.5cm across appear in late spring; China 1807
Learn more →
Podocarpus macrophyllus
Podocarpus macrophyllus is an evergreen conifer with narrow, leathery, dark green leaves that resemble yew. It develops a dense, upright to columnar habit, often branching from the base. Male cones are catkin-like, while female trees produc
Learn more →
Schefflera arboricola
Schefflera arboricola, commonly known as the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is an evergreen shrub native to Taiwan. It features palmate compound leaves typically composed of 7-9 leaflets, glossy and leathery. The plant has a compact, bushy habit with
Learn more →
Castanea sativa
A large vigorous deciduous tree with rugged, grooved bark and glossy, serrate, oblong-lanceolate leaves to 20cm in length. Male catkins to 15cm in length, yellowish, followed by spiny fruits containing edible nuts
Learn more →
Delphinium elatum
A tall, upright, herbaceous perennial to 180cm with deeply lobed leaves and stiff spikes of dark, purplish-blue flowers in summer
Learn more →
Liquidambar styraciflua
L. styraciflua is a deciduous tree to 20m tall, broadly conical in outline, with rather glossy, maple-like, 5 to 7-lobed leaves which turn to shades of orange, crimson and purple in autumn
Learn more →
Succisa pratensis
S. pratensis is a perennial to 60cm, with a basal rosette of obovate leaves, with branched stems bearing solitary light purple, pincushion-like flowerheads 2cm across, in summer and autumn
Learn more →
Alocasia macrorrhizos
A tropical rhizomatous perennial grown for its huge, glossy mid-green leaves. The leaf blades have pale green veins and can reach 1.2m long; they are carried on erect leaf stalks to 1.2m tall. It may produce a pale green flower in summer. G
Learn more →Nephrolepis cordifolia
Nephrolepis cordifolia, commonly called Lemon Button Fern, is a compact evergreen fern with arching, bright green fronds composed of small, rounded, button-like leaflets. The foliage is slightly lemon-scented when brushed or crushed. It for
Learn more →