Notes on our plants
Plant names
We try to use correct and accepted names for the plants we sell. Where possible we confirm the identity of our plants but in some cases, where plants perhaps have not reached maturity, we are reliant on the information provided by our seed or stock supplier. We use the scientific names for plants but if you know the common name of the plant you are looking for, you can find it using the search button at the top of the page.
The descriptions
Each of the plant descriptions contains a common name for the plant (if one is available), its general characteristics, cultivation requirements, comments on hardiness and its unique Jungle Score. We aim to describe the size of the plants you will receive and usually give a pot diameter.
Plant health
We cannot pretend that our plants are entirely free of pests (the ducks do their best but they cannot get bills everywhere). We inspect all plants that we send out and would not send any that are obviously infested or diseased. We have been known to inadvertently dispatch slugs and earthworms, but this is inevitable with potted plants grown outside in summer. We tolerate some pests that we know thrive only on potted specimens and which will diminish once the host is planted out.
We are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Our identification number is 133767.
RHS hardiness rating
The RHS has a scale of hardiness that runs from 1 (tropical) to 7 (very hardy). Most of our plants have a hardiness of H2 to H4.
The Jungle Score
Our scientifically derived system ranges from J0 (not jungley) to J5 (very jungley).
Mailing, Courier Charges and Service
Where do we send?
Currently we mail to Great Britain (Wales, Scotland and England) only. We will resume delivery to Northern Ireland once the regulatory requirements become clear. We do not export out of the UK.
Prices and mailing costs
Prices include VAT and mailing costs so there are no unpleasant surprises at the checkout. Orders over £25 will attract a 10% reduction with coupon code AJP23. If you wish to collect your order from the nursery, please notify us before placing the order. We will supply a coupon code for 20% off the cost of your order (includes AJP23 reduction if valid).
Reducing waste
We aim to pack our plants as securely as possible and this often (unfortunately) means we have to use some single-use plastic. However, from February 2021, we plan to deliver some of our plants bare root and wrapped in compostable bags rather than in plastic pots. We will only do this where it does not compromise safe packaging. We re-use cardboard boxes so do not be surprised if your package appears to have come (for example) from Amazon!
When will the order be delivered?
We aim to deliver in 5 to 7 working days from an order being placed. However, this may vary with the volume of orders received and the likely weather forecast for the period of delivery (we need to reduce the risk of your plants being frozen or overheated in transit). Generally we use Royal Mail, 2nd Class which should deliver 2-3 working days after dispatch. Sometimes we track parcels, usually when they contains items that require insurance of over £20.00. Our main dispatch days are Monday, Tuesday and Saturday but we dispatch on other days too when we have a lot of orders. You will receive an email notifying you when an order has been dispatched and, when we have used a slightly different postage method, a tracking number.
If your order is over £15.00, please enter a 'safe place' in the special instructions for your order. This may reduce the chances of a signed-for delivery being taken back to the Royal Mail district office if you are not at home to receive it.
Customer service
We aim at complete customer satisfaction under our terms of business. To read these in full, click below.
Our recommendations
Plants of the month
Top 10 plants for jungle structure
Aucuba japonica
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cordyline australis
Euphorbia mellifera
Fatsia japonica
Leycesteria formosa
Magnolia grandiflora
Musa basjoo
Phyllostachys (various species and forms)
Trachycarpus fortunei
Top 10 herbaceous plants for jungle style
Acanthus mollis 'Hollard's Gold'
Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana
Bergenia ciliata
Crocosmia 'Lucifer'
Eryngium agavifolium
Hemerocallis (most forms are good)
Phytolacca acinosa
Polygonum amplexicaule
Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'
Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Crowborough'
Top 10 half-hardy foliage plants for pots
Amorphophallus rivieri 'Konjac'
Begonia luxurians
Dryopteris sieboldii
Ensete ventricosum
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'
Eucomis (various species and forms)
Hedychium wardii
Musa sikkimensis 'Red Tiger'
Musella lasiocarpa
Sauromatum venosum
Top 10 plants for jungle colour
Camellia (most are good)
Cautleya spicata 'Robusta'
Crinum x powellii
Crocosmia (the taller forms)
Hemerocallis (most are excellent)
Kniphofia (species and hybrids)
Passiflora caerulea
Roscoea (various species and hybrids)
Salvia (various forms and hybrids)
Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Crowborough'
Why not try one of our jungle starter plant collections?
Collections make great gifts for gardening enthusiasts. Five plants chosen to give an introduction to jungle-style gardening. Different collections are available through the year ranging from easy to challenging. We sometimes have a special collection designed to interest children and give them a step into gardening.
Alan's Jungle Plants Gift Card
These are ideal for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas presents and are available from £10 to £40. Each blank-inside card carries a coupon code redeemable at the website checkout and is valid for a year from purchase. Why not treat a jungle gardener to a gift they will love? Cards are supplied with a blank white envelope.
Click the image for details or visit the 'sundries' section of the shop.
