As you walk towards the Mediterranean Garden passing the bearpit on your right, you will see on your left the Waxyleaf Privet, Ligustrum quihoui Carr. It cannot be missed at this time of year.

Luma apiculata is an outstanding shrub with abundant white fragrant flowers, beautiful cinnamon peeling bark and all set within deep evergreen leaves.

This beautiful little tree in the centre of the Marnock Garden can be admired from all around. It has responded to this summer’s heat with a lovely display of upright fluffy pink flowers over the spreading canopy.

Now endangered in some states of its native North America, Chelone obliqua is a clump-forming perennial with dark green foliage looking good all summer on upright stems. In August, the spikes of deep pink flowers start to appear and last for many weeks. Their shape is said to resemble turtles’ heads hence the name Chelone, meaning turtle-like in Greek. Twisted shell flower and turtlehead are common names.

If you have not already found the amazing South African bed in Osborn’s Field (Area J) you really should head there to enjoy the interesting and colourful collection of flowering plants from the different habitats of that country.

At a time of year when few shrubs are in flower, this rarely seen ornamental pomegranate surprises with its display of bright shiny buds and showy flowers. The glossy mid-green leaves make a good foil for the double orange-red flowers, streaked and edged with white.

A highly desirable plant, very hardy and vigorous, it has year round interest: from spring onwards the distinctive leaves are an attractive feature, drooping in glossy pairs, each with 3 long deep veins; from September there is a profusion of fragrant, showy flowers which last until the first frost.