Until recently Cavolo Nero, or 'Tuscan Kale', was one of Italy's best kept secrets. Simply adored, especially in the north of Italy, it has been an essential fare with, or as part of, traditional dishes for centuries. Cavolo Nero can now be found in garden markets, specialist greengrocers and trendy restaurants throughout Europe.

The English heirloom “Lyon 2 Prizetaker” was introduced in the 1880s and is still going strong on the show bench and in the kitchen. This venerable classic is also known simply as “The Lyon” is a very tall leek, with thick solid pure-white stalks which retain their tenderness and mild flavour.

Leek Musselburgh is named for a coastal market town on the Firth of Forth. Introduced in 1834, it has remained popular ever since. It is extremely hardy and can be picked over winter from Dec to April when there is little else in the vegetable garden. A very hardy leek and a very dependable performer.

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce is a specialty lettuce, known by its striking rich red colour and its beautiful leaves which have a tender sweet flavour. Popular from at least the 1800's, it is slow to bolt and a perfect choice for cultivation from spring through to autumn and, of course it looks great peeking out of a panini!

With outstanding quality and excellent keeping qualities, Ailsa Craig Prizewinner is much loved by both home gardeners and exhibitors producing weighty onions perfect for the kitchen or show bench. A Heritage variety and great all-rounder, Ailsa Craig still takes some beating.

Rhubarb Victoria was introduced by Joseph Myatt of Deptford in 1837. It is one of the easiest to raise from seed and can usually start to be harvested one year after sowing. It produces sweet, juicy, medium sized green stalks with green-red leaves. A popular forcing variety being extremely productive for years.

This wonderful “Heritage variety” of alpine Strawberry produces loads of little red strawberries that are bursting with flavour. Much sweeter than their traditional commercial cousins they possess a fine, old fashioned flavour. Plants have compact growth with few runners. An alpine Strawberry that is very hard to find, excellent for high altitude climates!

Dating from 1925, Ailsa Craig is still considered to be one of the finest tomato varieties. It is noted for its vigour and the exceptional flavour of its fruit. Suitable for indoor or outdoor cultivation, it is heavy cropping and a reliable performer. Suitable for indoor or outdoor cultivation.

Roma VF is a traditional plum tomato that gives incredible yields of very richly flavoured, pear-shaped fruit. These fruits are meaty with few seeds and not much juice, perfectly suited to cooking, but delicious enough to eat fresh. The vines fruit heavily, occasionally needing some support.

'San Marzano' is a classic plum/paste type of tomato from Italy, it produces clusters of delicious, elongated fruit.. This variety is a compact and prolific producer and performs best if staked. This heritage tomato is one of the jewels in Campania's crown.

Marmande is the favourite large-fruited tomato of Provence and famous throughout Europe. A classic beefsteak variety, Super Marmande is large, juicy, well flavoured fruit and a great improvement over an already excellent variety.