Illustrated List: O

Oenothera lamarkiana Black Magic

An attractive selection of this common annual. Rich, dark, almost black foliage is enhanced by bright golden yellow flowers, opening in the morning, closing again by afternoon and sweetly scented in the evening, adds height and interest to your borders.

Height: 90-120cm (3-4ft)

Oenothera Lemon Sunset

An exquisite Evening Primrose with beautiful 10cm (4in) soft-yellow flowers that mature by changing to an attractive sunset-red. Ideal for adding height to borders, as well as a delicate evening fragrance to your garden.

Height 90-100cm (36-40in).

Culinary note: Some parts of these flowers are edible. For more details about edible flowers click here.

Oenothera odorata Apricot Delight

A delectable back of border plant, at whatever stage the flower is at! Tightly scrolled buds open to 7cm (3in) in palest lemon, maturing to yellow, apricot and finally salmon-pink. The delicately scented blooms are at their best in the evening. Height: 60-100cm (24-40in)

Culinary note: Some parts of these flowers are edible. For more details about edible flowers click here.

Olea europaea olive - Olive Tree

Try growing your own olives with this ornamental evergreen with fragrant small white flowers when established.

Ideal grown as an indoor houseplant or to add a touch of the Mediterranean to your patio during the summer.

Protect plants from frost.

Height: Up to 3m (10ft)

Ophiopogon planiscarpus Nigrescens - Ornamental Black Grass

More commonly known as the 'Black Grass'. Rarely offered as seed, creating a spectacular feature plant in borders or containers, as well as the perfect planting partner for Millium effusum Aureum. Produces approximately 60% truly black with the rest an attractive, darker green shade. Height: 15-30cm (6-12in).

Opuntia humifusa - hardy Cactus

A hardy Cactus! With some winter care this will transform your borders with its unusual tropical appearance. Spreading plants produce pads with few spines and bright yellow blooms when older. In favourable conditions, may also produce prickly pear fruit!

Orlaya grandiflora

An attractive addition to bouquets. Orlaya makes an easy to grow, quick border filler with decorative snow-white lacy blooms produced all summer long. Perfect for cutting.

Osteospermum hybrida Passion Mixed

Naturally dwarf multi-branching plants with lots of 5cm (2in) flowers of purple, rose and white. En-masse in bedding, borders and containers they make a passionate carpet of summer colour with the advantage of being drought tolerant. Height: 45-60cm (18-24in).

Osteospermum pluvalis Tetra Sunshine Giants

Attractive giant blooms in a glowing colour mixture of bright orange, yellow and glistening white, shine out from mounds of foliage in sunny borders or containers all summer.

Osteospermum pluvialis Glistening White

From the South African countryside comes this classic, silky, pure white flowering plant. For the front of the border in full sun it certainly lives up to its name with the flowers a pure glistening white throughout the day, and closing up each evening.

The flowers are borne in great profusion over the whole plant, magnificent for the border, pots, patios and all sunny places.

Osteospermum sinuata African Sun

Bushy, free-flowering plants, like a radiant sun with eye-catching golden yellow and vibrant orange bicoloured blooms. Stunning n containers as well as hot, dry borders, attracting bees and butterflies. Plant with African Moon for a perfect combination. Height: 30-45cm (12-18 inches).