Banana : Musa velutina

An ornamental banana with lush green foliage, featuring a striking burgundy midrib. An exceptionally quick grower, with bright pink blooms followed by inedible pink bananas in summer, once plants are established. Makes an interesting feature in borders or containers. Easy to grow.

Height: 1.5-1.8m (5-6ft).

Celosia argentea var. cristata Century Mixed

All America Selections Bronze Medal winner for 1985. Extremely large flowers often 12in long, produced in abundance. Colours are scarlet, yellow, cream, rose and deep red. Attractive and unusual pot plants also suitable for bedding in a warm sunny sheltered border. They are very uniform and make good cut flowers. Flowers late summer. Height: 60cm (24in).

Cineraria hybridus Jester Scarlet

A really striking bicolour which is dwarf and uniform in appearance, offering a carpet of scarlet-copper flowers with a distinct pure white centre. Height: 20-25cm (8-10in).

Kew for Kids : Mimosa Sensitive Plant

"Sensitive Plant", so called because the leaflets fold up in a most spectacular manner when touched or blown by the wind. Run your hand over the plant and the leaves will fold up and the leaf stalk will drop as if on a hinge. The movements are quickest with young plants in bright sunshine. They return to their normal condition in a few minutes.

Mimosa pudica

"Sensitive Plant", so called because the leaflets fold up in a most spectacular manner when touched or blown by the wind. Run your hand over the plant and the leaves will fold up and the leaf stalk will drop as if on a hinge. The movements are quickest with young plants in bright sunshine. They return to their normal condition in a few minutes.