Amicia zygomeris

A true collector’s delight from the highlands of Mexico, Amicia zygomeris is one of those plants that makes plant lovers stop in their tracks. Its elegant stems are dressed with neat, rounded leaflets that flip up at dusk, as if the plant is tucking itself in for the night. In late summer, you get the bonus of curious purple-tinged bracts that cradle tiny yellow flowers — a quirky little display that feels straight out of a botanical storybook.

Despite its exotic looks, Amicia is surprisingly undemanding. In UK gardens it’s best treated as a borderline hardy perennial — thriving in full sun and free-draining soil, it will romp away through summer and reach an impressive height. In colder areas or harsh winters, mulch the crown well or lift and overwinter in a frost-free spot. Cut back in late autumn, and it will spring back even stronger next year.

Rare, architectural, and a little eccentric — just the kind of plant every jungle gardener needs.

large plants in 4 litre pots