Regions: north-east

The pennywort of damp corners; spreads by runners and asks for shade and moisture.

A small shady-forest shrub, historically important and now scarce in the wild.

A cement tub of still water on a terrace becomes a dragonfly and frog habitat in one season.

A fast native shade tree with scented ball flowers, and a favourite of city birds.

The household holy basil — thrives in a pot, keeps pests down and brings pollinators to a balcony.

Needs space, sun and a lot of feeding, and gives back a bunch plus leaves for cooking.

Grows in a bottle of water on a windowsill and keeps going. Best first plant for a child or a new gardener;…