1. I’m looking at the common lavender which is notable for its narrow leaves. This is why its Latin name is Lavandula… bellidifolia graminifolia densiflora angustifolia

2. It’s the middle of summer and my passion flower is in full bloom with wonderful blue flowers (it is the variety known as “Constance Elliot”). This means that its Latin name is Passiflora… aurea viridis phoenicea caerulea

3. I can smell the wonderful aroma of the licorice (or liquorice) plant which is notable for its very smooth leaves. For this reason its Latin name is Glycyrrhiza … glutinosa glabra hirsuta lanata

4. I’m looking at a shrub which is a natural pH detector. It flowers blue in acid soil, pink in alkali soil and purple in neutral soils. It is, of course, the hydrangea which originally came from Japan. It is notable for its large leaves which is why its Latin name is Hydrangea… macrorrhiza macrocarpa macrophylla macrantha

5. Walking through my garden, it is awash with the wonderful blue/purple colour of the common violets. They give off a wonderful aroma which is why its Latin name is Viola… somnifera inodora odorata foetida

6. In the corner of my garden is a beautiful tree with wonderful silver bark and graceful hanging leaves. It is commonly known as the silver birch but, because of its drooping or hanging branchlets, its Latin name is Betula… volubilis procumbens pendula scandens

7. At the front of my house is a magnificent clematis which can climb 30’ or more up walls. Its common name is the anemone clematis but, because its natural habitat is in the mountains, its Latin name is Clematis… muralis montana rivularis arboricola

8. I’ve always loved fuchsias but they can be quite tender. However the plant I am looking at now is wonderfully hardy as it comes originally from South America. For that reason its Latin name is Fuchsia… helvetica graeca magellanica sinense

9. The borders of my garden are awash with the wonderful yellow of the cutleaf cinquefoil. So called because its leaves are so numerous its Latin name is therefore Potentilla… millefolia integrifolia rotundafolia longifolia

10. I’m now looking at a plant which, alongside the potato, rice and wheat, is a staple diet for a huge percentage of the world’s poorest people, particularly in Africa and Asia. It is commonly called cassava but, because it is edible, its Latin name is Manihot… farinosa velutina pulverulenta esculenta