Dragon lilies or Dracunculus in bloom may have a rather pungent smell, but their speckled leaf-stems and distinctive foliage earn them a place in the garden. But although the foliage is undoubtedly pretty, you’ll be growing this curiosity for its weird and wonderful bloom. You might not want it blooming beneath your bedroom window, but this science-fantasy bloom is worth seeing for yourself. The deep purple spathes undulate back like outspread dragon wings from the near-black spadix at the centre. As truly curious plants go, you don’t get anything much stranger than the Dracunculus!