He’s a magnificent broadcaster, gifted gardener, brilliant author and all-round horticultural visionary. This month, and with the football World Cup approaching, Alan Titchmarsh himself embraces a global theme in discussing his favourite flowers and plants from across the planet.

With the world’s attention turning to international sport this summer, it feels like a good moment to look beyond our own borders in the garden, too. We grow some wonderful plants here in the UK, of course, but many of our most cherished garden flowers actually originate from far-flung places. Some are familiar by name, others less so, yet all have something to teach us about colour, resilience and beauty.

One of my enduring favourites is the South African agapanthus, a plant that thrives in sun and poor soil, producing dramatic globes of blue or white flowers on tall stems. It brings a sense of heat and space to a border and works beautifully in pots, particularly where summers are warm and dry.

From the same part of the world comes kniphofia, the red-hot poker, which injects real drama with its flame-like spikes and thrives where drainage is good.

From Asia, I’ve long admired the understated elegance of Japanese anemones. They arrive later in the season, floating above foliage when many plants are tiring, and bring a calm, refined beauty that suits both traditional and modern gardens.

Camellias, originally from eastern Asia, are another gift, offering glossy evergreen structure and early colour when little else is flowering. And whilst in this part of the world, it surprises many to hear that even the familiar tulip, so closely associated with European spring, traces its roots back to the continent.

South America gives us the vibrant dahlia, a flower that has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. Their diversity is just astonishing, from cactus forms to pompons, and they reward even modest effort with months of colour. Then, from the high plains of Mexico comes cosmos, one of the most generous annuals you can grow, dancing lightly above borders and attracting pollinators in abundance.

Australia contributes grevillea and eucalyptus, plants that lend texture and scent, which is particularly useful in milder parts of the UK.

At the end of the day, ultimately what unites these plants is adaptability. Many originate in challenging conditions, which makes them surprisingly resilient once established. And gardening, like sport, benefits from international influence, so by welcoming flowers from around the world into our gardens, we broaden not just our planting palette, but our understanding of how plants thrive, meaning everyone is a winner!