Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil)

Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil) is a compact, bushy deciduous shrub boasting masses of large, rich yellow flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), from late spring to the first frosts. The blossoms are so profuse that they literally smother the plant. They contrast nicely against the foliage mound of small, pinnate, blue-green leaves. Noted for its extremely long blooming season, Shrubby Cinquefoil is an incredibly tough plant, withstanding drought in the summer as well as cold temperatures in the winter. It is also one of the easiest plants to care for. A first-class shrub that is perfect for informal hedging, or for sunny borders.

• Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Shrubby Cinquefoil is not fussy about soils provided they are well-drained. Tolerates drought, salt and poor soils.
• Virtually pest and disease free, it is also deer resistant.
• Shrubby Cinquefoil is very adaptable and an excellent choice as a single specimen plant, massed in beds and borders, or as an informal hedge.
• Trim lightly after flowering, cutting out some of the oldest stems to make room for new growth.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer.
• Native to northern parts of the United States, Canada, Europe and Northern Asia.

Skimmia japonica reevesiana

• Broadleaf evergreen, low-growing shrub, 1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m) high and 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) wide.   Leaves simple, alternate, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 2.5-10 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide, leathery, acuminate tip, wedge-shaped base, margin smooth (entire), dark green above, light green below.  Flowers are in terminal clusters 5-7.5 cm long, fragrant, white, each about 1 cm wide, 5-parted, both male and female parts present (bisexual, self-fertile).  Fruit crimson, more or less spherical, about 8 mm long, persists into winter.

• Part shade to shade, prefers moist, acid, high organic matter soils, seldom needs pruning.   Attractive in a container.  It is self-fruitful in contrast to S. japonica which requires both male and female plants.  The bisexual flowers of S. reevesiana help distinguish it from S. japonica.
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Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Northern Lights’

This colorful selection of Hair Grass forms a well-behaved clump of narrow leaves, strongly striped with creamy white and green, blushed with pink in the spring. Plants fit well into borders as an edging, in the rock garden, or in mixed containers. Rarely flowers. In warm summer regions, this grows best in partial shade. Clumps may be easily divided in spring or early autumn. Remove any all-green portions of the plants as soon as noticed, since these are more vigorous and will eventually take over the entire clump. Evergreen.

Ribes sanguineum 'King Edward VII

Spectacular Spring blooming native flowering currant 'King Edward VII' bursts into a mass of 4" pendulous clusters described as "electric neon deep fuchsia". Bushy and more compact than the common varieties – to a maximum of 6' x 4', February to May bloom is followed by persistent deep blue berries. Long-lived and deer resistant, Ribes tolerates clay and drought but is best with an annual side-dress of compost and some Summer water. Prune back by 1/3 immediately after flowering to maintain a nice habit. Hummingbird magnet!

Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis 'Yankee Point' (Californian Lilac)

Californian Lilac 'Yankee Point', Ceanothus 'Yankee Point', Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Yankee Point'

Fast-growing and durable, Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis 'Yankee Point' (Californian Lilac) is a low-growing, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant clusters of fluffy China-blue flowers in spring to early summer. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the shrub, transforming the plant in an explosion of blue. The blooms are borne on horizontal arching branches clad with shining dark green leaves, 2 in. long (5 cm). Attractive to birds and butterflies, 'Yankee Point' is regarded as one of the best low-growing Ceanothus for use as a large-scale groundcover. It is also useful on banks and slopes or in the foreground in mixed borders. It is the most commonly grown selection in California gardens.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 8-10 ft. wide (240-300 cm).
• Thrives in fertile, sandy or loamy, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Established plants need little summer water. Drought tolerant.
• Excellent choice as a groundcover, for wall-side borders, bank stabilization or in butterfly gardens.
• Prune immediately after flowering.
• Propagate by root semi-ripe cuttings in mid to late summer and hardwood cuttings from late fall to midwinter.

Keep an eye out for scale insects, honey fungus

Aster subspicatus

This perennial grows in a cluster of erect leafy stems from creeping rhizomes. The leaves are toothed oblong to narrowly elliptic and reach lengths of 4 in (10 cm) near the bottom of the plant and smaller near the top. The rather lanky stems are either covered in short hairs or smooth and topped with bluish-purple flowers resembling miniature daisies, blooming mid-summer to mid-fall. Flowers create an abundance of feathery seeds, dispersed by wind, and will self-seed freely once established.

Ecology: typically a coastal species found in moist lowland habitats such as streambanks, seashores, salt and fresh marshes, ditches, meadows, and clearings at low elevations.