Persicaria bistorta 'Superba'

Persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’ is a fantastic choice for the mixed ornamental border, where you can plant it and leave it with minimum fuss. It bears spikes of soft pink flowers over clumps of rich green leaves. Quick to spread, it’s ideal for use as ground cover in sun or partial shade, and its blooms are loved by bees. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

A vigorous, clump-forming herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial to 95cm, with strongly veined, finely pointed ovate leaves and dense spikes of small, fat, long-flowering soft grey-pink flowers in summer through to autumn. Tends to spread more easily in sunny locations, less so in dry shade. Good for waterside, smaller gardens, and at the front of a flower border

• Spreads slowly by rhizomes and easily grows in clumps, up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-24 in. across (45-60 cm). Foliage consists of large, 8 in. long (20 cm), lance-shaped, dark green leaves with a white midrib which turns an attractive red in fall.
• Full sun to part shade lover, it is best grown in average, moist to wet soils. While drought is tolerant, this plant prefers moist, fertile soils that do not dry out (flowering might decrease in drier soils).
• Virtually pest-free and low maintenance, Bistort attracts birds and butterflies, but deer and rabbits will ignore it!

Polypodium glycyrrhiza

Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Licorice Fern) is a semi-evergreen fern forming attractive mats of gracefully arching, triangular, dark green fronds, 10-12 in. long (25-30 cm). The leaves are only once pinnately divided, each leaflet with pointed tips and finely scalloped or toothed margins. Spores are located in round brownish sori on the undersides of the fronds, and are released in cool weather and high humidity. The fronds arise from a licorice-flavored reddish rhizome which was chewed for flavor by many Native Americans. The rhizome was also used as a remedy against colds, coughs, and sore throats. Licorice Fern is commonly found as an epiphyte on winter deciduous trees, although it does also grow on logs, rocks, and the ground as a spreading ground cover. Remaining lush and fresh-looking from fall to spring, Licorice Fern is a summer deciduous fern and dies back to the ground in the dry season. In areas with cool and moist summers and warm and wet winters, it may stay evergreen. Licorice Fern spreads slowly by creeping rhizomes to form a lovely colony. Undemanding, adding charm and personality to gardens, it is often used in moist rock gardens. Perfect for the woodland garden or shady beds.

• Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm).
• A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide variety of soils as long as adequate moisture is present. Will grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in the first season and mulch well. This summer dormant fern does not need summer watering.
• This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, rock gardens , or woodland gardens.
• Virtually pest and disease free. Rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
• Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
• Propagate by spores or by division in spring or early summer.
• Native to western North America.

Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom)

Mexican Orange Blossom, Mexican Orange Flower, Mexican Orange, Choisya Grandiflora

Fabulously fragrant, Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom) is a very handsome, rounded, evergreen, dense shrub with aromatic, glossy, medium green leaves composed of 3 leaflets. A profusion of fragrant, star-shaped, pure white flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and often intermittently throughout the summer and/or in the fall. Rich in nectar, they are greatly appreciated by bees and butterflies. Both flowers and leaves have the divine fragrance of orange blossoms. Native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

• Awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows in a rounded medium-sized, shrub up to 4-8 ft. high (120-240 cm) and wide.
• Easily grown in fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Provide a sheltered location, protected from cold winter winds.
• Drought tolerant and rabbit resistant
• Great for wall-side borders, shrub borders, hedges, city gardens or even containers (in areas north of USDA zone 7, the plant will be brought indoors in winter)
• Virtually disease free, this plant may be affected by glasshouse red spider mite or by snails
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
• Prune stems immediately after flowering to encourage an additional rebloom

Azalea Gumpo Pink

Gumpo Pink Azalea will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It requires evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth but will die in standing water. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.

Carex amphibola

Carex amphibole, known as gray sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae. It was first formally named in 1855. Carex amphibole is native to the eastern United States and Canada.

Carex amphibole is commonly confused with Carex grisea, which has somewhat greener perigynia with more rounded tips, versus the gray-green coloring and angular tips of C. amphibole perigynia. The perigynia of C. amphibole are somewhat more clustered and spreading at maturity, while those of C. grisea are strongly ascending.

Carex amphibole grows in mesic deciduous forests, often in loamy areas near streams.

Heuchera micrantha

Heuchera micrantha (Crevice Alumroot) is a compact, mound-forming perennial boasting decorative evergreen rosettes of round, scalloped, reddish leaves. In late spring to midsummer, panicles of small, bell-shaped, creamy-white flowers bloom on slender, dark red stems rising to 24 in. (60 cm), well above the foliage. A great addition to the rock garden, perennial border, as edging along paths or in containers.

• Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). This sturdy performer is not only easy to grow, but also requires little maintenance and is pest and disease free!
• Performs best in part shade, in rich, humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils. If grown in full sun, make sure the soil remains consistently moist or the foliage might decline. Thrives in dry shade, once established.
• It is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds and often ignored by deer.
• A spectacular addition to beds and borders, rock gardens, and woodland gardens and is ideal as a groundcover, edger along paths, or in containers. Fabulous when planted in groups!
• Propagate by seed (no treatment) or cuttings (lateral rosettes).
• Remove stems of faded flowers to promote additional bloom. Apply winter mulch after the ground freezes to help prevent root heaving.