Sedum 'Herbstfreude' ('Autumn Joy')

Stonecrop 'Herbstfreude', Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Hylotelephium spectabile 'Indian Chief', Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy', Sedum spectabile 'Herbstfreude', Sedum spectabile 'Indian Chief', Sedum 'Indian Chief'

Award-winner Sedum 'Herbstfreude' or 'Autumn Joy' in English is probably one of the best of all border sedums. Vigorous, hardy, carefree, good-looking, with a season of interest lasting more than 6 months from early summer until well into winter, who could resist?

• Twice granted the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society 
• Easy to grow, this standout perennial forms a 2 feet tall and wide (60 cm) clump of thick, fleshy blue-green foliage topped with flower buds resembling broccoli. Gradually, these densely clustered buds will reveal tiny, star-like soft raspberry pink flowers in mid to late summer, which will softly change to rich rose and then coppery-rust in the fall as they die.
• Both foliage and dead inflorescences will remain attractive through winter, providing some additional interest.
• Provides color and contrast to beds, borders or rock garden at a time when most plants have stopped blooming. Effective when planted  masse or in groups.
• Best grown in full sun, in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates very light shade and poor soils.
• Flowers are attractive to bees, hummingbirds and butterflies and excellent as cut flowers.
• Drought and heat tolerant once established, it is disease resistant!
• Deer resistant
• Low maintenance, this Sedum forgives neglect!

Members of the genus Hylotelephium, border sedums are essential beauties for the late season garden and deserve a spot in gravel gardens. Undemanding, not aggressive, with fleshy, drought resistant foliage and lovely domed flowerheads packed with a profusion of tiny starry flowers, opening to white, pink or red blossoms in late summer or early fall, they are a popular attraction to butterflies. They look particularly attractive with Asters, Solidago (Ornamental Golden rods), Boltonias and Ornamental Grasses. Standing for months, their faded flowers and seed heads provide a colorful display in late fall and winter, even under snow caps. There are hundreds of Hylotelephium cultivars and hybrids to pick from. Which one will be yours?

Carex morrowii

 Carex morrowii 'Variegata' is a semi-evergreen Japanese Sedge forming a low, slow-spreading tufted mound of narrow, arching, glossy, deep green leaves adorned with fine creamy-white edges. In mid to late spring it bears inconspicuous brown flower spikes on long stems. Attractive both in shape and foliage, this highly decorative grass is evergreen in USDA Zones 8-9. Easy care, it is one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses for the garden, where it provides a lovely contrast with other plants, mulch, or gravel.

• Forms a densely tufted, spilling tussock of slender, iridescent foliage that shimmers in slight breezes. It mixes beautifully with almost any flowering bulbs or perennial plants to create spectacular and elegant mobile combinations.
• Grows easily about 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
• Enjoys full sun to shade and thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soils. The best foliage color is obtained in the part shade rather than in sun. Foliage may bleach if grown in full sun. Do not let the soil dry out.
• This is a graceful accent plant for beds, borders, rock gardens, city or cottage gardens, and as ground cover. Excellent choice to brighten shady areas. Does well in containers too where it adds wonderful character and texture to your plant combinations.
• Deer tolerant, it requires very little care and provides almost year-round interest.
• Generally disease and pest free.
• Where not evergreen, foliage should be cut to the ground and removed in late winter.
• Propagate by plant division in spring or seeding in the fall.

Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly)

Ilex crenata, commonly known as Japanese holly or box-leaved holly, is a dense, multi-branched, evergreen shrub with a rounded form that typically matures to 5-10’ tall and as wide. It is native to forests, thickets, and mountain slopes in Japan, Korea, China, and eastern Russia (Sakhalin). It is noted for its ovate to elliptic, crenate to serrulate, glossy, spineless, evergreen, deep green leaves (to 1 1/4" long) which are attractive all year, 4 petaled white flowers which bloom in 3-7 flowered cymes in late spring (May-June), and black rounded somewhat inconspicuous fruits (drupes to 1/4” diameter) which mature in fall on pollinated female plants.

• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy and tolerates a wide variety of soils. However, it prefers moist, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Some drought tolerance once established.
• Perfect for hedges and screens, foundation plantings, city gardens, or cottage gardens.
• Prune immediately after flowering.
• May be affected by aphids, scale insects, holly leaf miner, or holly leaf blight. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings.

Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' (Shrubby Cinquefoil)

Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Abbotswood', Cinquefoil 'Abbotswood', Potentilla dahurica 'Abbotswood', Potentilla davurica 'Abbotswood'

Award-winning Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' (Shrubby Cinquefoil) is a bushy deciduous shrub of upright habit boasting masses of large, pure white 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, dark 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 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. Regarded as one of the best white flowering cultivars.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, medium moisture, 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.

Hebe buxifolia 'Patty's Purple'

Hebe buxifolia 'Patty's Purple' is a compact, rounded evergreen shrub forming a mound of very small, deep green leaves. Resembling boxwood, the foliage densely covers the striking wine-red stems. In summer, pretty spikes of lavender-purple flowers appear at the tips of the branches. They fade to white as they mature, creating a bicolor effect. Fast-growing, Hebe buxifolia 'Patty's Purple' is a great choice as a specimen plant, a low hedge, or a mixed border. Great in a seaside environment.

• Typically grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
• Thrives in full sun or part shade in any well-drained soils.
• Very versatile, this plant is perfect for banks and slopes, beds and borders, or containers. Well suited to city gardens, coastal gardens, or cottage gardens.
• Rarely affected by pests or diseases, it requires little maintenance. Keep an eye out for aphids and downy mildew.
• Needs little pruning.
• Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings.

Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'

Gulf Stream nandina is a dwarf almost fruitless cultivar in the Berberidaceae (barberry) family.  With an attractive compact habit and bright colorful leaves, it makes an excellent addition to a walkway planting, a low hedge, a courtyard or planted as a specimen or in small groupings in a cottage garden.  

It is drought tolerant and may develop suckers.  Cold can damage this plant, but it typically does well in southern winter.  This plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer.

• Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
• A full sun to light shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Best foliage and fruit production generally occur in full sun. Provide a sheltered location and apply organic winter mulch. Drought tolerant once established.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders, woodland gardens, foundation plantings. Perfect as a specimen plant or for low hedges
• Low maintenance, it is generally pest and disease free.
• Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
• Both leaves and berries are toxic to livestock, other domestic animals and wildlife.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Nandina domestica species is native to Japan, China and India. Plant tends to be invasive in the southeastern U.S., where it has escaped cultivation.