Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (American Arborvitae)

Smaragd Arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis EMERALD, Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green', Thuja occidentalis 'Emeraude', White Cedar 'Smaragd', Northern White Cedar 'Smaragd', Swamp Cedar 'Smaragd'

Prized for its emerald green color, award-winning Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' or 'Emerald Green' (American Arborvitae) is a semi-dwarf, evergreen shrub of compact, narrow, upright habit with erect sprays of glossy, bright green foliage. Slow-growing, about 12 in. per year (30 cm), it maintains its lovely color year-round and does not turn bronze in winter. Forming a majestic exclamation point in the landscape, it is reliable and cold weather resistant and represents a valuable, hardy alternative to cypress. A highly popular plant for use in hedgerows and borders.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Slow growing, this American arborvitae can reach 12-14 ft. tall (360-420 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm) in 15-20 years.
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Usually appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Bear in mind that foliage density loosens up in too much shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Thrives in humid weather with regular rain falls. Intolerant of dry conditions. Protect from drying winds especially when young.
• Perfect as specimen plant or for shrub borders, hedges and screens, as foundation plants. Suitable to rock gardens. Performs well in wet areas of the garden and near swamps and bogs. Attractive in containers too!
• No serious insect or disease problems. May be affected by spider mites, bagworms or coryneum canker.
• Low maintenance, American arborvitae tolerates shearing well for a more tailored column. Prune in early spring before onset of new growth. Provide a generous root zone mulch
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
• Native to Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, Canada

Arborvitae is one of the most versatile, easy-to-grow evergreens suited to cold northern landscapes. Perfect as specimen plants, hedges, foundation plantings and windbreaks, these attractive shrubs require hardly any maintenance while contributing beautifully to our landscapes.

Hemerocallis 'Gentle Shepherd'

Hemerocallis 'Gentle Shepherd' (Daylily) is a compact, semi-evergreen perennial boasting a profusion of large, lightly ruffled, ivory flowers, 5 in. across (13 cm), adorned with a yellow-green throat. Blooming from early to mid-summer, the attractive blossoms are held neatly above its compact mound of arching, linear leaves. Each flower typically lasts no more than 24 hours (thus the common name 'Daylily'). This early midseason diploid daylily brings an elegant presence to the garden.

• Award of Merit in 1987 and Honorable Mention in 1984.
• Grows up to 30 in. tall (75 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
• Thrives in full sun to part sun in average, moist, but well-drained soils. While it performs well in a wide range of soils, fertile loam is preferred. Tolerates heat and summer humidity, but thorough watering is required to ensure its foliage remains attractive.
• An ideal choice for beds and borders, cottage gardens, and city gardens.
• Often called the 'perfect perennial' because of its numerous qualities: showy flowers, drought tolerance, heat stress immunity, ability to grow in most hardiness zones, and low care requirements, this Daylily is a remarkable and stunning addition to the garden.
• Daylilies attract butterflies and hummingbirds but are toxic to cats. Rabbits tend to avoid daylilies.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for mites, aphids, thrips, or daylily rust.
• The best time to plant Daylilies is in early fall or early spring.

Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Sheen

Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Sheen' (Japanese Spurge) is a shrubby, evergreen ground cover with extraordinarily shiny, slightly curled, oval leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm). Growing via underground runners to form a dense carpet of rich foliage, 'Green Sheen' is a less aggressive spreader than species plants. Tiny white flower spikes appear in mid to late spring, but the real added value of this plant is its attractive foliage. Exceptional performance in deep shade or underneath mature shade trees where grass doesn't grow. 'Green Sheen' is more tolerant of hot climates.

•  part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy about soils and tolerates a wide range of conditions. Soils shouldn't be allowed to dry out. Clay soil, dry , soil and drought tolerant! Highly tolerant of urban pollution too.
• Perfect for the shade gardens as a ground cover or underplanting shrubs. Great for banks and slopes, erosion control, and woodland gardens.
• A hardy, low-maintenance and forgiving perennial, it is also deer and rabbit resistant. 
• Virtually pest-free and disease free. May be attacked by slugs and snails.

Prunus Laurocerasus zabeliana

zabeliana has narrow, dark green, willow-like leaves, is similar to ‘Shipkaensis’, and is very free flowering. It reaches 3 to 5 feet in height with a 12-foot spread. Occasionally spreads to 25 feet. Can be used as a deep shade ground cover. Prunus laurocerasus is a large, spreading evergreen shrub with large, glossy, dark green leaves and a hardy constitution. The leaves are evergreen, simple, alternate, and 2 to 6 inches long. The green-to-brown stems emit the typical cherry odor when bruised. The species can grow to 18 feet in height under ideal conditions and can spread to 25 feet. Generally, it is kept more modest under cultivation; various cultivars have been developed. The leaves keep their color throughout the summer, but they can lose some of their luster in cold climates. The flowers are tiny, white, and intensely fragrant, appearing in mid-spring. The fruits are inconspicuous, hidden amongst the foliage, borne in the summer. Often used as a hedging plant.

poa macrantha

Poa macrantha is a perennial grass growing in loose clumps with stems up to 60 centimeters in maximum height. The grass grows from a network of very long, stout rhizomes and stolons which may be up to 4 meters in length, anchoring the grass in its shifting sandy substrate. The inflorescence is a dense series of clustered spikelets that are flattened and longer than wide. The plant is dioecious with male and female individuals bearing different types of flowers; the two flower types are similar in appearance.

Rhododendron' PJM ELITE'

PJM rhododendrons are a group of hybrid, broadleaf evergreen shrubs in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family that were developed by Peter J. Mezitt and his son in the 1930s to be exceptionally winter hardy. The genus name derives from the Greek words rhodo, which means rose, and dendron, meaning tree.

Growing 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, these rhododendrons prefer partial shade and protection from strong winds. They grow well in moist, acidic soils but do not like wet feet. If you have clay soil, amend it with organic material and plant the root ball high in the soil to help with drainage issues. Avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing. Pruning, if desired, may be done after flowering.  This plant is resistant to browsing by rabbits.

As with all members of the genus, PJM rhododendrons are perfect as mass plantings in woodland or natural areas and specimens in pollinator gardens. Their green foliage acquires purple tones in winter, making them a wonderful addition to a winter garden. They also make a great informal hedge plant.