Heuchera 'Green Spice'

Heuchera, commonly called coral bells or alumroot, is a genus consisting of about 55 species of evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennials which are all native to North America. Plants grow in a variety of different habitats including woodland areas, Appalachian seeps, prairies, rocky cliffs, and alpine slopes. Plants range in size from dwarf alpine plants with flower spikes rising to only 5” tall to much larger woodland plants with flower spikes towering 36” tall. Species plants are primarily native to the West, particularly in the Rocky Mountains, with a few species extending into northern Mexico. However, some important species are native to woodland areas in the East and Southeast.

• This clump-forming perennial forms basal mounds, up to 9 in. tall (22 cm) with a spread of 16 in. (40 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 often ignored by deer.
• A spectacular addition to beds, borders, rock gardens, and woodland gardens and is ideal as a groundcover, edger along paths, or in containers. Fabulous when planted in groups!
• Divide clumps in spring every 3-4 years.

Rubus parviflorus

Rubus parviflorus (Thimbleberry) is a beautiful, thicket-forming, deciduous shrub adorned with a dense foliage of velvety, maple-like, green leaves. From late spring to mid-summer, fragrant white flowers, 2 in. (5 cm), appear in showy clusters. They are followed by vibrant scarlet berries which mature in mid to late summer and compliment the lush foliage. The stems are thornless, making fruit harvest easier. Fruits may be eaten directly off the shrub or used to make flavorful jams and jellies. They are also valuable seasonal food for birds and mammals. The leaves turn brilliant orange to maroon shades in fall. While self-fertile, Thimbleberry will produce more berries if several shrubs are present. Native to western and northern North America, Thimbleberry is found in a range of habitats but prefers moist and open sites. It is found in shrublands, riparian zones, and deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests. It is most commonly found in riparian areas and along forest margins and is abundant in disturbed areas.

• Grows up to 4-8 ft. tall and wide (120-240 cm).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in organically rich, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soils. Can tolerate brief seasonal flooding.
• Perfect for informal hedges, bird and wildlife gardens, and erosion control on banks and slopes.
• Flowers and fruits are produced on two-year-old canes (previous season's growth). Remove canes that have fruited immediately after the fruit is harvested, leaving the new non-fruiting canes to overwinter. Remove any non-fruiting canes that are crowded, spindly, or diseased. In late winter, remove any damaged canes and thin the remaining canes as needed, leaving only healthy, well-spaced canes.
• Watch out for leaf spots, anthracnose, botrytis, powdery mildew, spur blight, root rots, cane borers, and crown bores. Aphids can be troublesome.
• Propagate by dormant rhizome segments, stem cuttings, or seeds.
• Native to western and northern North America.
• Introduced in Europe and Australia, this species has become naturalized and invasive in some cases (Czechia, Latvia, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom). It is also listed as an invasive plant in Canada (British Columbia).

Nepeta x faassenii 'Dropmore Blue'

Dropmore Blue Catmint has masses of beautiful spikes of lightly-scented royal blue flowers with lavender overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its small fragrant pointy leaves remain grayish-green in color throughout the season.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Buxus microphylla

Japanese boxwood is a fine-textured, loose, and rounded evergreen shrub in the Buxaceae (boxwood) family that grows to 6.5 feet tall. Native to Japan, Buxus is the Latin name for boxwood or box tree. The common name of boxwood refers to the wood used to make carved decorative boxes. Another etymology is that boxwood describes the square stems of its young plants.  

This boxwood prefers moist, cool soils, so mulch heavily around the roots. Plant it in well-drained soil with a slight acidity to slight alkalinity and dappled to partial shade. It can be grown in full shade but will become leggy and sparsely foliated. Full sun may cause foliage to turn a reddish color. This is a slow-growing shrub and is sensitive to over-fertilization. New growth may be injured by frost. Once established, it is very drought tolerant. It is also deer, rabbit, and nematode resistant. Propagate by stem cutting; the plant also will self-seed in optimum growing conditions.  

Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' (Stonecrop)

Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' (Stonecrop) is a low-growing, mat-forming, evergreen perennial with a brilliant golden-yellow foliage of needle-like leaves, which turns copper-orange in winter. Sitting atop 8 in. (20 cm) upright stems, clusters of small, yellow, starry flowers appear in midsummer. Vigorous, Angelina' spreads quickly and can be used to create rivers of color in flower beds or as a cheerful groundcover. It is also wonderful spilling over rock walls and cascading from containers. Terrific for sunny areas with poor dry soil.

• Grows with a spreading and sprawling habit up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
• Best grown in full sun or partial shade, in poor to moderately fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Too much shade will turn the bright yellow foliage lime green. Water occasionally once established. Protect from excessive winter wetness.
• Perfect for rock gardens, containers, as a groundcover , or edging plants.
• Virtually disease and pest free.
• Low maintenance, this Sedum forgives neglect!
• Propagate by softwood cuttings

Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound'

Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound' (Japanese Spirea) is a compact, spreading deciduous shrub with golden yellow ovate leaves in spring, fading to greenish-yellow as the summer progresses. The foliage turns lovely shades of orange, red and yellow in the fall. In late spring, flat sprays of small pink flowers are on display. Perfect for contrasting and brightening the landscape, this spirea cultivar is a wonderful ball of fire for borders and containers. Great as a low hedge too!

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade as well as a wide range of soil conditions.
• Perfect choice for borders, foundation plantings, cottage gardens, city gardens, rock gardens, or containers.
• Attracts butterflies but is ignored by deer.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed. If overgrown can be renovated by cutting back hard immediately after flowering.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or by division in autumn or spring.
• Spiraea japonica species is native to Japan. It can be an aggressive self-seeder and spread in the garden by suckering.