Leymus arenarius (Blue Lyme Grass)

Leymus arenarius (Blue Lyme Grass) is a vigorous, semi-evergreen grass that grows in densely tufted, spreading clumps of gracefully arching, broad and flat, steel-blue leaves. In summer, it produces sturdy, upright, narrow, blue-gray flower spikes that turn light beige. Spreading aggressively by rhizomes, this grass needs to be used in very specific situations as it is an aggressive grass. Perfect for erosion control or as a ground cover in a wide sunny area, Blue Lyme Grass makes a good container plant where its invasiveness can be contained.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft tall (60-90 cm).
• This grass tolerates a wide range of soils from wet to dry and full sun to partial shade. Tends to be less invasive in dry, clay soils.
• Salt, drought tolerant and deer or rabbit resistant, this cool season grass provides all-year-around interest thanks to its evergreen foliage in mild winter areas.
• Cut back foliage in fall. Divide from mid-spring to early fall
• Native to Northern Europe

Sagina subulata

Sagina subulata (Irish Moss) is a prostrate herbaceous evergreen perennial forming a dense, compact mat of ground-hugging, emerald-green foliage. Tufts of narrow, awl-shaped leaves cover the thin, creeping stems. Tiny star-shaped flowers held above the foliage on thin stalks appear sporadically throughout the growing season. They give way to small, smooth, brown, triangular seeds in oblong capsules. Use Irish Moss where a very low, fine-textured carpet of green is desired, such as around stepping stones, between flagstones, or at the edges of a path as they tolerate light foot traffic. This plant can be used as a lawn grass substitute.

• Grows only 1-2 in. tall (2-5 cm) and will spread indefinitely. Will readily self-sow where happy, but is easy to remove if undesired.
• Best in full sun or part shade, in evenly moist, well-drained soils.
• Fertilize sparingly to keep the plant compact. High nitrogen levels can induce excessive growth so the plants become mounded rather than forming a carpet.
• Great choice for rock gardens, containers, or as groundcover.
• Generally pest and disease free. Keep an eye out for slugs. Susceptible to browning out with insufficient or excessive water.
• Mow plantings before the flowers fade to reduce self-sowing.
• Propagate from seed or division. Seeds will take 2-3 weeks to germinate.
• Native of western and central Europe.

Solidago lepida

Solidago lepida, the western Canada goldenrod or western goldenrod, is a North American plant species in the genus Solidago of the family Asteraceae. It is widespread across much of Canada, the western United States, and northern Mexico.

Solidago lepida is a perennial herb up to 150 cm (5 feet) tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes. Leaves have coarse teeth and are on the stem rather than at the base. One plant can sometimes produce as many as 800 small flower heads, each with 7-22 ray florets surrounding 2-13 disc florets.

• Solidago lepida subsp. fallax (Fernald) Semple - Labrador, Newfoundland, Québec, New Brunswick
• Solidago lepida var. lepida - from Alaska east to Northwest Territories and south to California, Arizona, New Mexico, Chihuahua
• Solidago lepida var. salebrosa (Piper) Semple - Rocky Mountains from Alberta + British Columbia south to New Mexico, Arizona and Baja California

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

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.

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' (Black-Eyed Susan)

Black-Eyed Susan 'Goldsturm', Coneflower 'Goldsturm', Echinacea 'Yellow Storm', Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii 'Goldsturm', Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'

Proven to be a workhorse in the garden, award-winning Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' is a highly popular choice. This perennial plant is long-lived and reliably produces masses of rich golden yellow, 3-4 in. flowers (7-10 cm) from midsummer through early fall, no matter what the weather is like. Each flower has many ray-like petals surrounding a dark brown cone in the center, providing fantastic warm color in the late summer garden.

• Its noteworthy qualities earned it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (1993) and the 1999 Perennial of the Year Award.
• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). Often tends to form colonies in the wild.
• Thrives in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Best flower production occurs in full sun, although this plant will tolerate some light shade.
• Spectacular when massed in drifts, this is an excellent choice for perennial borders, cottage gardens or for naturalizing meadows.
• Extremely easy to grow, Rudbeckia plays well with other hot colored perennials or with the cool blues and purples of geraniums and asters.
• Robust, low maintenance and highly disease resistant, it is also drought tolerant.
• Attractive to butterflies, it is deer and rabbit resistant.
• Remove spent flowers to promote further blooms and maintain a neat appearance.