Taxus × media 'Hicksii' (Anglo-Japanese Yew)

Anglo-Japanese Yew 'Hicksii', Hicksii Yew

Taxus × media 'Hicksii' (Anglo-Japanese Yew) is a dense, evergreen shrub of narrowly columnar habit when young, becoming wider with age, with long, erect branches clothed in glossy dark green needles. It is available in both male and female types, the female ones producing a profusion of conspicuous, coral-red seed-bearing cones. Slow-growing, 4-5 in. per year (10-12 cm), this Yew is very popular for use as a hedgerow or topiary subject.

• Grows up to 12-20 ft. tall (360-600 cm) and 8-12 ft. wide (240-360 cm).
• A full sun to partial shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates full shade as well as a wide range of soils. Urban pollution and drought tolerant.
• Perfect as a specimen plant, screens or hedges and foundation plant.
• No regular pruning necessary, but can be trimmed and shaped when required.
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or grafting
• Most parts, especially the seeds, are highly toxic by ingestion. The taxine alkaloids contained in yew berries, needles or bark are poisonous.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.

Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea Nana'

Atropurpurea Nana' is a dwarf, dense, deciduous cultivar that grows only to 1.5'-2' tall. One of the most popular of the many barberries in cultivation. Reddish to purplish leaves are of variable sizes (.50" to 1.25" long). Many branched, reddish-brown stems have sharp thorns. Tiny, yellowish flowers appear in late April to early May, but are often hidden by the foliage and are not considered showy. Bright red berries form in fall and often last through the winter. The berries are attractive to birds

Berberis thunbergii, commonly called Japanese barberry, is a spiny, broad-rounded, deciduous shrub with obovate green leaves. It typically matures to 5' tall and as wide. Leaves (variably sized to 1 1/4” long) typically turn attractive shades of orange, yellow and red in fall.

Amelanchier alnifolia (Serviceberry)

Serviceberry, Alder-Leaved Serviceberry, Saskatoon Serviceberry, Western Serviceberry, Juneberry

Domesticated for fruit production, Amelanchier alnifolia (Serviceberry) is a deciduous, upright, suckering shrub with four seasons of interest. In mid spring, compact clusters of fragrant, white flowers emerge just before the leaves. Attractive to pollinators, they are followed by small, sweet, blue berries in early summer. They make great jellies or jams and are appreciated by both birds and humans. The foliage of small, light-green, sharply and coarsely toothed, oval leaves, turns to brilliant shades of orange and red in the fall. The plant remains attractive even after the leaves drop, thanks to its elegant growth habit and its light gray bark adorned with charcoal-gray striations. Serviceberry is attractive as an ornamental shrub or may be trimmed as a pretty hedge.

• Grows slowly up to 10-15 ft. tall and wide (300-450 cm)
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Best berry production and fall color occur in full sun. Tolerant of harsh, dry, or alkaline conditions once established. Drought tolerant.
• Low maintenance, this plant is also generally pest and disease free but watch for occasional rust, leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew and canker.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders. Perfect as a specimen plant, hedges and screens, or for foundation plantings. Makes an excellent windbreak when planted fairly close together so the branches can intertwine to form a living fence. Can be used for erosion control.
• Can be started from seed or vegetative cuttings.
• Native to western Canada and mountainous parts of western U.S.

Erica carnea 'December Red' (Winter Heath)

Winter Heath 'December Red', Heather 'December Red', Snow Heath 'December Red', Spring Heath 'December Red', Alpine Heath 'December Red'

One of the earliest Erica carnea (Winter Heath) to bloom, 'December Red' exhibits masses of narrow, urn-shaped flowers that open pink and deepen light purple over the season. Blooming heavily for weeks from early to late winter (Dec-Feb), they beautifully smother the needle-like, mid green foliage. Great at providing winter color, this vigorous, low-growing, evergreen shrub creates an excellent groundcover for sunny locations while requiring little care.

• Grows in an attractive mound, up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 18 in. across (45 cm). Spreading along the ground by procumbent stems, this perennial will form a dense groundcover over time.
• Performs best in full sun in sandy, acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Part shade is welcomed in hot summer areas. Newly planted Heath can dry out quickly once planted so it is important to water regularly and thoroughly when the plant is young.
• Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to rock gardens, groundcover, slopes, coastal gardens, cottage gardens or containers. Plant in groups for best visual impact.
• Produces nectar that attracts bees on mild winter days, but is ignored by deer!
• Virtually disease and pest free but watch for powdery mildew, root rot, rust and wilt.
• Plants may be sheared lightly after flowers fade, but not any later as flower buds are formed during the summer. Annual light shearing promotes a bushier plant.

One of the hardiest of Heathers, Erica carnea is native to the Alps of Central Europe. It is loved for its early bloom and evergreen presence and forms bristling mats of pink, white, purple or red blooms which are at their best with the early spring bulbs such as crocus, scillas and dwarf irises.

Fragaria chiloensis (Beach Strawberry)

Beach Strawberry, Sand Strawberry, Chilean Strawberry, Coastal Strawberry

Fragaria chiloensis (Beach Strawberry) is a low-growing, spreading, evergreen perennial forming rosettes of shiny, slightly lobed, dark green leaves which take on a reddish tinge in the winter. In mid spring to early summer, it bears a profusion of small, 5-petaled white flowers, 1 in. across (2 cm), adorned with 5 shorter, pointed green sepals and yellow centers. They are followed in mid to late summer by a crop of small, edible red fruits. This plant is easy to cultivate, and it will spread to form a dense ground cover. Useful as a lawn substitute (tolerates moderate foot traffic) or for stabilizing slopes and sand dunes. Beach Strawberry is one of the parent species of the cultivated strawberries.

• Grows up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) and 24-30 in. wide (60-75 cm). This plant spreads by runners to form large colonies over time.
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in well-drained soils. Some drought tolerance.
• Great as a ground cover. Excellent on slopes (erosion control).
• Strawberries are susceptible to some issues including anthracnose, leaf spots, rots, wilts, powdery mildew and blights. Insect visitors include spider mites and aphids. Leaf scorch may occur in hot summer climates.
• Mow or trim plants hard in early spring.
• Propagation: remove and transplant runners.
• Native to the Pacific Coast from Alaska to California and the beaches and inland areas of coastal Chilea.