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.  

Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba'

Camassia is a small American genus of bulbous plants that produce long, straight stems bearing dozens of small, star-shaped flowers in varying shades of blue, cream, and white. Unlike most bulbs, Camassias are quite tolerant of winter wet and will prosper in damp sites where Tulips and Lilies will not survive. Camassias flower in late spring -- a crucial time for the garden -- most Daffodils are gone, but the full glory of June perennials still lies ahead. The leaves of Camassias turn yellow and disappear in summer, making room for annuals and other plants that will gladly fill in for the rest of the season

• rowing up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
• Easily grown in full sun to part shade in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Prefers full sun. Needs regular moisture during the growing season, but will tolerate drier conditions after bloom as the plants head for summer dormancy. Intolerant of waterlogging and may need some protection from frost in cold areas
• Ignored by deer and rodents. Clay soil, dry soil, and wet soil tolerant.
• Generally pest and disease free
• Stunning in beds and borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower meadows. Spectacular in large sweeping drifts. For the best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 10 to 15 bulbs). Excellent as cut flowers.
• Mixes beautifully with other late spring flowering bulbs and creates stunning combinations with pink or white Delphiniums, Peonies, or Irises.
• To be planted in the fall, 4-6 in. deep (10-15 cm) and 6 in. apart (15 cm).

Myrica gale

Myrica gale is a species of flowering plant in the family Myricaceae, native to parts of Japan, North Korea, Russia, mainland Europe, the British Isles, and parts of northern North America, Canada, and the United States. Common names include bog-myrtle, sweet willow, Dutch myrtle, and sweet gale. Myrica gale is a deciduous shrub growing to 1–2 meters tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, simple, 2–5 centimeters long, oblanceolate with a tapered base and broader tip, and a crinkled or finely toothed margin. The flowers are catkins, with male and female catkins on separate plants (dioecious). The fruit is a small drupe.

Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom)

Mexican Orange Blossom, Mexican Orange Flower, Mexican Orange, Choisya Grandiflora

Fabulously fragrant, Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom) is a very handsome, rounded, evergreen, dense shrub with aromatic, glossy, medium green leaves composed of 3 leaflets. A profusion of fragrant, star-shaped, pure white flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and often intermittently throughout the summer and/or in the fall. Rich in nectar, they are greatly appreciated by bees and butterflies. Both flowers and leaves have the divine fragrance of orange blossoms. Native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

• Awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows in a rounded medium-sized, shrub up to 4-8 ft. high (120-240 cm) and wide.
• Easily grown in fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Provide a sheltered location, protected from cold winter winds.
• Drought tolerant and rabbit resistant
• Great for wall-side borders, shrub borders, hedges, city gardens or even containers (in areas north of USDA zone 7, the plant will be brought indoors in winter)
• Virtually disease free, this plant may be affected by glasshouse red spider mite or by snails
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
• Prune stems immediately after flowering to encourage an additional rebloom

Heuchera micrantha

Heuchera micrantha (Crevice Alumroot) is a compact, mound-forming perennial boasting decorative evergreen rosettes of round, scalloped, reddish leaves. In late spring to midsummer, panicles of small, bell-shaped, creamy-white flowers bloom on slender, dark red stems rising to 24 in. (60 cm), well above the foliage. A great addition to the rock garden, perennial border, as edging along paths or in containers.

• Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 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 hummingbirds and often ignored by deer.
• A spectacular addition to beds and borders, rock gardens, and woodland gardens and is ideal as a groundcover, edger along paths, or in containers. Fabulous when planted in groups!
• Propagate by seed (no treatment) or cuttings (lateral rosettes).
• Remove stems of faded flowers to promote additional bloom. Apply winter mulch after the ground freezes to help prevent root heaving.

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.