Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Vaccinium Vitis-idea, commonly called lingonberry, is a short, mat-forming, evergreen shrub native to boreal pine forests, rocky barrens, bog edges, heaths, arctic tundra, and mountain slopes in the northern reaches of Europe, Asia, and North America. Mature plants will reach up to 1' tall and spread by underground rhizomes to form colonies 3' wide or more. The glossy, dark green, oval leaves are held on thin, wiry stems and can reach around 0.5" long and 0.25" wide. Loose, terminal clusters of 3-10 small, nodding, white to pink blushed, urn-shaped flowers bloom in spring and are followed by small, bright red, round, tart berries. The berries are eaten by birds including grouse, ravens, and migrating songbirds as well as mammals including voles, chipmunks, foxes, and black bears. The foliage is an important winter food source for moose, caribou, and hares.

Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' (Wintercreeper)

The Celastraceae (staff-vine or bittersweet) are a family of 97 genera and 1,350 species of herbs, vines, shrubs, and small trees, belonging to the order Celastrales. The great majority of the genera are tropical, with only Celastrus (the staff vines), Euonymus (the spindles), and Maytenus widespread in temperate climates, and Parnassia (bog-stars) found in alpine and arctic climates.

Of the 97 currently recognized genera of the family Celastraceae, 19 are native to Madagascar and these include at least 57 currently recognized species. Six of these 19 genera (Brexiella, Evonymopsis, Hartogiopsis, Polycardia, Ptelidium, and Salvadoropsis) are endemic to Madagascar.

• A full sun to full shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Grow in full sun if your soil is moisture retentive. Tolerates a wide range of soils excluding boggy and wet soils.
• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Watch for Euonymus scale, anthracnose, crown gall, leaf spot, mildew, and aphids.
• Extremely versatile, Euonymus fortunei may be used as a trailing ground cover, a low hedge, as an edging plant along paths, massed on slopes to control erosion, or as a foundation plant. With support, it will climb vigorously and is ideally trained against a shady wall.
• All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested.

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Hakone Grass)

Hakone Grass 'Aureola', Japanese Forest Grass 'Aureola', Golden Japanese Forest Grass, Golden Hakonechloa

One of the most superb ornamental grasses, Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Hakone Grass) is a very beautiful golden variegated grass. Its foliage forms attractive mounds of gracefully arching, shiny leaves that ripple in the slightest breeze. The leaves are almost entirely variegated with gold longitudinal stripes that take chartreuse colors in the shade and turn brighter in the sun. Bringing alive any garden area, its foliage provides outstanding fall color when it changes to exquisite copper-orange shades before dying to the ground in winter. Delicate looking flowers appear in late summer, but are generally unnoticed among the leaves. 

• Grown for its handsome and eye-catching foliage, this ornamental grass is a long-lived, tough and unlike most grasses, loves moist shady conditions.
• Typically grows in dense, spreading cascading mounds, up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). 
• Won multiple awards, including Perennial Plant of the Year award (2009) and the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Easy to grow, resilient to pests and diseases, this ornamental grass requires little maintenance and is a fabulous addition to shady areas where it can grow as a superb accent plant, or an effective groundcover, along paths, around trees or in containers.
• Performs best in part shade, in consistently moist, humus rich and well-drained soils. Full shade is tolerated, specifically in hot summer climates, however the foliage might lose its color intensity.
• Cut back foliage to the ground in late winter or early spring before the new shoots appear. Provide winter mulch.
• Best divided in spring. Though this grass does spread by rhizomes, it is a slow grower and it will not be necessary to divide this grass for many years.

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.

Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus is a desirable Mondo Grass forming dense tufts of arching, strap-shaped, grass-like, dark green leaves. Racemes of small, lilac flowers emerge amid the leaves in summer before giving way to blueberry-like fruits. Reminiscent of Liriope, this popular evergreen grass is tough, durable, very compact, and perfect for adding texture to the garden. Native to China, Japan, and Korea, it is a traditional groundcover used in Japanese gardens, which is also wonderful with which to create geometric layouts in contemporary gardens. Quite pleasing to the senses as it ripples in the wind, this evergreen perennial grass is perfect for shady areas. 

• Carefree and easy to grow, this Mondo Grass grows up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 15 in. wide (37 cm) to form a weed-proof mat. The roots are tuberous and this plant spreads via stolons. With age, the clumps will merge to form a soft, dense carpet of foliage
• Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Salt and drought tolerant.
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Great for beds and borders, edging, groundcovers, underplanting shrubs, city gardens, coastal gardens, gravel gardens or Mediterranean gardens. 

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.