Gaultheria shallon (Shallon)

Oregon Wintergreen, Salal, Shallon, Shallon Bush

Native to western North America, Gaultheria shallon (Shallon) is a dense, robust, evergreen shrub with erect or spreading, intricately branched stems. They are covered with heart-shaped, nearly round, leathery, glossy green leaves that turn reddish-purple with winter cold. The evergreen foliage is so attractive that it is often used by florists in flower arrangements. In spring to mid summer, small, urn-shaped, white or light pink flowers dangle along reddish bristly stems in the upper leaf axils. They are followed by edible dark-blue berries that ripen in late summer.  The berries can be eaten fresh, cooked and dried. They are also a source of food for birds and mammals. Spreading by underground stems, Shallon will spread over time to form an attractive ground cover. Perfect for shady areas.

• Grows up to 4-10 ft. tall and wide (120-300 cm). Will spread to form thickets in the landscape.
• A part shade to full shade lover, this plant is best grown in moist or dry, acidic, well-drained soils.
• Perfect for beds and borders, banks and slopes, city gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens, containers or as a groundcover. Great shrub for shade or woodland gardens.
• Excellent resistance to pests and diseases.
• Prune immediately after flowering.
• Propagate by seed or by division of plants. Pot up with soil attached for best results.
• Native to western North America from California to British Columbia.

Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil)

Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil) is a compact, bushy deciduous shrub boasting masses of large, rich yellow flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), from late spring to the first frosts. The blossoms are so profuse that they literally smother the plant. They contrast nicely against the foliage mound of small, pinnate, blue-green leaves. Noted for its extremely long blooming season, Shrubby Cinquefoil is an incredibly tough plant, withstanding drought in the summer as well as cold temperatures in the winter. It is also one of the easiest plants to care for. A first-class shrub that is perfect for informal hedging, or for sunny borders.

• Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Shrubby Cinquefoil is not fussy about soils provided they are well-drained. Tolerates drought, salt and poor soils.
• Virtually pest and disease free, it is also deer resistant.
• Shrubby Cinquefoil is very adaptable and an excellent choice as a single specimen plant, massed in beds and borders, or as an informal hedge.
• Trim lightly after flowering, cutting out some of the oldest stems to make room for new growth.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer.
• Native to northern parts of the United States, Canada, Europe and Northern Asia.

Smilacina racemosa

A native of the Pacific Northwest, this clump-forming perennial looks great in the garden. Smilacina racemosa has a graceful architectural appearance: Its strong, slightly arching stems have deep green alternating leaves with strong parallel veins running up to the tip. Plume-like clusters of small, white flowers-make sure to enjoy their unexpected rose fragrance-crown this perennial in mid-spring. By late summer appear showy, round red berries that are sometimes spotted with purple. False Solomon's seal is drought tolerant and grows well in dry, shady locations. It is natural for the woodland garden and great in combination with rhododendrons, sword fern, Cascade Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa), hostas, and lily-of-the-valley shrubs (Pieris).

Berberis thunbergii ‘Concorde’

Barberries are a wonderful foliage plant that can provide great contrast in the garden. They tolerate full sun to part shade although foliage color is always more intense in full sun. Barberries do well alone as a focal point and also make great sheared hedges. All of the barberries have sharp thorns so be careful when moving, pruning, or weeding around them. Pruning can be done at almost any time. Although they do flower in the early spring the flowers are not very showy, I grow them mainly for their foliage. Barberries are also drought tolerant and pest resistant.

Concorde has a rounded shape with deep burgundy-purple foliage that turns slightly reddish in the fall. A clipping in early spring after blooming, similar to that you would do to a boxwood, keeps Concorde growth dense and rounded.

Euonymus japonicus 'Microphyllus Aureovariegatus' (Japanese Spindle)

Japanese Spindle 'Microphyllus Aureovariegatus', Boxleaf Euonymus 'Microphyllus Aureovariegatus', Japanese Spindletree 'Microphyllus Aureovariegatus', Euonymus japonicus 'Microphyllus Aureas Pulchellus', Euonymus japonicus 'Pulchellus Aureovariegatus'

Noted for its cheerful variegated foliage, Euonymus japonicus 'Microphyllus Aureovariegatus' (Japanese Spindle) is an upright, bushy, evergreen shrub with small, yellow-rimmed, deep-green leaves. A few tiny, inconspicuous, yellow flowers are produced in late spring and early summer, which are rarely followed by fruits. Adding four season color in the landscape, this shrub is very versatile and may be used for massing or for a spot of color in the border.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) with a spread of 1-2 ft. (30-60 cm).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils.
• Watch for Euonymus scale, vine weevil, leaf spot and powder mildew.
• Extremely versatile, Japanese may be used for beds and borders, as a groundcover, massed on banks and slopes to control erosion or as a foundation plant. Ideal for coastal plantings or as a specimen or accent. Great for containers too!
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
• All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested

Newport Dwarf Escallonia

Newport Dwarf Escallonia is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low-maintenance shrub, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting birds and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Newport Dwarf Escallonia features showy clusters of pink trumpet-shaped flowers with red overtones at the ends of the branches in early summer, which emerge from distinctive crimson flower buds. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.