Saxifraga x arendsii 'Touran Pink' (Saxifrage)

Saxifrage 'Touran Pink', Saxifraga 'Touran Pink'

Noted for its compact habit and remarkable flower power, Saxifraga x arendsii 'Touran Pink' (Saxifrage) is a low-growing, evergreen perennial producing a dense cushion of tiny, emerald green, lobed leaves. In early to late spring, a profusion of small rosy pink flowers, adorned with greenish-yellow centers, rise on fine, upright stems above the foliage and create a ravishing display. Compact, this lovely saxifrage is an impressive and reliable performer. It is perfect for the front of borders or rock gardens. A favorite for small containers too!

• Grows up to 4-8 in. tall (10-20 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm).
• Best in full sun or part shade in moist, humus-rich, gritty, well-drained soils. Intolerant of drought, heat and humidity.

Great choice for rock gardens, edging, ground cover or containers

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.

Skimmia japonica

Skimmia japonica (Japanese Skimmia) is a lovely, dense, mounded, evergreen shrub, prized for its fragrant flowers, aromatic leaves, and showy fruits. In mid-spring, large clusters of fragrant, star-shaped, creamy white flowers, occasionally tinged pink, appear at the branch tips. The pretty blooms of female plants give way to ornamental, glossy, bright red berries that ripen in fall and persist through winter. They contrast beautifully with the evergreen foliage of leathery, lance-shaped, rich green leaves, which are clustered in whorls at the branch ends. When crushed, the aromatic leaves exude a pleasant scent. While male flowers are usually more fragrant and larger than female flowers, only female flowers produce attractive red berries. To enjoy a stunning fall and winter fruit display, make sure to plant a male plant near a female plant!

• Slowly grows into a dome-shaped mound, up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm). Female plants tend to spread more than male plants.
• A part-shade to full-shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moderately fertile, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soils. Full sun may be tolerated when planted in damp soil, however, the foliage may scorch. Tolerant of pollution.
• Perfect as a specimen plant, for banks and slopes, shrub borders, woodland gardens, foundation plantings, hedges, or containers.
• Low maintenance, this plant is generally disease free but may be affected by horse chestnut scale and fruit tree red spider mites
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
• Fruits may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested
• Native to Japan, China, and southeast Asia

Prunus Laurocerasus

Mt. Vernon’ is very compact, reaching only 3 feet in height and spread yet retains the large species-type leaves. Slow growing, it can be a good addition to a rock garden. Prunus laurocerasus is a large, spreading evergreen shrub with large, glossy, dark green leaves and a hardy constitution. The leaves are evergreen, simple, alternate, and 2 to 6 inches long. The green-to-brown stems emit the typical cherry odor when bruised. The species can grow to 18 feet in height under ideal conditions and can spread to 25 feet. Generally, it is kept more modest under cultivation; various cultivars have been developed. The leaves keep their color throughout the summer, but they can lose some of their luster in cold climates. The flowers are tiny, white, and intensely fragrant, appearing in mid-spring. The fruits are inconspicuous, hidden amongst the foliage, borne in the summer. Often used as a hedging plant.

• Perfect as a specimen plant or for hedges or screens.
• Prune as needed after flowering. Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to fall or hardwood cuttings from late fall to late winter; propagate by seed in fall.
• Low maintenance, the leaves of this lovely shrub may be damaged by vine weevil, leaf-mining moths, or powdery mildews.
• This plant has high-severity poison characteristics. Leaves and fruit may be harmful if ingested.

Juncus patens (California Gray Rush)

California Gray Rush, Spreading Rush

Juncus patens (California Gray Rush) is an evergreen perennial plant that forms dense clumps of narrow, erect, gray-green to gray-blue, leafless stems. They are topped with subtle, inconspicuous golden-brown flower clusters from spring to fall. Native to California and Oregon, this plant is most beautiful in its vertical form and fine texture, providing a stunning contrast to broad-leaved companion plants. It is more heat and drought tolerant than the common Rush (Juncus effusus).

• Grows up to 18-24 in. tall and across (45-60 cm) and enjoys full sun to partial shade in moist to wet soils. Has a tendency to flop in too much shade. While it thrives in moist soil or shallow water (to 6 in. deep or 15 cm), it is quite drought tolerant once established.
• This architectural grass is highly versatile. It is a great choice for the dry shade garden or planted in shallow water.
• Requires very little care, is virtually disease-free, pest-free and provides year-round interest
• Prune dead of shabby foliage to the ground in late winter to make way for fresh spring growth.
• Native to California, Oregon, Washington.

Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark)

Pacific Ninebark

Fast-growing, Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark) is a dense deciduous shrub with an exquisite vase shape and incredibly decorative exfoliating bark. Profuse white flowers, with five petals and many red-tipped stamens, appear in dense, rounded clusters, 3-5 in. wide (7-12 cm), in late spring to mid summer. They give way to drooping clusters of glossy red pods which turn brown and then splits open to release their seeds. Rich in nectar, the blossoms attract plenty of beneficial insects. The flowers contrast beautifully with the interesting maple-like foliage of green lobed leaves, which warms up to intense red to subtle rose-brown in the fall. Hidden by the foliage during the growing season, the bark is revealed in all its splendor later in the season, peeling in long irregular strips to display layers of reddish to light brown inner bark, providing winter interest. Providing good shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals, Pacific Ninebark is a splendid screening and hedge plant. Its extensive root system is also useful for retaining soil on slopes.

• Grows up to 5-10 ft. tall and wide (150-300 cm).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moderately fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic, consistently moist, well-drained soils. Can become drought tolerant.
• Perfect as a specimen plant or planted in groups. Great for mixed shrub borders, hedges and screens or banks and slopes.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew. Deer resistant.
• May be cut back in winter to rejuvenate and encourage vigorous leaf production in spring.
• Propagate by seed or stem cuttings. 2-3 months stratification may improve germination.
• Prune as required immediately after bloom
• Native to western North America from southern Alaska east to Montana and Utah, and south to central California.