Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)

Bearberry, Common Bearberry, Kinninnick, Kinnikinnick, Pinemat Manzanita, Creeping Manzanita

Extremely winter hardy, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry) is a slow-growing, creeping, evergreen shrub with trailing red stems studded with small, leathery, glossy, obovate, dark green leaves, up to 1 in. long (2.5 cm). The foliage turns red or purplish in winter before becoming green again in spring. Pretty clusters of lantern-shaped, white-to-pink flowers hang gracefully from the short red stems in mid to late spring. They last several weeks and are followed by edible, smooth and glossy berries which ripen to bright red in the fall. Slow to rot, the glistening fruits provide excellent emergency food for birds and mammals throughout winter.

Bearberry makes a very attractive ground cover where few other plants would be happy. Equally lovely when draped over the edge of walls or large rocks.

• Grows up in a bushy, densely-branched shrub up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 3-6 ft. wide or more (90-180 cm). The plant spreads gradually by surface rhizomes to form a mat.
• A full sun to partial shade lover, this plant is easily grown in acidic, moderately fertile, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Grows well in poor infertile soils. Do not use fertilizers. Perfect for dry, sandy and rocky soils. Drought tolerant once established. Salt and wind tolerant.
• Excellent ground cover with year round interest. Perfect for banks and slopes (erosion control), shrub borders, prairies and meadows, rock gardens or cascading over walls.
• Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
• Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layering in fall
• No pruning needed
• Choose your site well because it does not like to be transplanted.
• Native to North America, Europe and Asia.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Miscanthus species and cultivars, award-winner Chinese Silver Grass 'Morning Light' (Miscanthus Sinensis) is a remarkable ornamental grass. First, it features a unique and exquisite vase shape that stands out beautifully in the garden. Second, its fine-textured foliage that sways gracefully in the slightest breeze and delicately softens any landscape is slightly ivory variegated, making it look silver from a distance. Finally, this graceful ornamental grass is one of the best grasses for winter color in mild climates.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Blooming later than most Miscanthus cultivars, 'Morning Light' displays tiny crimson-red plume flowers in late summer or early fall, which delicately change to silvery white as they mature and provide good winter interest.
• Rarely flopping, this striking ornamental grass can be easily grown in a dense, upright, rounded fountain-like clump, up to 4-6 ft. tall (120-180 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Protect from excessive winter wet. Drought and salt tolerant once established.
• Very versatile, it can be used as a graceful accent plant in the garden, massed to create screens or hedges, or planted in borders, coastal gardens, city gardens, cottage gardens , or prairie plantings.
• This Chinese Silver Grass is generally pest and disease free. It is deer and rabbit resistant but attracts birds.
• Cut foliage to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear. Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring.
• Native to Asia, the specific form of Miscanthus Sinensis is invasive in several US states. The invasive potential is of less concern for many of its ornamental cultivars, some of which are sterile. However, as a general rule, do not plant more than one cultivar on your property, and use only a vegetatively propagated cultivar that has shown little or no evidence of self-seeding in your area.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Skimmia jap.reevesiana

Skimmia reevesiana is an ornamental, evergreen shrub noted for its compact growth and ornamental berries. Native to South China and Southeast Asia it forms a low mound with mature specimens growing to an approximate height of between 0.9-1.5 meters. The aromatic glossy leaves are narrowly elliptic with a pale margin. The small white-yellowish blooms appear on terminal panicles in May. On female forms, the pollinated flowers give way to long-lasting, ovoid, matt crimson-red berries.

Rhododendron 'Girard's Fuchsia'

 Rhododendron 'Girard’s Fuchsia' is an outstanding, medium-sized semi-evergreen azalea producing masses of large, broadly funnel-shaped flowers, with slightly wavy edges, in the most vibrant fuchsia purple shades with deeper spotting in the throat and purplish-pink reverses. Blooming in late spring, the blossoms of this midseason rhododendron cover the shrub in a brilliant color display. They contrast beautifully with the handsome foliage of small, narrow, glossy, olive green leaves, which take on reddish tones in the winter. Compact, this evergreen azalea was bred at the Ohio-based Girard Nursery.

• Grows with a broad and spreading habit, up to 4-6 ft. tall and wide (120-180 cm)
• Winner of the Rhododendron of the Year Award of the American Rhododendron Society for the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, North West, and South Central regions.
• A part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, acidic, humusy, well-drained soils. Plant shallowly. Protect from frost to prevent damage to flowers. Mulch annually with leaf mold to retain moisture, control weeds, and cool the soil.
• Perfect for borders, as a flowering hedge or privacy screen, and for containers. Great for small gardens!
• Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds. 
• Excellent mildew resistance
• Removing spent flowers promotes new growth
• All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.

Abelia x grandiflora 'Edward Goucher'

Edward Goucher Abelia makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent watering than they would in the yard or garden.

Edward Goucher Abelia is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (American Arborvitae)

Smaragd Arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis EMERALD, Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green', Thuja occidentalis 'Emeraude', White Cedar 'Smaragd', Northern White Cedar 'Smaragd', Swamp Cedar 'Smaragd'

Prized for its emerald green color, award-winning Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' or 'Emerald Green' (American Arborvitae) is a semi-dwarf, evergreen shrub of compact, narrow, upright habit with erect sprays of glossy, bright green foliage. Slow-growing, about 12 in. per year (30 cm), it maintains its lovely color year-round and does not turn bronze in winter. Forming a majestic exclamation point in the landscape, it is reliable and cold weather resistant and represents a valuable, hardy alternative to cypress. A highly popular plant for use in hedgerows and borders.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Slow growing, this American arborvitae can reach 12-14 ft. tall (360-420 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm) in 15-20 years.
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Usually appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Bear in mind that foliage density loosens up in too much shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Thrives in humid weather with regular rain falls. Intolerant of dry conditions. Protect from drying winds especially when young.
• Perfect as specimen plant or for shrub borders, hedges and screens, as foundation plants. Suitable to rock gardens. Performs well in wet areas of the garden and near swamps and bogs. Attractive in containers too!
• No serious insect or disease problems. May be affected by spider mites, bagworms or coryneum canker.
• Low maintenance, American arborvitae tolerates shearing well for a more tailored column. Prune in early spring before onset of new growth. Provide a generous root zone mulch
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
• Native to Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, Canada

Arborvitae is one of the most versatile, easy-to-grow evergreens suited to cold northern landscapes. Perfect as specimen plants, hedges, foundation plantings and windbreaks, these attractive shrubs require hardly any maintenance while contributing beautifully to our landscapes.