Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) is a compact, woody shrub with arching, slender, zig-zag branches bearing a single, sharp spine at each node below each rosette of leaves. The wedge-shaped leaves are untoothed, slightly blue-green to green to dark reddish purple, and borne in whorls or clusters. Some Japanese Barberry cultivars are spectacular additions to the landscape where they bring a strong color accent from spring to fall. Tiny, scented, pale yellow flowers appear in mid-late spring, but are insignificant in comparison to the beauty of the foliage. They grow in drooping clusters along the lower sides of the branches and are followed by an abundant crop of bright red berries in the fall. The fruits persist well into the winter. Attractive to birds, they often remain on the spiny stems after the leaves have fallen, therefore extending the season of interest of this ornamental shrub through the winter.

Berberis thunbergii is a popular ornamental plant and is present in gardens, parks, forests, and nature preserves. There are quite a few varieties used for ornamental purposes or as barrier plantings.

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.

Scirpus lacustris

Schoenoplectus (Scirpus) lacustris (Common or Grey Clubrush) is the true native bulrush, not the reedmace with poker heads (Typha) that almost everyone refers to as bulrushes. Hollow pith-filled greyish-green leaves rise from the base to up to 2 meters, topping which is brown spiky flowers. Rather too vigorous for small ponds and does have sharp roots that can penetrate liners, but good for larger wildlife ponds.

Plants will be supplied in a cut-back condition whether bare root or potted to prevent damage and enable quick establishment; they will soon produce new canes once rooted.

Phyllodoce empetriformis

Phyllodoce empetriformis, the pink mountain heather or pink mountain heath, is found in mountainous regions of western North America in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. Its southern range includes the Klamath Range in northern California and Oregon.

Phyllodoce empetriformis is a low matting shrub with distinctive leaves which roll under themselves so tightly they resemble pine needles. It bears attractive flowers in shades of pink and purple.

This common (in its native bioregion) evergreen alpine shrub bears its red-purple flower clustered at the end of the stem in leaf axils. The flowers of Phyllodoce glanduliflora, for comparison, are yellow or green-white. In Phyllodoce empetriformis, the campanulate corolla is twice as long as the calyx (compared to Phyllodoce gladuliflora, which has a corolla just barely twice as long as the calyx and is urn-shaped). Its sepals and filaments are glabrous or barely hairy (compared to Phyllodoce glanduliflora which has pubescent sepals and filaments).

ophiopogon pla nigrescens

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' is a mondo grass cultivar forming dense tufts of arching, strap-shaped, grass-like, dark purple to almost jet black leaves, about 8-12 in. long (20-30 cm). Racemes of small, bell-shaped, pale pinkish-white flowers emerge on dark stems in summer before giving way to glossy dark purple berries. Reminiscent of Liriope, this evergreen perennial is tough, durable, and perfect for adding drama and contrast to the garden. Fabulous when combined with caramel Heuchera, silver or gold foliage plants.

• Compact, this Mondo Grass grows up to 6-8 in. tall (15-20 cm) and slowly spreads to 9-12 in. wide (27-30 cm) to form a weed-proof mat.
• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Easily grown in rich, humusy, slightly acid, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Thrives in evenly moist soils which do not dry out. 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 gar, dens, or Mediterranean gardens. Excellent as a container plant!
• Virtually disease free. Watch for slugs
• Propagate by division in spring as growth resumes
• Native to Asia

Carex oshimensis 'Everest'

Carex oshimensis 'Everest' is a very distinctive Japanese Sedge with narrow, arching, glossy, dark green leaves adorned with fine silvery-white edges. Valuable for its stunning appeal, this highly decorative evergreen Sedge is one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses for the garden, where it provides a lovely contrast with other plants, mulch, or gravel. Easy to grow, low maintenance, vigorous, cold-hardy and a compact clumping habit make 'Everest' a splendid ground cover or container plant.

• Forms a densely tufted, spilling tussock of slender, iridescent foliage that shimmers in slight breezes. It mixes beautifully with almost any flowering bulbs or perennial plants to create spectacular and elegant mobile combinations.
• Grows easily about 12-18 in. tall and wide (30-45 cm).
• Enjoys full sun or part shade and thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soils. The best foliage color is obtained in the part shade rather than in sun. Do not let the soil dry out.
• This is a graceful accent plant for beds, borders, rock gardens, city or cottage gardens, and as ground cover. Excellent choice to brighten shady areas. Does well in containers too where it adds wonderful character and texture to your plant combinations.
• Deer tolerant, it requires very little care and provides year-round interest
• Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or by division in early summer
• Cut out any dead leaves in summer.
• Generally disease free. Watch for Aphids.