Spiraea japonica 'Anthony Waterer

Spiraea x bumalda 'Anthony Waterer', is a popular cultivar of Spiraea japonica. Spiraea japonica is a dense, upright, mounded, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 6 feet tall with a slightly larger spread. The cultivar, ‘Anthony Waterer', is a more compact version that grows to 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Like japonica, 'Anthony Waterer" leaves grow to 3 inches long and are oval and sharply toothed. New foliage emerges with reddish-purple tinting in spring, matures to blue-green by summer, and finally turns reddish in fall. However, unlike japonica's pink flowers, 'Anthony Waterer" has carmine red flowers in flattened corymbs (to 6 inches wide) in a showy bloom from late spring to mid-summer. The flowers attract butterflies and, to maximize bloom, you should site the plant in full sun. You can also extend the bloom by removing spent blossoms. Also, unlike japonica, 'Anthony Waterer' has a more compact form and requires little pruning to maintain a neat size, making it ideal in the foreground of shrub borders.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade as well as a wide range of soil conditions.
• Perfect choice for borders, foundation plantings, cottage gardens, banks, and slopes.
• Attracts butterflies but is ignored by deer.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed. If overgrown can be renovated by cutting back hard immediately after flowering.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or by division in autumn or spring
• Spiraea japonica species is native to Japan. It can be an aggressive self-seeder and spread in the garden by suckering.

Rhododendron ‘Snowbird’

Rhododendron 'Snowbird' is an easy-to-grow deciduous azalea with very fragrant flowers. The delicate pink-flushed white flowers are borne in profusion and begin to open in late April releasing a sweet fragrance that carries to the surrounding areas. The smaller stature and blue-green foliage add to its landscape interest. This azalea will develop beautiful orange fall color with red and yellow tones and is very resistant to powdery mildew. A great shrub for the perennial garden mixed with Hosta 'June', Iris foetidissima 'Variegata', or Lathyrus vernus.

Carex morrowii

 Carex morrowii 'Variegata' is a semi-evergreen Japanese Sedge forming a low, slow-spreading tufted mound of narrow, arching, glossy, deep green leaves adorned with fine creamy-white edges. In mid to late spring it bears inconspicuous brown flower spikes on long stems. Attractive both in shape and foliage, this highly decorative grass is evergreen in USDA Zones 8-9. Easy care, it is one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses for the garden, where it provides a lovely contrast with other plants, mulch, or gravel.

• 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 (30-45 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
• Enjoys full sun to shade and thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soils. The best foliage color is obtained in the part shade rather than in sun. Foliage may bleach if grown in full 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 almost year-round interest.
• Generally disease and pest free.
• Where not evergreen, foliage should be cut to the ground and removed in late winter.
• Propagate by plant division in spring or seeding in the fall.

Rosa Bonica® (Floribunda Rose)

osa Bonica® (Floribunda Rose) is an irresistible variety of shrub rose which produces generous sprays of semi-double, shell-pink flowers nicely complimented by the dark, glossy foliage. Bushy and sturdy, this spreading small shrub is a repeat bloomer that is highly reliable and almost disease free. Very light fragrance.

• Its noteworthy qualities have earned it many awards including the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society and the All-America Rose Award. Named World's Favorite Rose in 1997!
• Blooming in flushes from late spring until frost, it remains attractive throughout, with its flowers replaced by a wonderful display of bright red hips that will last long into the winter.
• Growing up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and spreading 4-5 ft wide (120-150 cm), it makes a good flowering hedge. As a climber, it may reach up to 13 ft. height (400 cm). Spectacular when combined with the cool blue colors of salvia, nepeta or lavender.
• Best grown in full sun or partial shade, in rich, fertile with adequate moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates some shade.

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.

Nepeta x faassenii 'Dropmore Blue'

Dropmore Blue Catmint has masses of beautiful spikes of lightly-scented royal blue flowers with lavender overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its small fragrant pointy leaves remain grayish-green in color throughout the season.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.