plants+shrubs
Little bluestem Botanical name: Schizachyrium scoparium Hardy to -50 degrees Fahrenheit USDA zones 2a to 9b Typical plant communities: Prairies, meadows and savannas Soil requirement: Dry to mesic, sand to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 1½ to 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Very drought tolerant Seasonal interest: Flowers from August to October; silvery, blue-gray grass blades turn copper in September When to plant: Spring or fall Distinguishing traits. Little bluestem has many distinguishing traits. The silvery, blue-gray foliage and alternating blue and light pink nodes on the flower stalks are unique features of this native grass. It really begins to shine from late summer until snowfall, when the foliage turns a rusty red to copper.
Firecracker penstemon Botanical name: Penstemon eatonii USDA zones: 5 to 9 Water requirement: Low Full sun Mature size: 1 to 2 feet wide and 2 feet tall when in flower Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant but does best with supplemental watering; attracts hummingbirds Seasonal interest: Orange-red flowers appear in winter and continue through late spring; in cooler climates it will bloom during the summer. **When to plant: Plant seeds or container plants in fall. Low-maintenance perennial brings a welcome splash of color to brighten a winter landscape, continuing into spring.
Creeping Hummingbird Trumpet (Zauschneria garrettii) Vibrant orange-red trumpet-shaped flowers create a mass of color for weeks on end. A true ground cover and an incredible hummingbird magnet, it spreads to form a living mulch. Let it drape over retaining walls or among large boulders. Plant this bold flower with blue or purple ones for even more punch. Globe thistle (Echinops ritro), blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) and lavender (lavandula spp) would all be good companions for creeping hummingbird trumpet. It prefers a moderately enriched, well-drained garden soil but will tolerate (and spread less vigorously in) a lean soil. It's deer resistant. Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone); elevations up to 8,000 feet Water requirement: Low Full sun; afternoon shade at lower elevations Mature size: 4 to 6 inches tall and 18 inches wide ****Seasonal interest: Blooms July through August When to plant: Spring
Snowdrop alanthus nivalis, the snowdrop or common snowdrop, is the best-known and most widespread of the 20 species in its genus, Galanthus. Snowdrops are among the first bulbs to bloom in spring and can form impressive carpets of white in areas where they are native or have been naturalised. Mature Height: 6-8". Hardy Zones 3-9. Hardy in zones 3-9 Mature Height: 6-8" Blooms in very early spring Bulb Size: 4/5+ cm
Allium Miami
Allium Miami gorgeous half round allium bearing star shaped, purple flowers on sturdy stems. Allium Miami is a great choice for sunny borders but also works well as cut flower. Deep purple, half round allium Prefers sun or part sun. Bulb size: 10/+ cm Deer resistant. Blooms May-July Height: 32" Hardy in zones 3-9
Red Spider Magic Lily
Red Spider Magic Lily Bright red flowers with long spider like stamens. Multiflowering stalks. Strap-shaped green foliage disappears in July; the flower spike bursts forth in August. Grow in cool greenhouses, or outdoors in warmer areas where little or no frost is experienced. Elsewhere protect where temperatures drop into the twenties. Blooms in August. Plant bulbs as soon as you receive them 10/12 cm bulbs. Height: 12-24" Prefers sun or part-sun. Hardy in zones 3-9
Blue Melody Camassia Very Hardy Tall, regal spikes of star-shaped violet-blue flowers emerge above equally striking, cream striped foliage. One of the few bulbs that happily tolerates wet, poorly drained soil. Color of Bloom: Purple Hardy Zones 4-9 Mature Height: 8-12" Months of Bloom: Early Summer.
Common names: Purple fountain grass, rose fountain grass Botanical name: Pennisetum setaceum USDA zones: Perennial in 9-11, annual in all other zones Water requirement: Average water needs; drought tolerant once established Full sun to light shade Mature size: Up to 48 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide Drought tolerant In late spring to mid-fall, the burgundy-black foliage and foxtail plumes remain a constant feature in the perennial garden; the foliage of purple fountain grass is outstanding, featuring a striking, dark burgundy/black grassy blade that has a lighter green base When to plant: Mid-spring or after last frost
Russian sage Botanical name: Perovskia atriplicifolia (hybrids and cultivars) USDA zones: 5 to 9 Water requirement: Little to moderate Full sun Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant; deer resistant; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds; grows at higher altitudes Seasonal interest: Flowers summer into fall; architectural
eastern sweetshrub
eastern sweetshrub fall color
Eastern sweetshrub
Eastern Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) grows to 6 to 10 feet tall Tolerant of clay soils and generally avoided by deer, Bloom season: Late spring Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Moderate Mostly sunny to partial shade; prefers afternoon shade When to plant: Fall
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) needs cold winters to bloom well Use it as a hedge or train it into a tall fountain-shaped shrub Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 7) Full sun Water requirement: Moderate Mature size: 8 to 12 feet tall
Burning bush (Euonymus alatus, zones 4 to 9). Form: A tidy, weed-smothering mound easy-care shrub with a five-star rating, Flowers: Masses of pendulous racemes of lightly fragrant white flowers cover this shrub in spring. Foliage: Healthy medium green leaves turn up the heat in fall with a fiery display to rival the ubiquitous burning bush Size: 'Little Henry' is only 2 to 3 feet tall and wide — ideal for smaller gardens. Soil: Happy with wet feet. Clay soil? No problem.
burning bush
Lavendar
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia or L. officinalis), lavandin (L. x intermedia) and Spanish lavender (L. stoechas). Full sun plant spring thru fall
lavendar + blue fescue
japanese forest grass
ginkgo tree
ginkgo tree
Ginkgo tree, Maidenhair tree Botanical name: Ginkgo biloba USDA zones: 3 to 8 Water requirement: Soil should be well-drained. Full sun to partial shade. Full sun is recommended for the best, fastest growth. Mature size: In the largest examples, over 100 feet tall and 60 feet wide; though more commonly expect up to 70 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Benefits and tolerances: Disease, pest and urban-pollution free. This is a long-living tree you should plant with the idea of leaving a legacy behind. Seasonal interest: The leaves turn to a beautiful golden yellow in the fall. They often fall off almost all at once, creating a round, golden carpet on the ground beneath the trunk. According to the Mayo Clinic, the plant has proved effective for treatment of "intermittent claudication, Alzheimer's/multi-infarct dementia and cerebral insufficiency." It also is being studied as a remedy for discomforts from altitude sickness to PMS.
Common names: Scarlet Lucifer montbretia, Lucifer crocosmia Botanical name: Crocosmia 'Lucifer' Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit zones 5 to 9 Water requirement: Low Full to partial sun Mature size: 4 feet tall and wide Seasonal interest: Summer When to plant: Plant bulbs in spring; plants can also be planted in spring or fall. A stand of scarlet Lucifer crocosmia is an unforgettable sight in any summer garden. Arching stems of brilliant red flowers seem to explode from the swordlike foliage in summer, while hummingbirds vie for the best position like fighter pilots.
Japanese Forest Grass Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', zones 5 to 9 variegated variety
'Shenandoah' Switchgrass
'Shenandoah' switchgrass Botanical name: Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' USDA zones: 4 to 9 (find your zone) Water requirement: Low Full sun Mature size: 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant and deer resistant Seasonal interest: Fall color When to plant: When the soil is warm (spring through fall)
Japanese blood grass
Japanese blood grass
Japanese blood grass
Japanese blood grass Botanical name: Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’ (syn. Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’) USDA zones: 6 to 9 (sold at Paulino's) Loves water, but not wet feet Part sun, part shade Mature size: 18-24 inches tall Benefits: Beautiful color, low grass with movement, propagates easily, easy to care for once established
blue fescue
blue fescue
Common blue fescue; blue fescue Botanical name: Festuca glauca USDA zones: 4 to 8 Water requirement: Drought tolerant; looks best with supplemental water Best color in full sun; partial shade in the hottest climates Mature size: Up to 14" tall (with inflorescence) and 10" wide Deer resistant; tolerant of drought, coastal conditions and poor soils Seasonal interest: Nearly evergreen; insignificant flowers in spring and summer When to plant: Divide clumps in spring and fall; it can also be planted from seed. Relatively compact, forming a dense, rounded mound of blue-gray foliage
Peach tree Botanical name: Prunus persica, many varieties Where it will grow: Hardy to -20º USDA zones 5 to 9 Water requirement: Water deeply and regularly. Full sun Mature size: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide Care: Plant bare-root trees in winter. Prune in late winter. Beautiful during its short bloom time and luscious at harvest Choose a spot in full sun with well-drained soil. Bare-root trees are the most common and should be planted in late winter or early spring once the ground is workable and the frosts are over.
coral bark
Coral bark Japanese maple Botanical name: Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ Hardy to -20º (USDA zones 5 to 8 Water requirement: Medium Sun to partial shade Mature size: 15 to 20 feet tall, with an equal spread Benefits and tolerances: Slow growing; small-scale trees are insect and disease resistant Seasonal interest: Outstanding winter color, attractive light green foliage in spring and summer When to plant: Spring to fall Grow them against a fence to protect them from wind or near a house on a south-facing wall if your winters are long and cold.
japanese maple
japanese maple
Japanese maple Botanical name: Acer palmatum; many cultivars USDA zones: 5-8 Water requirement: Regular Soft dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade is best; too much sun will scorch its leaves. Mature size: 15-25' tall x 10-25' spread maximum, depending on cultivar
Winter Red Winterberry (Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’) A better selection for gardeners in cold regions and it’s more compact. The male cultivar for this plant is I. ‘Southern Gentleman’ For winter containers branches of winterberry holly look fantastic mixed with pine boughs, fir tips and other evergreens, In the landscape birds will eat the red berries — watch for robins, cardinals, juncoes, grosbeaks and cedar waxwings.. Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 3 to 9) Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 6 to 8 feet tall Benefits and tolerances: Adapted to swamps and wetlands; attracts birds
Sparkleberry Winterberry (Ilex ‘Sparkleberry’) Produces bright red fruits that attract birds during winter. Plant with Ilex ‘Apollo’ (the male cultivar) for the best fruit set. Hardy to -20º F USDA zones 5 to 9 Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 5 to 9 feet tall Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates wet soils; attracts birds
redtwig dogwood
Redtwig dogwood, red osier dogwood, American dogwood, red willow, redstem dogwood, redosier dogwood, creek dogwood Botanical name: Cornus sericea (syn. Cornus stolonifera) USDA zones: 2-7 Water requirement: Moderate Full sun to shade Mature size: 7-9’ tall, spreads to 12’ wide Tolerances: Deer, soil — including wet soil and clay soil Environmental benefits: Fruit attracts birds and wildlife; flowers attract butterflies
blue oat grass
blue oat grass Botanical name: Helictotrichon sempervirens USDA zones: 4 to 8; hardy to less than 0 degrees Fahrenheit Water requirement: Occasional; drought tolerant Full sun to light shade Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide Drought tolerant; deer resistant; can handle air pollution Seasonal interest: Evergreen in temperate climates; flowers in summer Plant or divide in early spring A towering crown of bluish-brown flowers projects about a foot above the foliage in summer, aging to a golden oat color in fall.
firecracker penstemon, grow from container plants sold at nurseries https://www.houzz.com/magazine/great-design-plant-firecracker-penstemon-stsetivw-vs~7326772
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