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This multi-stemmed dense deciduous small tree will eventually reach about 10' x 10'. Chartreuse new growth turns bluish-green in summer and then buttery yellow in fall. Use as you would a shrub that allows smaller things to be planted beneath it. In fall the leaves will one moment be on the tree,...

Wide, dark purple, heart-shaped leaves flock cascading branches on this 'Covey'/'Forest Pansy' cross. A stunning spring bloom of purple pea flowers comes first, then the leaves. Stake it until it's sturdy for a mound of purple that fits into a small garden or makes an interesting, perhaps curious, focal point. Mature size: 5–10'...

An upright evergreen conifer with a narrow, open habit initially, 'Aurea' has stiff yellow-golden needles (more so with more sun) that develop a blue-green underside toward autumn. This spectrum of yellow to blue creates a richness, depth, and drama that will earn it a prominent place in the landscape. Or...it will make a place in...

Dense and feathery, this globe form grows slowly at about three to four inches per year. It's always handsome, with fresh new light green growth each spring. 32 to 40 inches tall and wide in 10 years. Minimum temperature: -20° F

Crepey, 2-inch, light pink cup flowers brighten to white toward its gold-stamened center. Summer blooms cover neatly mounded silvery-green foliage. This is the offspring of Cistus laurifolius and Cistus canescens, a combination at once tough and delicate—delicate coloring and flower, tough in terms of drought- and deer-tolerance. 3' T x 4–5' W Minimum temperature:...

This petite South African bulb has burgundy pin-striping on its olive-green leaves and pink-mauve loose racemes of starry flowers in mid-spring residing amongst the leaves. These low clumps fill a pot beautifully—the effect is something like a cross between a plant and a cute sea creature (nudibranch?). Keep moist because its home ground is...

This tough, creeping, silvery-grey mat with pink "pussy toe" flowers in late spring loves to grow among rocks or in gravelly sites. It's happy with hot, dry, lousy soil, and easy to please and cheerful in spite of it! If you don't already have someone like this in your life,...

Low basal foliage undergirds a bevy of lavender-pink flowers in late summer and fall. 2 ft tall and clumping. Minimum temperature: 0° F

While somewhat short-lived, 'Elijah Blue' is worth it (heck, it's longer lasting than an annual!). Fairly evergreen, this dome of finely textured, stiff, silver-blue needle-like foliage remains 1' x 1'. It's one of the best of the blue fescues and will keep looking good if you remove the seed heads when...

Toothed, heart-shaped leaves emerge red and turn a deep, velvety, chocolate-purple with purple-rose and white flowers held above the leaves in spring; flaring white spurs and purple-pink sepals make this "jester's hat." The leaves will gradually turn green by spring's end; there's a lot happening with this one! Deciduous. Mature size: 12...

Intense cobalt blue pinwheel flowers bloom from summer into late fall on stems with noticeable reddish-brown hairs. Flowers persist simultaneously with brilliant red and orange fall leaves — the whole shrub glows with this intense color combination! A deciduous shrub, resistant to deer without looking armed and dangerous. Mature size: 3 feet...

One of the most popular golden rods we have in the garden, 'Fireworks' is loaded with flying sparks of sweetly scented late summer and fall flowers. Can be divided every 2 to 3 years to control growth. Deciduous, slowly colonizing perennial; mature size: 4 ft tall and 4+ wide. Minimum temperature: -30° F

Large, ruby-red thistle-type blooms ride atop tall strong stems. Before the flowers appear, attractive buds of brown and green scales require you to move in close for a better look. A rosette of long, feathery, silver-gray leaves support this garden gem. Mature size: 3-4 feet tall & 2-3 feet wide Minimum temperature:...

This dwarf ninebark has pink and white spring flowers and dark maroon foliage all season. Petite, dark, and dense. Prune about a third of branches to the ground in early spring to refresh. Mature size: 3 – 4ft T x W Minimum temperature: -40° F

Deciduous bright green fronds, reddish brown in fall. Grow in full shade and moist soil, and it will spread happily but not invasively. Mature size: 3 ft tMinimum temperature: -40° F

Lightly waving on slender stems, lemon-yellow flowers are held above narrow, pleated, gray-green leaves. It performs well in a sunny, dry rockery, in clay, or is equally happy in a moist sandy area, too. Slowly naturalizing, it will cheer you on through spring, and after a midseason dormant period, will lustily revive in...