Polystichum setiferum

Polystichum setiferum (Soft Field Fern) is a tufted evergreen fern forming a pretty rosette of soft, lance-shaped, willowy, mid-green fronds. Arching gracefully, the finely dissected fronds swirl around the center of the plant, creating a beautiful mounded plant. They remain lush and fresh-looking throughout the season. The stalks and most midribs are coated with attractive cinnamon-brown scales. Bringing attention to its unusual soft green foliage, Soft Field Fern almost asks to be touched!

Low maintenance, pest and disease-free, Soft Field Fern enjoys a long season of interest - including winter when it adds a sparkle to the dullest of winter gardens.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
• Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
• A light to full shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Excellent drainage is required. Too much sun will cause the fronds to yellow. Once established it will tolerate occasional watering during dry weather, but regular watering may be necessary if planted in sandy soils.
• This plant is a great choice for shady beds, borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, rock gardens, and woodlands. Combines well with hellebores, hostas, wild ginger (Asarum), bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla), and epimediums.
• Rabbit and deer resistant
• Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
• Propagate by sowing spores as soon as the ripe, division of rhizomes in spring, or by bulbils in fall
• Native to Europe

Buxus microphylla

Japanese boxwood is a fine-textured, loose, and rounded evergreen shrub in the Buxaceae (boxwood) family that grows to 6.5 feet tall. Native to Japan, Buxus is the Latin name for boxwood or box tree. The common name of boxwood refers to the wood used to make carved decorative boxes. Another etymology is that boxwood describes the square stems of its young plants.  

This boxwood prefers moist, cool soils, so mulch heavily around the roots. Plant it in well-drained soil with a slight acidity to slight alkalinity and dappled to partial shade. It can be grown in full shade but will become leggy and sparsely foliated. Full sun may cause foliage to turn a reddish color. This is a slow-growing shrub and is sensitive to over-fertilization. New growth may be injured by frost. Once established, it is very drought tolerant. It is also deer, rabbit, and nematode resistant. Propagate by stem cutting; the plant also will self-seed in optimum growing conditions.  

Persicaria bistorta 'Superba'

Persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’ is a fantastic choice for the mixed ornamental border, where you can plant it and leave it with minimum fuss. It bears spikes of soft pink flowers over clumps of rich green leaves. Quick to spread, it’s ideal for use as ground cover in sun or partial shade, and its blooms are loved by bees. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

A vigorous, clump-forming herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial to 95cm, with strongly veined, finely pointed ovate leaves and dense spikes of small, fat, long-flowering soft grey-pink flowers in summer through to autumn. Tends to spread more easily in sunny locations, less so in dry shade. Good for waterside, smaller gardens, and at the front of a flower border

• Spreads slowly by rhizomes and easily grows in clumps, up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-24 in. across (45-60 cm). Foliage consists of large, 8 in. long (20 cm), lance-shaped, dark green leaves with a white midrib which turns an attractive red in fall.
• Full sun to part shade lover, it is best grown in average, moist to wet soils. While drought is tolerant, this plant prefers moist, fertile soils that do not dry out (flowering might decrease in drier soils).
• Virtually pest-free and low maintenance, Bistort attracts birds and butterflies, but deer and rabbits will ignore it!

Rubus calycinoides

Rubus calycinoides (Creeping Raspberry) is an evergreen groundcover forming a dense carpet adorned with long spreading branches clothed in lustrous, emerald green, thickly textured leaves. Rounded, they have 3-5 broad, ruffled-edged lobes and display felted, whitish undersides. They may turn raspberry-red with the onset of cool fall nights. Small white flowers, reminiscent of strawberry blossoms, are produced sporadically in late spring to early summer and followed by bright golden to salmon fruits which are edible but not highly flavored. Spreading at a moderate rate, Creeping Raspberry makes a durable groundcover with beautiful foliage for sun or partial shade areas. It is an excellent pest-free lawn replacement and takes light foot traffic.

• Grows up to 9-12 in. tall (22-30 cm) and 5 ft. wide (150 cm). Provide ample room for it to fully develop.
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in loamy, well-drained soils. Regular watering helps establish this plant. Once established, it only needs occasional watering during dry weather. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
• Long runners can be pruned back almost any time of the year.

Taxus x media 'H.M. Eddie

H.M. Eddie Yew will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It has a low canopy and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more. This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. 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, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.

Iris 'June Krauss' (Bearded Iris)

Iris 'June Krausse' is an incredibly beautiful Tall Bearded Iris with elegantly ruffled and laced flowers in the most luminous shade of seashell pink. The blooms are adorned with bright salmon pink beards, which draw the eyes. They rise gracefully up to 36 inches high (90 cm) atop lovely sword-shaped foliage which will continue to add interest to the landscape after flowering is over. A late bloomer, 'June Krausse' will close the iris show after other iris varieties are just a memory.

• Easy to grow, it is deer and rabbit resistant, and quite drought-tolerant once established.
• Won the Honorable Mention (2011) of the American Iris Society.
• A profuse bloomer, it will bring its glorious and glamorous blooms in late spring or early summer over a long blooming period. Please note that bloom times depend very much on the weather.
• Performs best in full sun in humus-rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade, but best flowering and disease resistance occur in full sun. Good soil drainage is essential to prevent rot issues.
• Grows from creeping rhizomes which store food produced by the sword-shaped, semi-evergreen leaves and form large clumps over time
• A welcomed addition to herbaceous borders, sunny courtyards, or urban gardens where the sword-like foliage and vibrant color will combine harmoniously with the stones and angular hardscaping. Roses also provide a lovely backdrop for this tall variety.
• The best time to plant bearded irises is July through September. Container-grown iris can be planted in the spring.
• All parts may cause discomfort if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.