Lithodora diffusa 'Grace Ward'

 Lithodora diffusa 'Grace Ward' (Gromwell) is a mat-forming evergreen shrub with trailing stems clothed in small, lance-shaped, dark green, hairy leaves. In spring and summer, it is studded with profuse, star-shaped, brilliant deep blue flowers held in terminal clusters. This plant is ideal for rock gardens, slopes, and cascading over retaining walls. A choice groundcover making an unforgettable display week after week.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• Easily grown in acidic, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Full sun is best in cool summer climates, but some afternoon shade is appreciated in hot summer climates.
• Deer resistant
• Great for beds and borders, slopes, as a groundcover, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, city gardens, Mediterranean gardens, or gravel and rock gardens. Good choice for containers too.
• Virtually disease and pest free
• Trim back after flowering. Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
• Native to Southern and Western Europe.

Salix purpurea Nana

Salix purpurea (Purple Willow) is a spreading deciduous shrub or small tree of upright, rounded habit with arching purplish young stems turning gray as they age. They bear narrowly oblong, fine-textured, blue-green leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), with silvery-blue undersides. The leaves are densely arranged along the thin stems, and flutter in the breeze, creating a rippling bicolored effect. In early to mid-spring, slender silvery catkins, packed with tiny flowers, appear before the leaves. Fast-growing, very cold-hardy, Purple Willow can be used as a specimen, in group planting, near bodies of water, as an informal hedge, or as a deciduous screen. Its suckering habit aids in erosion control and makes it a good candidate for embankments. The stems can be harvested and used in the production of baskets.

• Grows up to 10-15 ft. tall and wide (300-450 cm).
• Performs best in full sun, in deep, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Very adaptable to poor soils. Dislikes shallow chalk soils and is intolerant of dry soils.
• Great for hedges and screens, coastal gardens, wildlife gardens, or along streams or ponds.
• Easy to grow, low maintenance, and deer tolerant. Watch for aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles, sawflies, willow anthracnose, or rust.
• Prune as needed in late winter to early spring. Many gardeners prune the stems back in late winter each year to encourage more vigorous growth, and more colorful foliage (as it results in new growth), and control the plant size.
• Can be subjected to rejuvenation pruning, taken down to 4-24 in. (10-60 cm) above the ground.
• Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings.

Koeleria macrantha (Prairie Junegrass)

Prairie Junegrass, Junegrass, Prairie Koeler's Grass, Koeleria albescens, Koeleria cristata, Koeleria cristata var. longifolia, Koeleria cristata var. pinetorum, Koeleria gracilis, Koeleria nitida, Koeleria pyramidata, Koeleria yukonensis

Native to prairies and open woods, Koeleria macrantha (Prairie Junegrass) is a cool season ornamental grass forming a compact, upright clump of gray-green basal leaves. Dense, silvery green, spear-shaped seedheads appear in spring atop stems rising well above the foliage. Most striking when backlit, they ripen tan with seeds. In cool summer climates, Prairie Junegrass usually remains attractive until fall. In hot and humid areas, it tends to go dormant by late summer. Koeleria macrantha requires sharply drained soil and is best grown in rock gardens, raised beds. Excellent for prairie restoration.

• Grows up to 24 in. tall (60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). Freely self-seeds where happy.
• Performs best in full sun, in rocky or gritty, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Drought and dry soil tolerant.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Propagate by seed sown unstratified in fall or stratified in spring. Division in early spring.
• Native to Asia, Europe, North America

Erica carnea 'December Red' (Winter Heath)

Winter Heath 'December Red', Heather 'December Red', Snow Heath 'December Red', Spring Heath 'December Red', Alpine Heath 'December Red'

One of the earliest Erica carnea (Winter Heath) to bloom, 'December Red' exhibits masses of narrow, urn-shaped flowers that open pink and deepen light purple over the season. Blooming heavily for weeks from early to late winter (Dec-Feb), they beautifully smother the needle-like, mid green foliage. Great at providing winter color, this vigorous, low-growing, evergreen shrub creates an excellent groundcover for sunny locations while requiring little care.

• Grows in an attractive mound, up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 18 in. across (45 cm). Spreading along the ground by procumbent stems, this perennial will form a dense groundcover over time.
• Performs best in full sun in sandy, acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Part shade is welcomed in hot summer areas. Newly planted Heath can dry out quickly once planted so it is important to water regularly and thoroughly when the plant is young.
• Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to rock gardens, groundcover, slopes, coastal gardens, cottage gardens or containers. Plant in groups for best visual impact.
• Produces nectar that attracts bees on mild winter days, but is ignored by deer!
• Virtually disease and pest free but watch for powdery mildew, root rot, rust and wilt.
• Plants may be sheared lightly after flowers fade, but not any later as flower buds are formed during the summer. Annual light shearing promotes a bushier plant.

One of the hardiest of Heathers, Erica carnea is native to the Alps of Central Europe. It is loved for its early bloom and evergreen presence and forms bristling mats of pink, white, purple or red blooms which are at their best with the early spring bulbs such as crocus, scillas and dwarf irises.

Adiantum pedatum

Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern) is a deciduous perennial fern with handsome, black shiny stems and graceful, bright green fronds spreading horizontally in a circular pattern. Arising from a creeping rootstock, the fronds are divided into two blades each with 2 – 9 leaflets (pinnae) arranged in a horse-shoe or semi-circle. In early spring, the emerging fiddleheads are burgundy to pink. Northern Maidenhair Fern spreads slowly by creeping rhizomes to form large colonies. It is a great addition to shade gardens with rich moist soils.

• Grows up to 12-30 in. tall (30-75 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). 
• A part to full shade lover, it is best grown in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Keep the plant moist throughout the growing season as it does not tolerate drying out.
• Great choice for shady beds, borders, cottage gardens, rain gardens, woodlands, and containers.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Propagate by spores.

Liriope muscari majestic

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils in part shade in the St. Louis area. Tolerates a wide range of light conditions and soils. Will grow in close to full shade, but will produce more elongated foliage and spread more slowly. Also has good tolerance for heat, humidity, and drought. Foliage is evergreen in warm southern climates but declines considerably in areas with cold winters such as St. Louis. Cut foliage to the ground (mow large plots on a high mower setting) in late winter to early spring in preparation for new growth. Plants may not be reliably winter hardy in the northern parts of where they should be sited in protected locations.

The common name of lily turf acknowledges the plant's turf-like growing habit. It is not grass and was previously placed in the lily family but is now placed in the asparagus family. Another common name is border grass.