Hypericum calycinum (St. John's Wort)

St. John's Wort, Aaron's Beard, Rose of Sharon, Resurrection Plant, Large-Flowered St. John's Wort, Creeping St. John's Wort

Hypericum calycinum (St. John's Wort) is a small, semi-evergreen shrub with screaming bright yellow flowers, 3 in. wide (7 cm), for weeks from mid-summer to mid-fall. Each rose-like flower presents 5 petals surrounding a prominent tuft of bushy stamens and reddish anthers. Borne solitary or in clusters of 2-3 flowers, they appear in such quantities that they literally cover the foliage. Arranged along procumbent stems, the oval leaves emerge chartreuse-bronzed but quickly turn to medium green, dark green, then blue-green - contrasting against the yellow flowers. A popular groundcover thanks to its lush dark green to bluish-green foliage and its golden flowers. Evergreen in warm winter climates.

• Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). Spreads rapidly by underground stems. May invade other plantings unless confined.
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils but thrives in sandy soils. Best flower production occurs in full sun. Drought tolerant once established.
• Low maintenance, this plant is also generally pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
• Perfect for rock gardens, border fronts, naturalized plantings or massed as a ground cover. Great on banks and slopes for erosion control or under trees where it competes well with shallow tree roots.
• Clip or mow plants in late winter or early spring every 2-3 years to renew and promote new growth.
• Native to southern Europe, southwestern Asia

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!

Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom)

Mexican Orange Blossom, Mexican Orange Flower, Mexican Orange, Choisya Grandiflora

Fabulously fragrant, Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom) is a very handsome, rounded, evergreen, dense shrub with aromatic, glossy, medium green leaves composed of 3 leaflets. A profusion of fragrant, star-shaped, pure white flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and often intermittently throughout the summer and/or in the fall. Rich in nectar, they are greatly appreciated by bees and butterflies. Both flowers and leaves have the divine fragrance of orange blossoms. Native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

• Awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows in a rounded medium-sized, shrub up to 4-8 ft. high (120-240 cm) and wide.
• Easily grown in fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Provide a sheltered location, protected from cold winter winds.
• Drought tolerant and rabbit resistant
• Great for wall-side borders, shrub borders, hedges, city gardens or even containers (in areas north of USDA zone 7, the plant will be brought indoors in winter)
• Virtually disease free, this plant may be affected by glasshouse red spider mite or by snails
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
• Prune stems immediately after flowering to encourage an additional rebloom

Oxalis crassipes 'Rosea'

 popular shade plant that just doesn't know when to quit blooming! Although it's a perennial, this plant blooms like an annual from late spring to early fall if kept moist. Vivid green, clover-like leaves are dotted with bright pink flowers that butterflies adore and are nice in fresh bouquets.

The plant forms a low mound that is the perfect size for edging or containers. Like many oxalis, the leaves of this variety close up at night or when light levels are very low. It does not set viable seeds, so there's no need to fear that it will become a nuisance in the garden. This variety has been used in Southern gardens for many years.

• Grows up to 10-12 in. tall (25-30 cm) and 14-16 in. wide (35-40 cm).
• Easily grown in well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Tolerates a wide range of conditions, including drought. Provide occasional to regular irrigation and avoid overwatering during the dormant period. If no supplemental water is provided during hot, dry summers, this plant may go dormant, but it will re-appear in the fall and rebloom.
• Clumps may be divided in early spring.

Buxus 'Green Velvet

Buxus 'Green Velvet' (Boxwood) is a compact, broad-mounded, evergreen shrub with lush foliage of opposite, glossy, dark green leaves. The foliage retains its excellent dark green color throughout the winter. Tough, hardy and easy to grow, this Boxwood provides color year-round, as well as form, texture, and contrast to its companion plants.

• Typically grows up to 3-4 ft. tall and wide (90-120 cm).
• Thrives in part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soils. While full shade is tolerated, the plant will not be as vigorous and its foliage not be as dense. Full sun exposure may scorch the foliage. Boxwood can grow in a variety of soils as long as there is not too much sand or too much clay. Mulch should be added to reduce water evaporation and maintain moisture. While drought tolerant, Boxwood should always be watered during drought periods.
• suitedsited in locations sheltered from strong winds, with, if possible, some protection from the full winter sun.
• Very versatile, this plant is perfect for beds, borders, containers, formal gardens, and Mediterranean gardens.
• Keep an eye out for box sucker, mussel scale, box red spider mite, leaf spot, and box blight. Deer and rabbit-resistant!
• This plant grows slowly, so shear if desired. Pruning should occur after the last spring frost date, to avoid the new growth being damaged or killed. Promote air circulation via the removal of dead branches or thinning. Avoid cultivating around this plant because it has shallow roots.
• Fall is the best time for boxwood planting and mulching, while winter is the ideal time for pruning, thinning, and protection.
• Propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.