Dicentra formosa

Dicentra Formosa (Pacific Bleeding Heart) is a wide-spreading rhizomatous perennial adorned with a gray-green, finely divided foliage and short racemes of nodding, heart-shaped, pink flowers flushed with lavender. Up to 10 flowers occur on a one-sided inflorescence. Blooming from early spring to mid-summer, the flowers dangle gracefully above the lush foliage mound. Flowering will stop in the heat of the summer and may start again in late summer to early fall. A reliable performer that is excellent for rock gardens or as a groundcover.

• Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm). Will self-seed readily and spread by rhizomes to form colonies.
• Thrives in part shade and is easily grown in fertile, humus-rich, neutral, or slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soils. It can be grown in full sun in the coolest part of its range provided the soil is kept consistently moist.
• Great for beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, underplanting shrubs, or as a groundcover.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Propagate by division in early spring or after the leaves have died down. Propagate by seed, sowing seeds as soon as ripe or in spring.

Ilex Crenata ( Green Thumb Holly )

This holly resembles boxwood, but its growth habit is lower and more spreading. Leaves are dark green, glossy, small, ovate to elliptic, with slightly scalloped edges. Berries are small and black, though sometimes white or yellow. Needs rich, moist, slightly acidic soil, good drainage, and thick mulch. Will not tolerate drought. Male cultivar. Retains good winter color.

Full sunlight is needed for many plants to assume their full potential. Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight, although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant. Areas on the southern and western sides of buildings usually are the sunniest. The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together, shadows are cast from neighboring properties. Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day. Partial sun receives less than 6 hours of sun, but more than 3 hours. Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates. Know the culture of the plant before you buy and plant it!
 

Picea sitchensis

Picea sitchensis, the Sitka spruce, is a large, coniferous, evergreen tree growing to almost 100 meters (330 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter at breast height that can exceed 5 m (16 ft). It is by far the largest species of spruce and the fifth-largest conifer in the world (behind giant sequoia, coast redwood, kauri, and western red cedar), and the third-tallest conifer species (after coast redwood and coast Douglas fir). The Sitka spruce is one of the few species documented to exceed 90 m (300 ft) in height.Its name is derived from the community of Sitka in southeast Alaska, where it is prevalent. Its range hugs the western coast of Canada and the US, continuing south into northernmost California.

Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Azaleas and Rhododendrons are members of the genus Rhododendron, one of the largest genera in the plant world which includes over 900 species and over 20,000 named hybrids. All are fascinating.

• These highly popular ornamental shrubs come in all sizes, ranging from dwarf, ground-hugging varieties which may reach 16 in. in 10 years (40 cm) to giant tree-like specimens as tall as 20 ft. or more (6 m). Both moisture and the length of the growing season will have a serious impact on their growth rate. Some Rhododendrons will experience a fast growth rate (2 ft. per or 60 cm) while others will slowly grow less than 0.5 in. per year (1 cm).

• Usually blooming in spring for about three weeks, their flowers range from the tiny and delicate blossoms of floriferous dwarf shrubs to the huge 'trusses' of tall growing hybrids and species. Some varieties bloom much earlier in the winter, while others will blossom in mid to late summer. One big splash of color in spring is great, but what if your garden were to show cheerful colors in winter or late summer? With some planning and plant hunting, you could enjoy these wonderful flowers almost all year long!

• Some Azaleas and Rhododendrons are deliciously fragrant.

• Many deciduous Rhododendrons or Azaleas feature a wonderful foliage adding glorious fall color to the landscape.

• In bloom or not, many evergreen Rhododendrons feature a handsome foliage and make outstanding garden plants year-round.

• Versatile, these ravishing shrubs can be grown in beds and borders, wall-side borders, city gardens, cottage gardens. Where space is tight, some cultivars can be grown in patio containers or small gardens. Others are ideal for growing on banks and slopes or as magnificent hedges or privacy screens.

Prunus Laurocerasus

Mt. Vernon’ is very compact, reaching only 3 feet in height and spread yet retains the large species-type leaves. Slow growing, it can be a good addition to a rock garden. Prunus laurocerasus is a large, spreading evergreen shrub with large, glossy, dark green leaves and a hardy constitution. The leaves are evergreen, simple, alternate, and 2 to 6 inches long. The green-to-brown stems emit the typical cherry odor when bruised. The species can grow to 18 feet in height under ideal conditions and can spread to 25 feet. Generally, it is kept more modest under cultivation; various cultivars have been developed. The leaves keep their color throughout the summer, but they can lose some of their luster in cold climates. The flowers are tiny, white, and intensely fragrant, appearing in mid-spring. The fruits are inconspicuous, hidden amongst the foliage, borne in the summer. Often used as a hedging plant.

• Perfect as a specimen plant or for hedges or screens.
• Prune as needed after flowering. Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to fall or hardwood cuttings from late fall to late winter; propagate by seed in fall.
• Low maintenance, the leaves of this lovely shrub may be damaged by vine weevil, leaf-mining moths, or powdery mildews.
• This plant has high-severity poison characteristics. Leaves and fruit may be harmful if ingested.

Lonicera nitida red tips

Lonicera nitida 'Red Tips' is an evergreen shrub with a compact, rounded habit. Its newly emerging small leaves are reddish-purple that mature to dark-green with a red flush. In spring this shrub does produce small creamy-white flowers that are barely noticed. These can into purple-black fruit in autumn.

Also known as Honeysuckle 'Red Tips' and Wilson's Honeysuckle 'Red Tips', among others - this plant will grow in most soils, full sun or partial shade and has low maintenance requirements, making it a useful plant to grow as a hedge. Clip straight after flowering.