Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch)

Betula papyrifera, commonly called paper birch or canoe birch, is a robust, fast-growing landscaping tree with a most attractive gleaming white bark, which peels off in papery strips to reveal an orange-brown bark underneath. Growing with an oval rounded habit, mature trees develop black markings on the white bark. The ovate, irregularly toothed, dark green leaves turn bright yellow in fall. In spring, tiny yellowish-brown male flowers appear in drooping catkins while greenish female flowers appear in upright catkins. The female flowers give way to drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds.

The paper birch received its name from the nature of its bark. Long ago, people would peel layers of the thin, paper-like bark and write on it as a way to send messages. The common name of canoe birch comes from the use of the bark for making sleek, lightweight canoes among Native Americans and early fur trappers.

Exceptionally hardy, paper birch performs best in cool northern climates where root zones are often covered with snow in the winter and do poorly in the heat and humid areas. Betula papyrifera is one of the best-loved trees of the New England landscape (it is the state tree of New Hampshire), often planted for the beauty of its distinctive bark and golden fall color.

• Grows up to 50-70 ft. tall (15-21 m) and 25-50 ft. wide (7-15 m).
• A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in medium to wet, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including sandy or rocky loams but needs consistently moist soils.
• Perfect as a specimen plant or in borders, cottage gardens, city gardens, and foundation plantings.
• Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running.
• May be affected by sawflies, aphids, rust, and leaf spot.
• Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting
• Native to North America

Polypodium glycyrrhiza

Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Licorice Fern) is a semi-evergreen fern forming attractive mats of gracefully arching, triangular, dark green fronds, 10-12 in. long (25-30 cm). The leaves are only once pinnately divided, each leaflet with pointed tips and finely scalloped or toothed margins. Spores are located in round brownish sori on the undersides of the fronds, and are released in cool weather and high humidity. The fronds arise from a licorice-flavored reddish rhizome which was chewed for flavor by many Native Americans. The rhizome was also used as a remedy against colds, coughs, and sore throats. Licorice Fern is commonly found as an epiphyte on winter deciduous trees, although it does also grow on logs, rocks, and the ground as a spreading ground cover. Remaining lush and fresh-looking from fall to spring, Licorice Fern is a summer deciduous fern and dies back to the ground in the dry season. In areas with cool and moist summers and warm and wet winters, it may stay evergreen. Licorice Fern spreads slowly by creeping rhizomes to form a lovely colony. Undemanding, adding charm and personality to gardens, it is often used in moist rock gardens. Perfect for the woodland garden or shady beds.

• Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm).
• A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide variety of soils as long as adequate moisture is present. Will grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in the first season and mulch well. This summer dormant fern does not need summer watering.
• This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, rock gardens , or woodland gardens.
• Virtually pest and disease free. Rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
• Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
• Propagate by spores or by division in spring or early summer.
• Native to western North America.

Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'

Lavender 'Munstead' (Lavandula angustifolia) is very attractive throughout the year. Introduced in 1916 by the garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, this small cultivar grows well in containers and is a great choice for hedges or knot gardens. Excellent for potpourris or dried arrangements as it retains its color.

• Fairly hardy, 'Munstead' is loved by gardeners for its long-lasting and delightful scent as well as the fashion in which its lavender flowers beautifully contrast with its gray-green foliage.
• Blooms twice starting in late spring or early summer. Lavenders blooming twice are known to have a full second flush of blooms after the flowers of the first bloom have been harvested.
• Evergreen in warm winter climates, it typically grows in a compact bushy mound up to 20-24 in. tall (50-60 cm) and spreads 24-30 in. (60-75 cm).
• This perennial is very versatile and can also be used in perennial borders, rock gardens, or herb gardens. Its fragrant flowers may be dried and used in potpourris. Spectacular effect in mass plantings.
• Thrives in full sun and performs best in dry to medium, poor, light, sandy, and well-drained soils. Excellent drainage and air circulation are essential, specifically in hot, humid climates.
• Trim back in spring to encourage bushier growth. Remove spent blooms to encourage new blooms.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), also called True Lavender or Common Lavender, is a type of lavender often associated with the famous purple lavender fields of Provence. Despite its common name, it is not native to England, but to the Mediterranean and counts over 40 different cultivars with flower spikes varying from blue-purple, lavender, violet-blue to white-pink. They create drifts of "cool" colors that sway elegantly in the summer breeze atop a beautifully contrasting gray-green to green-purple foliage of narrow leaves. Growing up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm), this Lavender type is great for formal or informal edging perennial along walkways, raised walls, and borders; also planted in beds, rock gardens, and in mass plantings. This is also the "queen of herbs" for herb gardens.

Rhododendron 'Unique'

Best grown in acidic, humusy, organically rich, medium moisture, moisture-retentive but well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers a sun-dappled shade. Plant in a location protected from strong winter winds. Good soil drainage is essential (doesn’t like “wet feet”). Poor drainage inevitably leads to root rot, therefore raised beds/plantings should be considered in heavy clay soils. Shallow, fibrous root systems (do not cultivate around plants) will benefit greatly from a mulch (e.g., wood chips, bark, or pine needles) to help retain moisture and stabilize soil temperatures. Roots must never be allowed to dry out. Acidify soils as needed. Clip off spent flower clusters immediately after bloom as practicable.

Tiarella trifoliata

Tiarella trifoliata is a perennial dicotyledonous herb that flowers in the late spring. The flowers are bell-shaped, white, and solitary forming an elongated, leafless panicle. The calyx lobes are 1.5–2.5 mm and the petals are 3–4 mm. Basal leaves are 15–80 mm long and up to 120 mm wide, trifoliate or palmately 3- to 5-lobed. Cauline leaves are infrequent and much smaller.

The typical variety of Tiarella trifoliata (var. trifoliata) has petiolate leaves with three leaflets per leaf (i.e., trifoliate). The cut-leaved foamflower (var. laciniata) also has trifoliate leaves with petioles, but unlike the typical variety, it has deep lobes more than half the length of the leaflet. The one-leaf foamflower (var. unifoliate) has sessile, simple leaves (rarely trifoliate).

Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' (Shrubby Cinquefoil)

Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Abbotswood', Cinquefoil 'Abbotswood', Potentilla dahurica 'Abbotswood', Potentilla davurica 'Abbotswood'

Award-winning Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' (Shrubby Cinquefoil) is a bushy deciduous shrub of upright habit boasting masses of large, pure white flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), from late spring to the first frosts. The blossoms are so profuse that they literally smother the plant. They contrast nicely against the foliage mound of small, pinnate, dark blue-green leaves. Noted for its extremely long blooming season, Shrubby Cinquefoil is an incredibly tough plant, withstanding drought in the summer as well as cold temperatures in winter. It is also one of the easiest plants to care for. A first-class shrub that is perfect for informal hedging, or for sunny borders. Regarded as one of the best white flowering cultivars.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Shrubby Cinquefoil is not fussy about soils provided they are well-drained. Tolerates drought, salt and poor soils.
• Virtually pest and disease free, it is also deer resistant.
• Shrubby Cinquefoil is very adaptable and an excellent choice as a single specimen plant, massed in beds and borders, or as an informal hedge.
• Trim lightly after flowering, cutting out some of the oldest stems to make room for new growth.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer.