Helictotrichon sempervirens

Helictotrichon sempervirens, commonly called blue oat grass, is a clump-forming, cool season, ornamental grass which typically grows 2-3' tall (foliage clump to 2' and flower stem brings the total height to 3') with a similar spread. Features very narrow (3/8" wide), spiky, steel blue leaf blades (to 18") which form a rounded, porcupine-like clump. Resembles blue fescue (Festuca glauca), but is significantly larger. Spikelets of bluish-brown flowers arranged in open, one-sided panicles arching at the tip appear on erect stems rising well above the foliage clump in June. Flower spikelets mature to a golden wheat color by fall.

• Delicate open panicles of small, straw-colored spikelets appear in early-mid summer, held about 2ft. (60 cm) above the foliage on slender, arching stems.
• Easily growing in a dense 2-3 feet tall (60-90 cm) fountain-like clump, this western Mediterranean native thrives in full sun (tolerates light shade) in dry soils and requires relatively good drainage.
• Salt, drought tolerant, and deer or rabbit resistant, this cool season grass provides all year-around interest thanks to its evergreen foliage in mild winter areas. 
• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (1993) 
• Superb as a specimen plant, for beds or borders, rock gardens, and can be massed for ground cover effect.

Pinus mugo var mughus

The Mugo pine is native to high-elevation habitats from southern to central Europe. The shrub is often used to control erosion and prevent avalanches.

The genus name, Pinus, is the Latin name for pines. The epithet, Mugo, is derived from Italian and means "small mountain pine." 

This plant grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained loam or sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of partial shade and clay soils, but it is best to avoid wet or poorly-drained soils. Mugo pine prefers cool summer climates and is generally tolerant of urban conditions. It normally does not produce a tap root and is easy to transplant. Prune annually in late winter to keep its compact size. This shrub or tree is resistant to damage by deer.

The bark of the Mugo pine is grayish-brown with irregular plates. The needles are green, 1 to 3 inches long, rigid, and thick, and appear in bundles of two and have a slight twist. This shrub produces inconspicuous male and female pollen cones from May to July.  The male pollen cone is greenish-yellow and 0.25 inches long. The female cone ripens in the fall and becomes oval to conical, sessile, 1 to 2.5 inches long, and dark brown.

Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'

Lavender 'Hidcote' is a free flowering variety that is prized by most gardeners for its long-lasting and delightful scent as well as the fashion in which its dark purple flower spikes beautifully contrast with its blue-green evergreen foliage. Hidcote is a perfect choice for low hedges, edging or creating borders. Excellent for crafts and dried flowers as they retain their color.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Blooms once in late spring or early summer. Lavenders blooming once may have a second, smaller flush of flowers during the season and maybe a third one if the flowers are cut soon enough.
• Evergreen in warm winter climates, typically grows in a bushy shrub, up to 12-20 in. tall (30-50 cm) and spreads up to 20-24 in. (50-60 cm).
• This perennial is very versatile and can also be used in perennial borders, containers, rock gardens, or herb gardens. Provides a stunning effect in mass plantings. Its fragrant flowers may be dried and used in potpourris.
• Drought, deer, rabbit, and dry soil tolerant and a real magnet for bees and butterflies!
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• 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.

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.

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.

Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess'

Spiraea japonica, commonly called Japanese spirea, is a dense, upright, mounded, deciduous shrub that typically grows 4-6’ tall with a slightly larger spread. Leaves (up to 3” long) are oval and sharply toothed. Tiny pink flowers in flat-topped clusters (corymbs) cover the foliage from late spring to mid-summer, with sparse and intermittent repeat blooms sometimes occurring. Flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Genus's name comes from the Greek word spiral meaning wreath about the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus.

Specific epithet means Japan, which is part of its native range.

'Little Princess' is an upright, rounded, deciduous shrub that typically forms a compact mound to 30" tall. Features numerous pink flowers in flat-topped clusters (corymbs) in late spring to mid-summer. Attractive to butterflies. Oval, sharply toothed, mint green leaves take on attractive red hues in autumn.

Prunus laurocerasus reynvaanii

Russian Laurel will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water.  It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.