Common name:Japanese Silver Grass, Maiden grass
Botanical name:Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus is a large group of ornamental grasses ranging from a few feet to over 7 or 8 feet tall. Blade colors range from solid green, to green with silver mid-ribs, to variegated forms. Plumes are generally held well above foliage clumps, appearing in late summer to early fall, depending on the variety, and may be cut for fresh or dry arrangements.

Common name:English Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula angustifolia

English lavender is a dependably hardy, heat tolerant, drought resistant perennial, well suited to our arid, cold climate. Aromatic, green to grey-green foliage has a rich, resin scent, and grows in tight clumps 1 to 2 feet in height and width, depending on variety. Flowers form at the ends of stiff stems, in whorls of blue to lavender to purple, again, depending on variety. Flowers may add another 6 to 12 inches of height. Use in any sunny spot, such as perennial border, herb garden, parkstrip, lining a pathway.

Common name:Royal Burgundy Barberry
Botanical name:Berberis thunbergii 'Gentry'

This is a Japanese barberry cultivar that is a selection of 'Crimson Pygmy' chosed for its deeper red, nearly velvety color which holds well in the heat of the summer. Fall color is a deep, nearly black red. It has a dense, mounding form and grows about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Yellow spring flowers are followed by shiny red, torpedo-shaped berries that ripen in fall and persist into winter; enjoyed by birds. Use this little barberry in the perennial border, or near the fron of the shrub or foundation border. It would also be a great color and textural contrast to larger ornamental grasses.

Common name:Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Botanical name:Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

Karl Foerster feather reed grass is a garden favorite, and for good reason. Its green, fine-textured foliage is gently arching and grows to about 2 feet tall and wide. Oat-like plumes stand very erect over the foliage, growing as tall as 5 to 6 feet. Plumes open whiteish green, later turning a dusky rose, and then tawny colored by winter. Blooms early summer with the plumes lasting into autumn. Holds its presence well into winter. Excellent in mixed perennial or shrub borders, or massed.

Common name:Compact Burning Bush
Botanical name:Euonymus alatus 'Compacta'

"Compacta" is a dwarf form of burning bush, growing 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Like the speices, leaves emerge in the spring a bright, luminous green, mature to a dullish medium to dark green, and turn a brilliant scarlet to burgundy in the fall. After the leaves drop, the interesting wood is exposed, with corky "wings" along the length of the stems. New wood displays green and brown wood, older wood is a warm grey brown. Little yellow flowers appear May and June, and though not showy, they are charming.