Common name:Helene von Stein Lamb's Ear
Botanical name:Stachys byzantina 'Helene von Stein'

'Helene von Stein' is a cultivar or S. byzantina, and is a dense, mat-forming perennial with velvety, soft, grayish white leaves. This cultivar has larger leaves than others and is more heat and humidity resistant. Though reported to not have flowers, eventually, in time, some may begin to appear. The foliage grows to about 8 to 12 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Use in rock gardens, sunny borders, along walks, and in parkstrips.

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta x faassenii

Catmint makes soft, grey-green, rounded mounds from 10 to 24 inches high, depending on variety. Most will be wider than tall. This perennial has lavender blue flowers from late spring to early summer, though if you shear off the first flowers, it will frequently bloom again later in the summer. Different varieties have slightly different bloom times. Leaves are attractive, crinkled blue-grey and are aromatic.

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:Apple Serviceberry
Botanical name:Amelanchier x grandiflora

A hybrid between A. arborea and A. laevis, the new leaves of this species have the pubescent foliage of the former and the purplish cast of the later. Summer foliage is a soft green, turning orange to scarlet in the fall. This hybrid has larger and showier flowers then either parent. Numerous cultivars have been selected from this species, including 'Princess Diana,' 'Prince William,' and 'Cole's Select.' Generally 18 to 25 feet tall and about half as wide. Grown as both a single or multi-stemmed small tree or shrub. Lovely as a specimen or in masses.

Common name:Elfin Creeping Thyme
Botanical name:Thymus praecox arcticus 'Elfin'

All of the thymes are relatively low growing creepers. Elfin Thyme has attractive, soft, gray-green foliage that forms a slow spreading, tightly matted mound. This is a perfect plant for between pavers and if you have the patience, it makes a nice lawn alternative. The lavender-pink flowers bloom in early summer and attract bees and butterflies. Grows 1 to 2 inches tall, with a spread of 12 to 18 inches.

Common name:Oregano
Botanical name:Origanum vulgare

Oregano is a culinary herb that is both tasty and attractive. Small, rounded to oval, grey-green leaves are very aromatic and pungent, forming irregular mounds (about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide) that are sort of upright and creeping. Clusters of tiny rosy pink to white flowers appear all summer, and attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The foliage is used for flavor foods, but the flowers are also edible, and provide a more subtle flavor and an attractive appearance. A lovely and tasty garden addition. There are a number of species and subspecies available, with varying flavors but the same robust constitution.