Common name:Heartleaf Bergenia
Botanical name:Bergenia cordifolia

Bergenia has evergreen, round, heart-shaped, glossy, thick leaves, frequently with fine toothed edges. The leaves are basically stemless, growing off of a shallow rhizome, so, though the leaves are large, the plant has a fairly low profile. Some cultivars have leaves that turn reddish in winter. It is this juxtaposition of low-growing and big-leaf that makes bergenia so a fine addition to the shade border. Flowers bloom in spring, in a range of pinks, lavenders, and plums. Grows about 12 to 16" tall and 12 to 18" wide.

Common name:Liquidambar; American Sweetgum
Botanical name:Liquidambar styraciflua

Liquidamber is a lovely deciduous tree with an upright, narrowly pyramidal habit, growing moderately to 40 feet tall and about 15 to 20 feet wide. Leaves are a rich green and maple-like. The fall color is why you plant this tree, with a kaleidoscope of yellows, oranges, reds, and purples. It has round seedpods, about the size of pingpong balls, and they are sort of spiny; no bother dropping into shrubby or groundcover areas, but a little tough on lawnmowers or feet. They are great for craft projects, though. A number of cultivars are available, with selections made for fall color and size.