Common name:Dwarf Vinca or Periwinkle
Botanical name:Vinca minor

Periwinkle is a hardy, evergreen groundcover with glossy green leaves and cheery periwinkle blue or purple flowers in the spring. This plant is best suited to large areas and shrub borders, as it would overwhelm most perennials. Avoid its use along the riparian corridor or in urban/open space interfaces as it is aggressive and can escape, overtaking native plants. Easier to control in dry shade areas. Grows about 6 to 8 inches high, and spacing for planting purposes is about 2 to 3 feet, but its spread is indefinite.

Common name:Redtwig or Red osier Dogwood
Botanical name:Cornus sericea

Red osier dogwood is a deciduous shrub that adds needed color to the winter landscape. Upright to rounded form, growing 6 to 9 feet tall and wide, its new wood is bright red, creating a fabulous accent any time of year. Leaves are a medium green, turning a reddish purple in fall. Creamy white flowers occur in spring and contrast attractively with burgundy colored young twigs. Flowers are followed by white fruit. Attracts birds and butterflies. A good choice in a landscape that borders one of our riparian corridors...there are some planted at the 900 South Wetland.