Common name:Variegated Dogwood
Botanical name:Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

This dogwood has the same lovely red wood that is a standout in the winter garden, but with grey-green leaves with irregular creamy-white margins that gives it a luminous look. It grows about 6 to 8 feet tall, and forms a thicket of blood-red stems. White spring flowers form in clusters, followed by blue berries enjoyed by birds. Partners well with viburnums, hydrangeas, and snowberry. Use in shrub or foundation borders, or as an informal hedge.

Common name:Hybrid Tea Rose
Botanical name:Rosa x ssp.

Hybrid tea is an informal horticultural classification for a group of roses that were created by cross-breeding two types of roses, hybrid perpetuals and tea roses. It is the oldest group classified as a modern garden rose. Later hybrids were created by crossing other rose species. They typically have large, well formed single flowers on long stems. Hybridizing has introduced a wealth of colors, blends, and combinations, but frequently at the expense of over-all robustness, foliage appearance, and fragrance.

Common name:Variegated Iris
Botanical name:Iris pallida 'Variegata'

If I had to pick my top five must-have perennials, this would be on the list. A species of bearded iris, yellow variegated iris has long, sword like foliage that emerges in early spring and is colored pale, grey-green and lemony yellow. Flowers bloom late spring to early summer, are a pale blue to violet-blue, and are very fragrant (like a cross between grape and apple juice). Absolutely fills the yard. And after flowering, the foliage holds out all summer, unlike other bearded iris; the variegated leaves a striking presence, even without the flowers. The foliage is about 18 to 24 inches tall, and the flowers rise to about 30 to 40 inches. I have never had a garden that didn't include this iris. There is also a variety with white variegation, usually listed as Iris p. 'Argenta.' Fabulous anywhere, and plant enough so you can cut them and bring them indoors.

Common name:Royal Purple Smoketree
Botanical name:Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'

Royal Purple Smoke Tree is a large deciduous shrub or small tree with handsome, oval purple leaves all summer which turn scarlet in the fall. The flowers are yellowish and not very showy, but they are followed by clouds of pinkish-purple seed heads from mid summer into fall. This striking shrub prefers full sun and low amount of watering once it's established. This shrub grows 10 to 15 feet tall and wide. A lovely shrub for massing or as an accent.

Common name:Chocolate Veil Coral Bells
Botanical name:Heuchera 'Chocolate Veil'

'Chocolate Veil' is a heuchera hybrid with large, chocolatey-black to maroon leaves, with prominent silver veining and stippling. The leafy mound grows about 12 or so inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide and is lovely on its own. But the foliage is topped in early summer with tall, delicate stems covered in white to blush pink, bell shaped flowers. The flowers are excellent cut, or leave them be and deadhead when they are spent. Great foliage like this is a garden boon.