Common name:Hosta
Botanical name:Hosta

Hosta are herbaceous perennials, hardy to Zones 3 or 4, depending on the variety. Sometimes referred to as the plantain lily, hosta have fleshy roots and short spreading rhizomes; in spring broad leaves emerge from a central crown and develop into a mounded form. Leaves come in colors from bright green to gold and even blue tones; some have variegated leaves, with strips, blotches, or margins of varying shades of green, white, cream or gold. Leaf texture varies and can be smooth, veined, or even puckered. Leaf size ranges from petite (a few inches long) to gigantic (a few feet long). Descriptions such as heart-shaped, lance-like, and cupped characterize different leaf shapes. Depending on growing conditions and variety, individual plants range in size from six inches high and a foot or less across to 3 to 4 feet high and 5 to 6 feet across. Although hosta flowers are sometimes discounted as secondary, they can provide great ornamental value. The flower stalks, known as racemes, hold bell-like blossoms of white or lavender to blue. Some flowers are exceptionally fragrant as well as attractive to hummingbirds and bees. Use as an understory plant in the shady shrub or foundation border, or under trees, or in the shady perennial garden.

Common name:Golden Variegated Hakone grass
Botanical name:Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'

Golden Variegated Hakone grass is a lush and graceful ornamental grass. The cascading, hair-like foliage is broad and variegated with cream, chartreuse, and green. Illuminates dark corners and adds texture. Particularly effective planted under shrubs and small trees with contrasting foliage, such as viburnums, hydrangeas, and japanese maple.

Common name:Fernleaf Fullmoon Maple
Botanical name:Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium'

This lovely maple has all the grace of a japanese maple but with an added toughness. It has an upright, mounded form, and rounded, deeply cut, dark green leaves that turn a rich ruby-red in the fall. Slow growing to 10 to 12 feet tall and slightly wider. Though tougher than the typical japanese maple, fullmoon maple performs best when sheltered a bit from the hottest and coldest our climate has to offer, and so plant it where it will receive a bit of shelter.

Common name:Oakleaf Hydrangea
Botanical name:Hydrangea quercifolia

Oakleak hydrangea is a deciduous, summer blooming shrub with an irregular, rounded habit growing about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Green leaves are large and deeply lobed, and reminiscent of oak leaves; fall color is a rich burgundy. White flower clusters appear in mid summer in erect, terminal panicles; flowers slowly age to a pinkish-purple color and persist into the fall. Mature stems exfoliate to reveal a rich brown inner bark which is attractive in winter. Fabulous in the shady shrub or foundation border. Excellent cut flower. Many selections available.

Common name:Johnson's Blue Cranesbill
Botanical name:Geranium x 'Johnson's Blue'

Johnson Blue geranium is a mounding, creeping, weaving perennial that grows 15 to 18 inches tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Foliage is deeply lobed, nearly segmented, and is soft green and slightly hairy. Fall leaf color is crimson to purple. Its flowers, while not true blue, are a lovely periwinkle blue with a violet eye, five-petaled, and seem to bloom from late spring to fall. It has a tendency to weave in and around other perennials creating a lovely ground cover. Use in borders, rock gardens, or at the feet of taller shrubs and ornamental grasses.

Common name:Siberian Bugloss
Botanical name:Brunnera macrophylla

Bugloss is a charming spring perennial with flowers similar to those of forget-me-nots, but with a tougher constitution. It has large, rounded, heart-shaped leaves to 10" long by 6" wide. Flowers appear mid to late spring, borne on open spikes, and are tiny and clear sky-blue. Grows about 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 20 inches wide. A wonderful companion for heuchera, variegated iris, and spring bulbs. The foliage stays nice all summer, but will look its best if planted where it will receive some mid-day relief from the sun. A nice cut flower.