Common name:Purple Garden Sage
Botanical name:Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'

This perennial sage has a mounding, spreading habit growing to about 1 to 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. New foliage emerges purple, ages to grey-green, and is highly aromatic. Flowers are blue and appear in May and June. Purple garden sage is semi-evergreen to evergreen. The foliage and flowers are edible. Also attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

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:Weeping Norway Spruce
Botanical name:Picea abies 'Pendula'

Weeping Norway spruce is an artful accent evergreen with weeping, spreading branches. Spring growth is a bright green, with summer needles a rich green. Typically it is grown on a stake to feature its pendulous habit; it's height depends on where it is staked, but generally from 3 to 10 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide. It can also be grown as an undulating groundcover, draping over walls and slopes.

Common name:Moudry Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry'

This grass has dark green, glossy blades, forming a dense, tuft-like habit. Foxtail-like plumes are nearly black and appear in mid-summer. Plumes are useful in flower arrangements. 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

Common name:Thundercloud Elderberry
Botanical name:Sambucus nigra 'Thundercloud'

Thundercloud elderberry is a deciduous shrub that grows 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. The leaves are pinnately compounded, and of an extraordinary blackish-burgundy color. May/June flowers are whitish-pinkish and grow in clusters that eventually give way to edible blue berries. Berries are loved by birds, but they are also good for making jams, jellies, and wine. Useful as an accent, in low spots in the garden that collect excess water. Tolerates dry shade. Foliage is fabulous in arrangements.