Distinctive Foliage

Family: Magnoliaceae
Zone:4 - 9
Natural Range: Eastern North America
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part sun
Height: 40' - 80'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes: Deciduous.  Smaller growing form with green leaves with yellow margins. Yellowish flowers with orange band at the base.
Notes:  Introduced into commerce in the mid 80s.

Pot Size:1 Gallon Pot

Family: Magnoliaceae
Zone:4 - 9
Natural Range: Eastern North America
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part sun
Height: 40' - 80'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes: Deciduous.  Smaller growing form with yellow leaves. Yellowish flowers with orange band at the base.
Notes:  Beautiful gold foliage.

Pot Size:1 Gallon Pot

Family: Proteaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Australia
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 10' - 20'
Bloom Time:  July to August
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Evergreen, lance shaped leaves with toothed margins to 8" long.  White to cream, occasionally tinged pink fragrant flowers.
Notes: Great foliage!

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot 12" - 18"

Family:  Araceae
Zone:  3 - 9
Natural Range:  Alaska south into Northern California
Soil:  Moist, wet
Light:  sun, part sun, shade
Height:  2' - 6'
Bloom Time:  February to May
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Bright yellow flowers late winter into spring.  Huge fleshy green leaves that add a tropical look to the garden.
Notes: Works well with Primula, Rodgersia, Petasites.  In the garden we have them planted in heavy soil that is seasonally saturated.  Cooler climates can get away with growing them in full sun but they look the best with some shade in summer.
 
Pot size:  Deep 2" Pot

Family: Magnoliaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Southeastern United States
Soil:  Average, moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part sun
Height: 20'
Bloom Time:  June to July
Attributes: Deciduous.  Large multi-stemmed shrub that tends to bloom at a younger age.  12" - 15" sweetly fragrant, creamy-white flowers.  15" - 20" long leaves.
Notes:  An exotic looking and hardy Magnolia that flowers even at a young specimen.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot, Medium Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun, shade
Height: 8'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Bloom Time: February to April
Attributes: Evergreen.  Creamy yellow flowers on short spikes.
Notes: Leaf ranges from large to smaller with numerous sharp points.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range:  China
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light:  Part shade
Height:  4'
Bloom Time:  Fall and Spring
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Feathery foliage with short spikes of yellow flowers.
Notes:  Spineless Mahonia perfect for containers and planted in the lightly shaded garden.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time: December to March
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers on short spikes.  Dazzling new growth is bright silvery, maturing to a deep green with a silver sheen.
Notes: One of the best Mahonia species for foliage.  These are open pollinated, seed grown plants with a bit of variation in foliage.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers.  Compound leaves with fern-like appearance.
Notes: Cistus Nursery introduction. Bronze new growth.  Gives the garden a tropical texture.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers.  Compound leaves with fern-like appearance.
Notes: Bronze new growth.  Gives the garden a tropical texture.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Oregon, California
Soil:  Average-dry, humus rich, Well drained
Light: part shade, sun
Height: 6" - 12"
Attributes: Evergreen suckering shrub.  Brilliant purple, red, blue green foliage when planted in at least half a days worth of sun.  Yellow flowers early summer, blue fruit in fall.
Notes:  I can't say enough about this small Mahonia species.  The color is better than any other of the native Mahonia species and each leaf is ringed with a light colored line.  Forms a loose low clump of foliage.  It often grows in association with Arctostaphylos species.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Oregon, California
Soil:  Average-dry, humus rich, Well drained
Light: part shade, sun
Height: 6" - 12"
Attributes: Evergreen suckering shrub.  Brilliant purple, red, blue green foliage when planted in at least half a days worth of sun.  Yellow flowers early summer, blue fruit in fall.
Notes:  I can't say enough about this small Mahonia species.  The color is better than any other of the native Mahonia species and each leaf is ringed with a light colored line.  Rarely taller than 6" and forms a loose low clump of foliage.  It often grows in association with Arctostaphylos species.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 4' - 8'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, glossy, dark green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Berberidaceae

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height:4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, thick, green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: 'Charity' has longer and wider leaves than 'Winter Sun' and also start flowering later.  Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Great Plant Picks

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height:4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, thick, green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes:  Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid; 
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height:4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, thick, green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes:  Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, glossy, dark green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Onocleaceae
Zone: 3 - 9
Natural Range: North America
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 4'-7'
Bloom Time: NA
Attributes: Deciduous.  Large crown.  Upright-vase-shaped sterile fronds with feathery fertile fronds emerging from the center. 
Notes: A tropical looking form that once established can form very large plants.  Edible fronds in late winter/early spring.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family:  Francoaceae
Zone:  7 - 11
Natural Range:  South Africa
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  6' - 10'
Bloom Time:  June to August
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Semi-evergreen.  Powdery blue leaves with reddish stems and flower bracts.
Notes:  A hardy clone that is reported to grow in Zone 7 and above.  Does best when pruned once it flowers and mulch crown in winter. 
 
Pot size:  Quart Size Pot

Family:Araliaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: South Western China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: part shade, sun
Height: 15'
Attributes:  Evergreen,  Single to three lobed leaves.  Unusual green flowers and black fruit.
Notes: Cool and reliably hardy shrub that is still relatively uncommon in cultivation.  Leaves can be three lobed or simple. 

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Cupressaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  20' - 40'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Upright narrow crown with peeling bark.  Bright-green needles.
Notes:  Great structure.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Cupressaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  20'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Upright narrow crown with peeling bark.  Light blue-green needles.
Notes:  Newly introduced.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Cupressaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  20'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Bright yellow to chartreuse foliage with orange.  Bright orange fall foliage.
Notes:  More intense orange and yellow with a bit more sun.

Pot Size:  2 ' - 3'

Family: Cupressaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  20' - 40'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Upright narrow crown with peeling bark.  Bright-green needles.
Notes:  This is a new columnar form that is reported to be 8'11' wide when mature.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: Japan, China, Korea
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich well drained
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 12"
Bloom Time: April to May
Attributes: Deciduous, clumping.  Fanned, maple like leaves emerging green aging to bronze green by mid summer turning brilliant yellow and red in the fall.  White flowers dance above the foliage.
Notes: Tidy and smaller perennial related to Peltaboykinia and Rodgersia.  For better color, should be planted in a bit more sun.
 

Pot Size:  4" Band

Family:  Musaceae
Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range:  Japan
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  14'.
Bloom Time:  Summer
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Tall trunks with large foliage.  
Notes:  In cooler climates best when mulched in winter.  Will form large stands with time.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Musaceae
Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range:  Bhutan, India
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  14'.
Bloom Time:  Summer
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Tall trunks with large foliage that can be spotted with red-purple
Notes:  In cooler climates best when mulched in winter.  Native to high forest of the Himalayas.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Nyssaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range: Arkansas
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  20'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attracts:  Birds, bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Light green leaves ringed  with an irregular creamy white margin.  Greenish white flowers
Notes: Bright orange-red and pink fall foliage.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot 1' - 2'

Family: Asteraceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Hybrid; New Zealand
Soil:  Average- humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, Part sun
Height: 6'
Bloom Time:  Summer
Attributes: Evergreen.  Rounded shrub with glossy olive-green leaves with white undersides and numerous small white flowers.  Light, flaky bark.
Notes:  We have had this growing in the garden for many years and have not seen any damage.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot 18"

Family:  Araliaceae
Zone:  3 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 10'
Attributes:  Deciduous, White - green blooms early summer.  Red fruit in fall.  Very large palmate alternately arranged leaves to more than one foot across.
Notes: A bold foliage plant with a dramatic presence in the garden.  Combines well with other tropical looking plants.  In the wild it grows in moist woodlands along stream-banks.  Related to Ginseng, Aralia, Fatsia, Schefflera.  In warmer climates does best in full shade with even moisture. 

This batch of Devil's club is seed grown and are still on the small side.  Surprisingly seedlings need to be protected from slugs.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot 

Family:  Oxalidaceae
Zone: 6 - 10
Natural Range: Pacific Northwest
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light: Shade, part sun
Height:  6"
Bloom Time: May to June
Attracts: Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Dark green leaves with light silver mottling.  Wine red underside of the leaf.  White flowers.
Notes: Great ground cover that will do well in deep shade and summer dry.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family:  Oxalidaceae
Zone: 6 - 10
Natural Range: Pacific Northwest
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light: Shade, part sun
Height:  6"
Bloom Time: May to June
Attracts: Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Dark green leaves with silver mottling.  Deep pink flowers.
Notes: This form was introduced form northern California.  Growing beneath old growth Redwoods in deep rich duff.  Darker pink flowers and rich mottling.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family:  Buxaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Southeastern United States
Soil:  Average, moist, humus rich
Light: part shade, shade
Height: 6" - 12"
Bloom Time:  March to April
Attributes: Semi-evergreen to evergreen in warmer climates. A ground cover with slowly spreading rhizomes.  Matte blue-green leaves mottled with purple and white.  Foliage turns bronze-pink with green in fall and winter.  Fragrant white flowers on 2-4" long spikes. 
Notes:  Flowers before new foliage emerges.

Pot size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Hamamelidaceae
Zone:5 - 9
Natural Range:   Iran
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part sun
Height: 20'
Bloom Time:  February to March
Attributes: Deciduous, large shrub or small tree that develops a patchwork of gray, green and creamy bark with age.  Medium green foliage with irregular white and gray mottling.
Notes:  Fall foliage is flushed pink and purple.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Vitaceae
Zone:  7 - 9
Natural Range:  China
Soil:  Average
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:10' -  30'
Bloom Time:  June to July
Attracts:  Birds
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Each leaf has five leaflets to 3" long.  Satin , deep green leaves with silvery veins.  New growth is red-bronze.  Greenish white flowers, blue-black fruit.
Notes:  Very showy climbing vine.

Pot size:  1 Gallon Pot

Pot size:  1 Gallon Pot 3'

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range: Japan;  Shikoku, Kyushu
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height:  18"
Bloom Time: June to July
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous.  Clump forming herbaceous perennial with rounded, palmately lobed leaves to about 12" across.  Pale creamy yellow flowers on 18" tall spikes.
Notes: Usually only found in collectors and botanical gardens.  Peltoboykinia are related to Rodgersia and Darmera, and are used to create dramatic foliage effects.  Slightly smaller scale to its relatives.  Do not allow them to dry out in the hot summer

Pot Size: Large Band Pot

Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: Mediterranean
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Small rounded leaves with fragrant white flowers tinged pink in winter.
Notes:  Unlike other Petasites this species is more drought and sun tolerant.  A Cistus Nursery Introduction.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 8
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Moist - wet, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Attributes:  Deciduous, 4' - 7' tall.  Huge round leaves to 4' across.  Strange frilly winter blooms that resemble an ornamental cabbage.
Notes:  This form has huge foliage.  Give them plenty of room to grow.  They do well with lots of bright light, but shade them from the hottest part of the day.  They may wilt in a too hot of a spot but if their roots are kept moist they will bounce up once the day has cooled.  

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Moist - wet, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Attributes:  Deciduous, 12” - 24" tall.  Strange frilly blooms late in the winter, often while there is still snow and frost.  Round foliage emerges in the spring, and lasts until fall.
Notes:  This form has purple - burgundy foliage and stems.  As the season progresses the top of the foliage darkens to green.  Give them plenty of room to grow.  They do well with lots of bright light, but shade them from the hottest part of the day.  They may wilt in a too hot of a spot but if their roots are kept moist they will bounce up once the day has cooled.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 8
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Moist - wet, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Attributes:  Deciduous, 4' - 7' tall.  Huge round leaves to 4' across.  Strange frilly winter blooms that resemble an ornamental cabbage.
Notes:  This form has huge foliage.  Give them plenty of room to grow.  They do well with lots of bright light, but shade them from the hottest part of the day.  They may wilt in a too hot of a spot but if their roots are kept moist they will bounce up once the day has cooled.  

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Moist - wet, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Attributes:  Deciduous, 12” - 24" tall.  Strange frilly blooms late in the winter, often while there is still snow and frost.  New foliage emerges in the spring, and lasts until fall.
Notes:  This form has gold foliage.  Give them plenty of room to grow.  They do well with lots of bright light, but shade them from the hottest part of the day.  They may wilt in a too hot of a spot but if their roots are kept moist they will bounce up once the day has cooled.

Pot Size: Large Band Pot