Distinctive Foliage

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

Nyssa sylvatica 'Sheri's Cloud' (Variegated Black Tupelo)

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

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:  4" 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

Pot size:  4" Band 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: 4"

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 cabage.
Notes:  This form has huge foliage.  Give them pleanty of room to grow.  They do well with lots of bright light, but shade them from the hotest part of the day.  They may wilt in a too hot of a spot but if their roots are keept moist they will bounce up once the day has cooled.  

Pot Size: 4" Band 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

Family:  Hydrangeaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: PP34,296; CBRAF
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height:  3' - 4'
Bloom Time: May to June
Attracts: Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Fragrant creamy white flowers.  Green foliage with yellow variegation.
Notes: Great foliage texture.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Aspleniaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: Europe
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Shade to part shade
Height: 12"
Bloom Time: NA
Attributes: Evergreen, crinkled, wavy margins.  Forms erect-arching clumps of leathery tongue-shaped, bright green fronds.
Notes: A very unique texture.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family: Rosaceae
Zone:3 - 9
Natural Range:Hybrid
Soil:  Average humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 5'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Compact, mounded cultivar with dark purple red maple-like foliage.  White flowers often tinged pink. 
Notes:  Rugged and stunning foliage plant

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Rosaceae
Zone:3 - 9
Natural Range:Hybrid
Soil:  Average humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 5'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Compact, mounded cultivar with gold to chartreuse, maple-like foliage.  White flowers often tinged pink. 
Notes: Brilliant foliage.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 8 - 10
Natural Range: Guatemala, Mexico
Soil:  Moist to dry, humus rich, well drained, drought tolerant
Light: sun, part sun
Height: 60', smaller in cultivation.
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes: Evergreen.  Long green needles.  Drooping
Notes: In the wild is often associated with Gaultheria, Liquidambar, Quercus.  Native to the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala from 1000 m - 1500 m above sea level.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Pinaceae
Zone: 5 - 10
Natural Range: California
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained, drought tolerant
Light: sun, part sun
Height: 45'-100', much smaller in cultivation. 
Attributes:  Evergreen, long gray needles giving a ghostly appearance.   Massive, heavy symmetrical, dull brown, resinous cone.  Distinct look among Pines.
Notes:  Collected in Northern California along the Trinity River.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: sun
Height: 150', much smaller in cultivation
Attributes:  Evergreen, conical crown, blue green leaves to 8 inches long.  Graceful, drooping foliage.  Long cylindrical cones.
Notes:  Rare in cultivation.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family:Pittosporaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China, Japan, Taiwan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 15'
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Narrow, wavy leaves to 7" long.  Formed in whorled clusters of 3-6.  White flowers.
Notes: Textually interesting and reliably hardy shrub that is still relatively uncommon in cultivation.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family: Platanaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: Arizona, New Mexico and south into Mexico
Soil:  Average, moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 25' - 75'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes: Deciduous, palmate, deeply lobed with small serrated margins.  Erect trunk with mottled white and gray flaking bark.
Notes:  A stunning and quite rare native Sycamore.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Poaceae
Zone:6 - 10
Natural Range:Japan
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 2' - 4'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Brilliant chartreuse and darker green stripes.
Notes:  Deciduous in zone 8 and below and looks best when cut back late winter/early spring.  Looks gorgeous in a ornamental pot as a focal point.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Attributes:  Deciduous, Evergreen in frost free areas.  Usually keeps foliage even in to mid to upper twenties. 12” - 18" tall.  Blood red blooms in spring. New growth emerges in chartreuse with chocolate brown spotting.
Notes:  Good form and one of the best foliage plants for temperate gardens.

Pot Size:  Quart Size Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Part sun, shade
Height:  24"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Blood red blooms in spring.  New growth emerges in reds, oranges, purples.  As the season progresses the foliage has dark purple markings with a greenish background.
Notes: Does best when planted in dappled light and humus rich soil.  Coloration can change depending on age and lighting.
 
Pot size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 12"-18"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous. Clumping.  Deciduous, evergreen above 20s F.  Blood red blooms in spring.  Bronze-orange foliage.
Notes: Small growing species that has better color with some morning sun and sheltered from the hot afternoon sun.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 12"-18"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous. Clumping.  Deciduous, evergreen above 20s F.  Blood red blooms in spring.  Dark brown and white mottled foliage.
Notes:  Excellent form with mottled foliage and good growth habit.  It has been a while since this strain has been available.  Plant with other Podophyllum for textural effect and contrast.  If planted on a mound or slight incline the flower show off best.  I have found for all Podophyllum that they grow best when planted in deep rich fertile soil with lots of organic material.  I use a good layer of fertile mulch with dark bark chips along with manure and compost.  P. difforme perform best when in dappled shade.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range:  Himalayas
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 2' - 3'
Attributes:  Deciduous, A flowering plant will have two umbrella like lobed leaves.  New growth emerges mottled with chocolate brown fading to green.  Single pinkish white flowers formed between the two leaves in spring.  Red fruit in summer.
Notes:  Also known as Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, Dysosma emodi and Podophyllum emodi.  Plant in a bit more sun than you would other Podophyllum species.  In the wild hexandrum grows in alpine meadows and open woodlands with other perennials and shrubs.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Polypodiaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Asia
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 6" - 18"
Bloom Time: NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Green blade-like fronds with contrasting underside of the frond.  Orange felt like sori that cover the entire frond.   This form has fronds with dark green and light green striping. 
Notes: Slow growing, creeping rhizome.  Pyrrosia grow on mossy logs, trees and rocks in the wild.  In the garden Pyrrosia grow well with other ferns in a good loose rich moist soil.  Shelter from the afternoon sun.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Polypodiaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Asia
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 6" - 18"
Bloom Time: NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Green blade-like fronds with contrasting underside of the frond.  Orange felt like sori that cover the entire frond.
Notes: Slow growing, creeping rhizome.  Pyrrosia grow on mossy logs, trees and rocks in the wild.  In the garden Pyrrosia grow well with other ferns in a good loose rich moist soil.  Shelter from the afternoon sun.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Fagaceae
Zone:  5 - 10
Natural Range:  California
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  15’ - 30'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Red new growth.
Notes:  One of the prettiest trees.
 
Pot size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Fagaceae
Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range:  Texas, Mexico
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  35’
Bloom Time:  March to April
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Blue-green leaves with oblong shape and shallow lobes.  Yellow to brown fall foliage.
Notes:  Most often found growing in canyons or protected slopes.  Dense crown with distinct blue cast that contrasts with the surrounding green foliage of Junipers and other oaks.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Styraceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Southwestern China, Vietnam
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 15' - 30'
Attributes: Deciduous.  Clusters of white flowers, dark green leaves and upright growth habit
Notes:  Beautiful and rarely available tree in the Styrax family.

Pot size:  Medium band pot