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:Diabolo Ninebark
Botanical name:Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo'

Intense reddish-purple foliage holds its color all summer long on this upright, arching deciduous shrub. Adding to Diabolo ninebark's attractions are the summer-time clusters of creamy white to pinkish flowers. Plant in full sun for best color, though in periods of extreme high heat it may become more deep bronzy green than purple. Fall color is orange. Moderate grower to 8 to 10 feet tall and wide.

Common name:Switch Grass
Botanical name:Panicum virgatum

Switch grass is a north American native and an original component of the Midwestern Plains. It is a warm-season (it goes dormant during the winter) clumping grass with an upright form, interesting flowers, showy fall color, and a great winter presence. It grows from 4 to 7 feet tall and about half as wide, though in time may spread wider. Airy, delicate flowers appear in mid-summer, hanging along an arching, wiry stem, and are pink to red to orange. Foliage turns yellow to orange in the fall, and the flowers turn a silvery white. there are now many cultivars to choice from, and they all make excellent and low-care additions to perennial or shrub borders, or in more naturally styled settings.

Common name:Tricolor Beech
Botanical name:Fagus sylvatica 'Roseo-marginata'

This beech has purple leaves with irregular rose and pinkish-white margins. Slowly grows 30 to 40 feet tall and wide. The leaves look best when provided with afternoon shade, as our hot dry summers may scorch the white margins.

Common name:Japanese Anemone
Botanical name:Anemone x hybrida

Japanese anemone are a long-lived, fibrous-rooted perennial with lovely single or multi-petaled flowers in late summer to early fall, depending on the cultivar. Its habit is upright, with the flowers appearing on long stems held over the foliage. Foliage is green, a little crinkly, and lobed. Flower colors include white, pink, and rose. Once established, it spreads as long as the roots remain undisturbed. Nice in shady perennial or shrub borders; a lovely cut flower. Grows about 2 to 4 feet tall, and about half as wide (depending on the cultivar) but it will spread with time.