Common name:Pacific, Round, or Yellow Stonecrop
Botanical name:Sedum spathulifolium

This species of sedum is quite low, usually under 4 inches. Leaves are somewhat rounded, thick and fleshy with a unusual white powdery coating which lends a white to grey-green appearance. In early summer, they produce flat-topped clusters of yellow flowers. In autumn, leaves often turn reddish to purplish. In fact, this plants foliage seems to change color constantly all year round. They are particularly well suited for mixing among Sempervivums and other low stonecrops in the rockery, front of the perennial border or alpine troughs.

Common name:Montgomery Dwarf Spruce
Botanical name:Picea pungens 'Montgomery'

'Montgomery' (sometimes sold as 'R.H. Montgomery') is a slow-growing, dwarf cultivar of Colorado spruce. It has a broad cone shape that grows 2 to 3 feet tall over 8 years with a similar spread. May eventually reach 6 to 8 feet in height, or more. Features attractive silvery blue needles. A nice accent, or to give a shrub or perennial border some needed winter interest, without being overwhelming in scale.

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta x faassenii

Catmint makes soft, grey-green, rounded mounds from 10 to 24 inches high, depending on variety. Most will be wider than tall. This perennial has lavender blue flowers from late spring to early summer, though if you shear off the first flowers, it will frequently bloom again later in the summer. Different varieties have slightly different bloom times. Leaves are attractive, crinkled blue-grey and are aromatic.

Common name:Summer Wine Ninebark
Botanical name:Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'

Summer Wine ninebark is a smaller version of Diabolo, with finer textured, deeply cut foliage of a rich crimson-red. It has an upright, open vase form, growing to about 5 to 6 feet tall and wide. Flowers are creamy white and very showy against the dark foliage.