(Black Chokeberry, Black Chokecherry)

Small, pretty white blossoms in spring, orangey fall color and dark purplish-black berries make black chokeberry a great shrub for naturalistic massed plantings. An upright deciduous shrub that suckers to form a thicket of twigs and leaves, it is native to the moist soils of the eastern United States and a thin sliver of southeastern Canada. Individual plants have a cluster of many, thin, dark brown stems that have a white, waxy, semi-flaky film on the smaller, reddish-brown twigs. It is slightly...

(Autumn Magic Black Chokecherry, Black Chokeberry, Black Chokecherry)

With small, pretty white blossoms in spring, 'Autumn Magic' black chokeberry has orange-red to burgundy-tinged fall color and black berries. A compact, upright deciduous shrub that may form a thicket, it is native to the moist soils of the eastern United States and a thin sliver of southeastern Canada. Individual plants have a cluster of many, thin, dark brown stems that have a white, waxy, semi-flaky film on the twigs, which are reddish-brown.

Small clusters of five-petaled white flowers appear...

(Black Chokeberry, Black Chokecherry, Viking Chokeberry)

Small, pretty white blossoms in spring, orangey fall color and dark purplish-black berries make black chokeberry a great shrub for naturalistic massed plantings. An upright deciduous shrub that suckers to form a thicket of twigs and leaves, it is native to the moist soils of the eastern United States and a thin sliver of southeastern Canada. Individual plants have a cluster of many, thin, dark brown stems that have a white, waxy, semi-flaky film on the smaller, reddish-brown twigs. It is slightly...

(Purple Chokeberry)

Dainty white flowers dot this shrub's foliage in late spring, followed by astringent deep purple berries in summer and red fall foliage. The purple chokeberry is a thicket-forming upright deciduous shrub from the eastern United States, regarded as a naturally-occurring hybrid between the red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) and black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa).

The foliage is green, becoming deep green with a hint of gray because of the sparse hairs on the undersides of...

(Tall Oatgrass)

Tall oatgrass is a perennial tufted grass. It is native to Eurasia but is widely introduced in North America, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand because it was originally planted as a pasture grass. It is now considered an invasive weed of old fields, prairies and natural meadows.

This prolific grass has medium green blades that are tall, upright, linear and rough to the touch. The inconspicuous pale green or purple flowers are produced in late spring and early summer and resemble oats. Oatgrass...

(Tall Oatgrass)

Bulbous oatgrass is a perennial clump-forming grass and spreads rapidly by round bulb-like corms. It is native to Europe but considered an invasive weed in the western United States. It spreads and quickly escapes beyond the confines of a garden, so most refrain from planting it.

This prolific grass has medium green blades that are short, upright, linear and rough to the touch. The inconspicuous pale green or purple flowers are produced in late spring and early summer and resemble oats.

Bulbous...

(Tall Oatgrass, Variegated Tall Oatgrass)

This variegated grass spreads quickly by small round corms. Its pretty blades are gray-green with white edges.

Bulbous oatgrass is a perennial grass that is native to Europe. It is considered an invasive weed in many parts of the western United States. It spreads and may escape beyond the confines of a garden, so manage it diligently if you plant it.

This prolific grass has green and white blades that are short, upright, linear and rough to the touch. The inconspicuous pale green flowers are...

(Curlicue Wormwood, Seafoam Wormwood)

This curious silvery-blue perennial, ‘Seafoam,’ is a curlicue sage, so named for the finely divided, plumey, curly leaves that crowd together in distinct bunches like froth on a wave. It is a variety of Artemisia versicolor a plant of unknown origin which is thought to be a dwarf because of its small leaves and density. Low-growing and spreading, ‘Seafoam’ will cascade off rock ledges and over pots and curbs.

Developed mainly for its soft texture and color, ‘Seafoam’ blooms irregularly...

(Southernwood)

Southernwood is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub that produces fragrant gray green, feathery, foliage. This southern Europe native has panicles of insignificant yellowish gray flowers in late summer.

Southernwood does best in well drained, fertile soil and full sun. In heavy soils the plant will be short lived. The lemon-scented foliage of this plant is of much interest and is a great addition to any shrub border. It has some medicinal purposes and be of use to people with an interest in...

(Absinthe, Wormwood)

Absinth, or wormwood, is a clump forming, woody, perennial that is native to Europe and Asia. The aromatic, hairy, silver gray foliage also bears panicles of insignificant grayish yellow flowers.

This plant is best grown in rich, well drained soil and full sun. It is commonly used as an ingredient in the liquor absinthe and has other medicinal purposes that may be useful for an herb garden. It is also excellent in a rock garden or in the background in a perennial border. It is a lovely companion...