(Apple Serviceberry, Juneberry)

Birds will flock to the Juneberry for a taste berry treat in very late spring, and gardeners will sigh over the beauty of the white spring flowers and vibrant red and yellow fall foliage. Especially astute gardeners will manage to harvest the edible, sweet, purplish black fruits before the birds pluck them all from the tree.

Great debate and uncertainty remains as to the origins of this deciduous large shrub to small tree. Clearly native to eastern North America, taxonomists can't agree if it's...

(Bishop's Weed, Bullwort)

There is no better cutflower for airy, wildflower looks. The large, white, parasol-shaped flower clusters of Ammi majus look just like larger versions of Queen Anne's lace blooms, but the plant is not as weedy. This fast-growing annual originates from regions along the Mediterranean, so it can withstand drought and warmth once established.

Fine, lance-shaped, compound leaves of soft green line the tall stems. In summer, the big lacy white blooms appear and should be cut regularly to keep...

(False Indigo, Leadplant)

Grayish light green feathery leaves on leadplant are a nice foil for the dark purple flowers in late summer and early fall. A rounded shrub that is deciduous when winters are very harsh, it is native from the hills and prairies of southern Canada to the south central United States. It was given its common name when it was believed to be an indicator of soils containing lead.

The fragrant leaves are pinnately compound - looking like a feather with ten to twenty pairs of tiny grayish and fuzzy...

(Bastard Indigo, Desert False Indigo)

Although having lovely green foliage, the desert false indigo's habit find few gardeners in love with it. The blue-violet to indigo colored flower spikes occur in midsummer. A spreading but also upright, rather unkempt deciduous shrub, it is native to a wide expanse of the eastern United States and southcentral Canada as well as in moister canyons and steamsides in the southwest America deserts. Often considered weedy, it is a tough, durable plant.

The pleasant bright green leaves are made up...

(Amur Peppervine, Porcelain Vine)

This vigorous, deciduous woody vine is grown for its attractive foliage and colorful loose clusters of porcelain blue berries. The berries progress in color as they age, from green to pink, then turquoise blue and violet. It is extremely adaptable to most growing conditions and quite forgiving when transplanted. Suitable support is necessary for this rapid climber from northeastern Asia.

Porcelain vine grows well in any well-drained moist soil. A sunny or partially shade site is best. Be aware...

(Amur Peppervine)

Asian in origin, the porcelain vine is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine grown for its attractive foliage and colorful loose clusters of porcelain blue berries. The berries progress in color as they age, from green to pink, then turquoise blue and violet. This natural variety's foliage can be quite variable, with long leaves that have gentle or deep lobes.

Porcelain vine grows well in any well-drained moist soil. A sunny or partially shade site is best. Be aware that this vine is aggressive and...

(Amur Peppervine, Porcelain Vine, Variegated Porcelain Berry)

The lobed green foliage of this interesting porcelain berry is mottled with white and pink. This vigorous, deciduous woody vine is also grown for its loose clusters of porcelain blue berries that appear in summer. The berries progress in color as they age, from green to pink, then turquoise blue and violet. It is extremely adaptable to most growing conditions and quite forgiving when transplanted. Suitable support is necessary for this rapid climber from northeastern Asia.

Porcelain vine grows...

(Alexander's Foot)

Commonly called Mount Alto daisy, Anacyclus pyrethrum is a low growing perenial taht has a daisy like flower with yellow centers and petals that are white on the front and red on the back. It blooms in mid-summer. Its ferny foliage has a silver cast. Native to the Mediterean region, this daisy needs good drainage and full sun. It will tolerate drought conditions, but does not like humidity. Mount Alto daisy may die during extremely cold winters. Use as edging or in the front of a perennial...

(Italian Bugloss)

A lovely perennial for sunny, well-drained gardens, Italian bugloss has branched stems covered with numerous rich royal blue flowers that will attract bees. Its green to gray-green leaves are covered with coarse hairs and are long and linear.

These plants are adapted to dry climates and require little to no water once established, so they thrive where summers are long and hot. Place in moist, well-draining soils in full sun and avoid excessive winter moisture to prevent the basal plants from...

(Italian Bugloss)

A lovely perennial for sunny, well-drained gardens, Italian bugloss has branched stems covered with numerous rich royal blue flowers that will attract bees. Its green to gray-green leaves are covered with coarse hairs and are long and linear.

These plants are adapted to dry climates and require little to no water once established, so they thrive where summers are long and hot. Place in moist, well-draining soils in full sun and avoid excessive winter moisture to prevent the basal plants from...