The 3 inch long glossy green leaves of the Himalayan Sarcococca or Christmas Box are definitely an outstanding feature of this shade tolerant evergreen shrub. Native to the western Himalayas this low growing plant is ideal for foundation planting, or locations that require a lower overall height,  as it grows only 18-24″ tall yet spreads 3 feet wide.

When planted in well drained moist soils this evergreen will slowly spread by stoloniferous growth.  In winter it bears clusters of fragrant, inconspicuous, pink tinged white flowers; male flowers (towards shoot tips) have pink anthers, female flowers with 2 styles. When planted in mass the fragrance can be quite strong. The fruit is dark blue to black and 1/4 inch in size. The variety humilis is smaller and more cold-hardy than the species.

The Amur maple is a deciduous small tree or large shrub hardy to Zones 3-6. Often used in a landscape as a screen or massing plant due to its rather dense, compact habit. Mostly sold in the nursery trade as a multi-stemmed plant it can be trained and maintained as a single stem tree with regular maintenance.

Green leaves emerge rather early in the spring and mature into a dark green color in the summer. Spectacular red-orange fall color. Winged seeds (samara) remain persistent on the tree throughout the winter months providing food for both birds and small mammals.

Performs best in moist soil, and is somewhat drought tolerant in maturity and adaptable to a wide variety of soil types. Plant in full sun to part shade, it has been noted that the brighter fall color appear on trees that have full sun exposure. This tree does grow at a medium to fast rate. Susceptible to verticillium wilt.

This shade tolerant deciduous shrub grows to a mature height of 6-8 feet by 6-8 feet wide. Its upright arching habit and dark green leaf color make this a good choice for border plantings. Gray-brown bark on older stems exfoliates to give winter interst. Pale pink bell shaped flowers in early June are followed by brown hairy seeds that are persistent on the shrub well into winter.  Its reddish fall color is rather insignificant. Performs well in rather sandy poor soils and once established is rather drought tolerant.

image source: Gertrud K. 

In the past couple of weeks I have planted, along with some assistance from the kids, several fruit trees and shrubs. Working for a nursery sure has its benefits. I bought an apple, plum, cherry and a fig along with some blueberries. Of all the fruit we have acquired I am most excited about the fig. I chose the Brown Turkey variety.

Hardy in USDA Zones 8-10, however with winter protection the Brown Turkey fig can be grown successfully in Zone 5. Even if frozen in the winter it will die back to the ground and can re-sprout from the ground and still produce a crop the following summer. For best production plant in part sun to full sun areas with well drained soils. Mulch liberally with organic material. Figs tolerate pruning and are often pruned heavily in the dormant season, controlling size and increasing fruit production.

Most cultivars of fig trees produce two crops, a spring crop on last season’s growth, and a summer or fall crop on new wood. Allow the figs to ripen on the tree before you pick them. Fresh figs have a very short shelf life, extend the benefits of figs by drying or even making some jam.

Nature Hills Nursery have the Brown Turkey Fig for sale here.

Common Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

A neat shrub/groundcover of trailing habit (2-12″ high), and with flowers resembling those of the Arbutus, but much smaller. The leaves are entire, dark green in color, and about an inch long, and obovate or oblong in shape. They are alternately arranged on the stems. Fruit globular, of a bright red, smooth and shining.

Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)

Habitat.—Hillsides, open woods and copses, borders of streams and swamps.

Hardiness.— USDA 4-7

Habit.—A shrub or small tree, 6-20 feet high, trunk diameter 3-6 inches; head usually widest near the top, flat; branches nearly horizontal with lateral spray, the lively green, dense foliage lying in broad planes.

Bark.—Trunk and larger branches greenish, warty, streaked with gray; season’s shoots bright yellowish-green or purplish, oblong-dotted.

Winter Buds and Leaves.—Buds small, acute. Leaves simple, alternate or sometimes opposite, clustered at the ends of the branchlets, 2-4 inches long, dark green on the upper side, paler beneath, ovate to oval, almost entire; apex long-pointed; base acutish or rounded; veins indented above, ribs curving upward and parallel; petiole long, slender, and grooved.

Flower.—Summer. From shoots of the season, in irregular open cymes; calyx coherent with ovary,corolla white or pale yellow, with the 4 oblong petals at length.

Fruit.—October. Globular, blue or blue black, on slender, reddish stems.

Horticultural Value.—Adapting itself to a great variety of situations, but preferring a soil that is constantly moist. Nursery or good collected plants are easily transplanted.

This rather large multi-stemmed shrub will reach 20-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet in width. With maintenance one can prune the lower branches and train this as a small tree. Its growth rate tends to be rather even, not a very fast grower. Hardy in Zones 4-8 this slender stemmed plant has exfoliating gray brown bark that compliments its medium textured foliage.

The 2-4 inch long leaves are quite dark green and slightly glossy, the fall color is of no real significance, occasionally turning a dark purple but most leaves will fall of the tree green. Yellow flowers remain for about 3 weeks and emerge rather early in the spring. The large oblong 1/2 inch long cherry-red fruit are borne beneath the foliage in July, often used in syrup and preserves not quite so palatable in its raw form.

The rather compact habit of this tree/shrub makes it a great plant for use in limited space situations. It is not a widely available plant, but worth looking for.

White Rockrose is native to the Mediterranean, and hardy to 15 degrees. This evergreen shrub performs best in full sun and will excel dry locations. It is a rather fast growing shrub, reaching 2-5 feet tall and nearly as wide. Its slender crinkled leaves grow to 2 inches long and are fragrant on warm days. The papery white flowers are 1.5 inches wide and have yellow centers.The White Rockrose can be used as a low screen or as a background in a rock-garden. To help maintain its habit occasional tip pruning or light shearing will help keep this evergreen shrub dense.

This hardy and rather slowing tree fern, known commonly as the Soft Tree Fern, Man Fern or Tasmanian Tree Fern is an evergreen tree fern native to parts of Australia, namely New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria.

Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, this is the most cold hardy of all of the tree ferns. Characterized by a fuzzy red and rather thick trunk that reaches eventually heights of 15 feet. 3-6 foot long fronds arch outwardly from the top of the stem. Best performance in coastal areas where humidity aids in its growth.Shade to part shade to full sun exposure. Frequent summer watering is necessary.

I have seen this grown quite successfully in protected areas in the Seattle metro area as well in Vancouver, B.C. It offers a great texture and drama to the landscape. Success in containers as well.

Native to the United States from Virginia to Florida and west to Mississippi. This rather flowing evergreen shrub performs rather well in the shade and is hardy in zones 5-8. Growing 2-4’ high and 4-6’ wide. Its arching branches and spreading habit make this a great plant for foundation planting as well shrub borders.

Leathery, glossy green leaves are arranged alternately along the stem. The leaves turn purple-green in the winter. The flowers are 1-2.5″ long and are borne in the leaf axis and bloom in April-May.

With preference to acidic, moist well drained soil, this shrub performs best when it is protected from dry winds and drought. I have only experienced leaf spots as an issue in the disease department. This can be a bit problematic if it is a massive infestation and could lead to the demise of the plant.