Every so often we spotlight favorite plants from the other designers in our office.

Previously known as Aster divaricatus (see Potentilla post for explanation of botanical name changing), this east coast native is a star in the fall woodland garden.

This cultivar of the red maple (Acer rubrum) certainly lives up to its common name – the fire engine red leaves put on a fabulous show in the fall.

Advances in plant breeding have added many new color options to the classic red/pink of Echinacea purpurea, the purple coneflower.

A common pruning strategy is colloquially termed ‘crape murder,’ when plants are chopped back to remove current season’s growth.

Witch hazels (Hamamelis virginiana and others) are a group of deciduous late winter or early spring flowering understory shrubs. The yellow, red, or orange flowers (depending of species, cultivar or hybrid) are a cheery addition to the garden at a time when not much else is blooming.

Good in full sun or part shade and blooming before the leaves come out, the three quinces in the Storm Series (Scarlet, Orange, and Pink) are old fashioned flowering shrubs finding new life in gardens with their vibrant colors and double flowers. 

Oemleria cerasiformis (Skunk bush) is a tough, early spring flowering shrub native to the Pacific Northwest. Offering multiple seasons of interest, Skunk bush provides flowers in the spring, edible fruit during the summer, and yellow fall color.  

A native to most of the United States, this plant can take a variety of conditions but does well in a moist, sunny environment where it can sucker freely.

Giant Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) is one of the most beautiful, persistent harbingers of spring

This is a show stopping plant in full sun and can be better appreciated with a darker backdrop to highlight the form.

A fine tree for a tight space in full sun or part shade, Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ is a narrow gem of tree, growing up to 60’ tall, but only 3-4’ wide.