Upright evergreen shrub with spiny leaves. Native in the Northwest, it benefits from occasional pruning to keep foliage clean and diminish its tendency to become overgrown. Native Americans used the stems and roots to make a yellow dye.

Given no pruning, forms a dense, dwarf, upright tree . It is useful as a walkway or border focal point or as an edging feature. A diminutive hedge could be another landscape option, with the larger-than-usual buds adding to its winter interest. Rarely available in the trade still, but very easy to grow and zero maintenance required other than irrigation.

The Oakleaf Hydrangeas share many desirable characteristics: white flowers with bold, trouble-free foliage that turns burgundy red in the fall. Double-flowered 'Snowflake' may have the largest inflorescences, which are usually upright. Prefers light shade.

A select American native, 'Mt. Airy' merits wider use as compared to its close relatives, the witchhazels, which are much larger in mature stature. Exhibits excellent hardiness, attractive summer foliage and spectacular autumn color. The white bottlebrush flowers are borne in showy abundance during April/May.

Evergreen shrub with rich forest-green foliage to accent its bright yellow early winter flowers. Upright growth and drought/shade tolerance make this a great focal plant when winter's arrival means fewer possibilities to brighten the garden. Offers bloom succession after 'Charity'.

A prolific bloomer, its stout stems ensure that the flowers don't droop. Although the coarse leaves give it an almost tropical appearance, the autumn leaf colors are a rich mix of red, burnt orange, and green. When the notably persistent foliage drops, the tan/brown exfoliating bark is a pleasing unexpected bonus.

American wild rose, native to both sides of the Cascades, Alaska to California. Single pink flowers with a pleasing rose aroma. Wet site tolerant.

A hybrid of M. japonica and M. lomariifolia. Beautiful across all seasons for its architecturally bold and symmetrical form. Bright yellow late winter flowers. Here in the wet-winter Pacific Northwest, our 'Charity' stock block is totally free of leaf spot that infects M. bealei so severely.

Half the size of most other cultivars, this one shares their tough constitution and season-long appeal. Upright flowers emerge cream-colored and become a surprising wine-red color with age.

With its origins on the West coast you might think that is why we are infatuated with this selection but really it is because of its unique attributes. It blossoms later than Charity and has bolder, broader leaves that, unbelievably, are more architectural. Also the flower clusters are a little fatter and shorter.

Another remarkable release from the U.S. National Arboretum's shrub breeding program in McMinnville, Tenn. in 2013 for which they should be rightly proud. Blooming a week later than other sections and holding its mature inflorescences even longer it really extends the season. The inflorescences are 9 inches long and age to pink while the plant grows to 6 ft. tall by 9 ft. wide.