Alyssum corsicum

Boo-hoo, our poor little photos do not do this very beautiful DRY GARDEN ground cover justice. Dense and compact to 1’ tall and about 20” across, it glows bright silvery white in the garden. The foliage forms tight little rosettes of oval shaped foliage leaves held upright, providing a rich effect of light and shadow. Small, soft yellow flowers are borne in Spring but you’ll want to grow this fine Mediterannean climate perennial for its form and foliage. DROUGHT TOLERANT, HEAT TOLERANT and DEER RESISTANT, this native of Anatolia will make a choice low grower for your rock garden, dry garden or parking strip. Wonderful combined with succulents, too!

Sun/Part sun. Low/No Summer water. Perennial.
USDA zones 6-10

Aralia californica
"Elk Clover"
"California Ginseng"

Native to the Bay Area and much of California and Oregon, here is one exceptionally DRAMATIC plant for your shady garden. Rising from dormancy in early Spring, “Elk Clover” forms large, branching clusters of huge tres tropical rich green toothed pointy oval leaves (which can reach 6’ in length!). Beginning in June, the tall flowering stalks burst into fun 2” whitish pom-pom flower clusters which develop into handsome shiny dark purple berries ADORED BY BIRDS. But wait, there’s more! The whole plant puts on its grandest show in Fall when leaves turn yellow to perfectly compliment those berries! Aralia californica is tolerant of most soils, but as it is native to cool moist areas, you’ll want to give it average water in Summer. To 8’ x 8’ it has many medicinal uses. Deciduous in Winter.

Part Shade/Shade. Avg. water/Moist Perennial.
USDA zones 7-10

Fuchsia
'Venezuela'

A handsome plant in leaf and flower with classic Fuchsia elegance & mite resistance to boot! ‘Venezuela’ is about twice the size in leaf & flower as the similarly good- natured Fuchsia thymifolia. Foliage stays dense & tidier than most fuchsias & retains a low habit, though long shoots may clamber up thru neighboring shrubs. Flowers are a classic combination of magenta & royal purple with prominent sepals & they bloom profusely Spring thru Summer – potentially longer. Best of all, this plant is reported to be resistant to those evil little mites, so you can bring hummingbirds back into your garden without the yucky curly problems many hybrid Fuchsias bring! Hardiness is untested, but it stayed evergreen & dignified all Winter in our nursery. 3’ wide by 1’ tall, rooting along stems. Rich soil for best show!

Sun. Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA zones 6-10

Thalictrum rochebrunianum
"Lavender Mist"

Willy Wonka meets Columbine! Ferny divided leaves give way in Summer to a 6’ tower of purple buds that are perfectly spherical and held delicately like carbonation in a magical candy fizzy drink. They are a perfect violet purple and open to an inflorescence of creamy primrose yellow anthers. This display has that pristine, airy, ferny delicacy that’s just impossible to capture on film. As the little purple bubbles pop open in bloom they face downwards, so you can watch them from below. This very hard to come by, long lived and desirable “Meadow Rue” is a MUST HAVE for the shady border and really fun when planted in groups, as it’s a skinny plant – our 3 year-old specimen is a sturdy upright 6’ tall and only one foot wide, but it is better and better every year. The lovely dissect leaves stick around most of the year and like Aquilegias, to which it is related, you can simply whack it to the ground, top dress with compost and it will return with aplomb!

Part Sun/Part Shade. Regular water/Moist. Perennial.
USDA Zones 4-10.