Abelia chinensis 'White Surprise'

Chinese abelia

Early and long blooming shrub with white flowers that are larger and more fragrant than other Abelia varieties.

Aucuba japonica 'Hosoba Hoshifu'

Japanese aucuba

Aucubas are must-have shrubs for the shade garden. This unusual Japanese form is somewhat compact, growing to about 6' tall. It bears conspicuously narrow foliage heavily speckled with gold. The variegation is much brighter than most other forms of aucuba. Mostly inconspicuous purple flowers give rise to large red fruits on this female form. Great for brightening up a shady spot where it will tolerate significant drought once established.

Buddleja 'Miss Molly'

butterfly bush

The former JC Raulston Arboretum director, Denny Werner, bred this brightly colored beauty. Functionally sterile and noninvasive in areas like the northeast where others can be a problem.

Cymbopogon citratus

lemon grass

Lemon grass can be both a fountain grass in the garden and a wonderful addition to Asian and Indian recipes in the kitchen, where the crushed stalks impart a wonderful lemon aroma. Overwinter indoors.

Dianthus plumarius 'Itsaul White'

white feathered pink

Pure white semi-double flowers are heavily fringed.

Disporopsis pernyi

evergreen Solomon's seal

Perny's evergreen Solomon's seal is a slowly spreading, evergreen ground cover that is perfect for the woodland garden. Small, white flowers are born along the 1' tall stems in spring.

Distylium myricoides 'Spg-3-007'

Spring Frost white-flush isu tree

Spring Frost is a compact, spreading evergreen shrub with white new growth held by red stems. In late winter, burgundy red flowers are interesting in the winter landscape.

Gaura lindheimeri 'Walsilfou'

Walberton's Silver Fountain variegated wand flower

White flowers and variegated green and white foliage mark this variety.

Geranium ×cantabrigiense 'Karmina'

cranesbill

Six to eight weeks of gorgeous flowers in spring on a tidy, evergreen, small-scale ground-cover plant. It will shed a small percentage of its leaves in the fall but only after turning bright red.

Hosta 'Humpback Whale'

hosta

A massive sized hosta of blue-green corrugated leaves that fade to green in summer.

Iris 'Easter Tide'

louisiana iris

Gorgeous, abundant light lavender and yellow blooms top this lovely iris in spring. Happy in moist soil and several inches of standing water.

Iris 'Professor Paul'

Louisiana iris

This deer-resistant iris forms a robust clump of vertical green leaves topped with 5" lavender-blue flowers beginning in mid-May. 'Professor Paul' is equally happy planted in moist soils or 4" of standing water.

Nepeta 'Psfike'

Little Trudy catmint

A drought tolerant dwarf form of catmint with a low spreading habit and a long blooming season. Atop a finely textured, aromatic, silvery foliage, its profuse purple-violet flowers are on permanent display from late spring to late summer.

Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Golden Arrow'

mountain fleece

A compact selection that is grown for its golden foliage and cardinal red summer flowers.

Philodendron 'Hope'

hardy philodendron

Normally a tropical houseplant, this selection has proven to be able to survive outside in North Carolina gardens. Very late to emerge from dormancy ... at least June.

Pulsatilla vulgaris subsp. grandis 'Papageno'

pasqueflower

Must have well drained soil ... great for a rock garden.

Pycnanthemum incanum

mountain mint

Rudbeckia missouriensis

Missouri orange coneflower

Native to the midwest United States. Uncommon in gardens. The ray petals stick straight out instead of curling down as other Rudbeckia species do.

Salvia elegans 'Tangerine'

pineapple sage

The 'Tangerine' name refers to the fruity scent of the bruised leaves, not the flower color which is bright red.Somewhat tender so a cover of winter mulch and well drained soil is needed. The tubular flower shape indicates they are definitely attractive to hummingbirds.

Sempervivum

Chick Charms Giants Steel Appeal hens and chicks

Dark red leaves with a steely gray-green tip. Requires well drained soil. A rock garden is best. In Raleigh, some protection from afternoon sun is best.

Sinocrassula yunnanensis (crested form)

Chinese jade

This form elongates into a crest-like shape. Not cold hardy in Raleigh. Must have excellent drainage. The main plant dies after blooming and is replaced by offsets. Aka Sedum indicum var. yunnanense

Viburnum prunifolium 'Summer Magic'

blackhaw viburnum

New foliage emerges bright red, turns pink and then green through summer, then red and yellow in fall. This selection is more compact than the wild type and tends not to set fruit. Combine with a native red honeysuckle.

Viola corsica

Corsican pansy

A perennial pansy!