Many people confuse this plant and think of it as a perennial. You may be able to treat it that way, but it really is in the Boxwood family and many times stands in the shadow of its overused Asian cousin, Pachysandra terminalis. Procumbens is a much better landscape plant, far less invasive yet still possessing the groundcover qualities of survival in tough areas that will make it incredibly useful in the landscape. This plant is evergreen zone 6 in the south and semi-evergreen north of this zone. It slowly forms sizable colonies of stems with whorled, deep green 2-4 long, slightly mottled leaves at the top and bare stem below. Flowers appear at the tips of stems above the foliage in early April forming a 2 tall spike of small, white very fragrant flowers that native insects flock to. As fall approaches, its mottled green foliage takes on a bluish cast and the mottling becomes far more pronounced, giving it an even better landscape look. This shade lover is perfect for massing in wooded areas and your garden critters will love the low cover it provides.

Talk about a tough survivor of a plant, Eastern Hophornbeam will tolerate the poorest, rockiest soil and thrive while providing outstanding nest and cover for native songbirds. Round growing, this easy to grow small tree covers itself with 5″ long, deep green, Birch-like foliage starting in April, right about the time its flowers are fully in view. Eastern Hophornbeam has both make and female flowers with the male ones being the larger and more persistent with big, catkin-like blooms that will keep showing into the following winter after the foliage has fallen off. Female flower develop a fruit that looks like Hops giving this plant its name. Plant this selection in full sun, keep it moist the first year then let it go on its own…it is so tolerant and easy to grow that the only thing you’ll ever have to do after the first year is watch the birds that nest in its branches!

Combining an aggressive growing nature and great looks, this native fern is a ‘must have’ plant for the shady areas of your landscape. Big, wide fronds rise out of the ground in the early spring, soon showing off their big, widely separated leaflets that almost give this fern the look of a plant from the pea family. While fronds usually rise a considerable 2-3′ in height they can reach 5 or 6 feet in areas with constant moisture content, giving it a size and form that allows it to lord over the surrounding shade landscape. Royal fern is deciduous with fronds turning a gold to golden brown color before disappearing in the fall. Royal is an easy care winner for any tough shade landscape and will fill in these areas with grace, charm and efficiency.

Wet areas can be a nightmare for gardening, but Cinnamon Fern turns this nightmare into a distant memory with its ability to thrive in this hostile plant environment. Big aggressive fronds emerge from the soil in spring and unfurl nearly upright to yellowish-green fronds that can stretch even to 4 or 5′ tall depending on the area. Unique cinnamon brown fibers are found at the base of this plant and its fronds giving this plant a slightly different look and providing the basis for its name. Cinnamon Fern will tolerate sun or shade but needs ample soil moisture to make a go of it in the sun. This container size is exclusively offered to American Beauty program buyers!

Some of the sweetest looking plants seem to go undiscovered as is evidenced by this charmer. ‘Goshiki’ is a dense growing, pyramidal shaped evergreen with cut, prickly, holly-like foliage that will mesmerize you with its heavy dose of gold flecked variegation that turns cream as the leaves age. New foliage has a distinct reddish-bronze cast, adding to the attractiveness of this easy care plant that thrives in sun or part shade.

Oregano is a must in Italian cuisine. Fresh or dried leaves are used in tomato sauce, marinated vegetables, roasted peppers, beef and poultry. They add just the right flavor bring out the goodness of adding fresh herbs to home made meals. It also combines well with thyme, garlic, basil, and olive oil. In the garden, ‘Supreme’ is an easy care winner with dark green leaves filling heavy branches that form a sizable spreading mound that thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. ‘Supreme’ will come back year after year and generally grows just under 2’ wide.  It’s a plant that you can plant and forget once it’s established, but you’ll never forget the full flavor it will bring to your food!  Harvest ‘Supreme’ Oregano all season long by picking off young leaves that are particularly tasty before the plant’s flowers open.

Vigorous and highly scented, this is one herb that no garden or kitchen should be without! Multiple stems are densely packed with small, deep green leaves that are a must for seasoning tomato sauce, vegetables, beef, poultry and so much more. Easy to grow in full sun and nearly pest-free, oregano is a great plant for growing in the garden, deck containers, or a pot on a kitchen sill just waiting to put some life into someone’s dinner! Perennial.

Get your salsa and Mexican food ready because here comes ‘Hot & Spicy’, an Oregano that will fire up your taste buds while looking great in the garden. ‘Hot & Spicy’ produces a flavor that is consistently powerful, intense and hot… a perfect companion to Sara’s Hot Peppers and Cilantro while preparing any south of the border meal classic. In the garden, ‘Hot & Spicy’ is an easy care winner with dark green leaves filling heavy branches that form a sizable round bush that thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. It’s a plant that you can plant and forget once its established, except for the unforgettable spicy kick it will bring to your food! Perennial.

Here’s a great basil that will be a welcomed addition to any garden or any recipe! ‘Spicy Globe’ is a dense, small leaved plant that forms a tight, dense growing sphere with an impenetrable thicket of small leaves and stems. Its form makes it perfect for grouping in a small space garden or growing in a pot, deck container, or window box. ‘Spicy Globe’ is easy to grow, can be used fresh or dried, and extremely pungent, making a welcome addition to pesto and Italian food of all types. Annual.