Crocus kotschyanus

Crocus kotschyanus is a fall-blooming perennial bulb, flowering in late September & early October.  There are several subspecies from Turkey, the Causasus, Syria & Lebanon.  They can be blue, pink, lilac or purple, usually with conspicuous veins.  They are said to spread readily from seed, but that wasn't true in my garden.  Foliage appears in spring.  The are xeric to the point of needing little or no irrigation.  They can be ordered online or by catalog from various bulb companies.  There are many other species of  Crocus that bloom in the fall.  But most are not easy to find.  If you like Crocus, consider searching for them.

Eucomis comosa

Eucomis comosa is one of the most beautiful perennial bulbs.  It usually blooms in August in Seattle.  The first blossoms open at the bottom of the stalk & slowly proceed to the top.  The dark red seed pods are also quite attractive.  Eucomis comosa is known at the Pineapple Lily because of the tuft of leaves at the top of the flower stalk, which cause it to resemble a pineapple.  This plant is native to South Africa, but hardy in Seattle.  The flower spikes multiply every year.  It comes in colors from white through light pink to deep burgundy.  It is easily available through mail order, the least expensive way to buy it.  You can also get it at nurseries when it is in bloom, but the number of plants available are usually rather few.  Eucomis comosa needs full sun, regular water & rich soil to grow well.  It does not tolerate dryness.  It looks lovely in pots, but does much better in the ground.  I think they look very nice combined with oriental lilies, as shown in the photo above.

Clematis integrifolia

Clematis integrifolia 'Hanajima'

Clematis integrifolia is a flowering perennial for sun.  It blooms from early to mid-summer in Seattle.  The word Clematis is taken from the Greek word for climbing plants.  Integrifolia means entire-leaf.  Botanically speaking, an entire leaf has a smooth edge, is not toothed.  This Clematis is not a vine.  It has stems of maybe 18 inches long that don't cling.  The stems are floppy & will cascade over a low wall, lie flat on the ground, or prop themselves against other plants.  Each stem bears several flowers.  The number of stems increase as the plant matures.  The usual flower color is blue, but 'Hanajima' is pink.  Flowers are simple & charming, each with 4 petals.  The plant is not drought tolerant, but doesn't need a lot of water.  Plant them among other perennials, but don't allow them to become shaded. Clematis integrifolia is native to Italy, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia & Central Asia.

Erigeron glaucus

Erigeron glaucus is a very flowerful & easy plant to grow in dry sun.  It blooms continuously through the summer, with the largest number of flowers coming in June.  Bloom can start in April & end in October.  Bees love it.  The normal flower color is blue-lavender.  'Sea Breeze' has pink flowers & seems to be the form most commonly sold in Seattle.  The plant is low & spreading, not more than one foot high & up to 3 feet wide.  It looks nice cascading over rocks & walls.  It is drought tolerant, but can't do entirely without water during the summer.  Water regularly, but not heavily, or more than once a week.  The stems of this plant & sometimes also the leaves survive the winter.  Don't cut it back to the base, just remove the obviously dead parts, mostly the flower heads.  It is native to the California & Oregon coasts, where it grows on bluffs, sand dunes & beaches.

Helenium autumnale

Helenium autumnale

Helenium autumnale is a flowering perennial plant for sun.  It generally blooms in September & October.  The common name is common sneezeweed & it is commonly available at most nurseries during the later part of summer.  It is also called Helen's flower.  The name genus name Helenium comes from the Greek word for another plant named for Helen of Troy & autumnale means 'pertaining to autumn'.  Helenium autumnale is native to North America where it is widespread across the US & Canada.  The only state where it has not been found to grow is New Hampshire.  I'm not sure they have looked hard enough in that state.  The flowers are yellow, orange, brick red, or a combination of those colors.  Helenium autumnale grows to about 3 feet tall & requires a moderate amount of water.  It also tolerates wetness.  It is not the most beautiful of plants, but the flowers are pretty & the colors bold.  It blooms at a time when there is little else.

Rosa rugosa

Rosa rugosa 'Hansa'

Rosa rugosa is one of the easiest, most drought tolerant, disease resistant & low-maintenance roses you can grow in Seattle.  It bears attractive flowers, foliage & fruits.  The fruits are large & resemble tomatoes.  Rosa rugosa doesn't often need pruning.  The canes grow to a height of about 3 to 4 feet covered in numerous spines, not the thorns typical of many roses.  Wear gloves when pruning.  The highly fragrant flowers may be single or double in the standard rose colors of red, pink, white & yellow.  Rosa rugosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert' is a popular white rose.  Rosa rugosa has many common names including sea tomato & beach rose.  The name I hear most frequently is rugosa rose.  Rugosa means wrinkled, or rugose.   Rosa rugosa is native to eastern Asia in China, Japan & Korea along the coast, often on sand dunes.  It is considered an invasive species along the coasts of northern Europe & New England.  But this shouldn't be a concern in an urban garden setting.  As with all roses, grow this plant in full sun, in well drained soil.  It blooms in July & August.

Acanthus hungaricus

Acanthus hungaricus

Acanthus hungaricus is a fairly common species of Acanthus in Seattle.  It is more tolerant of dryness than Acanthus mollis, which is much more common.  Acanthus hungaricus has beautiful, holly-like foliage that is not at all spiny.  Flowers come in midsummer, with purple bracts forming hoods over white corollas, which line the stems in many tiers to present quite an impressive display of flowers.  The stems may reach 4 feet in height, but more usually 3 feet.  This plant spreads continually, but not very aggressively & will need to be divided when it begins to crowd its neighbors.  Acanthus hungaricus is a perennial plant for full sun in well drained soil.  It is native to Europe in Romania, the Balkans & Greece.  The common name for Acanthus is bear's breeches, in this case Hungarian bear's breeches.  I hear it called Acanthus more often.

Euphorbia nicaeensis

Euphorbia nicaeensis


Euphorbia nicaeensis with Stachys byzantina (Lamb's Ears)

Euphorbia nicaeensis is a perennial plant, evergreen in Seattle, with new stems in spring reaching two feet in length & replacing the stems of the previous year, which wither during the summer, as in many other Euphorbia species.  It blooms in June.  The plant is easy to grow, requires very little water & good drainage.  It is a good candidate for a Mediterranean garden & really quite lovely.  Euphorbia nicaeensis is similar in size & shape to Euphorbia rigida, another worthwhile & more common species.  Euphorbia nicaeensis is a bit difficult to find.  I ordered mine from Joy Creek Nursery in Scappoose, Oregon. Euphorbia nicaeensis is native to Europe in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy & Croatia, as well as Turkey & the Caucasus.  Nicaea was an ancient city which now lies within the modern Turkish city of Iznik.  Nicaea Maritima was the ancient Roman name for the city of Nice, France.  The specific epithet 'nicaeensis' (of Nicaea) can refer to either city, both within the range of this plant.  It was likely observed by the participants of the Council of Nicaea in the year 325, which may be significant to those interested in early Christian history.

Allium karataviense

Allium karataviense is a bulb with a flower about the size of a baseball.  The usual color of the flower is a very pale pink.  Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen' has white flowers.  There is also an uncommon form named 'Red Globe'.  Allium karataviense blooms in May, earlier than most Allium, which generally bloom in June.  The plant is not very tall, maybe 6 to 8 inches.  Each bulb produces one flower & just a few blue-green leaves.  Allium karataviense spreads slowly by the division of the bulbs & also by seed.  It takes some years for the seedlings to flower, but one flower can produce many seedlings.  A large group of flowers may arise in dry & sunny locations with good drainage in winter.  There is no need for summer water.  Allium karataviense grows naturally in the dry mountains of Central Asia.  It is sometimes called the Turkestan onion.  I think this is one of the more beautiful Allium, both in leaf & in flower.  Rainwater is often cupped at the base of the leaf pairs like sparkling jewels.

Perennials for Sun

 

Zauschneria latifolia July 2010

Paeonia veitchii May 2010

Kniphofia nelsonii June 2009

Lilium 'White Henryi' July 2010

 Sedum 'Matrona' August 2008

Here is a list of sun-loving perennials for gardens in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest & USDA Zone 8.  It includes xeric perennials (those that like dry conditions) & perennials for moist sites.  Most of these plants are fairly common in the temperate gardens of North America & Europe. None are difficult to grow.  A perennial is any plant, not woody, that lives for at least a few years, although some are short-lived.  Perennials include bulbs & grasses.  Perennial groundcovers are listed in Groundcovers for Sun.  Some genera have species that are both annuals & perennials, or both perennials & shrubs.  Some perennials blur the line between perennials & shrubs, & are often called sub-shrubs.  Some can be weedy, spreading widely by seeds.  Others spread by stolons, which are horizontal above-ground shoots.  Those are noted, although the worst of them are not listed here.  A single common name is noted when the plant has a common name.  While some have several common names, others have none at all.  An excellent reference book for perennials is Perennials: The Definite Reference With Over 2,500 Photographs by Roger Phillips & Martyn Rix.

Perennials for Sun

Acanthus hungaricus, Acanthus mollis, Acanthus spinosus (Bear's Breeches): & other species

Achillea (Yarrow): many species

Agapanthus campanulatus (Lily of the Nile): often sold as Headbourne Hybrids

Alcea rosea (Hollyhock): many cultivars

Allium (Ornamental Onion): many species

Anthemis tinctoria (Marguerite Daisy): xeric

Armeria maritima (Thrift): xeric

Aster (Michaelmas Daisy): many species & cultivars

Astrantia major (Masterwort): some cultivars

Baptisia australis (False Indigo): sun, tolerates some dryness.

Camassia leichtlinii, Camassia quamash (Camas): xeric

Campanula (Bellflower): many species

Centranthus ruber (Valerian): xeric

Cheiranthus cheiri (Wallflower)

Clematis integrifolia: not a vine

Coreopsis (Tickseed): xeric

Crocosmia (Flaming Iris): taller cultivars need support

Crocus: many species & cultivars

Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon): tall & dramatic

Delphinium (Larkspur): many cultivars, needs staking

Dianthus (Carnations & Pinks): many cultivars

Digitalis (Foxglove): short-lived but will return from seed

Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle): xeric

Echinacea paradoxa (Yellow Coneflower) Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower): & other species & many cultivars

Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster) Erigeron karvinskianus (Santa Barbara Daisy) Erigeron speciosus (Showy Fleabane): & other species

Eriophyllum lanatum (Oregon Sunshine): xeric

Eryngium amethystinum, Eryngium bourgatii, Eryngium planum, Eryngium variifolium  (Sea Holly): & other species, E planum needs support

Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' (Wallflower)

Eucomis comosa (Pineapple Lily): many cultivars

Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed): & other species, needs moisture, may need staking

Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia x martinii, Euphorbia rigida (Spurge): & other species

Festuca ovina ‘Elijah Blue’ (Blue Fescue): short-lived with some seeding

Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial) Fritillaria meleagris (Chequered Lily): & other species

Galtonia candicans (Summer Hyacinth)

Gaura lindheimeri (Gaura): xeric, spreads widely by seed

Geranium cantabrigiense, Geranium 'Johnson's Blue', Geranium sanguineum (Cranesbill): many species & cultivars, not to be confused with Pelargonium (Geranium)

Geum (Avens): many species & cultivars

Gladiolus (Gladiolus, often Gladiola): many species & cultivars, some need staking

Helianthemum nummularium (Sunrose): several cultivars, xeric

Helenium autumnale (Sneezeweed): & other species, does not cause sneezing

Hemerocallis (Daylily): very many cultivars

Hyacinthus orientalis (Hyacinth): many cultivars, not to be confused with Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)

Iris douglasiana, Iris sibirica, Bearded Iris, Dutch Iris: many species & cultivars

Kniphofia (Torch Lily): many species & cultivars

Lathyrus vernus (Perennial Vetch): short-lived with some seeding

Liatris spicata (Gayfeather)

Lilium (Lily): many species & cultivars

Limonium latifolium (Statice)

Linaria (Toadflax)

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower): needs moisture, Lobelia tupa (Tupa): xeric, & other species

Lupinus (Lupine): many species & cultivars, some are shrubs

Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion): xeric

Mimulus (Monkey Flower): many species, needs moisture or wetness

Monarda didyma (Bee Balm): several cultivars

Narcissus pseudonarcissus (Daffodil) Narcissus jonquilla (Jonquil): many species & cultivars

Nectaroscordum siculum (Mediterranean Bells)

Oenothera (Evening Primrose): spreads widely by seed

Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem): xeric

Paeonia (Peony): many species & cultivars, some are shrubs, very long-lived

Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass): xeric

Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy): & other species

Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass) 

Penstemon (Beardtongue): many species & cultivars, some shrubby, short-lived

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage): xeric
Persicaria affinis, Persicaria amplexicaulis, Persicaria bistorta, Persicaria virginiana (Knotweed): needs moisture, can be invasive
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage): xeric

Phlox (Phlox): many cultivars

Pulsatilla vulgaris (Pasque Flower): several cultivars

Ratibida columnifera (Mexican Hat): xeric

Romneya coulteri (Matilija Poppy): xeric, spreads widely by stolons

Salvia (Sage): many species, short-lived

Scilla peruviana (Giant Squill): xeric, from Spain, not Peru

Solidago (Goldenrod): many species

Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort): some cultivars

Tulipa batalinii, Tulipa turkestanica, Darwin Hybrid Tulip, Lily Flowering Tulip: many species & cultivars

Scrophularia macrantha: xeric
Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Sedum 'Matrona', Sedum 'Vera Jameson' (Stonecrop): & other cultivars, xeric

Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears) Stachys monieri 'Hummelo' (Betony): & other species

Veronica spicata (Speedwell): & other species & cultivars

Zauschneria californica (California Fuchsia) Zauschneria latifolia: & other species, spreads widely by stolons

Groundcovers for Sun

  Arctostaphylos uva-ursi February 2010

Veronica pectinata April 2009

Geranium orientalitibeticum May 2009

 Sedum reflexum February 2010

Thymus pseudolanuginosus February 2010

Here is a list of groundcovers  that grow in sun for garden in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest & USDA Zone 8.  Generally, groundcovers are perennials that spread over the ground by one means or another. The exceptions here are some woody trailing or vining plants & some low spreading shrubs. Groundcovers are very helpful to control weeds. They give depth & richness to a garden. They make plantings look more natural. Choose several groundcovers if your garden is small, many if your garden is large. A single groundcover will spread throughout, looking a bit weedy. As in business, it is better to give groundcovers competition than to let them monopolize your garden. You will also get better coverage & weed-suppression by using a variety of groundcovers. Most of the groundcovers listed below tolerate dryness. Xeric plants prefer dryness & often require well-drained soil.

Groundcovers for Sun

Acaena microphylla (New Zealand Burr): xeric, spreads widely, can overwhelm smaller perennials, often used between stepping stones
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow): xeric, forms spreading mats

Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugle): many cultivars, spreads by stolons & seed, also grows in shade, shares space well

Arctostaphylos x media (A columbiana x A uva-ursi) Arctostaphylos nevadensis (Pinemat Manzanita) Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick): all xeric, spread by prostrate branches, can be controlled by pruning

Armeria maritima (Thrift): xeric, forms small mats, easy to remove
Aubrieta deltoidea (Rock Cress): forms mats, spreads by seed
Aurinia saxatilis (Basket of Gold): xeric, forms low mounds, spreads by seed

Campanula carpatica (Carpathian Harebell): forms slowly spreading mounds
Ceanothus gloriosus (Point Reyes Ceanothus) Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis (Carmel Creeper): xeric, low spreading shrubs, can be contained by pruning

Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer): forms small mats, short-lived
Chamaemelum nobile (Roman Chamomile): tolerates some dryness, can spread invasively by seed, this is not used for tea
Erica x darleyensis (Darley Heath): low spreading shrub

Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster): xeric, forms mats with limited spread, Erica karvinskianus (Santa Barbara Daisy): xeric, short-lived, but returns & spreads by seed
Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus', Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' (Winter Creeper): low spreading shrub, tolerates dryness

Euphorbia cyparissias (Cypress Spurge): xeric, spreads widely by rhizomes & seed, can be invasive, Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge): xeric, forms prostrate clumps, spreads by seed
Fragaria chiloensis (Sand Strawberry): tolerates dryness, spreads by runners, little fruit, Fragaria 'Pink Panda': spreads by runners, no fruit, Fragaria vesca (Woodland Strawberry): spreads widely by runners, but will share space, tasty fruits, also grows in shade

Geranium x cantabrigiense (Dwarf Cranesbill): forms mats, tolerates dryness, Geranium orientalitibeticum (Tibetan Cranesbill): forms small patches, tolerates dryness
Hebe glaucophylla, Hebe x pimeleoides, Hebe pinguifolia 'Pagei' (Hebe): low shrubs with limited spread, tolerate dryness

Hypericum cerastioides (St John’s Wort): forms mats, spreads from seed, easy to control
Iberis sempervirens (Evergreen Candytuft): tolerates dryness, spreads moderately to form mounds

Juniperus conferta (Shore Juniper) Juniperus procumbens (Japanese Garden Juniper) Juniperus squamata 'Blue Carpet': tolerates dryness, shrubs form mats with prostrate branches, can be controlled by pruning
Leptinella squalida (New Zealand Brass Buttons, formerly Cotula): needs moisture, spreads widely, can overwhelm smaller perennials, often used between stepping stones

Lithodora diffusa (Lithodora): xeric, sprawls modestly
Penstemon pinifolius (Pineleaf Beardtongue): xeric, low spreading shrub

Pratia pedunculata (Blue Star Creeper, formerly Laurentia fluviatilis): tolerates dryness, spreads widely, but shares space fairly well, may prevent some bulbs from emerging
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ (Trailing Rosemary): xeric, low spreading shrub

Sedum oreganum, Sedum reflexum 'Angelina', Sedum spathulifolium 'Cape Blanco', Sedum spurium (Stonecrop): xeric, spreads by rooting stems, many species & cultivars

Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears): xeric, spreads widely by rooting stems & seed, but easy to remove

Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme) Thymus pseudolanuginosus (Woolly Thyme): xeric, forms very low mats
Trachelospermum asiaticum (Japanese Star Jasmine): vining stems spread densely to 20 feet, use under shrubs, not with perennials

Veronica pectinata (Woolly Speedwell): xeric, spreads very widely, but not terribly difficult to remove, Veronica prostrata (Harebell Speedwell): xeric, spreads widely, Veronica repens (Creeping Speedwell): xeric, spreads modestly

Shrubs for Sun

Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga' May 2009

Weigela florida 'Variegata' August 2008

Arctostaphylos columbiana April 2009

Juniperus chinensis December 2009

Hydrangea paniculata June 2009

These shrubs for sun are all good plants for gardens in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest & USDA Zone 8. They have good form, lovely flowers, colorful foliage & other characteristics that endear them to many gardeners. Some of these shrubs tolerate dryness, others are xeric plants that prefer well-drained soil. Most of these should be fairly easy to find. When local nurseries fail, try mail-order nurseries.  Forest Farm is a good source for uncommon plants.  This list is not meant to provide detailed information on shrubs, but to introduce you to some you may not know, or remind you of those you have forgotten.  Be sure you know how large these shrubs grow before you plant them.  Many shrubs do not look good when sheared or heavily pruned.  An abundance of detailed information is available on the web.  Good reference books on shrubs are The Hillier Gardener's Guide to Trees & Shrubs edited by John Kelly, Shrubs by Roger Phillips & Martyn Rix, Sunset Western Garden Book.

Abelia chinensis (Chinese Abelia) Abelia 'Edward Goucher', Abelia x grandiflora (Glossy Abelia): tolerates some dryness, showy fall bloom, allow enough room, can be unattractive when pruned, will grow in part shade
Abeliophyllum distichum (White Forsythia): fragrant winter bloom
Abies balsamea 'Nana' (Dwarf Balsam Fir) Abies concolor 'Compacta' (Dwarf White Fir): dwarf evergreen conifers with good form 
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' (Laceleaf Japanese Maple): several cultivars, grows slowly, but can become quite large

Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ (Compact Strawberry Tree): xeric, fall fruit & bloom

Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita) Arctostaphylos densiflora (Vine Hill Manzanita): xeric, good structure, nice bark

Berberis darwinii (Darwin's Barberry): showy bloom, evergreen, Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea' (Golden Japanese Barberry) Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy', Berberis thunbergii 'Helmond Pillar', Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow', Berberis thunbergii 'Royal Cloak' (Red Japanese Barberries): good foliage color, barbs a problem only when pruning, wear thick gloves
Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' (Beautyberry): beautiful fruit, not such a beautiful form, can become large, does not look good when pruned

Callistemon pallidus, Callistemon rigidus, Callistemon sieberi, Callistemon subulatus, Callistemon viridiflorus (Bottlebrush): showy bloom, very uncommon in Seattle

Calluna vulgaris (Heather): many cultivars, showy bloom, good foliage color
Caryopteris x clandonensis (Bluebeard): several cultivars, showy bloom

Ceanothus impressus 'Vandenberg' (Santa Barbara Mountain Lilac) Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Victoria' aka 'Skylark' (Blue Blossom): xeric, showy bloom, not long-lived, these 2 are the most commonly grown in Seattle, others may suffer frost damage
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' (Weeping Atlas Cedar): blue foliage, interesting form, may need staking when young, can spread widely, but takes well to pruning
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Blue Surprise', Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwoodii' (Dwarf Port Orford Cedar): & other cultivars with slender, upright form, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ (Dwarf Hinoki Cypress): & other cultivars, good form
Chimonanthus praecox (Wintersweet): fragrant winter bloom

Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange): fragrant

Cistus x hybridus (White Rockrose) Cistus ladanifer (Crimson Spot Rockrose) Cistus x purpureus (Orchid Rockrose): & many other species, xeric, long period of showy bloom, short-lived
Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Bush): tolerates dryness, beautiful foliage & flowers, but often an awkward form
Daboecia cantabrica (Irish Heath): tolerates dryness, long period of bloom
Daphniphyllum macropodum: nice form, evergreen, unusual almost tropical appearance
Deutzia x elegantissima, Deutzia gracilis (Slender Deutzia) Deutzia x hybrida (Hybrid Deutzia) Deutzia x rosea (Pink Deutzia): needs moisture, beautiful bloom, lovely arching form, give it room to spread
Dorycnium hirsutum (Hairy Canary Clover): xeric, small shrub of Mediterranean origin

Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'Gilt Edge' (Ebbinge's Silverberry): thornless, colorful foliage, Elaeagnus pungens 'Variegata' (Thorny Silverberry): & other cultivars, colorful foliage

Erica arborea 'Estrella Gold', Erica australis, Erica carnea, Erica x darleyensis (Heath): & many other species & cultivars, showy bloom, often in winter
Escallonia 'Apple Blossom', Escallonia rubra (Escallonia): & many other cultivars, tolerates dryness, showy mass of flowers
Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush): colorful fall foliage, Euonymus japonicus (Japanese Euonymus): many cultivars with colorful evergreen foliage
Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride', Exochorda racemosa (Pearl Bush): beautiful but huge, does not take well to pruning, needs moisture

Forsythia:  showy late winter/early spring bloom

Hebe buxifolia, Hebe ochracea, Hebe 'Red Edge', Hebe topiaria: good foliage color, evergreen
Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon): several cultivars, showy bloom
Holodiscus discolor (Ocean Spray): xeric, showy bloom

Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrangea aspera, Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) Hydrangea serrata: showy bloom, fall color, beautiful plants

Hypericum androsaemum 'Albury Purple', Hypericum 'Hidcote', Hypericum x inodorum (St John's Wort): showy bloom, some with colored foliage

Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa' (Hollywood Juniper) Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Point', Juniperus communis 'Compressa' (Dwarf Irish Juniper) Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' (Irish Juniper) Juniperus squamata 'Loderi': tolerates dryness, good form, evergreen, tough
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) Lavandula dentata (French Lavander)  Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender): xeric, fragrant
Lavatera thuringiaca (Tree Mallow): showy bloom, grows quickly, but short-lived
Lithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (Dwarf Tanoak): evergreen, uncommon
Lupinus arboreus (Tree Lupine): xeric, very showy bloom, fragrant, short-lived
Magnolia 'Ann', Magnolia 'Betty', Magnolia 'Jane', Magnolia 'Judy', Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel', Magnolia 'Pinkie', Magnolia 'Randy', Magnolia 'Ricki', Magnolia sinensis, Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia) Magnolia 'Susan', Magnolia x thompsoniana, Magnolia wilsonii: beautiful flowers, these slowly become large shrubs 
Myrtus communis (Common Myrtle): glossy leaves, striking appearance, evergreen
Olearia x haastii, Olearia x mollis: showy bloom, good foliage color
Neillia affinis, Neillia sinensis: showy bloom, good form, uncommon
Osmanthus x burkwoodii: evergreen, fragrant bloom, Osmanthus delavayi: evergreen, fragrant bloom, Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki': & other cultivars, colorful evergreen foliage

Paeonia suffruticosa: very showy bloom, needs staking, very long-lived
Penstemon pinifolius (Pineleaf Beardtongue): xeric, showy bloom, evergreen
Pernettya mucronata: colorful fruit, several cultivars
Philadelphus coronarius (Common Mock Orange) Philadelphus lewisii (Western Mock Orange): tolerates dryness, showy fragrant bloom
Phlomis fruticosa, Phlomis italica, Phlomis ‘Edward Bowles’ (Jerusalem Sage): xeric, good foliage color & texture
Physocarpus capitatus (Western Ninebark): tolerates dryness, attractive flowers & fruit, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Dart's Gold', Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo' (Eastern Ninebark): colorful foliage, attractive flowers & fruit
Picea abies 'Inversa' (Weeping Norway Spruce) Picea abies 'Nidiformis' (Nest Spruce) Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica' (Dwarf Alberta Spruce) Picea pungens 'Procumbens' (Creeping Colorado Spruce): dwarf evergreen conifers with good form
Pieris japonica (Lily of the Valley Shrub): many cultivars with showy, fragrant bloom, also grows in shade
Pinus mugo var. pumilio, Pinus mugo 'Valley Cushion' (Mugo Pine): tolerates dryness,  good dwarf forms of a small pine
Podocarpus  nivalis (Alpine Totara): good form & foliage, evergreen
Potentilla fruticosa (Cinquefoil):many cultivars, showy bloom
Rosa rugosa: xeric, fragrant, tough, one of the easiest roses to grow

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary): xeric, fragrant, culinary herb
Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Cotton): xeric, good foliage color, evergreen
Senecio 'Sunshine' (aka Senecio greyi) Senecio monroi (name changed to Brachyglottis): tolerates dryness, good foliage color

Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spiraea): many cultivars, some with colored foliage, Spiraea prunifolia (Bridalwreath) Spiraea thunbergii, Spiraea trilobata 'Fairy Queen', Spiraea x vanhouttei: showy white flowers

Syringa julianae, Syringa meyeri 'Palibin', Syringa patula 'Miss Kim', Syringa x persica (Persian Lilac) Syringa vulgaris (French Lilac): many cultivars, fragrant, showy bloom
Taxus baccata 'Aurea' (Golden Yew) Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata' (Irish Yew): large, evergreen

Thuja koraiensis (Korean Arborvitae) Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae) Thuja orientalis (Oriental Arborvitae): good form, evergreen, some with gold foliage
Thujopsis dolobrata 'Nana' (Dwarf Deerhorn Cedar): interesting form & texture
Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen Huckleberry): tolerates dryness, nice foliage, edible fruit

Viburnum davidii, Viburnum opulus (Cranberry Bush) Viburnum plicatum tomentosum (Doublefile Viburnum) Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga', Viburnum tinus 'Spring Bouquet': & other species, showy bloom, some with fall color, some evergreen

Weigela coraeensis, Weigela florida: showy bloom