French Lilacs II / Syringa vulgaris

Syringa vulgaris ‘President Grevy’ – Highly fragrant double lavender-blue flowers emerge from pink-tinted buds (forming 6-10″ long panicles), usually starting early to mid May. These are borne over mid green heart-shaped leaves that often shift to yellow in the fall. It is important to deadhead spent blooms after the flowers have faded. Grows 10-12′ high by 6-8′ wide. Zone 3.

Syringa vulgaris ‘Beauty of Moscow’ (syn. Krasavitsa Moskvy’) – One of the most fragrant French Lilacs with pale pink buds opening to shell pink to white double flowers that stand out well against the dark green foliage. This Russian cultivar was introduced back in 1943 and produces 7-9″ long panicles. Prune immediately after flowering. Grows 10-12′ high by 6-7′. Z3.

Syringa vulgaris ‘Acubaefolia’ – Something a little different for a French Lilac, as the heart-shaped mid green foliage is randomly splashed with golden-yellow, much like some Aucuba japonica. It produces fragrant lilac blue flowers (which are double) from purplish-pink buds. This sport of ‘President Grevy’ should have all ‘solid green’ shoots pruned out. Grows 10′ high by 6-7′ wide. Z3.

Syringa vulgaris ‘Lila Wonder’ – If you’re a fan of the bicolored blooms of Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’, then this newer introduction is for you. ‘Lila Wonder’ bears variegated single blooms of pale lilac-pink with clear white margins, usually in May. This large deciduous shrub works well to anchor the corners of backyard fences. Grows 8′ high by 6′ wide. Hardy to zone 3.

Syringa vulgaris ‘Congo’ – This cultivar of French Lilac produces the quintessential display of fragrant reddish-purple blooms (fading a pure purple) that emerge from darker buds. It is slightly more compact than other Syringa vulgaris cultivars, with a rounded growth habit. Prefers well-drained neutral to alkaline soils. Grows 8-10′ high by 6-8′ wide. Hardy to zone 3.

Marguerite Daisies II / Argyranthemum frutescens

Argyranthemum frutescens ‘MADEIRA Deep Pink’ (syn. ‘Bonmadepi’) – An early-blooming Marguerite Daisy that can be planted out in mid spring, ‘MADEIRA Deep Pink’ bears single bright pink daisies with a golden eye (often with reddish-orange highlights) surrounded by a white halo. A good choice for mass planting. Grows 12-18″ high by 16-20″ wide. Zone 10.

Argyranthemum frutescens ‘ANGELIC Creamy Yellow’ – The finely-cut mid green foliage is very fern-like and prefers a part to full sun exposure. ‘ANGELIC Creamy Yellow’ produces single daisy blooms (with a golden eye) that open pale yellow and fade to near white, flowering from late spring through to frost. Wind tolerant. Grows 20-24″ high by 16-20″ wide. Hardy to zone 10.

Argyranthemum frutescens ‘MADEIRA Red’ (syn. ‘Bonmadre’) – Red is not a common colour in Marguerite Daisies and the yellow centers provide a sharp contrast that catches the eye at a distance. The single flowers are borne from spring through to autumn frosts over ferny greyish-green foliage. Works well in containers. Grows 12-18″ high by 16-20″ wide. Zone 10.

Argyranthemum frutescens ‘VANILLA BUTTERFLY’ – A Proven Winners selection with large pale yellow to creamy-white single blooms accented with a yellow eye. It is a heat tolerant cultivar with finely-cut greyish-green foliage that is aromatic when rubbed. Marguerite Daisies are not hardy in coastal BC and succumb to heavy frosts. Grows 18-36″ high by 18-24″. Z10.

Argyranthemum frutescens ‘MADEIRA Cherry Red’ (syn. ‘Bonmadcher’) – The bright cherry red single blooms are nicely accented with yellow eyes surrounded by a white halo and highlighted with orange-red in the center. Flowers are borne over fine green foliage from June to October. The species is native to the Canary Islands. Grows 12-18″ high by 16-20″. Zone 10.

Japanese Maples

Acer palmatum SHIRAZZ (syn. ‘Gwen’s Rose Delight’) – This New Zealand introduction features new foliage that emerges entirely pink and matures to a greyish-green, with cream and pink margins. The leaves are held on bright red petioles and shifts to scarlet in autumn. SHIRAZZ is an upright maple with an arching growth habit. Grows 15-18′ high by 8-12′ wide. Zone 5.

Acer palmatum ‘Beni-schichihenge’ – With a Japanese name that translates as ‘red and changeful’, you know you can expect something completely different. This cultivar is somewhat similar to ‘Butterfly’ in spring, but with salmon-pink highlights in the creamy-white margins. It is an upright form with irregular leaf lobes (5-7 per leaf). Grows 10-12′ high by 6-8′ wide. Zone 6.

Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ – This upright Japanese Maple is a variegated form, with finely serrated greyish-green leaves edged in creamy-white – often infused with pink in spring. The variegated margins shift to a deep magenta in autumn. ‘Butterfly’ is a good choice for smaller urban gardens or for growing in large containers. Grows 12-15′ high by 8-10′ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Acer palmatum ‘Villa Taranto’ – This linear-leaved Japanese Maple has thin strap-like lobes that emerge a lustrous burgundy and shift to reddish-green by summer. It has a short upright form, somewhat similar to ‘Red Pygmy’, with a rounded dome-shaped crown. The foliage changes to a dramatic golden yellow in the fall. Grows 6-10′ high by 5-7′ wide. Zone 5.

Acer japonicum ‘Green Cascade’ – A hard to find selection with a unique cascading or weeping form that looks beautiful when grown up on a rockery or on a slope. If a dominant leader is staked when young, it will form a somewhat upright tree. The large, finely cut green leaves shift to vibrant yellow, red and orange autumn tones. Grows 4-5′ high by 5-7′ wide. Zone 5.

Coleus II / Solenostemon

Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘PINEAPPLE SPLASH’ – A Proven Winners selection with thinner, bright gold leaves and reddish-orange highlights along the edges and veins. This variety can be grown in part shade as well as full sun, provided there is even soil moisture. ‘PINEAPPLE SPLASH’ can also be overwintered as a houseplant. Grows 24-36″ high by 18-26″ wide. Zone 10.

Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘RUFFLES Bordeaux’ – The deeply lobed burgundy-red leaves of ‘RUFFLES Bordeaux’ Coleus are further highlighted by whimsical lime green highlights that roller coaster around the foliage edge. It prefers a shade to part shade exposure and is a great container feature. Performs better when flowers are pinched out. Grows 12-18″ high by 18″ wide. Z10.

Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘KEYSTONE KOPPER’ – This member of the Colorblaze Series is also a Proven Winners selection. ‘KEYSTONE KOPPER’ is a sun-tolerant Coleus with scalloped foliage that emerges purple-tinted and matures to a metallic coppery-orange, retaining a fine purple edge. New for 2013. Grows 24-36″ high by 18-24″ wide. Hardy to zone 10.

Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Glennis’ (syn. ‘Watercolor’) – This Proven Winners selection is primarily a foliage plant, with scalloped-edged multicolor leaves of lime green with bright yellow highlights and burgundy-red veining. It is a sun-tolerant Coleus that rarely comes into bloom. ‘Glennis’ is much regarded for its unique foliar tones. Grows 18-24″ high by 18″ wide. Zone 10.

Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Pineapple Beauty’ – This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner has serrated golden-yellow to yellowish-green leaves with irregular dark maroon highlights. It tolerates part to full sun (with even soil moisture) and makes a beautiful container specimen. Another common name for Coleus is Painted Nettle. Grows 15-20″ high by 12-15″. Hardy to zone 9.

Mountain Laurel / Kalmia latifolia

Kalmia latifolia  ‘Olympic Fire’ – This native of the eastern United States is often mistaken for Rhododendron until it flowers – when the clusters of highly ribbed red buds open to structured five sided pale pink blooms. It flowers from late spring into summer and has deep green wavy-edged foliage. Prefers part to full sun.  Award of Garden Merit. Grows 5′ high by 4-5′ wide. Z5.

Kalmia latifolia ‘Peppermint’ – A truly spectacular evergreen shrub with white to pale pink cone-shaped, ribbed buds that open to fascinating red-striped white flower clusters. It is a compact Mountain Laurel with bright green foliage that works well in smaller gardens. Kalmias tend to have brittle branches, so keep away from high traffic. Grows 4-5′ high by 3-4′ wide. Zone 5.

Kalmia latifolia ‘Minuet’ – Another compact Mountain Laurel with pale pink buds that open to dramatic blooms of white with a prominent burgundy-red band, held in dense clusters. It flowers in mid June over glossy deep green foliage that forms a rounded crown. ‘Minuet’ works well in containers provided there is adequate drainage. Grows 3′ high and wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Kalmia latifolia ‘Elf’ – A true dwarf among Kalmia with smaller deep green lance-shaped leaves that form a dense crown. Pale pink buds open to pure white flower clusters (from late spring into summer) making this a good landscape option when designing an ‘Alba’ garden. ‘Elf’ can also be trained as an informal flowering hedge. Grows 2-3′ high and wide (occasionally broader). Zone 5.

Kalmia latifolia ‘Little Linda’ – ‘Little Linda’ is considered one of the best dwarf Mountain Laurels. It features dark rose red buds (striped in white) that open to pale pink blooms – giving a real 3-dimensional flower display. This cultivar blooms from late May into June over dark green foliage that is half the size of the species. Grows 2-3′ high and wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Osteospermum II / African Daisy

Osteospermum x ’3D Berry White’ – A New African Daisy that actually stays open all day and night, even when the sun goes down. ’3D Berry White’ features three dimensional bicolor blooms of purple-tipped white petals and a purplish pompom center. This compact cultivar blooms best in spring and fall and looks great in containers. Grows 12-16″ high by 18-24″ wide. Zone 10.

Osteospermum x ‘SIDE SHOW Purple’ – The Side Show series of Osteospermums has been bred for its compact growth habit, strong stems and heat tolerance – so expect a heavy show of single bright purple blooms (with a darker purple eye) throughout the summer. It forms a compact mound of deep green foliage and is suitable for massing. Grows 12-18″ high by 18-24″ wide. Z9.

Osteospermum x ’3D Coral Sands’ – A real breakthrough in Osteospermum colour with three dimensional blooms of a double row of white petals with an unusual brown (showing a hint of purple) pompom center. These are not affected by light, staying open on both cloudy days and evenings. Osteospermum is grown as an annual in coastal BC. Grows 10-14″ high by 12-15″. Z10.

Osteospermum x ‘Voltage Yellow’ – There is finally a clear yellow African Daisy for Osteospermum purists and it’s even accented with a complimenting yellow eye. This Simply Beautiful selection is one of the first African Daisies in bloom and continues right through to autumn. The flexible stems also make it useful in hanging baskets and containers. Grows 10-16″ high by 24″. Z9.

Osteospermum x ‘ASTRA Pink Spoon’ – An exotic looking African Daisy with pink spoon-shaped petals (with a purplish reverse) and a dark purple center. These are borne from May through October, with no deadheading being required. Osteospermum is best grown in part to full sun exposures with well-drained, fertile soils. Grows 12″ high by 18″ wide. Hardy to zone 9.

Deciduous Azaleas III

Rhododendron x ‘Mount Saint Helens’ (Girard Hybrid) – Large balled trusses of fragrant bright pink flowers (about 2.5″ across) with an orange flare emerge from red buds. This cross of R. ‘Cecile’ and an unnamed Knaphill azalea is easy to grow and flowers from May to June. Best grown in full sun. Features purplish autumn tones. Grows 5-7′ high. Hardy to zone 4.

Rhododendron x ‘Daviesii’ (Ghent Hybrid) – A sweetly fragrant deciduous azalea with creamy-white blooms with contrasting yellow spotting emerging from pink-tinted buds. It is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner and a cross of Rhododendron viscosum and R. molle. ‘Daviesii’ is a bit shorter in stature than most deciduous azaleas. Grows 4-5′ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Rhododendron x ‘Antilope’ (syn. ‘Antelope’) (Viscosum Hybrid) – This cross of Rhododendron viscosum and Azalea ‘Koster’s Brilliant Red’ produced a late blooming (May to June) deciduous azalea with sweetly fragrant salmon-pink flowers accented with a hint of yellow. It is a 2012 RHS Award of Garden Merit winner that was bred back in 1938. Grows 4-6′ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Rhododendron x ‘Chetco’ (Knaphill Type Hybrid) – A cross of ‘Hugh Wormald’ and ‘Marion Merriman’ that produces large (3.5″ wide) bright yellow blooms accented with an orange blotch – these appear from late May into June. It has an upright, spreading growth habit and features burgundy-red autumn foliar tones. Part to full sun exposure. Grows 5-6′ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Rhododendron x ‘Balzac’ (Exbury Hybrid) – Deep reddish-orange (with a darker orange flash) elegantly tapered blooms emerge from red buds in May and are borne at the ends of the branches. It is an older cultivar (circa 1934) that was bred bred by Lionel de Rothschild and also features deep red autumn tones. It has a spreading growth habit at maturity. Grows 6-7′ high. Zone 5.