Mirabilis multiflora
Desert Four O'clock
An interesting shrubby perennial with profuse numbers of dramatic flowers. It is temporary; it dies back with winter cold, renewing growth the following spring. Note that flowers in photos will unfurl into hibiscuslike blooms. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Nandina domestica
Heavenly Bamboo
Heavenly Bamboo looks much like bamboo but is unrelated. Avoid planting in afternoon sun—better with north or eastern exposure. Leaves often turn shades of red and orange in fall following exposure to sun and cold. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Paeonia hybrids
Peony
Peonies are long-lived plants available in a wide selection of flower colors and sizes. They make excellent cut flowers, some of which are fragrant. Plants are shrubby; tree forms are available as well. White-flowering Peony shown is 'Claire de Lune'. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Perovskia atriplicifolia
Russian Sage
Russian Sage is a large, upright plant that can be used much like a deciduous shrub or large flowering perennial. A long bloomer that is easy to grow. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Philadelphus coronarius
Sweet Mock Orange
A primary attraction of Sweet Mock Orange is its fragrant flowers that remind one of orange blossoms. Plant grows in a fountainlike form with arching branches. Prune spent flowers to renew plant and improve appearance after flowering season. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Philadelphus lewisii
Wild Mock Orange
Wild Mock Orange grows as a rounded shrub in sun or shade. Prune only to remove broken or dead branches. Flowers are fragrant and remind one of orange blossoms, thus its name Mock Orange. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Phlomis cashmeriana
Himalayan Sage
Himalayan Sage is a large perennial that produces eye-catching spires of lavender-pink flowers. Leaves are fuzzy. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Phlomis russeliana
Sticky Jerusalem Sage
Sticky Jerusalem Sage grows as a clumping low shrub or groundcover with large, heart-shaped leaves. Flowers are borne on tall stems like other Phlomis species. Spreads by underground runners. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Phlox paniculata
Garden Phlox
Also known as Tall Garden Phlox and Summer Phlox, plants grow to 3 feet high. Flowers are small, just 1 inch across, but are borne in large, dome-shaped clusters. Mildew is a common problem; select resistant varieties to help curtail. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Physocarpus opulifolius
Ninebark
Ninebark is a large, broad-spreading shrub with arching branches. The white to pink flowers bloom in clusters in late spring. Many improved selections are available; check locally. Accepts sandy to clay soils. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Picea glauca 'Conica'
Dwarf Alberta Spruce, White Spruce
Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a fine-textured coniferous shrub that is worthy of close-up viewing. Densely set needles develop into a symmetrical, conical form. Use as a well-behaved screen, divider, accent or even in containers. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa'
Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce
This dwarf spruce is very similar in appearance to 'Montgomery'. It is reported that it does not produce a leader as does 'Montgomery'. Grows to a few feet high and as wide. Accepts sandy to heavy clay soils and poor soils. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Picea pungens 'Montgomery'
Montgomery Colorado Spruce
Montgomery' is a slow-growing dwarf spruce with a compact form. Grows to a few feet high and as wide. May eventually grow to 8 feet high with time but typically remains smaller. Accepts sandy to heavy clay soils and poor soils. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Pinus mugo 'Slowmound'
Slowmound Mugo Pine
Mugo Pine is a highly variable species. Best to select known cultivars such as 'Slowmound' to get the size and shape you want. Avoid the temptation to prune or shape plants; allow the natural mounding form to shine through. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Pinus mugo mugus
Mugo Pine
Mugo Pine is a highly variable species. Select from among the dozens of named varieties and cultivars. Popular selections include 'Mops', 'Big Tuna' and 'Tannenbaum'. Avoid the temptation to prune or shape plants and allow the natural mounding form to shine through. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Platycladus orientalis
Oriental Arborvitae
This is a popular evergreen grown as a tree or shrub. The Oriental Arborvitae species produces an open, pyramidal habit. Soft, scalelike leaves present in flat, fanlike sections. 'Aurea Nana' features yellow-gold foliage, growing as a globe-shaped shrub to 5 feet high or more. Accepts sandy to heavy clay soils, as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Potentilla fruticosa
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Shrub Cinquefoil is available in a wide range of selections with many flower colors and bloom periods to choose from, although most flowers come in shades of yellow. Somewhat irregular branches form an open, rounded shrub. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Prunus pumila var. besseyi
Western Sandcherry
Western Sandcherry is a background plant with an open form. Leaves are a glossy green then turn orange-red in fall. Sweet, cherrylike berries in fall can be made into a tasty preserve, and are also loved by birds. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Prunus tomentosa
Nanking Cherry
Nanking Cherry, also known as Downy Cherry, is an upright but wide-spreading, densely branched, twiggy shrub. Flower buds emerge as pink even before leaves appear. They transform into small, white, fragrant flowers. Small, edible, cherrylike fruits follow. Useful as hedge or screen. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.
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Prunus virginiana
Chokecherry
Chokecherry grows as a large shrub or tree. Leaves are dense on branches and emerge as green in spring then change to colorful reds and yellows. The fragrant white flowers are followed by small, dark red, edible fruit. Accepts sandy to clay soils; prefers moist soils. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.
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Purshia mexicana
Mexican Cliffrose
Mexican Cliffrose makes a nice evergreen background for smaller flowering plants. Roselike flowers are fragrant. Plumed seedheads add interest in summer. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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