Noted for its dark foliage and long blooming season, Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' (Rose Mallow) is a compact, well-branched, herbaceous perennial with extremely large, deep scarlet red flowers, up to 9 in. across (22 cm). The eye-catching blossoms open from abundant, glossy, black-red flower buds which cover the plant, making it bloom for much longer than most Hibiscus. Blooming continuously from midsummer to fall, each flower lasts about one day and stands out against the thick and leathery, deep wine purple foliage of maple-like leaves. Perfect backdrop or centerpiece for a sunny border.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Sundae Fraise' is a compact, bushy, deciduous shrub boasting loose, fluffy, conical flower heads at the tips of gracefully arching branches in summer. Opening creamy white in mid-summer, the florets turn to strawberry-pink as they age, before finally taking on rich pinkish-red tones as fall approaches. The large blossoms retain their red color for 3-4 weeks prior to turning brown. With its compact habit, this hardy hydrangea adds striking flowers to small gardens and is perfect for patio containers

One of the most popular ornamental grasses worldwide, Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass) is a majestic ornamental grass, highly valued for its erect feathery flower plumes, moving gracefully with even the slightest breeze. Fast-growing, reliable, with a multi-season interest, this cool season grass is not only beautiful, but it is also virtually carefree and quite versatile. 'Karl Foerster' is a great-looking plant for the garden as it provides superb vertical lines.

Noted for its striking foliage, award-winning Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' (Redbud) is a large deciduous shrub or small, often multi-stemmed tree with profuse, pea-like, rosy-pink flowers that arise before the foliage in spring. The cheerful blossoms are on display for several weeks before being joined by broadly heart-shaped, shimmering red-purple leaves, 5 in. wide (12 cm). As summer turns to fall, the foliage turns attractive shades of orange, bronze, and red-purple. The graceful, flat-topped, vase shape habit of this majestic Redbud makes it a great landscape tree.

Architectural, Picea pungens var. glauca (Colorado Blue Spruce) is a dense and bushy, evergreen conifer of elegant pyramidal habit with stiff horizontal branches covered with prickly, slightly curved, bright silvery blue needles. The erect seed cones, borne at the branch tips, are green, becoming brown and pendulous with age. Slow-growing, this striking Colorado Blue Spruce light up the garden throughout the year and stands out in the landscape. Perfect as a focal point in a sunny border where its silvery-blue foliage will make a pleasing contrast with the other plants. It also makes an excellent windbreak. Give it plenty of room to grow!

If you are looking for golden blooms in mid or late summer, award-winner Rudbeckia laciniata 'Herbstsonne' (aka 'Autumn Sun') will not disappoint you. Very tall, this late flowering Coneflower features large daisy blossoms, 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), with broad, drooping, bright golden petals surrounding a prominent pale green conical center that turns brown as it matures. Blooming profusely from midsummer to fall, the blossoms rise atop sturdy, upright stems above the healthy foliage of glossy mid-green leaves, that remain lovely throughout the entire season. Its attractive seedheads further extend its season of interest and will be visited in the fall and winter by birds that will feast on them.