Native to the Mediterranean island of Majorca, Helleborus lividus (Majorcan Hellebore) is an evergreen perennial with open clusters of up to 8 or 10 outfacing, cup-shaped, pale rose-pink to silver-green flowers, 1-2 in. wide (3-5 cm). Blooming heavily for weeks from mid-winter to early spring, these delicate beauties flatten as they age and rise on short green stems with a varying degree of pink flushing. The glossy leaves are divided into three blue-green leaflets with a striking silvery veining which creates a marbled effect. The most distinctive feature of this plant is its pink tint on the undersides of the foliage, on the stems, the leaf petioles, and the flowers.

Noted for its dramatic foliage, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' is a mondo grass cultivar forming dense tufts of arching, strap-shaped, grass-like, dark purple to almost jet black leaves, about 8-12 in. long (20-30 cm). Racemes of small, bell-shaped, pale pinkish white flowers emerge on dark stems in summer before giving way to glossy dark purple berries. Reminiscent of Liriope, this evergreen perennial is tough, durable and perfect for adding drama and contrast to the garden. Fabulous when combined with caramel Heuchera, silver or gold foliage plants.

Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' (Italian Arum) is a tuberous perennial with attractive flowers reminiscent of Arisaema tryphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit). Appearing in the spring, each flower consists of a large greenish-yellow spathe with a yellow spadix and gives way to showy spikes of glistening, bright orange-red berries in summer. The first leaves appear just as the berries vanish. Large, arrow-shaped, glossy gray-green, 8-12 in. long (20-30 cm), they are handsomely mottled with creamy white. Impervious to even the most dreadful weather, they remain attractive from winter into spring. The foliage goes dormant in summer, before emerging again in the fall.

Highly popular since its introduction in 1953, award-winning Tulip 'Red Riding Hood' is a delightful sight with bright scarlet blooms revealing a small black heart inside, and beautifully purple-mottled leaves. The flowers, large in proportion to the plant's total height, up to 4 in. wide (10 cm), open wide in the full sun. 'Red Riding Hood' will reliably bring sparkles to the garden in the early - mid-spring garden and will continue to provide interest after blooming thanks to its attractive foliage! Growing only 6-12 inches tall (15-30 cm), this tulip naturalizes easily and will come back year after year