Purple Fountain Grass
(Pennisetum setaceum)

One of the most fuss-free ornamental grasses is Purple Fountain Grass. Rich, purple-red, finely textured foliage is topped by dark-red fuzzy flower spikes that resemble fox-tails. This grass is indigenous to Africa and provides contrast with green or gray-leafed grasses and perennials. 

Soil:  Well-drained, moist soils

Light:  Full-sun, drought hardy

Uses:  Fountain grass makes a beautiful specimen plant for foundations, borders, rock gardens, or accent beds. 

Circa 1996
Purple Wintercreeper
( Euonymus fortunei coloratus ) 

Introduced into the United States in 1914 from Japan, Purple Wintercreeper is a very versatile and hardy ground cover. In the winter this evergreen's dense carper of plum-purple provides a contrast of color and texture. Purple Wintercreeper is good for rambling over tree stumps and barren rocky spots. Purple Wintercreeper requires very little maintenance. 

Soil:  Almost any, wet or dry, well-drained

Light:  Full Sun or Light Shade

Pruning:  May be done at anytime, responds well to shearing 

Uses:  Low hedge, ground cover, vine, foundation plantings, controls erosion on steep banks. 

Circa 1995
Stella d'Oro Daylily - 
(Hemerocallis)

This spectacular perennial is the longest blooming daylily in existence. the 8-12" "Star of Gold" blooms from June until first frost. It is low maintenance, adaptable to many environments, and very hardy. Each plant produces masses of large golden yellow ruffled flowers and has long rush-like leaves. 

Soil: Fertile, moist, well drained soil but heat and drought tolerant. 

Uses: Great as a border plant, massed for accent or in natural plantings. Very effective in terrace containers and rock gardens. 

Circa 1995
Calycanthus floridus - 
( Common Sweetshrub, also called Carolina Allspice or Strawberry Shrub)

Imagine relaxing on your back deck and smelling the aromatic scent of strawberries or pineapples. Because of its sweet smell, Calycanthus floridus or Sweetshrub is a perfect plant for every garden especially when used around outdoor living areas, under windows, beside screened doors or in a shrub border. There is a great variation in flower odor so buyer should smell before purchasing. Supposedly, the Sweetshrub bark was used as a substitute for cinnamon and was introduced into the United States in 1726. 

Description: Dense, bushy, rounded, or broad-rounded shrub of regular outline growing to 6-9' high. Leaves are dark green in summer and yellowish in fall. Sweetshrub flowers are perfect, dark reddish brown, 2" across with a very fruity fragrance in May and flowering sporadically into June and July. 

Soil: Adaptable to many soils, preferring a deep, moist loam; can survive in acid and alkaline soils. 

Light: Grows in sun or shade but does not grow as tall in sunlight.