Best full shade species: Celandine Poppy
They form bright splashes of yellow very early in spring. The foliage stays green until November.


Best sun, even if it becomes a short lived perennial: Rose Verbena (our native one, not the chain store cultivar)
- It blooms forever in flower beds, covers a large area in a short time, is short, smells good, and attracts hordes of butterflies.


Sweetest smelling shrub: Golden Currant
Ribes odoratum or aureum. Golden yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers last 6-8 weeks, April - June. The edible berries turn from green to translucent red, then black when ripe.


Three great ornamental grasses for landscaping: Prairie Dropseed has green, fountain-shaped foliage. Little Bluestem has erect blue foliage. Switch Grass stands erect also, with attractive fall foliage. All are fantastic in winter.


Best midseason stress reliever: Purple Poppy Mallow
That piercing magenta color has such a calming effect, you'll mellow out about everything that seems important at the time. It should be planted outside every breakroom window.


Best shrub for fall display: American Beauty Berry
The leaves turn yellow while the berries are purple. After the leaves have fallen, the berries remain for at least two months, October and November. They will finally be eaten by birds like Robins, Cedar Waxwings, and Bluebirds.