Name: Hemerocallis ‘Endless Heart’ aka the Earlybird Cardinal daylily Type of Plant: We love daylilies because they are so reliable and fairly easy. This one is low growing with flowers that get 20 to 22” high. Hardy in Zones 4-9, this daylily flowers in mid-June in...

Name: Spiraea japonica 'Walbuma' aka Magic Carpet Spirea Type of Plant: A colorful, low growing shrub that is tough, tough, tough. Hardy in zones 4-9, and growing best in full sun to part-sun. Why I love this: Truthfully, I almost can’t do a consultation without...

Name: Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki' aka dappled willow Type of Plant: This willow can be purchased in shrub or grafted tree form, and my favorite is the small trees. Hardy in zones 4-9, and growing best in sun to part-sun. Why I love this: Since they are grafted onto...

Name: Sansevieria trifasciata aka snake plant. Type of Plant: A you-probably-can’t-kill-it houseplant that is sculptural, upright and tolerant of a wide variety of locations and conditions. Why I love this: Sansevieria, commonly called snake plant, is a striking house...

Type of Plant: A large growing shrub for sun or part-shade that’s hardy in zones 5 to 9. Why I love this: ‘Arnold Promise’ is a vigorous, easy care shrub that flowers while the snow is still on the ground. The plant naturally grows into a graceful vase-like shape. In...

Name: Pericallis × hybrid aka florist’s Cineraria Type of Plant: A cool weather, lift-your-heart plant that's a short-term houseplant or annual for most of the country (can be perennial in zones 9 to 11) Why I love this: These brilliantly colored daisy flowers are the...

Name: Tiarella cordifolia ‘Spring Symphony’ (aka foamflower) Type of Plant: A perennial plant for shade and part shade, hardy in zones 3 – 9. Why I love this: Among the dozens of Tiarella varieties that are available, this remains my favorite. The plants stay in tidy...

 Name: Strobilanthes dyerianus aka Persian shield Type of Plant: An annual for brilliant foliage color in most of the country, although hardy if you live in a zone 10 or 11. Why I love this: Persian Shield is a plant with iridescent, purple foliage. Native to Burma,...

Name: Polyanthus primrose, aka Primula x polyantha. Type of Plant: This sweet spring flowering plant is most commonly sold as an indoor plant at the time of year when everyone is desperate for signs of spring. From garden centers to supermarkets, you can find...

This photo was taken at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. It highlights, once again, that we can come away with ideas for our own yards and gardens when we go to spring flower shows. The take-away idea here is how we can create instant, charming outdoor...