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Smart Plant Picks

Every garden has its own conditions: a hot south-facing bed, a dry strip along the driveway, a shady corner under a fir, a row of pots by the door. These shortlists gather the plants that genuinely thrive in each of those situations in the maritime Northwest, so you can start from a short, dependable list instead of a whole catalog.

Smart Plant Picks

Right Plant, Right Place

Choose the list that matches your site and the job you need the planting to do. Each collection pairs shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers with the light, water, and upkeep they actually want, which is the simplest way to grow a garden that looks good with less work.

Sun Loving Shrubs

Sun Loving Shrubs

Shrubs that flower freely and grow strongly in bright, open, all-day sun.

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Sun Loving Perennials

Sun Loving Perennials

Months of color and texture for hot borders and full-sun beds.

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Shade Tolerant Shrubs

Shade Tolerant Shrubs

Structure and soft foliage for beds where direct sun is limited.

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Shade Loving Perennials

Shade Loving Perennials

Leafy layers and quiet color for the shadier side of the garden.

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Shade Tolerant Groundcovers

Shade Tolerant Groundcovers

Living carpets that knit together darker corners and bare ground.

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Drought Tolerant Shrubs

Drought Tolerant Shrubs

Reliable structure and color on very little water once established.

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Drought Tolerant Perennials

Drought Tolerant Perennials

Long-blooming plants for dry beds, parking strips, and summer heat.

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Low Maintenance Shrubs

Low Maintenance Shrubs

Dependable backbone plants that look right with minimal pruning.

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Low Maintenance Perennials

Low Maintenance Perennials

Season-long color without staking, deadheading, or fussing.

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Low Maintenance Groundcovers

Low Maintenance Groundcovers

Coverage that cuts down on weeding, watering, and mulching.

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Best Shrubs for Containers

Best Shrubs for Containers

Compact, well-behaved shrubs for pots by doors and on patios.

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Best Shrubs for Hedging

Best Shrubs for Hedging

Screening and enclosure, from clipped formality to loose privacy.

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Fragrant Shrubs

Fragrant Shrubs

Scent worth planting beside a path, a window, or a seat.

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Groundcovers for Rock Gardens

Groundcovers for Rock Gardens

Tight, sun-loving plants for gravel, crevices, and sharp drainage.

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Shrubs with Unique Foliage

Shrubs with Unique Foliage

Gold and cream foliage that lights up green plantings all season.

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Groundcovers with Unique Foliage

Groundcovers with Unique Foliage

Distinctive leaf color and pattern at ground level, flowers optional.

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