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.

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
Shrubs that flower freely and grow strongly in bright, open, all-day sun.
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Sun Loving Perennials
Months of color and texture for hot borders and full-sun beds.
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Structure and soft foliage for beds where direct sun is limited.
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Shade Loving Perennials
Leafy layers and quiet color for the shadier side of the garden.
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Shade Tolerant Groundcovers
Living carpets that knit together darker corners and bare ground.
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Drought Tolerant Shrubs
Reliable structure and color on very little water once established.
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Drought Tolerant Perennials
Long-blooming plants for dry beds, parking strips, and summer heat.
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Low Maintenance Shrubs
Dependable backbone plants that look right with minimal pruning.
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Low Maintenance Perennials
Season-long color without staking, deadheading, or fussing.
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Low Maintenance Groundcovers
Coverage that cuts down on weeding, watering, and mulching.
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Best Shrubs for Containers
Compact, well-behaved shrubs for pots by doors and on patios.
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Best Shrubs for Hedging
Screening and enclosure, from clipped formality to loose privacy.
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Fragrant Shrubs
Scent worth planting beside a path, a window, or a seat.
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Groundcovers for Rock Gardens
Tight, sun-loving plants for gravel, crevices, and sharp drainage.
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Shrubs with Unique Foliage
Gold and cream foliage that lights up green plantings all season.
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Groundcovers with Unique Foliage
Distinctive leaf color and pattern at ground level, flowers optional.
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