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Acer glabrum
  • Common name: Rocky Mountain Maple
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 6 to 20 feet in height
  • Native to: Idaho

The Rocky Mountain Maple is a deciduous shrub, small dwarf tree or clump. Very ornamental; dark red twigs, fruit tinged red, yellow fall color. Drought and partial shade tolerance. Firewise.

More information here.

Anaphalis margaritacea
  • Common name: Pearly Everlasting
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 1-3 ft. x 1-2 ft.
  • Native to: Idaho

Pearly Everlasting is a sturdy, undemanding native wildflower that produces hundreds of glowing, white flowers, accounting for its “pearly” appearance. Fine food source for butterflies and host plant for the American Painted Lady. Firewise. More info here and  here.

Aquilegia caerulea
  • Common name: Rocky Mountain Columbine
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 15" x 10"
  • Native to: Idaho

Rocky Mountain Columbine: Glorious light to deep blue  and white flowers. An excellent border perennial, grand for cutting, in bloom for several weeks and will grow in sun or light shade. Pollinators: bumblebees, hawk moths. Tolerates clay.  Firewise. More info here.

Aquilegia canadensis
  • Common name: Red Columbine
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Shade/Part Shade
  • Height x Width: 2' x 2'
  • Native to: Central, Eastern U.S.

Lovely red and yellow bell-like flowers hang like tiny lanterns. Attracts hummingbirds and long-tongued insects. Best in part shade. Firewise. More information here.

Aquilegia chrysantha
  • Common name: Golden-spurred Columbine
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 30 in. x 18 in.
  • Native to: Southwest US

Golden-spurred Columbine, a native of the canyons of the Southwest produces fragrant cheerful yellow flowers with long outward-curving spurs In late spring. The fragrant blooms rise on slender stems above beautiful blue-green, fernlike foliage. Tolerates clay. Firewise. More information here.

Centranthus ruber
  • Common name: Jupiter's Beard
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun/Part shade
  • Height x Width: 3' x 3'
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Jupiter’s Beard produces masses of crimson flowers fading to pink from late spring right through the summer. Periodic deadheading will enhance the bloom even more. Attracts Swallowtails and Monarchs. Can seed out somewhat aggressively. Firewise.

Easy, reliable.

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Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
  • Common name: Plumbago
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun or Shade
  • Height x Width: 3" and spreading
  • Native to: W. China

Valuable as a shade-tolerant groundcover, Plumbago will also grow in full sun. Glossy deep green leaves and lovely blue flowers with striking red calyces make this a most attractive spreading groundcover. The plant vanishes in winter, but comes back reliably each spring.

Dianthus arenarius
  • Common name: Sand Pink
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun/part shade
  • Height x Width: 12 inches x 1-3 feet wide.
  • Native to: Europe

Sand Pink forms large hummocks packed with narrow evergreen foliage. In late spring it is covered with extremely fragrant little white flowers like snowflakes. Attracts butterflies. Firewise.

Dianthus deltoides ‘Flashing Lights’
  • Common name: 'Flashing Lights' Dianthus (Pink)
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun/part shade
  • Height x Width: 6 in. x 10 in.
  • Native to: Eurasia

‘Flashing Lights’ Dianthus (Pink): This evergreen dianthus is not pink, but a deep, brilliant red. The mound of narrow, dark green, grassy leaves is attractive year-round. Great for low edging at the front edge of a bed or in a rock garden. Attracts butterflies. Firewise.

 

Geranium viscosissimum
  • Common name: Sticky Purple Geranium
  • Zone: 2
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 12-30 in. x 10-18 in.
  • Native to: Idaho

Sticky Purple Geranium makes a lovely addition to informal meadow-like landscapes. Native to higher elevations in Idaho and across the mountain west, it thrives in moist to dry settings. Blooming in mid-spring, it attracts a variety of native pollinators and honeybees. Firewise.

 

Geum triflorum
  • Common name: Prairie Smoke
  • Zone: 2
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 12 in. x 12 in.
  • Native to: Idaho

Prairie Smoke has early summer blooms, followed by distinctive feathery pink seed heads.  Appreciates moderate water and does best in part shade, except at higher elevations, where it thrives in full sun. Pollinators: native bees. Firewise. More info here.

Heuchera cylindrica
  • Common name: Coralbells
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 18 in. x 12 in.
  • Native to: Idaho

Coralbells has dramatic spikes of cream to white flowers rise from a base of scalloped deep green leaves. Favors rock outcroppings; great in full sun or dry shade. Very long blooming in our Boise garden. Firewise. Choice! More information here.

Heuchera rubescens
  • Common name: Alpine Coralbells
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 12-18 in. x 12 in.
  • Native to: Idaho

Alpine or Red Coralbells is another charming native Heuchera, this one with deep red to pink flowers on delicate wands. Great for full sun or dry shade. Sculpted evergreen foliage. Firewise.

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Iliamna rivularis
  • Common name: Mountain Hollyhock
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 40 in. x 32 in.
  • Native to: Idaho

This vigorous native perennial grows as large as a shrub then dies back to the ground each winter. Its atrractive maple-like leaves are accented with many beautiful hollyhock-like pink flowers. More information here.

Lamium maculatum
  • Common name: Spotted Deadnettle
  • Zone: 2
  • Exposure: Shade/part shade
  • Height x Width: 3" & spreading
  • Native to: Eurasia

A groundcover that loves shade! Its variegated leaves light up a dark shady area, yet the plant will also grow in sun. Not picky about soil type or moisture.

Mahonia repens
  • Common name: Creeping Oregon Grape
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: sun/shade
  • Height x Width: 2' x 2'
  • Native to: Idaho

Creeping Oregon Grape is a small, evergreen native shrub. Early flowers are a good pollen source for native insects. Tolerant of both sun and shade, firewise. It can propagate by runners with age. Edible fruit used by native peoples. More information here.

Marrubium rotundifolium
  • Common name: Creeping Horehound
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 1 in. x 18 in.
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Creeping Horehound has showy, fuzzy leaves edged in silver, carefree ground cover with deep taproot. Especially recommended for shade or part shade areas. Evergreen.

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Mirabilis multiflora
  • Common name: Colorado Four o'Clock
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun/Part shade
  • Height x Width: 3-4 ft. x 3-4 ft.
  • Native to: Southwest US

Colorado Four O’Clock  dies back to its enormous root in winter. Then, late in the spring, shoots begin to emerge and once the plant starts growing—there’s just no stopping it! It can sprawl far and wide and looks lovely draped over a wall. Long-lived!  Firewise. More info here.

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Monarda fistulosa
  • Common name: Beebalm, Wild Bergamot
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 36-60 in. x 24-36 in.
  • Native to: Idaho

Beebalm or Wild Bergamot is a widespread native wildflower with clusters of tufted lavender flower, an important food source for native bees and butterflies. A long-lived, clump-forming perennial, it is attractive at the back of a border or in a meadow-like setting. Firewise. More information here.

Oenothera macrocarpa
  • Common name: Missouri Evening Primrose
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 10 in. x 2-3'
  • Native to: West-central US

Missouri Evening Primrose grows into mounds of glossy leaves followed by clear yellow blossoms over much of the summer. Plants sprawl widely then die back to the ground in winter. Firewise.

 

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Penstemon davidsonii v.davidsonii
  • Common name: Davidson’s Penstemon
  • Zone: 3?
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 3 in. x 12 in.
  • Native to: Western US

Davidson’s Penstemon is a choice landscape plant with a low, sprawling woody structure that allows it to function like a ground cover. If given some sun protection in winter it will be completely evergreen. Lavender tubular flowers show up in late spring. Likes well-drained soils. Firewise.

 

Penstemon fruticosus
  • Common name: Shrubby Penstemon
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 12-16 in. x 8-12 in.
  • Native to: Idaho

Shrubby Penstemon is an unusual woody, upright, evergreen penstemon with abundant lavender tubular flowers in early summer. Foliage turns soft yellow in autumn with purple-green flower spikelets. Leaves may burn in winter–shade helps. Firewise.

Penstemon fruticosus, dwarf form
  • Common name: Dwarf Shrubby Penstmon
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 6-8 in. x 8-10 in.
  • Native to: (Cultivar of native plant)

Dwarf Shrubby Penstemon is a compact version of the native Shrubby Penstemon and quite similar to Davidson’s Penstemon. Gorgeous lavender flowers in late spring. Evergreen mounds are beautiful in winter. Charming! Firewise.

Penstemon pinifolius
  • Common name: Pineleaf Penstemon
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / Part shade
  • Height x Width: 15 in. x 18 in.
  • Native to: Southwest US

Pineleaf Penstemon has loads of red-orange tubular blooms over expanding clumps of attractive narrow leaves. Stems become woody with age. Evergreen foliage. Firewise. More information here.

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Ribes aureum
  • Common name: Golden Currant
  • Zone: 2
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 5' x 5' or taller
  • Native to: Idaho

Golden Currant is a deciduous shrub with fragrant, golden yellow flowers in early spring. Small, bright green maple-like leaves with lovely fall color. Widespread in Boise foothills. Tolerates a wide variety of conditions. Firewise. More information here.

Ribes ceruum
  • Common name: Wax Currant
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Part Shade
  • Height x Width: 5' x 5'
  • Native to: Idaho and Intermountain West

Wax Currant is a dense native shrub well adapted to shade or part shade locations. Small pinkish white blossoms in spring. Good bird habitat. Firewise.

Salvia officinalis-Berggarten
  • Common name: Berggarten Sage
  • Zone: 5
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 18 in. x 3-5 ft.
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Berggarten Sage is a beautiful and distinctive cultivar of ordinary garden sage valued for its broad, ornamental leaves. Shade tolerant and evergreen with few, if any, flowers. Tolerates clay. Firewise.

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Salvia officinalis-Dwarf
  • Common name: Dwarf Culinary Sage
  • Zone: 5
  • Exposure: Sun or part shade
  • Height x Width: 1-2' x 4-6'
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Dwarf Culinary Sage grows into a shrub covered with a dense mound of edible leaves. Covered with showy lavender-blue flowers in early summer, it becomes a magnet for honeybees. Unlike ordinary culinary sage, this dwarf form is completely evergreen, creating a beautiful gray-green mound in the winter garden. Tolerates clay and shade. Firewise.

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Salvia officinalis-Variegated
  • Common name: Golden Garden Sage
  • Zone: 5
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 2 ft. x 3-4 ft.
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Golden Garden Sage is a variegated variety of culinary sage. Attractive mounds of yellow-green leaves which are shade tolerant and evergreen. Few, if flowers. Use in cooking like garden sage. Firewise.

 

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Sedum ‘Dragon’s Blood’
  • Common name: Dragon's Blood Sedum
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 2 in. x 18 in.
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Dragon’s Blood Sedum is a deep red creeping groundcover contrasts nicely with green neighbors. Tough and tolerant of some shade. Firewise.

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Symphoricarpos albus
  • Common name: Snowberry
  • Zone: 3
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 4-6 ft. x 4-6 ft.
  • Native to: Idaho

Snowberry’s pink to white flowers in early summer give way to white berries that last all through the winter. Attracts hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators. Firewise.

Tanacetum densum
  • Common name: Partridge Feather
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 6 in. & spreading
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Partridge Feather is a low-growing, no-care tough, grey-green groundcover with lovely feather-shaped leaves. Good for sun or part shade, little water. Evergreen.

Teucrium prostratum
  • Common name: Creeping Germander
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 3 in. x 24 in.
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Creeping Germander has dark evergreen leaves on small woody plant; makes excellent ground cover for sun or part-shade. Tiny lavender flowers mid-summer. Evergreen.

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Thymus cv. “Lemon Frost”
  • Common name: Lemon Frost Thyme
  • Zone: 5
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 2 in. x 18 in. (or more)
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Lemon Frost Thyme really lives up to its name. A rapid grower with wonderful lemon scent, it is perfect for covering large segments of ground. White bloom looks like frosting. Very evergreen.

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Thymus cv. “Reiter’s”
  • Common name: Reiter's Thyme
  • Zone: 5
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 3 in. x 18 in. (or more)
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Reiter’s Thyme has tight leaves spread quickly to conceal the ground and display brilliant dark pink spring flowers. Fast-growing, continually spreading easy ground cover. Attracts honey bees.

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Thymus praecox arcticus cv. “Elfin”
  • Common name: Elfin Thyme
  • Zone: 5
  • Exposure: Sun
  • Height x Width: 1 in. x 6 in.
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Elfin Thyme is a slowly spreading dwarf thyme, perfect for the rock garden. Small leaves tightly blanket the ground. Pink flowers in spring.

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Thymus praecox arcticus cv. “Pink Chintz”
  • Common name: Pink Chintz Thyme
  • Zone: 5
  • Exposure: Sun
  • Height x Width: 1 in. and spreading
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Pink Chintz Thyme is a tight, fairly slow-growing groundcover. Pink flowers nestle with the foliage and do not need dead-heading

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Thymus praecox arcticus cv. “Woolly”
  • Common name: Woolly Thyme
  • Zone: 5
  • Exposure: Sun / part shade
  • Height x Width: 2 in. x 18 in. (or more)
  • Native to: Mediterranean

Woolly Thyme is a mostly non-flowering vigorous ground cover, suitable for thyme lawns. Grey-greens leaves acquire purple hues in winter. Easy and gorgeous!

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Veronica pectinata
  • Common name: Wooly Veronica
  • Zone: 4
  • Exposure: Sun
  • Height x Width: 2 in. and spreading
  • Native to: Eurasia

Wooly Veronica is a vigorous xeric ground-cover. Woolly evergreen foliage creates a handsome, dense gray-green carpet, covered in early spring with blue bell-like flowers. Does best in part shade, works well crawling under shrubs.