Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera), also known as Southern Wax Myrtle or Southern Bayberry, is a versatile, fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree admired for its aromatic foliage and natural resilience. Native to the southeastern United States, Wax Myrtle has narrow, lance-shaped, olive-green leaves that emit a pleasant fragrance when crushed. In fall, female plants produce clusters of small, waxy, bluish-gray berries along the stems, which provide food for birds and wildlife throughout winter. The berries have historically been used to make bayberry candles due to their high wax content. Wax Myrtle can grow between 10 to 20 feet in height, with a similar spread, though it can be pruned to maintain a smaller size or shaped into a hedge. This shrub thrives in USDA zones 7-10 and is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including sandy, acidic, and poorly draining soils. Wax Myrtle is drought-tolerant once established and highly resistant to salt, making it well-suited for coastal landscapes and xeriscape gardens. It performs best in full sun to partial shade. Low-maintenance and pest-resistant, Wax Myrtle requires minimal pruning, though it can be trimmed in late winter or early spring to shape and control growth if used as a hedge or screen. It is also deer-resistant and helps with erosion control, making it a practical choice for naturalized settings, slopes, or privacy screens. With its fragrant foliage, wildlife-friendly berries, and tolerance to challenging conditions, Wax Myrtle is a valuable addition to both formal and informal landscapes, bringing beauty and functionality year-round.

Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens), also known as Cenizo, Texas Ranger, or Silverleaf, is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub prized for its silvery-gray foliage and vibrant blooms. Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, Texas Sage produces beautiful purple, lavender, or magenta flowers after periods of rain or humidity, often creating a stunning display in the late summer and fall. The blooms are tubular, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, and contrast strikingly with the plant’s soft, silvery leaves. This shrub typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, though it can reach up to 8 feet in ideal conditions. Texas Sage thrives in USDA zones 8-11 and prefers full sun, where it will produce the most prolific blooms and dense foliage. It is highly adaptable to various soil types, including rocky, sandy, or alkaline soils, as long as they are well-draining. Texas Sage is also highly heat- and drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for xeriscaping and low-water landscapes. Requiring minimal maintenance, Texas Sage can be lightly pruned to shape, especially in spring, but it generally maintains a neat, rounded form. It is resistant to pests and diseases, adding to its popularity as a low-maintenance choice for landscapes. Texas Sage is commonly used as a hedge, border, or specimen plant, adding both color and texture to desert, southwestern, or coastal garden designs. With its resilience, stunning flowers, and silvery foliage, Texas Sage is an iconic and attractive choice for hot, dry climates.

Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus spp.), also known as Silverberry or Autumn Olive, is a hardy, evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub prized for its silvery-green foliage, fragrant flowers, and adaptability. Native to Asia and parts of Europe, Elaeagnus is known for its dense, fast-growing habit, which makes it an excellent choice for privacy screens, hedges, or windbreaks. In late fall, it produces small, tubular, fragrant flowers that are creamy white or silver and attract pollinators. These are followed by small, red or silver edible berries that ripen in late winter or spring, providing food for wildlife. Elaeagnus can grow to heights of 10 to 15 feet and a similar spread, though it can be pruned to maintain a smaller size. Thriving in USDA zones 6-10, this shrub is extremely adaptable, tolerating a variety of soil types, from sandy to clay soils, as long as they are well-draining. Elaeagnus is also highly drought-tolerant and can handle salt spray, making it suitable for coastal or xeriscape gardens. Its resilient nature allows it to thrive in both full sun and partial shade. With minimal maintenance needs, Elaeagnus benefits from occasional pruning to maintain shape and remove any leggy growth. It is generally resistant to pests and diseases, further adding to its appeal as a low-maintenance shrub. With its fast growth, dense foliage, and seasonal interest, Elaeagnus is ideal for gardeners seeking a tough, attractive shrub that provides both privacy and a touch of elegance to the landscape year-round.

Encore Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) is a compact, evergreen azalea known for its vibrant, repeat blooming cycle and manageable size, making it perfect for smaller gardens or container plantings. Developed as part of the Encore Azalea series, these dwarf varieties are prized for their extended blooming period, producing multiple flushes of flowers from spring through fall. Available in an array of colors, including shades of pink, red, purple, and white, Encore Dwarf Azaleas add lively color to landscapes for much of the growing season. Dwarf Encore Azaleas typically grow to about 2 to 3 feet in height and width, forming a tidy, rounded shape ideal for borders, foundation plantings, or mixed garden beds. These azaleas thrive in USDA zones 6-9, preferring partial sun to filtered shade, although they can handle more sun than traditional azaleas, which promotes more prolific blooming. They prefer well-draining, acidic soil that is rich in organic matter and require regular watering, particularly during dry spells. Low-maintenance and relatively pest-resistant, Encore Dwarf Azaleas benefit from light pruning immediately after their spring bloom to encourage a fuller shape and more blooms in subsequent cycles. With their evergreen foliage, compact form, and repeat-blooming capability, Encore Dwarf Azaleas are an excellent choice for adding continuous color, structure, and low-maintenance beauty to both traditional and modern garden designs.

Dwarf Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata ‘Nana’) is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its finely textured, needle-like foliage and neat, mounding growth habit. Native to Japan, this variety of Japanese Yew offers dense, dark green foliage that retains its color year-round, providing reliable structure and greenery to garden beds, borders, and foundation plantings. With its slow-growing and compact nature, Dwarf Japanese Yew is ideal for small spaces or as an accent in larger landscapes. Typically reaching a height and spread of 3 to 4 feet, Dwarf Japanese Yew has a naturally rounded form that requires minimal pruning to maintain. It thrives in partial to full shade but can also handle full sun in cooler climates. This shrub is hardy in USDA zones 4-7 and prefers well-draining soil. Although Dwarf Japanese Yew is moderately drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering during extended dry periods. Known for its resilience, this yew variety is resistant to deer and most pests, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens. Dwarf Japanese Yew’s dense foliage makes it well-suited for low hedges, foundation plantings, or as a background shrub in mixed borders. Its elegant, evergreen presence and adaptability allow it to add year-round color and texture to formal and informal garden designs alike.

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a robust, evergreen shrub or small tree renowned for its lush, dark green foliage and showy, fragrant flowers. Native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia, Oleander produces clusters of large, trumpet-shaped flowers in vibrant shades of pink, red, white, yellow, and salmon. Blooming from late spring through fall, its long-lasting flowers add bold color to warm-climate gardens and are highly attractive to pollinators like butterflies. Oleander typically grows between 6 to 20 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide, depending on the variety and growing conditions. This plant thrives in full sun and is hardy in USDA zones 8-11. Known for its adaptability, Oleander tolerates a variety of soils, from sandy to loamy, as long as they are well-draining. It is also highly drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant once established, making it ideal for coastal areas, xeriscape gardens, or other low-water landscapes. Low-maintenance and easy to grow, Oleander requires occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage new blooms, usually done in late winter or early spring. However, it’s important to handle this plant with care, as all parts of the oleander are toxic if ingested. Despite this toxicity, Oleander’s resilience, lush appearance, and profuse flowering make it a popular choice for creating colorful hedges, privacy screens, or dramatic focal points in warm-climate gardens. Its bold blooms and easy-care nature lend an exotic feel to a variety of landscape settings.

Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum) is an evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy green foliage, fragrant white flowers, and versatility in the landscape. Native to Asia, this hardy plant produces clusters of small, sweetly scented white flowers in spring, which are highly attractive to pollinators. The blooms are followed by small red berries that mature to black, providing additional interest and food for birds in fall. Sweet Viburnum can grow to impressive heights, typically reaching 10 to 20 feet tall and wide, though it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning. Its dense growth habit makes it a popular choice for hedges, privacy screens, or windbreaks. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in USDA zones 8-10. It prefers well-draining soil and is relatively drought-tolerant once established, though it benefits from occasional watering in dry periods. Known for its pest and disease resistance, Sweet Viburnum is generally low-maintenance, requiring only occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. With its lush foliage, fragrant flowers, and ability to grow into a dense screen, Sweet Viburnum is a versatile choice for creating privacy, adding greenery, or enhancing garden structure with a touch of elegance. Its adaptability and ease of care make it a favorite for both formal and natural landscapes.

Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’), also known as Japanese Holly, is a unique, narrow, columnar evergreen shrub that provides vertical interest with its slim, upright growth habit. This compact holly variety features small, dark green, glossy leaves that retain their color year-round, adding structure and elegance to gardens without taking up much space. Its naturally slender form, which reaches 6 to 10 feet tall and only about 1 to 2 feet wide, makes it ideal for tight spaces, container plantings, formal gardens, or as a vertical accent. Sky Pencil Holly thrives in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. It performs well in well-draining, slightly acidic soil and is moderately drought-tolerant once established. While low-maintenance, this holly can benefit from occasional pruning to maintain its desired height and shape. It is a dioecious plant, so if planted with a nearby male pollinator, female Sky Pencil Hollies may produce small black berries in fall. This holly is pest-resistant and generally untroubled by deer, adding to its appeal for low-maintenance landscapes. Sky Pencil Holly’s unique, upright shape makes it perfect for flanking doorways, lining walkways, adding height to mixed borders, or creating privacy screens. Its vertical elegance and hardiness make it a versatile and striking choice for gardeners looking to add height without width in small or formal landscapes.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'), also known as Dwarf Yaupon, is a hardy, compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense, rounded form and low-maintenance nature. Native to the southeastern United States, this cultivar of the traditional Yaupon Holly features small, oval, glossy green leaves that retain their color year-round, creating a tidy, refined look in the landscape. Dwarf Yaupon Holly is dioecious, meaning separate male and female plants are needed for berry production; female plants produce small red berries in winter, which add seasonal interest and attract birds. Typically growing to about 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, Dwarf Yaupon Holly is ideal for borders, foundation plantings, low hedges, and formal garden designs. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in USDA zones 7-10. Adaptable to various soil types, including clay and sandy soils, Dwarf Yaupon Holly tolerates drought, salt, and urban conditions, making it versatile for challenging environments. Low-maintenance and slow-growing, this holly requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape and can be lightly trimmed in late winter or early spring if desired. Resistant to pests and diseases, Dwarf Yaupon Holly is a popular choice for gardeners seeking a durable, evergreen shrub that provides year-round structure and visual appeal with minimal effort. Its compact size and adaptability make it a practical, beautiful addition to both traditional and modern landscapes.

Dwarf Bottle Brush (Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’), also known as Little John Bottlebrush, is a compact, evergreen shrub cherished for its bright red, bottlebrush-shaped flowers and dense, bushy growth. This smaller variety of the traditional Bottle Brush grows to about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, making it ideal for smaller spaces, borders, and containers. The vibrant, cylindrical blooms appear from spring through fall, attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies with their nectar-rich flowers. Dwarf Bottle Brush thrives in full sun and is hardy in USDA zones 8-11. It prefers well-draining soil and is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens. This shrub also tolerates a range of soil types, including sandy and loamy soils, and is relatively salt-tolerant, making it a good choice for coastal landscapes. Low-maintenance by nature, Dwarf Bottle Brush requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape, although light trimming after blooming can encourage denser growth. Resistant to pests and diseases, this plant is a resilient addition to any garden. With its rich red blooms, compact form, and ease of care, Dwarf Bottle Brush adds bold color and texture to landscapes, fitting beautifully in both formal and naturalized garden settings.

Red Tip (Photinia x fraseri), commonly known as Fraser Photinia, is a vibrant, evergreen shrub celebrated for its striking red new foliage that matures to a glossy dark green. This color-changing characteristic makes Red Tip an eye-catching addition to landscapes, as the young, red leaves emerge in spring, providing a stunning contrast against the older green foliage. In late spring, Red Tip may produce clusters of small white flowers, which add to its seasonal interest and attract pollinators like bees. Growing to a height of 10 to 15 feet with a similar spread, Red Tip Photinia is often used as a privacy screen, hedge, or large accent shrub. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in USDA zones 7-9. This shrub is relatively adaptable to various soil types as long as they are well-draining and prefers regular watering during dry spells, although it can tolerate brief periods of drought once established. Low-maintenance overall, Red Tip may benefit from light pruning in early spring to maintain its shape and encourage the production of fresh red foliage. It’s also important to space plants adequately to promote good air circulation, as this shrub can be susceptible to leaf spot if crowded. With its year-round greenery, striking red flush, and moderate care needs, Red Tip Photinia provides a bold and colorful option for privacy hedging or as a focal point in large garden beds.