Shrub Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Wintergreen' [Wintergreen Korean Littleleaf Boxwood] The Wintergreen Korean Littleleaf Boxwood is quite hardy (to zone 4) and grows best when placed in areas of moderate shade that are away from strong winter sun and wind. It has shallow roots and prefers moist, cool soils. This shrub flowers in April; flowers can attract bees due to the fragrance but are not showy.
Tree Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea' [Golden Southern Catalpa] The Golden Southern Catalpa can tolerate full sun, but does best in part sun to part shade. This species is weak wooded and should not be placed where it is open to wind and storm damage. 'Aurea' is known for its rich yellow leaf coloration and its broad form. Its flowers are trumpet shaped and white with yellow and purple spots.
Shrub Cornus sanguinea 'Cato' [sold as Arctic Sun™] [Arctic Sun Bloodtwig Dogwood] The Arctic Sun Dogwood is a compact, suckering shrub that is notable for its yellow winter twigs that are tipped in orange-red and golden fall foliage. Grows well in a variety of situations, including alkaline soil. Easy to transplant. Relatively trouble-free. A three-year pruning cycle improves form, vigor, and winter stem color effect. Cutting all stems 6-12" from ground in late winter has similar effect. Best in mass plantings. Excellent for winter color.
Shrub Cornus sericea 'Cardinal' [Red Twig Redosier Dogwood] The Cardinal Red Twig Dogwood has attractive, strongly red stems, providing winter interest to the landscape. It is a larger variant that has better resistance to leaf spot than other cultivars. Grows well in a variety of situations, including wet soil. Easy to transplant. Relatively trouble-free. A three-year pruning cycle improves form, vigor, and winter stem color effect. Cutting all stems 6-12" from ground in late winter has similar effect. Best in mass plantings. Excellent…
Tree Cornus × 'Rutgan' [sold as Stellar Pink®] [Stellar Pink Dogwood] Stellar Pink is a hybrid between Cornus florida x Cornus kousa, released by Rutgers University. It is a small deciduous tree with a dense, upright habit, noted for having good resistance to anthracnose and dogwood borer.
Shrub Cotoneaster apiculatus [Cranberry Cotoneaster] An excellent groundcover for full sun in almost any soil, except that weeds encroach easily for the first few years. Use effective mulch. Subject to damage from fireblight occasionally, and from mites, especially in dry situations. Not tolerant of wet sites. Collects litter and leaves (in the fall), which are difficult to rake out.
Shrub Cotoneaster dammeri 'Coral Beauty' [Coral Beauty Bearberry Cotoneaster] 'Coral Beauty' is a fast-growing, prostrate (1-2' high), evergreen shrub that makes a good, quick-effect groundcover. It has excellent, glossy evergreen foliage and produces an abundance of coral-red fruits. Unfortunately its appearance tends to become ratty with age.
Tree Crataegus × lavalleei [Lavalle Hawthorn] The Lavalle Hawthorn is a small, rounded tree that resulted from a cross of Crataegus mexicana and C. crusgalli. Quite resistant to rust and less thorny than its Cockspur Hawthorn parent.
Tree Eucommia ulmoides [Hardy Rubber Tree] The Hardy Rubber Tree is an adaptable, relatively trouble-free plant that makes for an excellent shade tree. Its sap can be harvested for rubber, but this is an expensive and complex process. The specific epithet (ulmoides) refers to the leaf shape of the Elm genus (Ulmus), which is similar to that of Hardy Rubber Tree leaves.
Liana Euonymus fortunei [Wintercreeper Euonymus] Best in soil that is reasonably moist, either in full sun or shade, but not heavy wet soils. Can be used as a wall climber (possibly climbing up to 70') or groundcover. Subject to Euonymus Scale that can kill some plants, especially 'Vegetus' and 'Coloratus'. Can be controlled by proper spraying.