My favorite tree is a Serviceberry (Amelanchier), a native to the northeast and beyond. There are few trees that can produce delicate white flowers in the spring, edible fruit in the summer, beautiful fall foliage and a serene winter silhouette. Part shade to full sun with adequate moisture....

Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is native to the southeastern US. Course textured leaves turn burgundy in late summer to autumn. Exfoliating bark, white cone shaped flowers in summer, full sun to part shade. Purple Beautyberry (Callicarpa) produces tiny lilac flowers in summer giving...

Fothergilla is a native shrub with white flowers in early spring and beautiful orange, yellow and red fall foliage.

Dwarf Blue Globe Spruce (Picea glauca globosa) is a very slow growing blue-green evergreen shrub. Photo shows new spring growth which matures to a less-intense blue-green. Ruth Consoli Design

Catmint (on the right; Nepeta - Latin Name) is a long blooming perennial for full sun and once established is very drought and heat tolerant. Usually blooming from May through most of June, they can be pruned back so that they can bloom multiple times throughout the summer here in Zone 6b. Quite a...

Sedum Angelina is a flowering evergreen with chartreuse needle like foliage in summer giving way to a copper-orange hue in the winter. Drought tolerant, full sun to part shade, spreading but not aggressively so, in my opinion. Ruth Consoli Design

Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) is a slow growing, small tree (matures to approx. 15' wide by 30' tall) with colorful fall foliage and cinnamon peeling bark. Ruth Consoli Design

'Shenandoah' Switchgrass (foreground), Panicum virgatum is a tough native cultivar that provides months of interest and needs very little. Grass matures to about 3-4' tall by 3-4 wide. Foliage tips become reddish purple in summer changing to yellow in autumn. Tiny plumes sway in the breeze. Provide...