Low = under 8 inches, Medium = 8 inches to 30 inches, Tall = over 30 inches
Low Winter Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Primula species 7 6" X 6" Hardy flowers in late winter in
Primroses High Sun-Part many colors. Needs good drainage.
Viola wittrockiana 5 6" X 6" Winter pansies in many colors can
Pansy Med. Sun-Shade bloom all year in part shade.
Medium Winter Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Helleborus niger 6 18" X 1' Leathery dark green leaves. White
Christmas Rose High Shade-Part flowers turn purplish. Dec-April.
Low All Year Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Fern, Polystichum setiferum 5 1' X 2' Evergreen. Low spreading, finely
Alaskan Fern Med. Shade cut fronds.
Grass, Festuca ovina 'Glauca' 4 10" X 10" Evergreen. Low clumps of fine blue
Blue Fescue Grass Low Sun-Part grass. Needs good drainage.
Grass, Scirpus cernuus 8 8" X 8" Drooping green threadlike leaves
Fiber Optic Grass High Part Shade with brown tip. Good in pots.
Herniaria glabra 3 2" X 1' Tiny green leaves turn bronzy in
Green Carpet Med. Sun-Shade winter. Good groundcover.
Mentha requienii 7 1" X 1' Evergreen. Very low. Very
Corsican Mint Med. Shade-Part fragrant when bruised or crushed.
Rubus pentalobus 3 6" X 3' Evergreen groundcover. Small white
Creeping Raspberry Low Sun-Part flowers. Edible fruit.
Scaevola aemula 9 6" X 3' Evergreen. Lavender blue flowers
Fan Flowers Med. Sun almost all year. Good groundcover
Medium All Year Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Aspidistra elatior 6 18" X 3' Evergreen. Strap like leaves.
Cast Iron Plant Med. Shade Tolerates deep shade. Very tough.
Carex tumicola 8 18" X 18" Native evergreen grass.
Berkeley Sedge Med. Sun-Part
Fern, Cyrtomium falcatum 9 2' X 2' Evergreen, but tender at 25 degrees
Holly Fern High Shade-Part Does well indoors.
Fern, Polystichum munitum 5 3' X 3' Native evergreen. Excellent for
Sword Fern Low Shade woodsy area. Needs little water.
Grass, Juncus effusus 4 2' X 2' Native evergreen. Tolerates wet
Soft Rush High Sun-Part soil. J. e. Spiralis is twisted.
Mahonia repens 6 2' X 2' Evergreen. Yellow flowers in
Creeping Oregon Grape Low Sun-shade spring. Black berries in fall.
