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Hibiscus moscheutos

Rose Mallow is a shrub-like perennial with large, heart-shaped leaves, which are smooth on top and “hairy” underneath. Its large, showy, red, pink, white, or bicolor flowers bloom non-stop from midsummer to frost. This plant prefers moist, organic soil. Use it as a specimen plant or plant in masses. Good choice for low, wet sites and edges of ponds or water features.

Heuchera americana

Coral Bells is an excellent foliage plant with deep-green leaves turning to purple, red, and yellow in the fall. Clusters of tiny, greenish-white, delicate flowers on slender stalks rising above the leaves bloom in late spring to early summer. Use it as an edging plant, or plant in masses as a groundcover. Good choice for shade gardens.

Helichrysum petiolare

Licorice-plant is grown for its silvery, fuzzy-textured foliage and trailing habit. Its foliage may have a slight licorice-like scent. This plant requires good drainage, as it is susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. Use it for contrast in hanging baskets and containers, or as an annual groundcover or edging plant.

Hamamelis virginiana

The floral display of American Witchhazel is unique. Its fragrant, cream to yellow flowers with tassle-like, crumpled petals bloom September-December, persisting for some time after leaf drop.

Halesia tetraptera

Carolina Silverbell is a large shrub or medium tree with a rounded crown. Drooping clusters of showy, white, bell-shaped flowers bloom in early spring. The flowers are followed by four-winged fruits, which turn tan in the fall. This plant prefers moist, well-drained, organic soils, and grows well with Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Use it in the shrub border or woodland garden, as an accent tree near decks or patios, or as a specimen tree for the lawn.

Gymnocladus dioicus

Kentucky Coffeetree is a deciduous tree that has large, compound leaves and brown bark with distinctive scale-like ridges. It is dioecious (separate male and female trees), with greenish-white flowers blooming in the late spring. The female trees bear reddish-brown seed pods that persist into winter. Use Kentucky Coffeetree in large yards or parks. Its tolerance for drought and air pollution makes it a good urban tree.

Gomphrena globosa

Common Globe Amaranth is a compact, heat-tolerant annual. Its clover-like flower heads in shades of purple, red, pink, and white bloom on sturdy, thick stems from June to frost. Globe Amaranth makes an excellent fresh-cut or dried flower. Use it in beds, borders, rock gardens, or containers.

Gillenia trifoliata

Bowman’s Root has loose clusters of star-like white flowers blooming on dark red stems from late spring to early summer. This makes an excellent fresh-cut flower. Attractive red sepals (outer, protective flower part) persist after the flower petals fall, and unique seed heads persist into winter. The leaves turn dark red in the fall. Plant in masses in borders or native plant gardens. Bowman’s Root is a good choice to mix with woody shrubs or perennials.

Gaylussacia baccata

Black Huckleberry is a deciduous shrub with green leaves, which turn orange-crimson in the fall. Its white-pink, bell-shaped flowers bloom May-July, followed by purplish-black edible berries, which can be eaten fresh or baked into pies and muffins. The berries are an important food source for songbirds, turkeys, upland game birds, and other wildlife. The plants tends to colonize. Use Black Huckleberry in wildlife gardens, shrub borders, and foundation plantings.

Gaultheria procumbens

Eastern Teaberry is a woody, evergreen groundcover. Its small, white, bell-shaped flowers bloom June-July, followed by small, red, edible berries that have a refreshing wintergreen flavor. Birds feed on the berries, which persist through the winter. The waxy, dark green leaves also smell like wintergreen when crushed. The leaves, which turn reddish in cold weather, are also a winter food source for wildlife. Both the leaves and berries can be used to make an herbal tea. Use Eastern Teaberry as groundcover or in woodland gardens, shade gardens, or naturalized areas.