California

‘Little Heath’ andromeda (Pieris japonica ‘Little Heath’)

‘Fubuki’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Fubuki’)

Zones: 5 to 9

Size: 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide

Conditions: Partial to full shade; well-drained soil

I love Japanese forest grass for its bamboolike foliage, which stays low to the ground. It creates a bright mound of color in almost any shady spot, and it doesn’t spread by runners, like bamboo does. The leaves of ‘Fubuki’ (which, in Japanese, means “snowstorm”) are mostly white, with some green striping along the midrib. Later in summer, some of the leaves begin to turn shades of pink.

‘All Gold’ juniper (Juniperus conferta ‘All Gold’)

Zones: 6 to 10

Size: 6 inches tall and 4 to 6 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

Although junipers are typically planted in full-sun situations, some do better in partial shade. ‘All Gold’, for instance, may have a slightly less intense gold color in partial shade, but it won’t suffer from needle burn. This cultivar tolerates salt spray and dry conditions, so it’s great for seaside plantings. One of the brightest plants in our partial-shade gardens, ‘All Gold’ contrasts with evergreen shrubs all year. Plant it where it can cascade over walls or the edges of containers.

Photos: courtesy of Don S. Wallace