Heart-leaved disanthus (Disanthus cercidifolius)

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8

Size: 5 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide

Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Fall color isn’t expected in the dim corners of the garden, but with heart-leaved disanthus, you will get a lovely surprise. In early fall, the blue-green leaves turn a deep burgundy, eventually lightening to orange and yellow; by late fall, these leaves become a brilliant red. Disanthus flowers are inconspicuous, but to give the shrub more spring interest, plant a clematis (Clematis spp. and cvs., Zones 4–11) at its base, and let it shimmy up the branches.

‘Blue Metallic Lady’ hellebore (Helleborus hybridus ‘Blue Metallic Lady’)

Zones: 4 to 9

Size: 12 to 16 inches tall and 14 to 24 inches wide

Conditions: Partial shade; moist,well-drained soil

The ‘Lady’ series of hellebores is among the earliest to bloom, often before the start of December. ‘Blue Metallic Lady’ has shimmery, deep blue blossoms, and performs as ele­gantly in winter containers as it does in dry woodland spots. It is at its best when paired with snowdrops (Galanthus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9). Cut the foliage of this deer-resistant plant to the ground in late fall; be sure to dispose of the leaves in the garbage (not in the compost pile) because they usually have a bit of botrytis disease.