At LMS we carry most of the plants (or some variation of them) detailed below.
From www.phipps.conservatory.org:
Top 10 Sustainable Plants from Phipps Conservatory
You may already know that smart plant selection is the single most important way to create a low-maintenance, high-enjoyment garden.
Phipps offers a list of Top 10 Sustainable Plants, selected for their non-invasive habits, as well as their resistance to disease and insects. Once established, they require minimal watering and fertilization. Many of these plants are on display in the Outdoor Garden at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Also, look for the Project Green Heart tag at local nurseries.
Top 10 Sustainable Plants for 2011
Red Hot Poker
Kniphofia uvaria
A striking member of the lily family, sporting bright orange-red flower spikes on tall stems from late spring to early summer; attracts bees and butterflies. Green grassy, semi-evergreen arching foliage. Will form dense clumps, and grow to a height of 2–4' and 1–2' wide. Grows best in well-drained, average soil and part to full sun.
Find the Red Hot Poker at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
Blackberry Lily
Belamcanda chinensis
Reliably beautiful, drought tolerant and tough perennial that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Stiff, sword-like leaves form upright clumps. In summer, orange flowers with red and yellow markings appear, followed by clusters of small, glossy black fruits reminiscent of blackberries. Plant in well-drained, average soil and part to full sun. To avoid self-sowing, remove seed heads.
Find the Blackberry Lily at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
Lenten Rose
Hellebores orientalis
A hardy, early blooming shade perennial known for its winter interest. Can grow to 18–24" tall, and 24–30" wide, slowly spreading. White to pink, cup-shaped flowers bloom in winter and early spring. Thick, smooth leaves are evergreen and deer resistant. Grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil, in part to full shade.
Find the Lenten Rose at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
Variegated Fragrant
Solomon’s Seal
Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’
A hardy herbaceous perennial for part to full shade. In spring, arched stems support elegant medium-green leaves with streaked white edges. Bell-like white flowers bloom in May and June, followed by spherical black fruits and yellow foliage in fall. Clumps will slowly spread. Plant in fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Find the Variegated Fragrant
Solomon’s Seal at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
Little Bunny Fountaingrass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
‘Little Bunny’
This perennial grass forms neat, compact mounds of pale to medium green blades, which reach a height and width of 12–18". Large feathery, ivory-colored flower spikes in summer. Leaves and flowers turn a wheat color in fall, and last through winter. Looks best when planted in masses, and will attract birds. Drought tolerant, grows best in average, well-drained soil, and full sun.
Find the Little Bunny Fountaingrass at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
Plume Grass
Erianthus ravennae
A giant of the ornamental grasses, gray-green, arching leaves form tall dense mounds, up to 5' tall, and 4–6' wide. Large feathery blooms of silver-purple flowers rise to an impressive 8–12' tall in late summer, and once dry persist through winter. Attracts birds. Grows best in moist, well-drained soil and full sun.
Find the Plume Grass at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
Virginia Sweetspire
Itea virginica
A hardy shrub with a bushy habit, reaching 3–10' tall and 3–8' wide. Arching branches hold bright green, glossy leaves, which turn dark red and burgundy in the fall lasting partly into winter. Creamy white, drooping, fragrant panicles bloom late spring to early summer and attract butterflies. Grows well in full sun to full shade, and thrives in average to wet soil.
Find the Virginia Sweetspire at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
This large deciduous shrub (3–10' tall and wide) has an upright habit. Oak-shaped leaves are deep green, and turn crimson and bronze-purple in fall. Huge papery, white flower panicles bloom in summer, dry to rose-pink to tan and provide interest throughout the winter, along with exfoliating, copper-brown bark. Plant in moist soil, and full sun to part shade.
Find the Oakleaf Hydrangea at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
American Yellowwood
Cladrastis kentukea
A beautiful deciduous, rounded tree, reaching 30–50' in height with low, spreading branches. Bright green leaves become a brilliant yellow in fall. Smooth, sandy brown bark grays with age. In late spring, showy, fragrant, long pendulous, white flower clusters bloom on each branch tip, usually on alternate years, but worth the wait! Grows best in fertile, well-drained soil and full sun.
Find the American Yellowwood at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
River Birch
Betula nigra
A fast-growing native that is resistant to insects and diseases, this tree can reach 40'–70' in height. Often multi-stemmed, with beautiful, peeling bark in mixed shades of white, rust-orange, gray and brown. Elongated catkins appear in spring, and medium-green leaves change to a dark yellow in fall. An excellent tree for wet areas, but can also grow in drier soils. Plant in full sun to part shade.
Find the River Birch at one of Phipps' Recommended Local Nurseries
