Despite its native status, fleabane is alsosometimes referred to as a weed. It is not invasive but can self-seed, self-fertilize, and grow aggressively in ideal conditions. For this reason, it is most commonly used in wildlife gardens and natural landscapes. Credit: Denny Schrock It’s also worth noting that fleabane is considered mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Use caution when planting it in areas where animals play or graze....

From tall, towering varieties to spreading groundcovers, these perennials offer beautiful fluffy blooms. Marty Baldwin It’s not hard to figure out where fleece flower got its name. The foliage featureslance-shaped leavesthat are often attractively variegated. Credit:Marty Baldwin Succulent stems with conspicuous knots at the node give this plant its other common name, knotweed. Fleece flower is often one of the last plants to emerge in spring. As soon as the green shoots emerge, fleece flower will take off....

Floribunda shrub roses are perfect for landscaping or groundcover. Floribunda roses offer a bouquet on every branch. The small flowers look like elegant hybrid tea blooms but appear in clusters instead of one flower per stem. A floribunda rose is a low-maintenance plant that delivers maximum impact with its continuous bloom cycles. Where to Plant Floribunda Rose Plant floribunda roses infull sunin a location that blocks the wind. They also do well in containers....

Florida anise is an easy-to-grow, Southeastern native shrub that offers year-round garden interest. The blooms are followed by equally interesting star-shaped fruit. However, it is an excellent shrub for those whose gardens qualify. Credit:Karin de Mamiel / Getty Images This guide covers how to plant and grow Florida anise in your garden. The leaves, fruit, and seeds of Florida anise are toxic to humans and livestockwhen ingested. Keep them away from children and pets....

This hardy, double-blossoming shrub is a pretty alternative to more frost-tender cherries in colder regions. A spring-blooming shrub, flowering almond is a reliable performer with pink double blossoms. Sometimes the flowers are followed by small round red fruit coveted by squirrels. Credit: Marty Baldwin This small deciduous shrub blooms in early spring, whendaffodilsand earlytulipsopen. They’ll do well in partial shade as long as they get four hours a day of direct sunlight....

Flowering cherry trees (Prunusspp.) are among the showiest and most dramatic trees you could grow in your home landscape. The flowers of the many varieties are both attractive and mildly fragrant. After the leaves drop, you could enjoy the shiny, coppery bark through the winter. There’s almost no limit to the way flowering cherry trees can be used. The young tree benefits from protection against strong winds. How and When to Plant Flowering Cherry Plant bare-root flowering cherry trees in fall....

This annual pairs nicely with other cool-season favorites like pansies to create a colorful garden. It thrives in cool weather, often taking center stage in the garden during spring and fall. It will easily tolerate light frost, keeping its good looks through winter in Zones 8 and warmer. Credit: Marty Baldwin Flowering kale colors intensify as the temperatures drop, adding even more interest to late autumn gardens. Pair flowering kale with pansies and other spring bloomers in early spring containers....

This annual becomes fragrant at night, making it perfect for moon gardens. Flowering tobacco plants have long been prized in cottage and moon gardens for their intensely scented flowers. Bloom shapes can vary quite a bit. Credit: Peter Krumhardt Many white varieties are fragrant at night, emitting a sweet smell similar to jasmine. In addition, their usually hairy leaves can be sticky to the touch, much like petunia plants. Flowering tobacco is toxic to humans and pets....

Foamflower, a low-growing perennial, boasts frothy white flowers and attractive foliage when planted in dappled shade. Tiarella cordifolia, commonly called foamflower,is a close cousin tocoral bells, another popular shade garden plant. Foamflower blossomsmost commonly found in shades of pink and whitetypically last four to six weeks. Credit: Peter Krumhardt However, after the blooms fade, the dark green foliage makes an attractive backdrop for other plants. The numerous species of foamflower are either clumping or trailing/spreading....

This cross between coral bells and foamflower combines the best of both plants. Foamy bells is a cross betweencoral bells(Heuchera)andfoamflower(Tiarella). The hues include bronze, lime green, dark green, purple, and orange-pink. Illustration by Gary Palmer. The speckled, mottled, and multicolor rounded leaves lend this low-growing plant enchanting color and texture. Wherever you plant foamy bells, they are best planted in small groups. Planted in a rock garden, they soften angular lines and hard textures....

Historically, the forget-me-not was grown in remembrance of lost loved ones. Forget-me-nots are among the few plants that can boast atrue blue color. Forget-me-nots bloom in spring and summer in Zones 3-8 and work in informal garden borders and mixed containers. Credit: Laurie Black The foliage is deer-resistant and rabbit-resistant and resembles rounded mouse ears. Forget-me-nots attract birds and butterflies to your yard. Forget-me-nots form dense mats of foliage by producing above-ground runners....

This colorful shrub provides some of the first signs of spring. Late winter always makes gardeners antsy for spring. Forsythia relishes this season as if its just as eager to get started as any gardener. Credit: David Speer These plants stand out with richly-hued blooms in shades from pale yellow to bright gold. The foliage of forsythia is nothing particularly noteworthy. Deep green in color, the serrated leaves act as a neutral backdrop for perennials and annuals....

Fothergilla, a native North American shrub, thrives in shady gardens and offers all-season interest for little effort. witch-alder) is a deciduous shrub that deserves a place in every shade garden. Even better, this low-maintenance shrub serves as a wildlife nectar source and nesting spot whilealso being deer-resistant. Credit: JANET MESIC-MACKIE Where to Plant Fothergilla Fothergilla is a slow-growing, mounded shrub that works beautifully as afoundation plant. Fothergilla looks particularly at home in woodland garden prefs where its informal structure can be appreciated....