Low = under 8 inches, Medium = 8 inches to 30 inches, Tall = over 30 inches
Low Winter Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Helleborus niger 4 15" X 1' Leathery dark green leaves. White
Christmas Rose High Shade-Part flowers turn purplish. Dec-April.
Primula species 5 6" X 6" Hardy flowers in late winter in
Primroses High Sun-Part many colors. Needs good drainage.
Viola wittrockiana 5 6" X 6" Winter pansies in many colors can
Pansy Med. Sun-Shade bloom all year in part shade.
Low All Year Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Fern, Polystichum setiferum 6 2' X 2' Evergreen. Low spreading, finely
Alaskan Fern Med. Shade-Part cut fronds.
Grass, Carex morrowii 5 15" X 18" Drooping leaves striped with white.
Japanese Sedge High Sun-Part Prefers moist soil.
Grass, Festuca ovina 'Glauca' 4 10" X 10" Evergreen. Low clumps of fine blue
Blue Fescue Grass Low Sun-Part grass. Needs good drainage.
Grass, Scirpus cernuus 8 8" X 8" Drooping green threadlike leaves
Fiber Optic Grass High Part Shade with brown tip. Good in pots.
Herniaria glabra 5 2" X 1' Tiny green leaves turn bronzy in
Green Carpet Med. Sun-Shade winter. Good groundcover.
Mentha requienii 5 1" X 1' Evergreen. Very low. Very fragrant
Corsican Mint High Shade-Part when bruised or crushed.
Raoulia australis 7 3" X 1' Evergreen groundcover. Tiny gray
Raoulia Med. Sun leaves. Needs perfect drainage.
Rubus pentalobus 6 6" X 3' Evergreen groundcover. Small white
Creeping Raspberry Low Sun-Part flowers. Edible fruit.
Scaevola aemula 9 6" X 3' Evergreen. Lavender blue flowers
Fan Flowers Med. Sun almost all year. Good groundcover
Selaginella kraussiana 7 2" X 1' Evergreen. Dense mat with great
Spikemoss High Part Shade color in shade gardens.
Soleirolia soleirolii 7 1" X 1' Evergreen. Dense mat. Tolerates
Baby Tears Med. Shade foot traffic.
Medium All Year Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Aspidistra elatior 7 18" X 3' Evergreen. Strap like leaves.
Cast Iron Plant Med. Shade Tolerates deep shade. Very tough.
Asplenium scolopendrium 6 18" X 15" Native evergreen. Strap-like fronds
Hart's Tongue Fern Med. Shade-Part with wavy edges.
Fern, Cyrtomium falcatum 8 2' X 2' Evergreen, but tender at 25 degrees
Holly Fern High Shade-Part Does well indoors.
Fern, Polystichum munitum 6 3' X 3' Native evergreen. Excellent for
Western Sword Fern Low Shade woodsy area. Needs little water.
Fern, Polystichum polyblepharum 6 2' X 2' Evergreen. Fronds unfurl backwards
Tassel Fern High Shade-Part creating a tassel.
Grass, Carex tumicola 8 18" X 18" Native evergreen grass.
Berkeley Sedge Med. Sun-Part
Grass, Juncus effusus 5 2' X 2' Native evergreen. Tolerates wet
Soft Rush High Sun-Part soil. J. e. Spiralis is twisted.
Tall All Year Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Fern, Dicksonia antarctica 9 12' X 15' Evergreen. 6' arching fronds.
Tasmanian Tree Fern High Shade Protect from frost.
