In the very front of my house

I have a fence in my front yard. The cars park on the other side and I don't have to look at them. It also provides a feeling of privacy to my front yard.

I didn't want the fence to seem bare so I made a small bed on the street side. It has 'Stella d'Oro' Day lilies, 'Amethyst Myst' Heuchera and 2 'Pacific Sunset' Maples.

'Pacific Sunset' Maples -

Glossy dark green foliage, fine fall color and improved adaptability to heat and drought are features that distinguish Pacific Sunset® Maple among the many maple cultivars. Its performance in the Pacific Northwest has earned this medium-sized shade tree a place on the 2003 Great Plant Picks list. Adaptable to varied growing conditions, Pacific Sunset Maple performs well in many areas of the country, including regions that are considerably warmer and drier in summer and colder in winter than the maritime Northwest.

Pacific Sunset® Maple (Acer truncatum x A. platanoides 'Warrenred' P.P. No. 7433) is a hybrid of Acer truncatum and Acer platanoides that combines the best characteristics of the parents in a medium sized shade tree. Dark glossy leaves, drought resistance, orange to red fall color and a smaller ultimate size are inherited from Shantung Maple (Acer truncatum). The Norway parent (Acer platanoides) contributes faster growth, caliper development at an early age, larger leaves and adaptability to varied growing conditions. Its fine textured branch structure evolves to a rounded crown and a mature height of about 30 feet and a spread of about 25 feet. Hardiness is USDA Zone 4b.

Plant Type: tree

Foliage Type: deciduous

Plant Height: 20 ft. 0 in. (6.10 meters)

Plant Width/Spread: 18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 meters)

Plant Height-Mature: 30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 meters)

Plant Width-Mature: 25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 to 9

Sun/Light Exposure: full sun

Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established

Seasonal Interest: autumn foliage color

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'Amethyst Myst' Heuchera

Dramatic, glossy amethyst-colored leaves with silver markings create a stunning mound for mixed containers and perennial borders. Provides rich contrast for combining with bright flowers and foliage.Offers year-round interest with stunning foliage and pretty blooms. Evergreen.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9
Size: Foliage clumps 8-9in. tall, 18 in. wide. Flower stems 24 in. tall.
Light needs: Partial to full sun
Water needs: Moderate Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry.

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'Stella d'Oro' Day Lilies

Sensational, award-winning selection that blooms with heavy clusters of 2-1/2 in. yellow blooms. Reblooms freely into early fall. This easy to care for plant forms neat, compact clumps. Herbaceous.

Light needs: Partial to full sun

Water needs: Low Once established, needs only occasional watering.

Average Landscape Size:  Foliage to 1 ft. tall, flower stalks to 2 1/2 ft. tall.

Key Feature: Waterwise Plant

Blooms: Early summer

Landscape Uses: Firescaping/Fire Wise, Seacoast Exposure, Very Wet Areas, Woodland Garden

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Euphorbia 'Blackbird'

Blackbird spurge

Euphorbia 'Blackbird' is an evergreen perennial with a compact, bushy growth habit.  It grows to about 18-22" tall and 22-24" wide.  Its outstanding feature is the exceptionally dark purple velvety foliage which contrasts strikingly with the large clusters of yellow-green flowers that bloom in late winter/early spring.

Euphorbia 'Blackbird' is an evergreen perennial with a compact, bushy growth habit.  It grows to about18-22" tall and 22-24" wide.  Its outstanding feature is the exceptionally dark purple velvety foliage which contrasts strikingly with the large clusters of yellow-green flowers that bloom in late winter/early spring.

Plant 'Blackbird' in a spot where it'll get sun for at least half the day.  If it's too shady, the leaves will turn dark green rather than deep purple.Blackbird's tolerant of most soils including clay, both dry and moist, as long as they drain fairly quickly.  It doesn't like being in waterlogged soils for prolonged periods.Blackbird tolerates the heat of California's central valley and will survive winter temperatures down to 0°F.

Once established, Blackbird euphorbia is fairly drought tolerant.  On the coast, it'll survive normal summers with no supplemental water, although it does look better with an occasional deep watering about every 2-3 weeks.  Inland, we suggest a deep watering every 2-3 weeks.  Blackbird will tolerate more frequent watering if necessary.  If you have hard water, try not to wet the leaves when you wateras it'll leave white stains on the dark foliage.

Euphorbia 'Blackbird' is a hybrid and was discovered as a sport of Euphorbia 'Red Wing.'

Deer and rabbit resistant.Blackbird spurge

Growing and Maintenance Tips: When the flowers are looking messy, cut off the whole stem near the base of the plant.  Remember to wear gloves when handling this plant.  If you get the sticky white sap on your skin, wash it off straight away.  Don't touch your face if you get the sap on your hands.  Go the emergency room if you get the sap in your eyes.

Height: 16-18 Inches

Spread: 16-18 Inches

Spacing: 18 Inches

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Characteristics: Evergreen, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Cut Flower/Foliage, Cold Tolerant

Flower color: Green, Yellow, Chartreuse

Foliage color:  Red, Burgundy, Black, Purple, Almost Black

Growth habit : Upright

Exposure: Full Sun

Season of interest (flowering): Spring, Winter