The Rogue Valley climate allows us to get away with growing Pomegranates; with the possibility of getting fruit!  Unlike the Pacific Northwest, which generally doesn't get enough heat to ripen Pomegranates, Pomegranates will thrive in our longer, hot summers. We also usually don't get cold enough to damage them so give this Persian fruit a try!  They thrive in a hot, dry, and ideally protected spot (to make sure the fruit ripens) and the tropical looking bright orange flowers add an unusual element to any garden.   Against a south facing wall is best. We have seen some old specimens in Ashland and Central Point so we know once established they will make it through most any winter.  The key is to protect them if it gets below 20 degrees the first couple of winters.  Once established, a severe cold snap can kill them to the ground - however they regrow quickly from the roots.  Pomegranates have narrow, bright green leaves turning golden in the fall and frilly, saturated orange/red blooms.  Pomegranates make a great landscape plant even if you don't get fruit.  The fruit usually ripens in September or October.  You can grow them as a large shrub or small multi or single trunk tree; maybe getting to 15' at maturity.  They can be quite drought tolerant once established.  They are self-fertile and the nutritional benefits of pomegranates are well known.  Ask Scott if you want to know more- he is obsessed!

We're always looking for a Sedum that looks good all year and this one gives a rainbow of colors throughout the seasons.  It's easy to use in a container or as an evergreen groundcover that is drought tolerant, cold hardy to Zone 3, and deer resistant (should be).  We have it dotted throughout a rock garden as a yellow and orange highlight against creeping thymes and hens and chicks.  A small piece of the plant casually planted (or dropped!) will easily root so you can spread it where you like.   Quickly gets to 15-18" wide and about 4" inches tall with yellow flowers in late summer.  The needle-like leaves will be more yellow in full sun and get red and orange highlights in colder weather and green up in more shade.  In spring it had green, yellow, orange, and red all on the same plant, just like a rainbow.