Italian Buckthorn is a bit new to us but we have been impressed with how fast if grows and its attractiveness all year round. This evergreen shrub can get quite large- up to 8-10' tall and 6-8' wide so it can make a nice hedge or specimen. The creamy edged foliage lights up a corner and contrasts well with the red/brown stems. This Rhamnus can tolerate sun or part shade, but being a zone 7 plant, is cold hardier with full sun. It develops small flowers that turn to red fruit in the winter and the foliage is wonderful for cut flower arrangements. Drought and heat tolerant once established make this a good screening choice for the Rogue Valley. Looks wonderful with contrasting reds and purples. Here are some other photos of it from Xera Plants. Would love to know if its deer resistant....

This named form of Manzanita made it through the 2009 winter that seemed to kill off most Escallonias and Phormiums.  At lows of seven degrees, this Manzanita didn't even discolor or lose leaves.  We have a few planted in the ground at the nursery and they have done beautifully without much irrigation or care. 

'Howard McMinn' will tolerate more irrigation than other manzanitas but all are very drought tolerant in well draining soil.  It will take full to half a day of sun and grows quickly to 4-5' tall and at least 4-5' wide.  The hummingbirds love the light pink flowers that appear in early spring and smell like honey.  It looks good all year and has dense growth unlike some leggier forms of manzanita.  The red stems contrast nicely with the apple green leaves.  The deer should leave it alone but we have gotten reports of deer chewing some tips.  It may depend on the time of year and the deer population. 

Anything with red stems and evergreen leaves grabs my attention so this handsome shrub from the alpine areas of Tasmania could be a nice specimen in most gardens.   It gets small white flowers followed by black berries in the spring.  The dramatic red stems shine against the deep green, glossy, lance shaped leaves.  We are still experimenting with the ideal location for this tidy looking shrub.  It is hardy to Zone 7, at 5 to 10 degrees, but seems susceptible to cold winter winds so a protected spot near a wall or enclosure seems best.  It will take full sun or part shade but if in shade it needs to not stay frozen during the low sun days of winter.  So an east or south exposure would be ideal.  Regular water in well draining soil keeps it looking its best but is reputed to be drought tolerant once established.  It is slow growing to 6' tall by 4' wide so it won't overwhelm your garden and looks excellent in a container.  Looks great combined with yellow foliaged sedums or grasses or as a backdrop to red flowered perennials.