Helianthus salicifolius ‘Autumn Gold’

(Willow-Leaved Sunflower)

Compact willow-leaf sunflower cultivar that offers spectacular late season blooms in a small package of only about 2’ tall in narrow clumps. Plant alongside larger, fall blooming perennials like New England Aster to add dimension, color contrast, and pollinator appeal to the late season garden. 

Polystichum acrostichoides

(Christmas Fern)

Dependable evergreen fern selection for a variety of shade and part-shade locations. About 2’ tall and wide in small clumps, this fern’s glossy foliage and compact size makes it an excellent choice for small spaces, containers, and massing. Christmas fern is a beautiful addition for planting in moist locations alongside other shade plants like dwarf crested iris.

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Carousel’

(Dwarf Little Bluestem)

This compact little bluestem cultivar grows in small clumps with foliage typically growing to less than a foot, but with showy, multi-color flower spikes adding up to an additional 2’ in height. Carousel is hardy and works great for a variety of gardens, especially when paired in accent plantings with other small, upright grasses like Mexican feather grass.

Itea virginica Scentlandia®

(Virginia Sweetspire)

Attractive, compact shrub selection with suckering growth, perfect for medium-wet locations. Grows to only 2-3’ tall and wide with showy fragrant flower spikes in spring and incredible red-purple fall color. Pair with other low-growing wet-tolerant shrubs like Hummingbird Clethra for a showy spring summer hedge with contrasting yellow and red fall colors.

Rhus typhina Tiger Eyes®

(Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac)

A new addition to Unity’s catalog, this dwarf staghorn sumac cultivar is an excellent showy fall choice. Growing to a mature height of only 3-6’, Tiger Eyes® sumac produces showy fruit clusters great for birds, and an unbelievable fall foliage display with bright shades of green, yellow, and fiery orange. An excellent specimen tree for small spaces, Rhus typhina Tiger Eyes® can be paired with a low-growing under crop of Heuchera like Dale’s Strain for a multi-color, multi-season show.