Trost’s Dwarf Birch (Betula pendula ‘Trost’s Dwarf’).

A small arctic-hardy birch shrub that has delicate looking lacy leaves that will look great in any garden. The green foliage turns a brilliant shade of yellow in autumn. Zone 2. Spread: .9 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft.) high by .9 m (3 ft.) wide.

Rock Cotoneaster (Cottoneaster horizontalis).

A low, spreading groundcover with thick ‘wiry’ stems that gnarl and twist horizontally above the ground. Tiny leaves, twisted stems and cherry-red berries make this a delightful ‘surprise’ shrub to place on or near a rock or Buddha garden figure for great effect. Zone 4 to 7. Spread: .3 to .8 m (1 to 2.5 ft.) high by 1.5 to 2.4 m (5 to 8 ft.) wide.

‘Dwarf’ Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’).

The ‘winged’ ridges along the plant’s stiff bark give it a one-of-a-kind look in the shrub world. Branching is quite horizontal lending itself to an Asian style. Dark green summer foliage turns into the most fluorescent reddish-colour in the fall. Zone 3b to 8. Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft.) high by 1.5 m (5 ft.) wide.

‘Flame’ Amur Maple (Acer ginnala ‘Flame’).

This version of the Amur Maple has a very intense, bright-red, fall colour. Amur Maple stems gracefully wind and twist in alternating horizontal and vertical directions creating a look that reminds us of small forests in southern Europe or Asia. Zone 2 to 8. Spread: 4.6 to 6 m (15 to 20 ft.) high by 4.6 to 6 m (15 to 20 ft.) wide.

Great Wall Clumping Bamboo (Fargesia nitida ‘Great Wall’).

This thin branched bamboo has outward-arching, slender branches on a dark, purplish cane. It creates dramatic vertical height with an Asian inspiration. It is rated zone 4, so it may only perform well for you if you’ve been previously successful with other zone 4 plants. (This is a non-invasive variety). Spread: 1.5 to 2.4 m (5 to 8 ft.) high by 2.4 to .9 m (8 to 3 ft.) wide.

Morden Golden Glow Elder (Sambucus racemosa ‘Morden Golden Glow’).

Unlike larger elders, this mid-sized elder can find a home in almost any yard. Fine textured, lacy-cut, golden leaves age to a rich green creating a unique two-toned effect. Creamy white flowers in mid-summer are an added bonus! Zone 3. Spread 1.5 m (5 ft.) high by 1.5 m (5 ft.) wide.

Black Lace Elder (Sambucus nigra).

This shrub’s lacy, deep-cut foliage is an intense, purple-black shade. It blooms in midsummer with massive lemon-scented pink flowers. This is more of a zone 4 plant, so it will generally die down closer to ground level over winter, but its hardy roots will regenerate an amazing new plant each season. Spread .9 to 1.8 m (3 to 6 ft.) high by .9 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft.) wide.

Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrine).

This small, aromatic rounded shrub has the appearance of a delicate fern. But in reality, it’s not a fern at all. It is a very robust, hardy zone 2 plant that can add an amazing dimension of colour and texture to the garden. It emits a beautiful, forest fragrance when its leaves are brushed. Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft.) high by 1.5 m (5 ft.) wide.