Euphorbia and Red Osier Dogwood stems

Below are two different kinds of Euphorbia (spurge) that I just picked up at Whitney Gardens in Brinnon, WA. I adore the rich red and purple tones in the otherwise fairly dull winter garden right now.

Euphorbia is arguably "one of the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom" with over 2000 species! More at Wikipedia.

BELOW: The beautiful bare stems of native Red Osier Dogwoods from the 2010 Kitsap Conservation District Plant Sale. Really a great shrubby tree, and very tough.