Dorothy's Dawn is a Lenten rose that opens soft pink blooms brushed with green from late winter into spring, weeks before most of the garden wakes. The leathery, evergreen foliage forms a handsome 1 to 2 foot clump that looks good year-round.

Plant it in shade to part shade with good drainage; under deciduous trees is classic, where it gets winter light and summer shade. It's reliably deer-proof and drought tolerant once established. Snip away winter-worn leaves as the flower buds rise.