Rhus typhina, or staghorn sumac, likes to pop up in this area. I cut down the inconvenient ones and like to prune the lower, downward-facing branches of those that remain. I’m looking forward to its fall color.
In the background on the right is a burgundy-colored ninebark. Just to the left of that is a redbud, whose location on this rather exposed slope has dictated its shrubbier form.
Closer to the ground, lamb’s ears help choke out knotweed resprouts and iris foliage provides a spiky contrast.