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Painted Daisy: (Chrysanthemum coccineum) Full sun Hardy in zones 3-9 . A very colorful and easy to grow hardy perennial that is great for cut flower with long stems. Painted daisy blooms pink, red or white in late spring and early summer. Cut the bloom stems to the ground and it may bloom again later in summer. Foliage is delicate and fern-like and grows to 2-3 feet tall. It prefers full sun and is heat and drought tolerant. Propagate by seed.
Penstemon: (Bearded Tongue) Full sun to part shade Zones 3-9. A  North American native, this hardy perennial is very drought tolerant. Prolific flowering in spring or summer in brilliant blues, lavenders, pinks or red. Very tolerant of moist conditions except very wet, it does best in dry sunny, very well drained or sandy soils. Generally grows to 12-14” high. Penstemon attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Some are hardy to zone 3 (‘Sweet Grapes’), but many varieites are only hardy to zone 6. ‘Sweet Grapes’ is lower growing at about 6” and prefers full sun. It is tolerant of drought and poor soil. Prolific lavender blooms on five inch stems appear through midsummer.
Peonies: Full sun to part shade Hardy in zones 3-8. Spectacular plump  cabbage rose like flowers are the first lush look of summer. The speed at which these plants rise from beneath the soil and produce masses of flowers is utterly amazing. and when they are done blooming, you have a beautifully mounded, dark rich green “shrub”, that always looks glossy and healthy. Plant if the fall (late August or September) in a sunny spot, in soil enriched with compost. Don’t plant too close to other shrubs or trees, where roots will interfere. And do not plant too deep or flower production will be retarded. The pink “eyes” of the root should never be more than 2 inches below the surface, one inch in clay soils. Once established, little or no care is required, and you will be rewarded with blooms for a lifetime. Divide in fall (late August or September) every 15 to 30 years for the health of the plant, or divide more frequently to produce additional plants. Each division should have 3 to 5 “eyes”, the reddish buds on the tubers. This super hardy perennial is hardy to zone 3.
Phlox: Full sun Hardy in zones 3-9. Indispensable in the perennial garden,  there continues to be more color selection available, from white, through pinks and purples, and on to reds and coral. Tall, leafed stems are topped with large clusters of showy flowers. Phlox grows and spreads easily, prefers good well drained soil in the sun, but doesn’t seem to mind poor soil or neglect too much. Will tolerate hot dry weather nicely, and light shade. Phlox is susceptible to powdery mildew, take care to water early in the day or with a drip method. Propagate by division. Generally hardy to zone 4, some to zone 3.
Pinks: (Dianthus) Part to full sun Hardy in zones 3-8**. Cottage garden  pinks are excellent low growing, prolific bloomers for the front of a border, rock garden, or edging. Many varieties are hardy to zone 3 or 4. Some self seed. Pay careful attention when selecting dianthus - some are hardy perennials, some are biennials and some are annuals in the northern garden. ‘Bath’s Pink’ is the northern garden’s favorite and is hardy to zone 3. Clove scented pink blooms cover the plant all summer. ‘ Heart Attack’, a perennial Sweet William Dianthus, is hardy to zone 4, living 5 years or more. but Sweet William ‘Crimson Velvet’ is a bienniel. Dianthus Desmond is hardy to zone 5, and Cranberry Ice to zone 3. Dianthus chinensis is an annual. Carnations are also part of the Dianthus family, some are hardy and some are not. CONFUSING!, be careful. Look for Dianthus plumarius, and ask at the garden center if the hardiness is not well labeled. Annual and perennial varieties should be in separate sections, which helps.
Poppies: (Papaver oreintale) Full sun Hardy in zones 3-8. Perennial  poppies have recently become popular in the north and midwest. Lavishly blooming in May and June, the 5-8” blooms are available in pinks, plum, red, whites and creams. They can grow well in nearly any soil, but do prefer rich loam. Make sure they get enough water in dry spells, and that is about all you need to do. They should be hardy to zone 3 and easy to grow, but I believe the jury is still out on those questions. Gorgeous blooms if they work out well in your garden.
Potentilla: (Cinquefoil) Full sun to part shade Hardy in zones 2-7. Not  the woody bush, this cinquefoil is a herbaceous (no woody stems) sub shrub, generally low growing anywhere from an inch or two high to 2 feet. It resembles a strawberry plant and produces tiny bright flowers similar to the commonly know shrub potentilla. The lines are blurry between the herbaceous perennial and the woody shrub, as you will find some referred to as “semi-woody”. You will find both types called potentilla and/or cinquefoil. Look for ‘ tridentata sibbaldiopsis’. If you select one hardy to your zone, with the physical characteristics you choose, it doesn’t really matter. They generally bloom from June through August and are low maintenance. Perfect for rock gardens or to tuck into small spots. Hardiness varies, but are generally hardy up to zones 2, 3 or 4.
Russian Sage: (Perovskia) Full sun to light shade Hardy in zones 3-9.  Aromatic silvery-blue stalks with tiny lavender flowers from mid to late summer. It grows to 3-4’ in a nice shrub form, and tolerates heat and drought, perfect for dry soil. Excellent for neglected areas, such as roadside plantings where the sprinklers won’t reach. Also sets a nice cooling backdrop for bright warm colored flowers, especially reds and orange. ‘Filigran’ is the hardiest, to zone 3. It is elegant with feathery dense foliage, and with the strongest upright stalks. ‘Blue Spires’ has wonderful dark blue flowers all summer and is hardy to zone 3. Rabbits and deer don’t care for Russian Sage, but bees love it. Spreads by seed and underground runners. Cut plant back to the ground sometime between late fall and early spring.
Salvia: Full sun to part shade Hardy in zones 3-9. Salvia is an easy to  grow hardy perennial that is heat and drought tolerant. It is long blooming, generally midsummer to early fall. Brilliant spire are covered with mini-flowers in rosy or lavender pinks, or blues and purples grow anywhere from 18” to 4 or 5 feet tall. Cut back after the blooms fade and keep them watered for another bloom. Cut back to the ground in very early spring, and divide every few years as needed to control size.
Sedum: (Stonecrop) Full sun Hardy in zones 3-8. One of the easiest  perennials to care for, Sedum is tolerant of heat, humidity, drought and neglect. When not in bloom the plant adds interest to rock gardens or a sunny perennial border, each variety has interesting foliage characteristics: brown/burgundy leaves; or bright gold spiky stems; or large purply black leaves. Most bloom in summer, ‘Autumn Joy’ blooms in fall with more traditionally colored green foliage. With well drained soil, sedum lives a very long life. Divide every 3 to 5 years to discourage crown rot.
Scabiosa: (Pincushion Flower) Full sun to light shade Hardy in zones 3-9.  Loved by bees and butterflies, Scabiosa is easy to grow and makes a wonderful cut flower. Distinctive textures and flower petals have vivid colors, crimson, blues, lavenders, pinks and even yellow, creating a nice effect when planted in groups. This very long blooming perennial blooms from early summer into fall. ‘Butterfly Blue’ has very large lavender blue flowers from April to frost, grows to about 12-18” tall, and is hardy to zone 5. It does not do well with long hot summers, but is great in the north and midwest. Most varieties are hardy to zone 3, some only to zone 5. Divide every few years.
Spotted Dead Nettle, or Lamium: (Lamium maculaturm) Part to full  shade Hardy in zones 3-8. A vigorous growing groundcover reaching only about 10” high. It blooms in pink, purple or white in late spring to early summer. ‘Beacon Silver’ has silvery foliage with green edges and pink flowers. Lamium needs evenly moist well drained soil. It does not like poor soil, wet soil, clay or compacted soil, heat, drought or sun. Lovely, if you have the right spot.
Veronica (Speedwell): Sun to part sun Hardy in zones 3-9. Plentiful  spiky blooms, displaying best color in sun, but will do fine in light shade. Veronica is onne of the most trouble free hardy perennials, with beautiful plants when not in bloom. Varieties range from short ground covers to tall back of the border plants. Very long living when grown in well drained soil and sun, and is very resistant to drought, insects and disease. Most are hardy to zones 3 or 4, but some only to zone 6.
Yarrow: (Achillea) Full sun Hardy in zones 3-8. There are many varieties  and colors of yarrow with a wide range of characteristics. Some spread aggressively, some are bienniel. They are sun loving, hardy perennials with long bloom times. Carefully selected, they are a wonderful addition to the perennial garden, excellent for drying or accenting floral arrangements. ‘The Pearl’ has small, round, white flowers on 3 to 4 foot stalks, and does not spread aggressively. Achillea is a drought tolerant plant.
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