Wow, I've been busy googling---who knew there were so many to choose from! You all gave me so many more choices than I found on my own when I did searches for "tall white perennials" :) Campanula, I love the foxglove idea.... When does it bloom and for how long? Also, the Penstemon is very pretty---I have never seen it before! I definitely need something bold there--- So far I think phlox, digitalis, and penstemon are my best bets. Even the obedient plant wasn't showy enough to be seen from the street---I need a big 'ol white flower. The lilies would work too... but I'm not a huge fan. As far as a picture, I never took one when the obedient plant was blooming! It was pretty, but didn't quite give the 'pop' that the allium did.... which is what prompted a new search :) Thanks so much for all of your help---lots to think about

Sue, I hate to bring this up - I always enjoy discusions about what plants to add to existing plants and I don't want to rain on your enthusiasm - but where are you planning to add these new flowers? Is there more to this bed that's empty or emptier than the bed in your picture. I ask because my Alchemillas are currently as tall as your 3 Endless Summer Hydrangeas and wider. My Endless Summers are nearly as tall as my 4 ft tall fence and 3 ft plus wide. My guess is that in 2 or 3 seasons you'll need to move things out of the current bed. From your pix I'd think that adding a few annuals here and there would add the late color that you're missing. Here's a few old views from my garden - I thought about posting them in the "What is your stupidest garden mistake" post, except I couldn't decide what area to show everyone! LOL 2003 Stone Bench bed. Same stone bench with alchemillas in bloom 2005. Can you find the bench? the mugo pines? the stone path? Alchemillas long gone from bench area. Picture is from 2007. The Lady's Mantle was moved to back side of the 3 trees in this long skinny bed. Alchemillas were replaced by Caramel Heucheras and Strutter's Ball daylily in the center section edged by the stone path. Since the above picture was taken, an alchemilla seedling has seeded itself into the second heuchera and is nearly as large as the heuchera! I haven't figured out how to separate the two - heuchera are really touchy in my garden - and I'm afraid if I pull it and tear the two roots apart (if I can tell which are which) then replant the heuchera - it will promptly die on me. :))

I'm hoping these thumbnails are small enough to load quickly Here are a few that made it to November in my yard... 1.Cyclamen hederifolia didn't last to the end of November 2. 3. Waterperry 4. Blue Prince Holly 5. Daphne 6. Strawflower 7. Abutilon 8. Black and Blue Salvia 9.Ok, I just bought these... 10. Knautia 11. Winter Jasmine opened a lot more since this picture was taken 12.So did Zephirine Drouhin 13.Volunteer Amaranthus 14.Lady bells 15.Hellebore Foetidus 16. Daphne hybrid 17. Red Cascade 18. Traviata won't beat the cold 19.Eden 20. Wild asters 21. One of many buds that won't have enough time to open. 22.Cyclamen coum is trying 23. White strawflower 24. Female skimmia - is this open? 25. Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis in bud 26. Male skimmia 27. La Marne 28. Gaillardia Oranges and Lemons wants to bloom 29. Heritage did well this fall 30. Heritage shattering 31.Dandelions are open around town, this one is in my yard 32. Ok, I bought the teaberry in bloom- $4.99 at Shop Rite 33. Ornamental Strawberry Plus I've seen a few cherry trees and forsythia in bloom...

Scarlet sage (Salvia Coccinea) should still bloom from seed by fall, they germinate quickly, but take some time to get going on clay. They're not 100% perennial in zone 8a, but a lot can eventually return depending on mulch/weather and they do self seed well. They bloom from now until frost, but best show for us has been in early fall. Your spot sounds good because they seem to appreciate a little shade. We've been happy using them as a temporary ground cover in the open spots while the shrubs grown in. Here is a link that might be useful: Salvia coccinea at wildflower.org