I grow many of the plants listed above, but I love the "surprises" that show up in the garden. A couple of years ago, I harvested some California poppies .. of course, they don't transplant well, but I put them into a container and let them do their last gasp to spread seed to continue the species. Their glorious orange/yellow has shown up in places in the garden where nothing else would grow well. The funny thing was that I thought they were spring flowering only. To my surprise, if they get water throughout the season, they repeat bloom all season long with no care on my part. Feverfew is another accidental plant that is providing "sparkle" to the garden with it's white blooms. I have poor soil and when these accidental plants show up in places where other delibertly planned plantings have failed, I always find that they are a special sorce of enjoyment. Yes, I have bulbs and am learning to grow irises and the texture of the garden is always changing. For me, that's the joy of gardening. Smiles, Lyn

It's very interesting to read how everyone's experiences differ. In my garden, daylilies refuse to bloom in the shade, perennial salvias only grow well in full sun, and lantana is an annual here. It dries up and dies if it doesn't get water, and won't grow in the shade anyway. Hakone grass is wonderful but sooooo sloooow if you don't get a big clump to start with. The artemesias as a family grow well in the sunny herb garden, but crap out in the shade. Rosemary isn't hardy for me, I keep mine in a huge pot on the patio. Dianthus is going great guns in the herb garden and rock gardens in the sun, but dies in shade. I have four members of the Solomon's seal family, from the little variegated Japanese fairy bells, the false and true Solomon's seal, and the giant variegated, and they all do well with no supplimental water. There are five varieties of lirope here, and all doing great with the drought. Tho one is an invasive monster that is not allowed in the polite company of other plants and makes a circle in rocky soil under a tree where I can keep it confined. A couple of other plants that do well in dry shade for me are the wild petunia, ruellia, which blooms most of the summer from June on, and a little dwarf goatsbeard that appears to be unfazed by the drought. This one is new for me this year so I'm looking forward to see how it does next year. The hosta beds are packed with early spring ephemerals and bulbs, that are pretty much gone by the time the hostas get going well. I just think with the changing climate I will have to change the way I garden, and with what. I realize I can't depend on the "normal" summers of the past, a lesson I have definitely learned from the past two years! I love reading about everyone's ideas and experiences. There is always something new to learn! Sandy

If you get to Milwaukee, let me know. I have clumps being given away all the time. tj

Hmm. It has been awhile since I lived in z 5-6 and I had only a handful of roses then. I have always loved flowers, though and grew them even as a child. Dianthus- There's a dianthus for everyone, I think. Some even have beautiful foliage that will smother weeds. The flowers are charming, often fragrant, and a color that will enhance most roses. I remember growing some from seed so if you're willing to start them early indoors, they may even bloom for you this year. Daisies- Just plain old-fashioned Shasta daisies look lovely in most country-type or cottage-type gardens. They look great with roses and last awhile in a vase. Modern Shasta daisies come in various heights from 1-4 ft. Some are doubles with a tousled appearance. Some are a pale yellow. Most will give you another flush of bloom if you cut them back after blooming, depending on when they bloom for you and your first frost. Cosmos- So easy to grow from seed. They should bloom for a good long time even if your first frost is late summer/early fall. Many will reseed so you may get some in the following years. The plant is sort of see-through and so not likely to overshadow even the young or delicate roses. Browallia- I don't know why these pretty blue flowered native annuals aren't more popular. Although not a good cut flower, they are easy to grow in the ground or in a pot and once they start to bloom, they don't stop. They are good for the front of a border or along a path. They are so lovely with most roses. Salvia- This is my favorite class of plants. There are several that make great garden annuals. Salvia farinacea (sort of looks like lavender) is hardy and tough without overwhelming most roses, looks nice with most roses and is something that deer despise. What's not to like? Salvia coccinea is a snap to grow from seed. The red ones might be too strong for pastel lovers but they also come in pure white and pink and white. They start blooming almost as soon as they come out of the ground and never stop. Hummingbirds will thank you. I can come up with plenty more but this is a start.