Coreopsis and Echinacea are big ones in my garden at the moment.

Some of the more true-yellow (as opposed to golden-yellow) Coreopsis would probably look great in your garden. I'm a big fan of the new 'Full Moon' and 'Red Shift', although they might be too tall, so you'll have to consider some of the shorter varieties.

I'm in Zone 5/6 also. I agree about the Coreopsis - especially the thread leaf variety, Moonbeam or Zagreb. There is also a couple pink varities - Sweet Dreams is a light pink with a dark pink center, Heaven's Gate is deep pink with an even deeper pink center. There is also crocsomia Lucifer or Embers Glow that is a tall, brilliant red, if you can support something tall. My pink Stargazer (Asiatic) lilies are just blooming now. Obedience plant, but that is kind of invasive and tall too. I think there is a pink version of Stokesia, mine are blooming now. Good luck!

Here is a list of what is blooming in my garden - roses, daylilies, hyssop, joe-pye weed, beards tongue, four o'clocks (these might be classified as an annual, but they come back every year for me), butterfly bush, campanula, cone flowers, mallow, hibiscus, and many annuals.

Have you ever considered using some annuals when the perennials take a rest? One of my favorites that always does well is begonias. I have wax begonias, angel wing begonias, and the kind that put me in mind of a rose - it might be Reichter ?? Also, I like the mealycup sage (blue), dahlias and snap dragons.

Jane

Not that all of these would work in your bed, but what I have blooming right now in full sun are echinaceas, rudbeckias, helenium, hibiscus, and phlox.

A hibiscus might be dramatic there in front of the porch, (they really are quite the focal point!) or maybe some phlox would work.

Dahlias might be a nice addition too, although they are just starting to bloom for me here.

Gorgeous porch, and nice little garden!

:)
Dee

Rudebecia (Blackeyed Susans) are one of my favorites, and Manardia (Bee Balm) is quite nice. What about lillies? I know a great website for them called www.bloomingfieldsfarm.com

i think that one of the shorter daylilies would work in that bed.I have one that is blooming now and it,s a pale pink with some yellow but there are thousands of varieties.
i also like the idea of the fernleaf coreopsis.
flowers blooming in my garden are(not necessarily,that would fit in your garden ,though are:
roses,dahlias,black and blue salvia,lilies,coneflower(pink),rudbeckia,balloon flowers,celosia,yarrow,marigolds,zinnias,and other,s that escape me at the moment,(i know these are not all perennials though)
you do have a beautiful border already.
carol

Oh yes, I forgot monarda, daylilies, and balloon flowers. And I think I might have some veronica blooming now.

If you decide on lilies, be aware of the red lily leaf beetle. I got hit with it this year. I have almost 250 lilies for market and haven't been able to sell a single one, thanks to these lecherous little beetles. Sigh.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide!

:)
Dee

It's pretty quiet for me right now. Oriental lillies and Stokes aster are wrapping it up, and coneflowers are in full force. Also blooming are yarrow and hydrangeas, and of course the annuals.

My hibiscus are setting buds now, so that should be about another two weeks, but what a show that will be when they finally get going! (I pinch, so that's why the later bloom)

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to look many up. There is more of the garden you can't see, the front section is about 50' long and then it wraps around the house, about another 30'. There is a hybiscus (Kopper King) to the right of the picture, there are also hosta, more hydrangeas, dianthus, many geranium, iris, lots of Walker's Low, etc.

I think lilies would be nice, but I dread the beetles. I've never had luck with monarda or coreopsis. The coreopsis always look splindly (maybe my soil?) and the monarda, by this time of year, is covered with mildew (I have it elsewhere, DH thought it was dead it looks so bad). It seems like everything I like is purple! Veronica would be nice...again, purple.

The Gernium Rozanne is unbelievable. I read it forms a 24" mound. No way, I have two and both are climbing all over everything, at least 4' wide. I highly recommend it, it's holding it all together right now.

I love the purple/blue border. It's cool and refreshing this time of year. I would stick with it and add the plants you like, veronica, blue balloon flower, geranium rozanne, maybe some salvia nemorosa. It's a nice theme. Forget adding gaudy yellows...
Just my humble opinion
:)

Here is my "anything goes" garden, as of July 24:

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In the picture is coreopsis, achillea, centranthus ruber, platycodon, asters, penstemon and snapdragons. Also blooming in that garden is plumbago, cleome, miniature roses, fuscia salvia, dahlia. Nex year lychniss coronia will be blooming also.

In the garden next to this, buddleia, verbena bonariensis, btokesia, snapdragons, coreopsis, gaura, guilardia, echinacea, heliopsis are blooming. Monarda and asclepias are also blooming but are basically finishing up.

If you'd like to see shots of individuals plants as well as plant combos, here's a link:

late July gardens

-Sue, I agree with woodside. I like the color theme you have going and think yellow might clash instead of compliment. I for one love the blues/purples.

I don't see any mention of height, but assume you want it short enough so you can see that lovely porch. Under four feet then?

If you want to introduce a new color, how about a light pink? It would highlight the tones in your Hydrangea.

Aconitum 'Pink Sensation', while very poisonous, is beautifully lacy looking.

Eupatorium 'Little Joe' is a dwarf Joe-Pye-Weed that stays at about four feet for me. Has tufts of dusky pink flowers.

Balloon Flowers are very nice. They range in all sizes, and come in blues, whites, purples and pinks ('Astra Light Pink' would look nice).

If you want to carry on with the blue/purple, my 'Monch' Aster is just starting. Wonderful medium blue color.

Sea Holly (Eryngium) is at its peak, along with the Agastache foeniculum (pale blue/purple flowers).
CMK

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.

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Same stone bench with alchemillas in bloom 2005. Can you find the bench? the mugo pines? the stone path?

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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.

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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. :))

Leslie, what a great story via photos. That Lady's Mantle is amazing. I keep making the area for mine bigger and bigger and its never big enough. I love the 2003 photo.

Not mentioned above, also blooming in my garden today giallardia, I think its 'Fanfare'. Also Persicaria 'Firetail'. In my garden the shasta daisies are mostly over, but Crazy Daisy seems to be lasting the longest and the best. Although not perennials, Rose of Sharon's are starting -- Blue Satin and Lucy.

Geranium sanguineum striatum is getting ready to bloom again for the second time, I cut it back about 3 weeks ago. light pink mounding.

Happy Returns daylily might rebloom late if it starts early enough in your spot. Its a nice soft yellow. Although its hard to count on the subsequent bloom cycles.

Daylily Franz Hall is a late bloomer. It is just getting going here when all the other daylilies are done or almost done. ITs a yellow & orange bi-color.

"My guess is that in 2 or 3 seasons you'll need to move things out of the current bed."

Almost there now! I planted this bed heavy. There are 6 ES, 6 boxwood, plus all the other stuff. I'll likely move the smaller things out (the Silver Mount, the Dianthus). The bed isn't as deep as it will be one day. I was waiting until the sidewalk is done so I wouldn't have to disturb the plants (I'd just extend the bed to the sidewalk once it's in), but I don't know when that will happen since I really want bluestone to match the back patio we have, and it's very expensive.

I was thinking of adding soft yellows, not bright. And some lighter pinks as well. When I have a chance I'm going to look up all the plants you've all suggested.

It's hard because our yard is very open and most areas are 100% sun or a lot of afternoon sun. The only area I have with morning sun, afternoon shade is the very front of the house. I have three underperforming hydrangeas that would benefit from more sun, but the only place I have to put them are too much sun. Did I mention I have almost 4 acres, about 1 acre of which is cleared (one acre is a lot when it's all open grass!)? I need to figure out how to create some afternoon shade. Any ideas?

sue36, i wouldn't plant another thing. that bed is prefect as is. it's nice to enjoy just the different foliage one in a while too.

Definitely plant the caryopteris, 'Grand Bleu.' It is considered a sub shrub that grows to about 2 1/2 foot tall and is an absolute show stopper. They are the most gorgeous blue and would compliment your ES hydrangeas perfectly....By the way their bloom time is August/Septmeber, a nice end of season color burst...