Goldenrod "Fireworks" and "Golden Fleece" are well worth it. So are their Phlox paniculatas, like "David" or "Katharine."
One new one that I just ordered but haven't received yet is Stachys "Hummelo." I've heard great things about this plant, so am looking forward to it. I also ordered Eryngium "Sapphire Blue." All of these are full sun plants and will spread into larger clumps. I would also recommend getting some of their "Limelight" hydrangeas. I got some last spring and they are blooming this year. I think you can only order shrubs from them in the fall, though. But keep those in mind.

Wow, there are so many possible responses to that question:) I would have to say guara, coreopsis and maybe Knockout Roses. I bought my KO roses through David Austin online and they've been great. The others from Home Depot.

Hope this helps.

Kate

I second roses....The fairy is a lot of bang for not a lot of bucks, as is nearly wild and most of the rugosas...
And don't forget daffodils. Nothing eats them and they last for years and just get better and better.
Linda C

"Indian Summer" Rudbeckia. A gorgeous, thick-petalled variety with a 'halo' of orange around the center cone. Mine came out with a bang in early June, and is just now starting to peeter out. It's about 4' tall this year from new plants last year, and the blooms are 5-6" diameter. Here's someone elses picture from the web; I didn't get a good closeup shot of mine:

{{gwi:266177}}

Hmmm, how about some fall bloomers? Sedum is an old ironhorse, foliage looks fantastic all season - even in the summer heat, and love the large flowerheads in the fall. Hardy mums would be another good choice for fall bloomer. Ornamental grasses are showy all season (I can't even tell you how many compliments I get on my mature clumps of zebra grass....), definitely a good investment.

If you want a rose or two, I definitely recommend one of the Knockouts. No, not the most exciting rose form or fragrance but darn does KO pump out the flowers and is very disease resistant - definitely a good "bang for the buck" rose.

Salvia "May Night" is spectacular here and blooms and blooms. I also love my russian sage.

I am in a different zone by far (4) so if any of these don't work in your area, I imagine someone will let you know...Look at www.perennialplant.org, it lists all the past perennial plants of the year by the Perennial Plant Association and there are some real gems. I just checked the list and I have all but 2 from the last 16 years... and I agree with the PPA completely...love them all. Also find that the achillea's are good performers in sun. By the way, I have 'Hummelo' and it is lovely, in my garden it is not a big spreader...but it is a great plant. Have fun! Helen.

I live in East Central Mississippi. I would think that anything that does well for me would do even better for you in your area.
I agree with all the above suggestions except: May Night Salvia (it peters out in a year or two and doesn't bloom that long even in the first year); Echinaceas (only bloom once here and the foliage doesn't pay its rent); Russian Sage (unless you can give it very dry conditions, forget it. It just hates our humidity.); Sedum (okay but not great. They tend to get long, leggy, and mildewey, believe it or not); Phlox paniculatas (only the species is worth shooting here).

I grow more plants than the following, but this is my list of bulletproof, long blooming, easy care, good looking in and out of bloom, plants for this blast furnace we live in:

Salvias:
Farinacea, Victoria; (low enough for the front of the border. Blooms contintually all summer. My favorite.)
Guarantica, Black and Blue; (blooms from mid summer on. Really really blue.)
Mystic Spires; Leucantha (Just like farinacea, but bigger, and even bluer.)

Cuphea Micropetala (Cigar Plant)
Rudbeckia, Herbstonne (only blooms twice, but the foliage is gorgeous)
Rozanne Geranium (blooms ALL summer)
Asclepias, cursivaca (Bloodroot. Attracts butterflies. Never out of bloom.)
Chrysanthemum, Mary Stokes (yellow), Clara Curtis (pink), and Sheffield (lavender pink) They are all invasive. I divide them each spring, put a small division in a 5 gallon pot, and plunge the pot into the bed. They are well worth the trouble.
Coreopsis, Creme Brulee (needs division every fall, but blooms all summer) Other Coreopsis are ho-hum at best. (but I grow them anyway :)
Artemisia, Powis Castle: wonderful foliage plant and not invasive)
Lantanas (there are lots and lots of new colors available. Give them plenty of space.)
Catmint
Phlox subulata (Thrift)
I also like grasses: Feather Grass and Muhly are my favorites.
Bulbs: Crinums and Cannas are spectacular and easy. (The old Milk and Wine Crinums bloom off and on for months.)
Kostelevskya, "Immaculate": spectacular fall bloomer

Roses: None are over three feet tall or wide. I grow them all with an annual top dressing of compost and no chemicals.
Nearly Wild (as good as, if not better than, knockouts)
Belinda's Dream (must be deadheaded, but perfect otherwise)
Nagadoches (golden yellow and outstanding)
Cassie (low growing and pure white)
Knockouts are excellent
By the way, I underplant all my roses with daffodils. They don't start coming up until after I prune the roses, and the emerging rose foliage hides the daffodil's ripening foliage. Try it. You'll like it!

Other colorful shrubs:
Berberis: Any Purple, or the yellow one called Aurea.
Spirea thunbergii: Ogon (gorgeous soft clouds of yellow-green foliage. White spring blooms.)
Hydrangea Paniculata, Tardiva (whiter than Limelight, otherwise nearly identical. Both are lovely.)

Evergreens give you something to look at in the winter:
Chaemysyparis filifera, Aurea (Golden false Cypress)
Arborvitae, Emerald
Mugo Pines

This may be more than you wanted, but I hope you can get some ideas! Happy Gardening!

I second the vote for GRASSES. Get the big ones... too many beginning gardeners blanche at the idea of BIG, MONDO plants. Don't fall into that mindset, but remember, if it says space 48" from the next plant... DO IT!

You'll be glad you followed the "rules". Trust me. :)

I bought a physocarpus 'summerwine' (a shrub, but bluestone does sell it) this spring. It kept its purple/mahogany color all summer, and it has grown at a nice clip, but it is a medium-size shrub, so will not get too huge. With its clean, dark, lobed foliage, it's a good companion plant for perennials, providing interest all season.

All i can add to this list here is Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank' - Great fall blooming species.

I'm impressed with Donna's list. She hits the nail on the head. Since you are in a warmer climate may I also suggest Aster Oblongifolius (variety Raydon's favorite) and Helianthus Angustifolius as great fall blooming perenials that survive a long hot humid summer and flower when you can really enjoy them in the cool autumn weather. And if you can find it (and do not live in a wetland area) Lythrum Moderns Pink. This is a hybrid Lythrum that has never been known to spread (unlike the species) and flowers from June until - well, mine hasn't quit yet. Peonies do hideous around here. Their foliage looking ratty by this time of the year. Most Hostas aren't much better by fall. Echinaceas seem to be all the rage, but after they flower in early summer they also start looking ratty. Amsonia also might be one to look into as it has spring/fall interest. Gee there's so much you can grow in your zone.

Montauk daisy aka nippon daisy aka october daisy grows well and quickly. it gives great fall blooms. I planted one a few years ago and divided it last year and the new plant is bigger than the original.

Last year I got some rose campion and it grew quickly and multiplied..I now have a nice edging of it as well as in other areas of my garden- the rc blooms in june/july and is a biennial that gives gorgeous little magenta blooms and is easy to grow from seed if you want.

I just want to thank everyone for all your wonderufl suggestions. I have made a list of them and am currently getting my order together. I cant wait to get started. This site is great and so helpful. Most of your suggestions were new to me and I know my garden will be the envy of my fellow gardeners. Keep up the great work, you are such a help and encouragement to new gardeners like me.

A word to the wise about Bluestone. They are an excellent company to order from (try their Verbena Sissinghurst- another extra long season bloomer) but the plants they ship can be very small. You might want to hold off on your order until spring when you will get the benefit of a longer growing season for your plants to establish themselves. An early freeze/frost on new tender plants can wipe out your investment.