True blue: Delphiniums, Gentiana asclepiada(not all), many alpine Gentianas, Brunnera, Scilla sibirica, Bellevalia forniculata, Commelina(for very mild climates), Omphalodes verna,Centaurea triumfetti,some Corydalis. There are some rare blue Penstemons, but nearly all are ungrowable here. Plants approaching true blue: some Tradescantias. Iris sibirica Big Blue has a true blue nerve in the middle of the falls. Have never seen a blue Campanula, and I had really many. Amsonias are pastel blue. None of Anemone nemorosa clones is true blue(I had them all).

I haven't had a chance to use my office DSL to check out Ceratostigma plumbaginoides and Lysimachia (part-time job,just me, and I'm OK'd for use after hours--but it is 16 miles away, so never go on weekends). Dial-up here at home is ridiculously slow, so I save research for the workweek, if I have the time. I'm beginning to be afraid of trying ajuga again, especially on the slope. I might try some chocolate chip in my back yard garden, which is the "real" gardening site. I appreciate the combination suggestion of silvery heucheras, lungworts, and bright green bergenias. Sounds beautiful. My goal on northwest and southwest is to not plant the entire ground with groundcover. I like the look of a little this and that with mulch separating groups. I also plan to put various bulbs in this fall. I do think I will put some plumbago in, but of course not depend on it covering some large space. Thanks for mentioning that fact. In the more shaded section, the largest part of the slope, I plan to transplant more vinca--I have a little started there, just not willing to put more in until it is cooler. I don't mind its agressiveness there, I have plenty of it elsewhere to steal, so no $$. Once established, I will just have to trim and work with the north and south areas where they border the vinca. Back to Sweet Woodruff: I will definitely check this out. Also a comment about Japanese painted fern. So beautiful, but alas, after planting it and seeing it not do well, I read that it likes acidic soil and it quickly died in our strongly alkaline soil. I'm still willing to hear other suggestions and comments. Such wonderful ideas from all of you. Thanks again, Leann

My first visit to this forum, and what a smart move. I went crazy trying to figure out where to get info on GardenWeb re what to interplant with bulbs and finally found all you new enablers! I'm a Hostaholic with no intention of recovering, but decided to add to the daffodils by buying 400 tulips (mostly Parrots - the ones with green splashes on the petals) and knew when I caved in and ordered that I would be adding to the ugly mess post-bloom. EGO45: your photos are gorgeous. I love the way you've clumped them near the pavers. Your suggestion re hardy Plumbago is brilliant! I have it all over the place but love where it is and hate to move even ONE -- especially now. I'm thinking I'll plant annual Plumbago early Spring until I can get the hardy when available next autumn. Too late here in Illinois. Incidentally, I covet your dirt (in CT). I help my neice out in Ridgefield with her garden when I visit and it's like putting a spoon in sugar versus continually amending my cement here. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ABSOLUTELY PERFECT SOLUTION. PS - You guys who aren't familiar with Hardy Plumbago: It is the LAST thing to go here in the Midwest as far as bloom/color. The blue is intense and when the leaves turn burgundy/copper, it's magnificent. Plant lots of it!

Paula, Thank you for the offer but I don't collect gobs and gobs of seeds. I just collect a few seed heads of things I think others might like to grow and a few for myself for the next year if they are annuals. I shouldn't say this here on the garden web but I toss most seeds in the trash as I am cleaning up my gardens ( take a deep breathe, stop gasping...lol). I think this year I will collect more than usual because I feel like a cheap skate when I see some of the other seed packets in swaps...lol I have added the petunias to your gift package and again, thank you for the offer. I will pass this time though. Lisa