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

Thanks everyone, for your suggestions. I finally am close to a decision. I'm thinking of Salvia 'Furman's Red', but would like to also use Shasta Daisy 'Becky' in a few spots. Most websites say that it's long blooming (June - Sept), but I've seen some reviews that say it's not. I really want something light colored to contrast with the red salvia, but it must be long blooming. Can anyone tell me what the true bloom time is? Also, if it's short, can anyone recommend a substitution that is long blooming (and similar size and structure)? Thanks so much!

This is a south-facing exposure that gets shade after 2:00pm and is enough of a winter micro-climate to keep some perennials going all year. I have sun-tolerant heuchera (caramel/amber) in with my yellow daylilies. When nothing is in bloom, the heuchera foliage provides nice color and it's evergreen here in NC. In front of the heuchera, I also have scabiosa (blue) and in front of that, I have threadleaf coreopsis. Right now, my scabiosa is blooming and the heuchera is just gorgeous. I also have some of the short coneflowers mixed in randomly with the daylilies. Off to one side, there is a large patch of dianthus mountain mist, Spanish lavender and purple heuchera and a few more yellow daylilies. On the other side is a weeping cherry. Behind this little patch are abelia that bloom white for a very long time. My landscaper put those shrubs in and I can tell they will be too large, so I'll have to relocate those and give the daylilies a new backdrop, probably tall phlox in lavender.

Try any of the spring bulbs -- crocus, tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths, scilla. I loved my garden this spring with pale yellow daffodils, pale blue pulmonaria, dark blue scilla, white Solomon's Seal and green Jack in the pulpit. Hellebore is good, too, but try to find one of the newer varieties that blooms facing up so you can really see them. Mine, unfortunately, droops so you have to lift the flower to see its face. The only spring plants with green foliage now are hellebore, Jack in the pulpit, and Solomon's Seal. The dead foliage of daffodils, muscari, and scilla is hidden by the hosta leaves. Nance