Plant the tree so you can grow hostas, my favorite ;-). As for sun, Russian Sage rates high for it's architectural value, although it could be argued it's a woody shrub. Daylilies would be at or near the top as well.

tj

Most perennials are really not that reliable for season long color. But many have interesting forms and foliage. I would consider any color from them to be a bonus. My suggestion...load up on the ones that you like and find interesting and fill in with a few annuals for season long color. Maybe some pots of annuals by the front door or patio or some small beds of annuals in those same spaces. Just my 2 cents worth.

Dave
Franklin.

I like Veronica spicatas - they are not fussy and flower for a long time. Daylilies are nice for a grassy texture and there are varieties that flower earlier and later. I agree with tj about Russian Sage -it is wonderful even when it isn't in flower, the blueish color of the leaves is good contrast against the other greens.

If you have a little extra cash to spend, I highly recommmend the book: The Well-Tended Perennial Garden by Tracy DeSabato-Aust.

May Night Salvia is a beautiful. The tall purple flower spikes bloom all summer if you deadhead the faded flowers. Its is in full sun. Judy

OK, I'll chime in.
I've been happy with the daylilly Stella Dora (bad spelling) or Happy Returns, it blooms all summer. Another long bloomer is Potentilla. Another one is Weigella. But those two are more like bushes.
I've liked Centura Montana Bachelor Buttons (blue), last year they bloomed a long time. I'd suggest the Bachelor Buttons, lillies, and daylillies. Russian sage in bloom is always remarkable.

I like Scabiosa. My butterfly blue scabiosa bloomed almost all summer, then took a break, then started blooming again in the fall. I recommend getting a bunch of different perennials with different bloom times so something is always blooming. Roses are great too but they're a bit more work.

Thanks everyone, I'm gonna check all of these out. Someday I may actually map things out and plant things like I have a plan but for this year I'm just hoping to get my beds made and plant a few things. So far already existing I have the columbines, some type of coneflowers,and the mystery plant. I got some hostas from my mom for the north side of the house but still need to get more. I bought a couple bleeding hearts, a violet and something else that goes well in shade. I'm thinking of digging up some seedlings that I think are from of the existing plants and move them to my new beds to save money. They won't bloom until next year though, right?

Some seedlings will bloom the first year, it depends on what plant they are. Daddylonglegs mentioned Stella d'Ora which is a fine plant as is Black eyed Stella (reddish throat). Or, as John Avent from Plant Delights Nursery once said, "What happened to Stella after she walked into the d'Ora".

tj

Ferns and Astilbe will look good with your Hosta, as well as various Heuchera if you have filtered shade.

My favorite sun perennials, Daylilies, have already been mentioned. Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' is very hardy and spreads well if you let some blooms go to seed. Sedum is very hardy and is good for 4-season interest. My favorite Sedum is 'Matrona' because the stems are so stiff, they stand straight throughout the fall and winter and don't flop like other Sedum.

There are soooooooo many more, but you will probably have fun hunting and experimenting yourself.

Happy gardening!

Julie

I love the tall grasses. They seem appropriate in this woods and prairie combo state of WI. Maybe one to puntuate either end of your bed. Fill in with dwarf barberry or daylily or russian sage to complete the tall background. Then a row of purple cone flower or yello redbeckia, then a bunch of stiff, upright sedum like autuum joy. Its always better to go for a bunch of like-colored plants, than to try to jam every kind and color into one bed. Incidentally, I vote for the tree planting.
especially if this is a sun spot. I hope you keep all the rocks you mentioned. They will come in handy sometime, someway. Good luck with your new bed. Pondy

OK, now I'm actually trying to map out my huge space that will hopefully be full next year. Looking over your suggestions so far,coneflowers and daylilies are a must I have some, but not enough yet.The mound of dirt is small now a friend drove by and stopped today and said I need to do at least another 15 feet so my DH and I went out and kinda sorta measured what I want and it will be at least 10-20 feet deep and about 40 feet in both directions.
Daddylonglegs: Funny you mention Weigella My mom just gave me her well established one but I had to put it in the backyard where there was a peony that wasn't doing so well in the corner near my malva being so tall the peony just didn't look right.

Look a viburnum bushes - there are many varieties and they have interest across the season, flower, and feed the birds, not to mention they are pretty. Look into Viburnum Korean Spice if you are interested in a wonderful aroma. I also love phlox and they form such nice clumps of color. I also second May night Salvia for its purple color and long blooming time. And think about clematis for vertical interest...again many types.

My two favorites for long bloom and color would be agastache and globe thistle. Both bloom for at least 2 months, and the bees really like both.

Lee