I forgot to mention Baptisia. I have a nice one that has performed perfectly every year for probably 10 years!! It is so easy care, that I forgot I had one...lol. I put a hoop around mine. Yes, I do love Peonies. At least I thought I did. But I added two to a sun bed two years ago and last year, they opened just as we got a heat wave and in four days the petals were all on the ground. Without a heat wave, what do you get a week? One developed some kind of foilage disease and died. I have some Salvias, but with clay soil, I think they prefer better drainage. Mine look ok but not great. Yarrows are lovely and I like them, but I've left them out because I thought they travel too fast, true? My geraniums are very easy care, have had them for years, never have a foliage problem or insect problem, knock on wood. [g] Fairly long bloom. I would like to add more varieties. I have been interested in Dictamnus. I never see them at the nursery. The Gillenia I've never heard of. Reminds me of a Gaura or a Sweet Autumn Clematis when it is in bloom to some degree. Very nice. I have a Siberian Iris but I think I must have it in too much shade because it doesn't bloom. I will have to move it. I am just starting to collect Hostas. I really enjoy them. Daylilies....I am not a big fan. It's the foliage mostly. I like them when the foliage is thin and their footprint is small. But I also love the larger blossoms that come with the heavier foliage. I have been looking for a long blooming, tall, grape colored one that I like for a long time and haven't found one yet. I love lilles and would grow tons of them if it weren't for the LLBeetle! Grrr! It's just too much trouble. I have Lily envy of all of you in areas that don't have that problem. :-) I don't have a problem populating my shady beds. There are so many great native plants that I love. I think it is my part sun/sun beds that give me the most trouble. Sooner or later, I'm sure I will stumble upon the perfect plants for those beds. Every year, I try more. Thanks for all the ideas!

Glenn, I can't help but laugh, LOL. I'm not being insulting, Its a beautiful tree. With the marker you have in front of it that looks like a Cross the tree looks like its marking a grave. Peter's Honey looks very much like my tree, the fruit too except that mine didn't have the brown marks on the skin. Unless these are over ripe. Are your's juicy? Thanks for posting the pictures. Peg

I think his poetry is very much underrated - he always has something to tell us about human experience in simple lyrical language (rather like Causley who also died fairly recently) something that tells each one of us that we are not alone - our fears, anxieties, experiences are shared by others - a bandage of comfort for our pains and always relevant: The Terrible Abstractions The naked hunter's fist, bunched round his spear, Was tight and wet inside with sweat of fear; He heard behind him what the hunted hear. The silence in the undergrowth crept near; Its mischief tickled in his nervous ear And he became the prey, the quivering deer. The naked hunter feared the threat he knew: Being hunted, caught, then slaughtered like a ewe By beasts who padded on four legs or two. The naked hunter in the bus or queue Under his decent wool is frightened too But not of what his hairy forebear knew. The terrible abstractions prowl about The compound of his fear and chronic doubt; He keeps fires burning boldly all night through, But cannot keep the murderous shadows out.

Susan's suggestions are great. They are hardy to zone 3, will naturalize, are good for sun/part shade, are less likely to be disturbed by critters, and are early bulbs. You won't be able to control when the groundskeepers cut the grass, so it might be best to look at the earliest spring bulbs. The early spring bulbs will have time for their foliage to store enough energy for next years growth before the first mow. I'd add crocus tommasinianus to the list of contenders.