I received 3 helianthus "lemon queen" for mother's day. Unfortunately 2 of them didn't make it, but the 3rd one did... just barely. Seems, as the plant was just taking off, a ball from over the fence broke most of it off. It has since regrown but hasn't bloomed yet. I also just received 2 replacements from the company my daughter bought the originals from and will plant them as soon as it stops raining. (I may just have to build an ark if it doesn't stop soon!) I've also acquired some Boltonia from a neighbor and bought a black sambucus. Let's see... from seed I started some perennial sunflowers and heliopsis. Most of the new perennials did pretty good this first year but I imagine they'll do even better in the coming years! In the meantime, to fill in the gaps until the perennials fill out I planted tithonia, annual sunflowers, along with scarlet runner beans. Next spring I'm going to transplant a clematis too. All in all it was a successful year keeping the little darlings at bay. They've also made friends in the neighborhood and, now that they're a little older, mom lets them go to the friends' houses so most of the time they're gone. Peace at last. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!

Kristin, Have you looked online for a list of native plants for your state? These wouldn't need as much care as plants not normally grown in your area. I would suggest: Rudbeckia hirta (Black eyed susan) In my garden it can be a little aggressive, but you can deadhead it so the seeds don't spread. The Echinaceas (Coneflowers)are wonderful and there are so many colors now. If you are able to cut them off in the winter or fall, native grasses add another layer of interest to the garden and they come in different colors and sizes! I have red grasses, blue, chartruese, deep green and striped! The Becky Shasta Daisies are very reliable and beautiful. Liatris (purple or white) will attract the butterflies, as will Culver's Root and Joe Pye Weed. Hope this incomplete list gets you started!

The most reliable zone 5 hardy sages are those from alpine Europe, like the S. nemerosas and S. pratensis. Others from Eurasia will also do well. Of the New World sages, the hardiest are forms of S. greggii, S. microphylla, and S. guaranitica. S. azurea grandiflora and the west Texas form of S. reptans are hardy. Of the greggiis and hybrids, `Plum Wine' is hardy, and I'd try Wild Watermelon, San Carlos Festival, and Hot Lips from the microphyllas, and possibly La Trinidad. Argentina Skies and Black & Blue are good guaraniticas to try in colder zones.

You can always make small nylon net bags (one vendor I use ships small bulbs in net bags) and fasten over the ripening seed heads. That way, if they shatter, the seeds are still contained in the bags.