Modern Roses Veronica "Sunny Border Blue" Nepeta Russian Sage Verbena Bon. Coreopsis Vert. "Moonbeam" *** Dianthus Int. "Ideal" or "Bouquet" *** Gaura "Siskuyu Pink" Only the first category are really perennials. The Dianthus hybrids are theoretically annuals, but keep coming back for me. But then the Gaura is supposed to be a perennial, but blooms like an annual - and dies out in winter like on too! I only buy it if it's priced like an annual.

Sue, I hate to bring this up - I always enjoy discusions about what plants to add to existing plants and I don't want to rain on your enthusiasm - but where are you planning to add these new flowers? Is there more to this bed that's empty or emptier than the bed in your picture. I ask because my Alchemillas are currently as tall as your 3 Endless Summer Hydrangeas and wider. My Endless Summers are nearly as tall as my 4 ft tall fence and 3 ft plus wide. My guess is that in 2 or 3 seasons you'll need to move things out of the current bed. From your pix I'd think that adding a few annuals here and there would add the late color that you're missing. Here's a few old views from my garden - I thought about posting them in the "What is your stupidest garden mistake" post, except I couldn't decide what area to show everyone! LOL 2003 Stone Bench bed. Same stone bench with alchemillas in bloom 2005. Can you find the bench? the mugo pines? the stone path? Alchemillas long gone from bench area. Picture is from 2007. The Lady's Mantle was moved to back side of the 3 trees in this long skinny bed. Alchemillas were replaced by Caramel Heucheras and Strutter's Ball daylily in the center section edged by the stone path. Since the above picture was taken, an alchemilla seedling has seeded itself into the second heuchera and is nearly as large as the heuchera! I haven't figured out how to separate the two - heuchera are really touchy in my garden - and I'm afraid if I pull it and tear the two roots apart (if I can tell which are which) then replant the heuchera - it will promptly die on me. :))

Cameron, I started the Inula from seeds obtained from Gardens North a few years ago. If you want a few seeds, just send me an e-mail. I did get a new one this year from a private garden centre. The leaves are spectacular on that one as well - more ridging, leaves much wider, but not as long - and I am waiting to see how it performs next year. So far so good. Newbie in NJ, Yep! I just think it's a nice plant in the gardens. It gives architectural structure, foliage is resistant to disease and pests and retains it's beauty for the growing season, great for late season pollinators, etc. :O) It also won't fall in the many winds we have here due to tropical storms coming up the coast. Oh yes, PV is growing it on her balcony. LOL! The shrub in the front is a variegated Forsythia known as Fiesta. The stems are a maroon red and it grows slowly. Mine has never flowered, but I grow it for the foliage.

Try this one - I've seen them at Green Thumb and Lowes. It's the same blue as Jacaranda, and I've planted the base of it with a short yellow annual. Foliage has an herbal scent. Caryopteris x clandonensis ÂDark Knight -- BLUEBEARD -- deciduous shrubby perennial to 2-3 tall. Dark blue flowers are borne against broad, deep green foliage in summer and fall. Compact habit. Best trimmed annually in winter. Sun, average to good drainage, little or no summer watering, frost hardy. Draws bees. Genus is native to Eastern Asia. Verbenaceae. Once established, this shrub needs no attention and can take dry conditions. It blooms prolifically every year. Cut back to one foot in late winter or early spring for best results. The vivid blue flowers attract many bees and butterflies. Caryopteris blooms on new wood. ÂHeavenly Blue -- deep blue flowers against greyish foliage on a plant to 2-3' tall. Good for cutting. ÂLongwood Blue -- to 18-24", with a heavy bloom of dark blue flowers against narrow green leaves.