Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)

These plants produce long, lacy, one-sided clusters of heart-shaped, rose or red-colored flowers during May and June. Prune back the ragged foliage after flowering. The variety ‘Alba’ is a white flowering form. Dwarf bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) has feathery leaves and produces heart-shaped pink flowers during May and June. Plant in partially shaded or shady locations with some protection from the wind.

Silvermound (Artemesia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’)

These plants have soft, fern-like silvery gray foliage that forms a compact mound. This foliage creates a stunning contrast in the landscape, especially next to evergreen shrubs. They produce small, inconspicuous white or yellow flowers. Use silvermound as rock garden, accent, or edging. Plant these perennials in sunny well-drained locations.

Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)

These plants have mostly basal, long-stalked, rounded, and lobed leaves. Open flower spikes arise from the basal leaves to display tiny bell-shaped flowers all summer long. Available with dark leaves. Plant these perennials as rock garden or edging plants in partially shaded fertile locations. The new varieties of coral bells can add stunning color to your perennial beds; from the shiny black leaves of ‘Obsidian’ to the striking bright yellow green foliage of ‘Lime Ricky’.

Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)

These hardy, reliable plants have narrow, basal, and arching sword-like leaves. They produce long stalked, funnel-shaped flower clusters from July to September. The flowers are available in a wide range of colors – cream, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and maroon. Plant these heat and drought tolerant perennials in sunny, well-drained locations

Hostas (Hostas spp.)

These perennials are grown primarily for their foliage value. They form attractive clumps of large, dark green leaves edged with broad white bands. White or lilac tubular short flower spikes arise from the compact foliage in late summer. Plant these perennials in shaded or partially shaded, moist locations.

Irises (Iris spp.)

German or bearded irises have wide, sword-shaped, basal leaves. They produce six-petalled blossoms (three upright and three descending) in early summer. The flowers are available in a wide range of colors – blue, blue/white, bronze, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. Plant in sunny, well-drained, low-fertile locations.

Dwarf irises are miniature versions of german irises and are good for rock or border plantings in sunny, well-drained locations.

Siberian irises produce slender, delicate, blue or white blossoms above a mass of grassy leaves in May or June and are the most shade-tolerant iris.

Lilies (Lilium spp.)

These stately plants have narrow green leaves borne along many thick, upright stems. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors including orange, pink, red, white, and yellow. The large flowers are produced on strong stems, perfect for cutting. Plant these perennials in sunny or partially shaded locations.

Peonies (Paeonia spp.)

These plants have glossy, dark green, lobed foliage that remains attractive all summer long. During June, on the tip of each of their many upright stems, they produce the well-known, fragrant, double flowers in red, pink, or white. These flowers make excellent old-fashioned cut flowers. Plant the root so the eyes are face up and are exactly 1 in. (2.5cm) below the soil surface. Peonies can be divided in the spring or fall and are best left in the same location for five years before dividing. Plant these popular perennials in sunny, fertile locations.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

People are falling in love with the long blooming easy-care echinacea. Most people know this plant for its health benefits, but it also is a pretty plant. Similar to rudbeckia, they have the dark brown centers. New varieties are being introduced faster than you can spell echinacea. Not only are there the popular purple and white flowers we all know, but now yellow, orange, pink and mango colors are available. Echinacea is best planted in full sun and will tolerate hot, dry areas. Great companion plants are rudbeckia, salvia and ornamental grasses.

Sedum (Sedum spp.)

This large group of succulent plants are low-growing and mat-forming. They feature and endless variety of foliage types and produce star-like flowers in red, pink, purple, yellow, or white. Plant these perennials as groundcovers in hot, dry locations. Be sure to contain roots with edging.