• Iris: Bearded or not, this flower never disappoints if you plant it properly. Make sure the bulb is set slightly above the soil surface.
• Delphinium: In full sun these bloom tall spikes in either blue, purple, red, pink yellow and white.
• Peony: Needs full sun and time. Peonies usually take a couple of years to become established and show their gorgeous petals. Never bury the buds more than two inches below the soil’s surface.
• Purple Coneflower: These re-seed themselves and do well in hot and dry spots. Remember, “the first year they sleep, the second they creep and the third year they leap with color.”
• Yarrow: In white, yellow and pink this plant actually needs a hot, dry spot with poor soil.

Experienced gardeners know the value of an easy to care for perennial as it gives the garden color and interest every year with very little care, provided that their location is carefully chosen and roots are properly established with good watering. These particular perennials are hardy and highly resistant to disease, making them a foolproof garden addition for many years to come.

• Astilbe: If you have a shady spot with moist soil, this plant will fill it in with nice foliage and it’s soft, feathery plumes of either white, pink or red.
• Bee Balm: Deer resistant, this pompom flowered plant attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds due to its succulent nectar. It thrives in full sun or light shade.
• Bleeding Heart: Shady gardens are the perfect spot for this spring bloomer. The unusual dangling, heart-shaped flowers are lined up side-by-side on each stem and come in pink, white and red.
• Daylily: These do amazingly well in hot, dry spots. They bloom all the way from early summer to fall.

Always beautiful, the following shrubs should be taken into consideration when you want to improve your home’s landscaping. These shrubs were found on almost every homestead owned by our grandparents. They have not fallen out of favor for any reason, only forgotten in the excitement that came with the many new cultivars that are now available.

• Hydrangea: Tolerant of most soil types but sensitive to drought and hot sun, this shrub has many flower colors available and the newer ‘Endless Summer’ series bloom all summer long.
• Spirea: Tolerant of most soils, these hardy deciduous shrubs come in many colors and show mounds of flowers come springtime that last all summer long.
• Lilac: Hundreds of cultivars are available, but most prefer neutral soil and some shade. Known for their heady scented flowers, they make great vase cuttings.
• Viburnum: With their beautiful springtime display, these smell wonderful and are favored by birds. If you do choose one, leave room for expansion as they tend to spread wider than their height.
• Hibiscus:  Rose-of-Sharon never disappoint with their gorgeous late-summer flowers. They are very adaptable and easy to grow.