Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are perennials that faithfully bloom every July in a deep bluish-purple. They look like balloons before they open. It's another plant I choose to cut back in late July and cover with container grown plants but I wouldn't want to lose it since it has survived the harshest winters and summers.

Sedum Autumn Joy has grown faithfully for many years. I've only had to replace the plant once in 19 years of gardening. It grows about 2 feet tall. The flower heads begin to show their deep pink color in late July or early August and continue until late September. I leave the deep reddish brown seed heads to add winter interest to my garden. Last year's stems are cut down in early spring when the new growth begins to show or during a winter thaw when I can't resist the urge to work in the garden any longer. It receives very little direct sun although most authorities claim sedums can only grow well in full sun conditions. Bees and butterflies enjoy this plant making it a must for butterfly gardens.

White marigolds (grown from Burpee seed) thrive in this garden. I frequently combine them with silver plants and appear to glow at night. Check to see if your favorite mail order catalog is now carrying this color marigold. They are always available from Burpee. I've yet to see a local garden center offering flats of white marigolds. Tricyrtis (Japanese Toad Lily) grows well in dense shade. The plants grow stems 24-36 inches long and are covered with tiny orchid-like flowers in September and October. These flowers are beautiful but have to be viewed up close. They are growing on the northeast side of my front porch and receive very little if any direct sunlight. It has proven to be a completely hardy perennial. There are several varieties available. However, they are not often at local nurseries and need to be mailordered.

Veronica is a hardy perennial that keeps coming up year after year. It was one of the first perennials I used and has produced bountiful flowers consistently through hot and dry or cold and wet summers. I even raised the side of the garden and dumped a foot of soil over the plant. It returned faithfully the next year. This past year I dug it out and put it on the sides to see if it does well in a dry, clay soil (more about this challenging spot in future articles). NOTE: If you have young children, I don't recommend planting it near their play areas because it is always covered with bees!