Each perennial needs to pull its own proverbial floral weight. And they also need to be cold hardy (USDA region 5b), non-invasive and easy-to-grow. No princess flowers for me!

Full Sun:

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Zones: 3 – 9

Blooms: July-September

A plant of all seasons: from its long-lasting colourful beautiful summer blooms to dun-coloured textured seed head for winter interest and nourishment for birds. Many colours available, although purple remain a firm favourite. Very drought-tolerant once established.

Russian Sage

Pervoskia atriplicifolia

Zones: 4 – 9

Blooms: July – October

Spires of hazy blue blooms last well into the fall. Cut back to 15cm (6 inches) in early spring. Drought-tolerant once established. Better choice than lavender in colder climates.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum

Zones: 3 – 9

Blooms: July – October

Low maintenance and beautiful – with golden petals and dark green leaves — Goldstrum is a gardener’s dream. Mass plantings look fantastic with sedums and grasses.

Full Sun to Partial Shade:

Hyssop

Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’

Zones: 2 – 10

Blooms: July – September

The long-lasting attract many butterflies with its licorice-like aroma and violet-blue wands. More tolerant of cold winters and wet soils compared to other hyssops. Love its sturdy vase-like form.

Carpathian Bellflower

Campanula carpatica ‘Blue Clips’

Zones: 2 – 7

Blooms: June – September

A wonderful little gem, perfect in front of a border or in a rock garden. In its first year, the neat small clump is continuously covered with gorgeous blue bell-shaped flowers. Went out and got more, that’s how much I like this plant.

Partial Shade to Full Shade

Toad-lily

Tricyrtis hirta

Zones 4 – 9

Blooms: September – November

Toad-lily has a bizarre star-shaped, white with purple spots flowers. Not only do toad-lilies thrive in the shade, but toad-lilies also start blooming long after other flowers have died out. A must, even it’s just for the novelty factor.