Anemone robustissima – This is a vigorous, pink flowering variety that starts blooming in late summer and continues into the fall. It grows 30-36” high and will spread forming a large mound of attractive foliage and flowers.

Campanula punctata ‘Cherry Bells’ – A vigorous grower that  produces many pendulant, reddish-purple, bell-shaped flowers in June. Grows approximately 24” high, and will seed itself. The single plant I put in next to my dwarf blue spruce has spread almost all the way around, and the purple blooms look great against the silvery blue foliage.

Cimicifuga (Actaea) - For late summer blooms in shady areas, bugbane is hard to beat. ‘White Pearl’ produces white bottle-brush type blooms in the fall. Atropurpurea, with greenish-purple foliage, flowers in late summer. Both types will grow approximately 3’ high, and work well in the back of a shade garden.

Epimedium – Epimediums are tough, groundcover-type perennial that, once established, do well in dry, shady areas. The yellow-flowering variety (E. sulphureum) is particularly well adapted to dry soils. Epimediums produce miniature, Columbine-like blooms in April and are available in red, white, and pink blooms in addition to yellow. They grow approximately 10-12” high.

Hibiscus moscheutos - In late July, when the daylilies are just about finished blooming, the Hibiscus start their show. Big, bold flowers on tall, shrubby plants really stand out in the flower bed. They prefer moist or wet soils, but will perform adequately in regular soil without additional moisture. Red is the most popular flower color, but they are also available in pink, white, lavender, and bi-color. There are also several cultivars with maroon foliage. Shorter varieties are available that max out at about 30”.

Hosta ‘Regal Splendor’ – This sport of ‘Krossa Regal’ is a large hosta with grayish-green leaves that have a creamy-yellow margin. It grows into a spectacular specimen with a vase shape. Will reach 30” high by 72” wide.

Phlox stolonifera – Growing a bit taller than Phlox subulata, this variety is gaining in popularity for its long bloom time and fragrant flowers. Prefers partial to full shade. ‘Home Fires’ has extremely fragrant, deep pink flowers, and ‘Sherwood Purple’ produces masses of purple blooms. Both grow 8-10” tall, and bloom from April to May.

Phlox glab. ‘Morris Berd’ – A medium–sized phlox with a sprawling habit, this variety has pink flowers and blooms like crazy for two months or more, from May to July. Grows about 12” tall.

Sedum ‘Carl’ – A new variety to Acorn Farms last year, this is a really cool Sedum with grayish foliage and hot pink blooms. Very eye-catching blooms in early September, with a habit similar to Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’. Grows 18” tall.

Tradescantia – Best in partial shade, spiderworts will bloom for two months or more, from June to September. They tend to get floppy, but can be cut back by one-third to one-half in May to prevent this. They will grow in moist sites. There are many cultivars available, with flowers ranging from white, to lilac, to dark purple. A new variety that is gaining in popularity is ‘Sweet Kate’, which has gold foliage and dark purple blooms.

Veronicastrum – Culver’s root is a native perennial that has a shrubby habit. It grows 3-6’ high, with white flower spikes in August to September. It prefers moist soil, but I have found it to be fairly drought tolerant. It is a dependable plant that will provides late season bloom.

Aruncus aethusifolius - this dwarf Goat's Beard forms a nice compact mound of cut leaf foliage, about 10" tall.  The creamy white blooms, which resemble miniature Astilbe bloom, last a month or more in light shade.  A neat, carefree little perennial for the shade. Zone 4.

Iris ensata - Japanese Iris prefer moist locations, which makes them perfect for waterside locations, but they will also grow with an average amount of moisture. Their large blooms come in shades of blue, white, purple, and pink, and are very showy, blooming in late spring.  The foliage is a medium green, grows upright, and remains attractive all summer long.  Full sun is best, but will tolerate a bit of shade. Zone 4.

'Freckled Geisha' - ruffled white blooms generously speckled with maroon, plus edged in maroon.  Grows 36" high.

'Imperial Magic' - purple petals are heavily speckled with white. 32" high.

'Lion King' - huge white flowers have a wide purple edge. 32" high.

'Mount Fujiyama' - large, pure white flowers, grows 32" high.

'Pink Lady' - glistening, soft pink flowers. Grows 32" high.

Iris siberica 'Baby Sister' - a great plant for rock gardens, or for edging, this little gem grows about 6" tall.  It produces abundant blue-violet blooms in May.  It will grow in damp areas, and also thrives in average soil. Will grow in full sun or partial shade. Zone 4.