Each of these charming white-and-primrose blooms begins as a flat daisy, then grows upward, creating a giant gumdrop of a flower. One of the renowned Cone-fections^TM series from Holland, Meringue is a compact plant with short, strong stems and an abundance of blooms. Perfect in front of taller Echinacea, or on its own in containers, it is upright and tidy. Bareroot. Z 3-9; midsummer/early fall; sun; H: 15-18", W: 15-18"

No other Astrantia in the world can equal the bloom strength of this delightful purply-red dynamo. Expect a single plant to bring you more than 600 blooms over its long season – a staggering amount for any perennial, but amazing from this compact yet very vigorous Dutch introduction. Standing up to wind, rain, and unseasonable heat, Venice is ready to become the workhorse of the sunny border and the cutting garden. Bareroot. Z 6-9; late spring/early summer; sun; H: 22", W: 13"

Gorgeous shades of rose, pink, and lilac combine on these unusual blooms to make this Daylily really glow. The upper petals are a rich rosy-purple with a creamy stripe down the center, while the lower petals are a contrasting pink. They appear on long, slender stems of reddish-purple on semi-evergreen plants that flower very heavily. It is unbeatable for dramatic color in the border, container, or mass planting. Bareroot. Z 3-9; midsummer; sun/part shade; H: 24", W: 20"

Each flowering stem on this marvelous Itoh Hybrid bears several side-shoots laden with blooms, making it the heaviest-flowering Peony we've ever grown. The flowers are semi-double, 6 inches wide, and a splendid combination of soft creamy yellow and salmon peach, with a faint, sweet scent. Best of all, heavy rain won't faze this Peony, which simply covers itself in pink buds before bursting into multi-colored pastel bloom. A showpiece in any setting, it is certain to be your favorite cut flower as well as a timeless garden performer. 4-inch pot. Z 4-8; late spring/early summer; sun/part shade; H: 36-40"; W: 36"

Punctuate the Iris garden with this nearly white beauty, its soft lavender styles and violet veins accentuating the snowy petals. Very elegantly held, with abundant ruffles and a beautiful form, Lace Ruff is a splendid addition to the multicolored border. Its white blooms make all surrounding flowers glow just a little more brightly. Very easy to grow. Bareroot. Z 4-9; early-/midsummer; sun/part shade; H: 24", W: 18'

This exciting new Parrot looks quite ordinary at first. The green buds open to unsurprisingly green blooms, their petals twisted and frizzy. But then, after a few days, the tips of the petals begin to show traces of pink. In no time, the entire flower is a mass of bright pink and soft cream, the green remaining only in the central stripe. Measuring at least 6 inches wide, these are stunning cut flowers, appearing late in Tulip season and ending your spring bulb display with a flourish. Pk 20. Z 3-8; mid-/late spring; sun/part shade; H 20-24"; W: 12"

Very full and beautifully sculptured, these Single Early combine clear yellow to pure white with bright red feathering on 14- to 16-inch stems. Pk 20. Z 3-8; early/mid-spring; sun/part shade; H: 14-16", W: 8-10"

Here's a nice change of pace – the red tones actually get brighter as the weather warms up. In spring, rich mahogany-purple leaves unfurl, ruffled and very dense on nicely mounding plants. By summer, they have turned a brighter shade of red, and they keep this color through winter in wild and warm climates. Very easy, even in hot, humid areas. 3-inch pot. Z 4-9; sun/part shade; H: 8", W: 16"

A splendid heirloom variety with giant double blooms of raspberry-purple tinged with maroon in the center. Upright, very well-branched plants are highly tolerant of heat and humidity. These flowers look like enormous carnations, and a fully-blooming plant is an unforgettably beautiful sight. 4-inch pot. Z 5-9; midsummer/autumn; sun; H: 8-12', W: 10'

Lovely from spring 'til frost, this vigorous, mounding plant begins the year with bright gold foliage veined in red. In mid- to late summer, the gold deepens to green, but the rich markings remain. And in autumn, the leaves blaze orange and pink. Very easy to grow, it is topped by small white blooms on 20-inch stems and stands up beautifully to heat and humidity. A carefree joy for any shady spot. Bareroot. Z 4-9; late spring; part/full shade; H: 12", W: 20"

A dwarf version of the beloved native Foxglove Beardtongue, this charming mini has all the appeal of its larger cousins. Butterflies and hummingbirds love its tubular white-tipped pink blooms, which are excellent for cutting. Insects and other pests leave the plant alone, so that it thrives in any moist, well-drained soil. Enjoy it up close in containers as well as in the border and accent plantings. 2^1/2-inch pot. Z 3-8; spring/early summer; sun; H: 18-24", W: 15-18"

Have you discovered this fascinating shade perennial yet? This is a very compact, dark-leaved version of Bugbane, just right for today's smaller gardens. The large, attractive foliage is deep burgundy-purple, held well below the fragrant, graceful bottlebrush blooms. These flowers – irresistible to butterflies – open an intense shade of mauve, lightening as they mature. Add some exotic texture and rich color to the shade this season with Chocoholic. 2^1/2-inch pot. Z 4-8; midsummer/early fall; part shade; H: 24-36", W: 18-24"

Watching these giant leaves subtly shift from spiced peach in spring to coppery in summer and amber in autumn is half the fun of growing this lovely new Coral Bell. Topped with creamy-white blooms on 22-inch stems for several weeks, it never fails to surprise and delight with its intense colors and lushly mounded habit. 3-inch pot. Z 4-9; late spring; sun/part shade; H: 14". W: 24"

Every garden deserves one Itoh Peony – the incredible cross of garden and tree peonies that produce huge blooms on vigorous, very long-lived plants. This is one of the finest of all, with massive 6- to 8-inch semi-double to fully double blooms, very fragrant, boasting lavender-pink shades on 2-foot stems. A treasure for cutting or garden enjoyment, it blooms for decades and is so easy to care for. Find a special place for this exceptional Peony. 4-inch pot. Z 4-8. late spring/early summer; full sun/part shade; H: 10", W:12"