Buy oriental poppies before they bloom early in the spring. Foliage disappears after flowering. Plant where other perennials, such as echinacea, conceal dormant summer foliage. They will tolerate dry conditions once established and range from white to pink, red, salmon, and some bi-colors. Rudbeckia Black Eyed Susan is a good choice for summer color and on into fall.
Bright flowers are ideal for fresh bouquets, and seed heads are good for dried arrangements.
Wonderful accent to bronze foliaged plants. Goldsturm' was the 1999 Perennial of the year. Salvia Wonderful plants for the middle or back of a flower bed. They have plumes of flowers that range in color from deep indigo to rose. May Night' was the 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year and is somewhat drought tolerant once established.