Like many perennials a quick haircut after the initial bloom will promote continued flowering. May in the shady garden brings the long bloomers of yellow Corydalis Corydalis lutea, Barrenwort Epimedium sp. As the season progresse,s the shady gardener can look for Meadowsweet Filipendula vulgaris, Monkshood Aconitum napellus, and Japanese Anemone Anemone x hybrida. The sunny garden has more selections to choose from. May begins the bloom period for Columbine 'McKana' hybrids and wild columbine.
Daylilies also offer tremendous durability and have few insect or disease problems.
The veronicas with cultivars of 'Sunny Border Blue,' 'Icicle' and 'Blue Peter' can be relied on year after year. Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea, False Dragonhead Physostegia virginiana and Balloon Flower Platycodon grandiflorus are durable long bloomers. For late season color Asters offer many colors. Asters are generally much more dependable for late season bloom than chrysanthemums. Gardens have a rhythm of their own.