Hearty flowering perennials?

[Crankyshank]

Hi!
DH and I cut down this over grown hedge in our yard and made it into a bed. I'm trying to decide what kind of perennials to plant in there. I want something flowering, hearty, that would be ok with 75-85% sunlight, and will thrive in New England soil. Any ideas? I all ready have roses, azaleas, and hydrangeas in the back.
It can't be too big either. The bed is about 2 feet wide and 8 feet long (it's next to my neighbor's shed/detatched garage)

 

[Snowwark]

Hi Jenn!

How about some Daylilies! There are so many to choose from, and they require very little care. I'm becoming a bigger fan of them all the time.

Take a peek at some of these beauties...Daylilies

Coreopsis would be another suggestion. I know some of the Buds have had trouble with them, but I barely look at them, and they grow like crazy!

Coreopsis

More suggestions for Jenn, Buds?

 

[mommytotwo]

Impatients-we have weather that is around 80 degrees year around and our impatients do well. If you don't want it to get really big, you can always trim it.

 

[gina2000]

I love daylillies! They're low maintenence and if you buy different varieties, will bloom for a month or so in July (I think that would be about right for your temp....mine bloom in June and I'm in Jersey.)

Here's a pic: http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/perennials-spring-daylilies.html

I'm also a big, big fan of black eyed susans (rudbeckia). They have a very long growing season, are easily divided and bloom like mad.

Here's a pic...

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/37500-product.html

Another favorite.....echinacea....purple coneflower...which seeds and spreads, blooms for months on very tall stalks (about 4 feet). I absolutely love them. Here's a pic:

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/28497-product.html

If you like early blooming beauty with a minimum of fuss, you may want to consider iris. They're hearty, stately and quite beautiful.


I think most of these varieties are very hearty in your area. They also are low maintanence.

Most of the pictures I've taken are from White Flower Farms in CT. They have a huge perennial catalog and you may want to browse online. It's pretty comprehensive and they're quite reliable.

 

[Crankyshank]

Fabulous ideas everyone! Thanks so much

Gina, I got some lilacs from White Flower Farms as a housewarming gift

 

[bobbiwoz]

My favorite perrenial is the coneflower. Pink is what I have, but I do want to add some white ones. Best of all, the goldfinches love to come and eat the seeds. Oh, I love coneflowers!!! gina2000, I agree with you!

Bobbi

PS. A dear friend gave me my first, and I've sent "babies" along to many of my other friends, they are easy to grow and thrive!