Rozanne (‘Gerwalt’) Cranesbill (Geranium X ‘Rozanne’) – low growing flowering groundcover that forms a 20 inch tall by 24 inch wide mound; blooms almost non-stop from mid-spring to early fall. For a cranesbill, its 5-petaled, violet-blue flowers are huge (2.5 inches wide) with off-white centers; in bloom from late spring to early summer. (Zones 5-8).

‘Millennium’ Ornamental Onion (Allium x ‘Millennium’) –  produces a dark green strap-like leaves in spring, topped by soft pink umbels on long stalks starting in June. Dried round seedheads add slight interest to the winter landscape; drought tolerant; deer resistant; prefers full to partial day sunlight. (Zones 5-8)

‘Cardonna’ Sage (Salvia nemorosa ‘Cardonna’) – bears showy violet-blue flowers on tall dark purple flower stems; grows 24 – 30 inches high and 18 – 24 inches wide; deadhead to keep in bloom; attract hummingbirds; deer-resistant; prefers full sun and well-drained soil. (Zones 4-8).

‘Angelina’ Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) has striking chartreuse needle-like evergreen foliage; best in sunny areas; inconspicuous yellow flowers in summer. Leaves develop a reddish tinge in winter; highly drought tolerant and spreads prolifically; thrives in mixed containers; rock and roof gardens. Prune (mow) back rambling plants to keep bed neat and tidy. (zones 5-8).

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) – clump-forming perennial with puff up like balloon shape buds that burst open into bell-shaped
five pointed purple-blue flowers (to 2-3 inches across); long blooming stems grow to 30 inches tall; 1.5 – 2 inch long blue-green leaves stay blemish-free all summer. (Zones 3-8).

‘Raydon’s Favorite’ aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’) – one of the most reliable native perennial asters with masses of violet-blue, daisy-like flowers on 2-3 feet tall multi-stemmed plants in mid to late autumn; prefers full sun in well-drained acidic to low alkaline soils. Cut back plants by one-half in late June to develop a well branched plant; flowers attract many butterflies and bees. (Zones 3-8).