I thought some Lantanas would be perennial in your area, Susan?
For those who like a wild, sprawling plant, Talinum paniculatum is interesting and most definitely long-blooming.
Plumbago is worthy of mention here.
Thought about this more, definitely another vote for Cannas, BUT leaf roller caterpillars can and almost certainly will attack these plants where hardy. (One awesome advantage for those farther north who need to dig up the tubers to save for winter.) They eat the flower buds and tender new leaves. Manual inspections and control take dedication, consistency, and lasts about the whole time they are growing. If one would feel compelled to use chemicals to combat that, I would strongly urge you to please pass on the Cannas. Hummingbirds use these for nectar, so it would be cruel to attract them to poisonous flowers.
There are so many things one can grow in a yard, I've decided to limit any new additions to those that provide nectar for hummers/butterflies (though wouldn't automatically turn down other plants if offered for free!)
