Thanks, Arlene.
As said, can't believe I didn't use peonies when I first planted mixed perennial beds.
Now no worries about not enough colour in the beds in June.

Gone the other way with roses.
Had to stop using Canadian Explorer series roses (good for our climate) because kept getting my arms ripped when doing maintenance inside the beds.

I just starting looking at this thread and went all the way through. Charlie, your gardens are absolutely lovely. I suppose you are a zone ahead of Minnesota because you are closer to the coast? The mid-continent thing we have going here is the pits sometimes.
I saw your beautiful Japanese primroses - ever tried the Siberian primroses (primula sieboldii)? They grow very well here, and I just love them. I had no luck with other types.
I agree with you about peonies - only got my first one a couple years ago. I wish I could have more. I have a challenge finding enough sun for the one I have, but it is really pretty when in bloom. I have seen some very large multi-level hoops for peonies, and some people actually use the round tomato cages for them. I have a single hoop around mine and it was fine until we got a heavy rain...

Thanks, Jeanie.

We actually also have a continental climate with four distinct seasons, but the extremes are moderated by the Great Lakes.
Think there's a very small strip of Minnesota along the shore of Lake Superior where the climate is also moderated by that lake.
Am sure we're south of you as well as east.

I have no experience with Primula sieboldii, Jeannie.
I read that they go dormant in late summer which is quite unlike the long-lived primulas which we have.

We have a generally quite sunny small garden.
The primulas are shaded by tall perennials in July and August but I make sure that the fall sun reaches them in September and October.

Must admit that I haven't mastered supporting peonies yet.
I tend to plant and maintain perennials close together.
Have avoided peony hoops as didn't want to obstruct the view of the low flowering perennials of May.
On the other hand, the successful staking of heavy-headed doubles at the beginning of June is no easy task.
Have got to rethink this.

I believe that some peony connoisseurs prefer single peonies.
I'd guess that being less prone to flopping in wind and rain could be a factor too!

Regardless of climate, your gardens are just lovely.
I agree, I don't care for plant support obstructions, but sometimes they are necessary.
My primula sieboldii does not go dormant...the leaves stay after bloom. I'm not sure why.

Interesting info, Jeanie.

We have a fellow at the flea market who sells all kinds of different "tomato" cages and I use them in all the gardens. They may not look so great in June, but they are soon hidden as the plants grow larger. I use them for sedum, coneflowers, phlox.etc. and it's a lot easier than staking at least for me. They are so cheap, I just can't pass them up.

Thanks, Karen.
I've got to start working with things like that.

Think I'm a bit of a perfectionist.
Used to work with bamboo stakes as convinced myself that at least they looked natural in perennial beds.
Now use hollow metal ones which are somewhat camouflaged by a green plastic covering.

I do like a "tall" garden in July and August, so frequently think about perennial supports.

I like the green metal stakes that have an open loop at the top. You can get them in different heights. They are quite unobtrusive, but the downside is one stake for one stem. Alternatively, I like something decorative that is also functional. I have a few metal things that have three sort of vertical leaves that open and have a finial at the top...not sure what to call them, but they look nice and properly placed can provide some support.

Interesting.
But not keen on solid metal with phinial;
have fallen in flowerbeds before (electrical wiring for lights, sprinkler heads, wet stones, etc.).
I'd avoid anything too metallic and too pointed!

These tomato type cages that I was talking about come in green like the stakes, but I am too cheap to spend the extra money. Those things with the ring on top are so cute, but I would need scads of those, Jeanie. My sedum alone each grow to be a big bush as do the phlox, etc.
Jeanie, your gardens look so pretty and perfect, and mine are sort of a mish mash of whatever works. The cages go on in early spring so I don't have to fight with stakes and rolls of ties when it's 90 outside, lol. I guess I am sort of a lazy gardener

Ha, no pretty and perfect here, definitely a mish mash too. Plunker, not planner you know. My sedum gets shrub size too. Phlox, agastache and others get as tall as I am. This summer I am removing quite a few things. I like lush and full, and there is a fine line between that and just plain too much. Some areas are now just plain too much, and I am trying to achieve a little better flow than I have now. But are any of us ever satisfied or finished with our gardens? I think not!

Spent a day removing lots of lupines. Some are fine but they crossed the line this year so I know how Jeanie feels.

I spent allllllllll last summer moving, selling, and throwing away so I had some space and air, and everything would be in the right place. Ha, so you can forget that because plants have a mind of their own. I swear they talk to each other at night and decide to be obstinate and do just the opposite of what I planned.

I did the alfalfa pellet thing last fall , and I have so much greenery that it's hard to tell the woods from the plants!!! I just hope I get as many flowers as I have green. So much for space!!!

My garden by the barn is where all the phlox go, and they have taken over. I am going to wait until they bloom this year and many will be hitting the compost pile. You should see all the flowers blooming on that pile, lol. It's hard to throw away plants but it has to be done. The friend that I am helping with the church garden has a good acre in perennial gardens. Those flowers were like children to her and she could never throw one thing away. Now it is a mass of plants that 10 people couldn't clean out in a month. Many , many things no longer bloom because there is no air or sun

Well, that's why we have neighborhood plant sales and why I have provided perennials to three friends for their yards. I spoke to a neighbor walking by yesterday and took her name and number so I can give her some of what I will dig up. Gave a co-worker a bundle of irises. Will give some plants to the receptionist at the body shop where I took my car this week (just a minor fender bender). Some do hit the compost pile, but I like to share the old reliable, easy care perennials with beginning gardeners. I see people posting perennials for sale on Craigslist...but if I do that, I would probably use the proceeds to buy more plants, and that would be counterproductive.

Sometimes it is so great to read I am not the only ''crazy plant lady'' or the one with ''plant issues''. It is so hard to trash plants and when they grow in the compost pile the next year I feel bad and dig them out and find a ''home''. I bring home all kinds of seedlings and divisions from work (I am a garden helper/coach).
For several years I have sold the extras from my garden at a small town garden fair put on by the local garden club. I spend two days digging (200+) plants and sell them for $2 that covers my pots and dirt and I make some profit.
That money went into a hobby greenhouse so now I have more plants !!. Vicious Circle

Today.

So beautiful! Is #4 a Louisiana iris?

Wonderful pics Charlie.

Great pictures! I see we have similar taste in colors.

Great color
Is the third photo down a campanula?
I really like the color.