A very old but extremely beautiful Peony, award-winning 'Duchesse de Nemours' (Paeonia lactiflora) is well worth including in your garden. Free-flowering and deliciously scented, it produces crown-shaped blossoms with rich creamy-white petals, delicately touched with a hint of yellow. Large and rounded, the outer petals surround a circle of smaller petals topped by a bursting crown of large, white, slightly incurved petals. Borne in profusion on strong stems, they float above a particularly attractive green foliage. 'Duchesse de Nemours' has been deservedly popular for over 150 years. Up to 34 in. (85 cm). Early Midseason Peony. Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society

Considered one of the finest of all white single peonies, award-winning Peony 'Krinkled White' features large blossoms with crêpe paper-like, crinkled petals surrounding a tuft of golden stamens in their center. Slightly fragrant, they are borne in profusion, thanks to the presence of many buds. The flexible stems generally do not require staking. Blooming in late spring - early summer, this midseason peony will resist well in the rain. Grows up to 36 in. in height (90 cm). American Peony Society Award of Landscape Merit.

Impressive looking, Itoh Peony 'Cora Louise' features very large, pure white, semi-double flowers, 8-10 in. wide (20-25 cm), that delicately open to reveal flushed lavender to purple petals at their heart that surround a cluster of golden stamens. Borne in profusion (expect up to 50 blossoms on a mature bush!), they are well presented above the foliage, on strong, erect stems that do not require staking. This late midseason peony is pleasantly fragrant. Up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm).

Award-winner Peony 'Elsa Sass' (Paeonia lactiflora) is incredibly beautiful with its large, velvety, white, fully double blossoms. Resembling roses, the large flowers are so packed with delicately incurved inner petals that the golden stamens are almost hidden. Slightly fragrant, the blooms are borne on stiff, strong stems and are pleasantly complemented by an outstanding foliage. A very compact plant of great beauty, either in a vase or in the spring garden. Up to 26-36 in. in height (65-90 cm). Late Season Peony. Winner of the American Peony Society Gold Medal (1943)

Iris 'Who Needs A Prince' is outrageously beautiful with its vibrant golden standards, contrasting with rich plum violet falls. Strongly fragrant, the flowers of this spectacular midseason Iris are quite large and can't be missed! This Tall Bearded Iris rises to 40 inches high (100 cm) atop a lovely sword-shaped foliage which will continue to add interest to the landscape after flowering is over.

Sparkling in the late spring garden, Iris 'Starship Enterprise' is an eye-catching Tall Bearded Iris with gently ruffled, crystalline white standards infused with golden yellow at their midribs. They proudly float above crisp white falls, elegantly edged with a 2 in. (5 cm) ribbon of rosy magenta. The regal blooms rise with majesty up to 36 inches high (90 cm) atop the lovely sword-shaped foliage which will continue to add interest to the landscape after flowering is over. A late midseason bloomer, 'Starship Enterprise' will take your breath away every spring.

Sparkling in the late spring garden, Iris 'Fringe of Gold' is an eye-catching Tall Bearded Iris with nicely ruffled, golden yellow standards floating above crisp white falls, elegantly edged with a golden yellow ribbon. The regal blooms rise with majesty up to 38 inches high (95 cm) atop a lovely sword-shaped foliage which will continue to add interest to the landscape after flowering is over. A late midseason bloomer, 'Fringe of Gold' is quite vigorous and boasts 5 to 6 buds on each flowering stem, ensuring a long-lasting display. A visual feast for the sunny border! 

Gracing the garden in late spring - early summer, Lupinus 'Manhattan Lights' (Lupine) features showy, erect spikes of densely packed, sweetly scented, purple and yellow flowers. Rising on sturdy stems above bushy clumps of palmate, bright green leaves, the flowers open up from the bottom over several weeks, hence providing a long blooming period. Hummingbirds and butterflies are endlessly attracted to them - as are most onlookers!

Perhaps the tallest of the ornamental onions, Allium giganteum is a bold and striking addition to the garden with its star-shaped, tiny lilac-purple flowers forming a 5-6 in. wide (12-15 cm) globe-shaped cluster. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this Giant Allium enjoys long-lasting blooms and remains ornamental in the garden well into summer. This bulbous perennial makes a perfect background plant that you may want to combine with finer-textured plants such as ornamental grasses. Great in fresh or dried flower arrangements too!

One of the hardiest English Roses, Rosa Charlotte features ravishingly beautiful, fully double blossoms, up to 5 in. wide (12 cm), rich with a very pleasant, medium-strong tea rose fragrance. Each bloom is packed with many petals (100 petals) and opens gradually from rounded buds to exquisite, cup-shaped blooms, in a lovely shade of soft butter yellow. 'Charlotte' has an excellent green foliage and makes a most attractive rose shrub. Excellent repeat bloomer.