Here's another succullent that might work in this area -- euphorbia "Robbaie." Here's what the story about succulents in the right hand column says about it:

— Euphorbia: A blend of poinsettia and milkweed; many of the hardy selections have cheery flowers in the spring. “Always avoid the milky sap, which can be an irritant,” on ecpert said. Euphorbia ’Robbiae’ is a cold-hardy succulent that can tolerate shade. “Admire the chartreuse flowers illuminating the darkness on a gray day,” the expert said. Zones 5-8.

(Photo from northcreeknurseries.com)

These are houseleeks, also known as hens and chicks. (Photo from paghat.com.) They're succulents that can work here. To read about others, check the featured story over in the right-hand column. -- Craig

From the story:

Hens and chicks, or houseleeks (Sempervivums): Can carpet an entire area with many colors, sizes and textures. But generally, the smaller the rosettes, the slower the rate of growth, so be size-selective if you’re looking to cover a large area fast. There are more than 4,000 named varieties, providing many opportunities to mix and match for contrast. “Sempervivum tectorum has incredibly rich red coloration on such a small statured plant that tucks so well into any crevice with soil and light,” said Karl Gercens, conservatory horticulturist with Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pa. Good for zones 3-7.

This is one of the plants recommended on the Prairie Star list for our area. (Photo from sobkovich.com)

For other plant recommendations, go to Prairie Star Website

Check out the question about weigela onthe blog. Here's a variegated weigela from spinghillnursery.com, which says it has a compact size -- 4-6' high with a 5' spread. It's called Weigela florida 'Variegata' and it's hardy in zones 4 to 9. -- Craig

Blue mist spirea is another of the tall blooming summer plants suggested this week in the blog by Dennis Patton. Here's a photo from bbg.org, which describes this "Bluebeard" cultivar:

Tight, compact growth, exquisite deep blue flowers, and handsome dark green foliage characterize this French selection of the blue mist spirea. The flowers, borne on branched clusters from late summer to early autumn, are magnets for butterflies. Plant it in a moderately fertile, light, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.

Helen's Flower is another of the suggestions this week for tall-blooming summer plants. This variety is called Moerheim Beauty, which grows to about 3 feet and blooms all summer. Photo is from gardenguides.com, which says:

This clump-forming perennial spreads quickly, giving a look of maturity to a new garden. The plant flowers over a long period and the daisy-like flowers are suitable for cutting. The flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Helenium thrives in any fertile soil that is moist but well-drained. You may need to provide support for taller varieites. Pick off the faded flowers to prolong flowering, and divide the plant every two or three years in spring or fall to prevent overcrowding.

Jupiter's beard, or centranthus, is another of the tall-blooming summer plants recommended this week by Dennis Patton in response to a question. This photo is from gorgetopgardens, which has this to say about centranthus:

Among the many long time used perennials for cottage and butterfly gardens Centranthus, or Jupiter's Beard, is not used as often as it once was. This oversight is a shame for this plant is free-blooming and extremely easy to grow. While many gardeners fuss over more finicky plants like Phlox, Delphiniums and Hollyhocks, Centranthus quietly flourishes without care from the gardener. Rich carmine-red flower heads emerge in early June and continue through most of August. Flowers a are marvelously fragrant luring in crowds of butterflies. The vivid flower heads are held above grey-green upright, bushy masses of foliage.
Plants are not fussy about soil and are considered to drought tolerant once established. Grows at its best in full sun but will do just fine in partial shade. Centranthus reseeds itself so you may find it popping up in other parts of the garden. Jupiter's Beard is a very long lived and a very good selection for new perennial gardeners.

A question that got posted today asks for suggestions for tall summer-blooming plants, and one that Dennis Patton suggests is boltonia. Here's a good look at it from webgardenguide.com. -- Craig

Another photo from the Extension field day: Bombay Blue scaveola. I've usually used scaveola in containers but this scaveola bed is making me rethink... Craig

Some great lilacs from gardenersnet.com. Someone asked in the blog this week whether lilacs should be planted in the fall or spring. Here's the answer from Dennis Patton:

Fall or spring would work. If you fall plant do it early for more root development such as early September. Make sure they have good soil moisture during all of winter. Dry winter soils can kill the plant like summer stress.

The advantage of spring would be better selection and the newly establishing plant would not be subject to winter stress.

Make sure they are in full sun for best results, blooms.

Another photo from the KU Extension's recent field day in Olathe. -- Craig

One of the featured stories over on the right points out that if your New Guinea impatiens isn't blooming much it may not be getting enough light. Unlike our bedding impatiends, they require at least four hours of sunshine. (Photo from ag.auburn.edu.) -- Craig

Another photo from the recent field day. This coleus bed was bright even in the shade! -- Craig

We've got some crape myrtle questions going on the blog today. In case you haven't seen one, here it is. -- Craig

A Featured Story called "August combo" cites dragon wing begonias as bright container plants that will flourish at this time of year. From the story:

Early August usually means several more weeks of hot, miserable weather. If your more tender flowers have started to fail, I have a combination planting that will perk up your summer-tired landscape.
Lime green ornamental sweet potatoes and Dragon Wing begonias kick into gear when temperatures soar. These work in landscapes, containers or baskets.

For more, read the story over on the right. Thanks to edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the photo. - Craig

Bouganvillea can bloom in KC but it's not the ideal southern climate. To read about someone whose bouganvillea aren't blooming now but bloom indoors in the winter, check the recent blog post. (Photo from edis.ifas.ufl.edu.) -- Craig

Here's a European hornbeam "franz fontaine" which is the subject of a blog question this morning. (From lancasterfarms.com.) -- Craig

Check the featured story on container gardening over on the left. It talks about the growth of creative containers, both in nurseries and at home. (Photo from gardening.about.com.) -- Craig

Check the blog post on how to propogate hardy hibiscus. This beauty is from hgtv.com. - Craig

A white dogwood flower. Note the question in the blog string about stressed dogwoods this summer. (Photo from fast-growing-trees.com.) -- Craig