Low-Maintenance Perennials for Zone 5: Shade and Sun Lists

Zone 5 gardener (age-limiting work) wants perennials for two areas: 3×15 ft shady (north of garage), 4×20 ft 95% sunny. Asks for long-blooming recommendations.

Soil First: Super Soil Recipe

80% of success is soil prep. (Recipe repeated: topsoil, manure, compost, sand, Milorganite, mulch, gypsum, sulfur.)

Full Sun Sequence

Spring: Crocus, creeping phlox, grape hyacinth, hyacinth, daffodils, tulips.
Summer: Iris, Lady's Mantle, mountain bluebells, cranesbills, tall phlox, bee balm, gooseneck loosestrife, obedient plant, butterfly weed, balloon flower.
Fall: Cardinal flower, aster, sage, Bostonian, chrysanthemum, goldenrod.

Shade/Part Shade Sequence

Spring: Crocus, grape hyacinth, coral bells (green), candytuft, spiderwort, mints (contained), lily of the valley, elephant ears, caladium.
Summer: Coral bells (red), hosta (228 varieties!), Lady's Mantle, lungwort, mountain bluebells, cranesbills, tall phlox, bee balm, purple sage.

Resources

Books: Time Life "Three Seasons of Bloom". Websites: Proven Winners, Spring Hill Nursery, shade gardening FAQs.

Match plants to microclimates; experiment and transplant.