Best Perennials for Connecticut: Sun/Shade, Soil Prep, Seasonal Bloom Chart

Comprehensive Plant List for Connecticut Gardens

A Connecticut gardener wants medium‑height, all‑summer bloomers for sun/shade, plus soil prep instructions.

Spring Bulbs (Full Sun & Partial Shade)

• Crocus, Creeping phlox, Grape hyacinth, Hyacinth (fragrant), Daffodils, Tulips.
• Partial shade: Crocus, Grape hyacinth, Candytuft.

Summer Perennials (No Particular Order)

• Iris, Lady’s Mantle, Mountain bluebells, Cranesbills, Tall summer phlox, Bee balm, Gooseneck loosestrife (aggressive), Obedient plant, Butterfly weed, Balloon flower.

Fall Perennials

• Cardinal flower, Aster (many), Sage, Bostonian, Chrysanthemum, Goldenrod.

Reference Book

Time‑Life Complete Gardener: Three Seasons of Bloom (ISBN 0‑7835‑4117‑1).

Shade Categories (Need Your Input)

1 Light/dappled, 2 Open/North, 3 Medium (under small trees), 4 Deep (mosses). Provide your shade type for tailored suggestions.

Shade Garden Book

Shade Gardens (National Home Gardening Club, ISBN 1‑58159‑016‑4).

Soil Prep (Best Done Now)

5×5 area: 1 bag each topsoil, sand, gypsum, ½ bag Milorganite. Rototill 8″+. Mulch with grass clippings/chopped leaves or cedar/cypress mulch.