Bergenia cilata will grow in dry soil, dappled to partial shade. Slugs, deer and rabbits hate it. Partial shade are areas that receive full sun early in the am or late in the afternoon. Dappled shade is the area under trees where the light peeks through post of the day.

Drying flowers

If you have ever considered raising flowers for your own designing needs the following are perennial and very easy to do.
Achillea-coronation gold or the pearl, aconitum, alchemilla, artemesia, astilbe, tansy, delphinium, echinops, gypsophila, hydrangea, lavender, lunaria, liatris, german statice, sea lavender, peonies, poppy pods, roses, solidago, stachys, centaurea, catananche.
All can be dried successfully by hanging upside down in a hot, dry, dark environment.

Ground covers

I have just read an interesting article on ground covers. Some of the varieties suggested to use are:autumn fern, Christmas fern for shade as they stay evergreen(mostly). Also tiarella cordifolia grows well in dry shade and comes in many varieties and has the benefit of being a native. For a sunny spot try blue-eyed grass (also a native) and Blue star creeper and sedums. Sweet woodruff is a favorite of mine because it has pretty blossoms early in the spring but the foliage stays nice all summer--also a shade plant. Mazus reptans, thyme, crested iris and oregano also do well in the sun. One I am trying in shade is ceratostigma plumbaginoides because it has wonderful blue flowers and leaves turn red in the fall. Another variety I am trying this year is stachys macrantha also referred to as big betony, has crumpled green leaves with blue flowers.

Dye garden

If you would like to try dying your own fabric or wool here are some plants to try: bedstraw, fennel, foxgloves, hollyhocks, hyssop, lamb's ear, larkspur, marigold, sage, sorrel, spiderwort, sweet woodruff, woad and marguerite. Even if you never dye anything it would make a pretty theme garden for you herbies out there.

Fragrant flowers

Here are some long lasting fragrant flowers you may like to consider in you garden:
peonies, lilacs, koreanspice viburnum, hyacinths, daffodils, lavender, catmint, mock orange, roses, butterfly bushes, nicotiana, sweet peas and lilies. If you are making a scented garden you could also add carnations, scented geraniums, and sweet william.

Birds

Don't forget to feed your birds. Most birds like sunflower seeds. Cardinals and woodpeckers particularly like safflower seeds. Nyjer seed attracts small finches. As this seed is very small you need a special feeder for this. Corn can be used to attract doves, blue jays, bluebirds and sparrows. In the winter, suet is good for energy in insect-eating birds. Robins, thrushes, orioles, and bluebirds also like fruit. Apples, grapes and oranges are good choices.

Asian beetles

I was reading something about asian beetles(you know those little beetles that get in your house that kind of look like lady bugs) that says a compound made of catnip oil appears to repel them. I wonder if you put sprigs of catnip or catnip oil on a cotton ball on your window sill where they find their way in, if it would help to repel them. Peppermint oil on cotton balls repels mice so maybe it would help. I'll try to remember to try this next fall and let you know how it goes.