Sedums sedums sedums !!!! Not for instant color, but in the fall when everything else is dieing back is when they will bloom for you. They are so hardy and come in so many different types. I'd be glad to get you addicted to them too lol.

Cheryl

Great idea! I have a pot of creeping red sedum! I am going to transplant some into the rock garden! Thank you so much!..PC

I've got some different types I can send you too, or bring you if you're at the swap. At last count I have over 80 types, now ask me to find them all and that's another matter. They grow so well from cuttings, just take a look at my list and see what you want and i'll get you started.

Cheryl

You might try some columbines. They like rocky places and if they like the location they will reseed and spread in between the rocks.

--April

I've been having terrific luck with violas...they seem to thrive anywhere and are very colorful. How about allysum? I put some beneath a tree and they look okay so far.Japanese ferns aren't flowers but they are pretty interesting looking. I even have dainthus doing okay in what I thought was a too shady for anything spot. Take a chance and try stuff, most things will let you know right away if they aren't happy. ...caroleann

Caroleann -- are you getting your violas to survive through the summers? I would LOVE to figure out how to do that! I plant them every fall and have them until the hot weather hits the next spring -- but I can never get them through summer. :-/

Violas do fade once it gets hot here. Many times, my violas will return in the fall - - but pansies never do.

Ditto on the sedums and columbines. Also perhaps Astilbe (great color & flowers), Meadow Rue, toadwort, coral bells (nice reddish foliage), and ajuga. Good luck!
:)