I'm in NW Arkansas

==>>> you are??? go figure ... had no clue ....

how about a pic of the site ... without such.. i cant really conceptualize anything but grass or very low plants at the end of a driveway you are backing out of ...

but then.. that might be me being an insurance company defense atty in another life ... [there are reasons i became a stay at home dad]

ken

Maybe Hypericum prolificum? Its one I started from seed last year, I dont have much first hand experience with it. The descriptions of its cultural needs vary widely depending on source but it seems to be adaptable.

Yes, I have a H prolificum and it's a nice plant and could potentially do well there. I might try to get hold of a H frondosum if I don't see anything else suggested I like (used to have one..and has somewhat more presence, with larger flowers, and a semi-evergreen habit). I hadn't thought of another hypericum..but will keep it in mind.

Amsonia can handle full sun and clay, grows somewhat shrub-like (but not too big) for an herbaceous perennial, and gives you pretty spring blooms and nicely-textured foliage (and some nice, golden fall color depending on the species.)

Potentilla is another option.

I have Amsonia illustris, I thought about using Amsonia hubrichtii for the front, and was throwing that idea out...but it is a nice greenery and a sub-shrub for the growing season (I was throwing it out because of lack of summer interest..it's still weak there).

As to the potentilla, they're usually best z3-7, I'm 7 and I'm toward the SW, which usually means my heat zones are more like z8 or 9. I don't believe it would be happy here without lots of watering (which I don't want to do) in summer and fall. In fact, I've seen them look pretty 'crispy critter'.

A. hubrichtii was what I had in mind, but you're right about the lack of midsummer appeal.

Russian sage is tough and beautiful.

There are some dwarf, sterile buddleia that may fit the bill. Also consider caryopteris, although that may bloom too late for your requirement.

I've never ever been able to overwinter a buddleia, though I haven't tried at this house.

I love caryopteris, and might actually give that a try (haven't tried it in at least twenty years). I would like something earlier, but still...that's a great idea. I do have a beautyberry close by (fall interest already)..but blue is a lovely color ;)

Dbarron’s, have you tried any of the gold foliaged Caryopteris? I like their bright growing season presence, but I know not everyone likes gold foliaged plants.

Gold foliage tends to give me uneasiness thinking they're chlorotic ;)
I think I'm gonna go see if my local nursery has any caryopteris in stock.

I like the frosty leafed ones as well as the gold ones, and the blue late season flowers are a nice combo with the foliage of either color. Maybe tuck some daffodils under the Caryopteris? I would definitely have more here if they weren’t borderline hardy.

Ok, a caryopteris 'Gran Bleu' has been placed on the front lawn awaiting planting tonight.

I hope I can keep it (clay and possible winter/early spring wet). I also hope it proves to be sufficiently drought tolerant (summer to fall, hopeful).

Yay! Excited to see how it does for you. Mine have been excellent as far as drought resistance. Planted mine in the middle of a drought, and certainly didn’t tend them as I ought to have, and they never blinked an eye.

Well, the first flowers are open on the caryopteris. I'm hoping it doesn't finish and become non-interesting by end of July. It got a jump start by being overwintered in a greenhouse.

That is quite a jump start. Here it blooms late August and a good chunk of September.

Yeah, I'm not sure what it's gonna be like this year..and if this sets the stage for next year too ?

Dbarron, please post an update on how it does for you.

Carol

I'll for sure update you in late summer/fall. I'll try to remember to do so in Spring (when we know how it REALLY did). It's rather pretty (if small) right now, but a lot of leaf yellowing is going on (probably due to 2 months of unrelenting rain).

Well, it has been in bloom perpetually since it started. I can see the end coming because new growth has ceased, in mid October. I wouldn't mind maybe a bit more impact, hopefully when not trying to bloom all year, it will have that. However, I am pleased. Photo from street attached.

Other plants include native american beauty berry, which was just coloring...more so now and will be spectacular when leaves fall and a mexican sunflower (tithonia).

Looks promising!

Carol