Question
Hi Jonathan!  Not sure if this question is in your area of expertise, but I was wondering if you could help me.  I am a new gardener, and had my first year of bloom from Asiatic lilies.  Problem is, they finish blooming early in the summer, and I am left with a pretty sad looking patch for most of the summer.  I have them in the sunniest part of my shade garden, as I was thinking of mixing them up with a shade-loving companion to have some blooms in that area all summer long.  Do you have any suggestions?  Annuals or perennials would be fine - I live in zone 6.

Thanks,
Lily

Answer
Dahlias dahlias dahlias that's all I can suggest then maybe Michaelmas daisies, Euphorbia characias 'Wulfennii' and Iris unguicularis

Here's an article that I wrote on this plant:

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/garden/dahlia-italy.asp

Good luck

Jonathan www.ecologicagardens.com