Question
I have a border of about 6'(L) x 1.5' next to my garage. It gets partial shade, which I have had success with tulips and peonies. I miss having color in mid spring through fall (zone 5) so what do you recommend in perennials that would compliment this space?

Answer
Hi Sue,
Thanx for your question.  Hostas come in a great variety of leaf patterns, leaf colors and even bloom such as lavender, white, purple and pink, varying leaf sizes and shapes. Coral bells (heuchera) will do well in partial shade and this is another plant that has a multitude of color ranges in foliage.  Day lilies will bloom in partial shade but depending upon how shady it is may be reduced in blooming.  The stella d'oros will bloom for a long period of time and will keep blooming if you pinch off the flowers before they set seeds.  Chrysanthemums will grow in partial shade.  How much shade are you getting?
Tom