About the Sedums: These perennial plants enjoy gritty, fast-draining soil, and must have full hot sun. Theyre really desert plants, so give them sharp drainage. (Sedums are often called Succulents, due to their thickened moisture-retentive leaves, and yes, the short ones include the famous Hen and Chicks from grandmothers garden.)

Once sedums are established, youve assured yourself of loads of perennial interest for the later months when most garden flowers are gone.