Heather Lee, Berthold’s Garden Center, Elk Grove Village

John Jecha, Green Glen Garden Center/Nursery, Joliet

For an annual, ‘Snow Princess’ lobularia. Takes cool weather or heat, blooms non-stop without deadheading and does well in containers or in the ground. For a perennial, ‘Dragon Fruit’ dianthus has lovely, double, medium pink flowers a spicy sweet fragrance, a long blooming period, and re-blooms if deadheaded. For a shrub, Deutzia gracilis is one of my favorites, because it looks good in every season. Showy bell-like flowers cover the plant in June. Stunning burgundy fall color. Stays medium-small.

My favorites are ‘Autumn Gold’ ginkgo, ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea, and false indigo (Baptisia). The focal point in my front yard is the hardy, tenacious and pest-free ginkgo, whose fan- shaped leaves turn golden yellow in fall. The Midwestern false indigo blooms in spring with blue-violet, pea-shaped flowers, then forms seed pods that turn brown for winter interest. And each summer I am asked about my “huge white flowers.” Of course, it’s the hardy ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea that’s good for partial shade.

Gilbert Yerke, Yerke Frog Alley Greenhouses, Mukwonago, Wis.

“What do you have that is so tough I can’t kill it?” is heard at greenhouses every spring. I recommend the popular sun-loving calibrachoa, which is available in many colors, in single and double forms. Heat-tolerant lantana does well in full sun and even tolerates forgotten watering. Dragon Wing™ begonia is great for shady areas yet also tolerates summer heat. All do well in planters, beds and floral hanging gardens.