Begonias – For shady spots, tuberous begonias reign. Their velvety, densely-petaled blossoms on strong stems glimmer in dim light, looking ever so much like camellias (though some varieties tend more towards carnations or roses). Begonias come in sumptuous colors ranging from rich to pastel in shades of apricot, yellow, rose, red, white, champagne, orange, and bi-colors.

Callas (Zantedeschia) – Katherine Hepburn famously called them calla lilies, but these bulb flowers have no relation to lilies and are more properly called simply callas. Discriminating brides have long loved callas for the velvety perfection of their elegant chalice-shaped flowers. In the garden, callas are equally glamorous and are perfect in garden beds or containers. Callas can be found in white, pink, green, yellow, yellow-and-red, lavender, burgundy and rust. For a glorious pond plant, try Calla aethiopica!

Tropicanna ™ Cannas – Upright and broad-leaved, cannas excel as vertical accents in the summer garden. Tropicanna cannas grow to about 2', with foliage that varies from green, brown, black, grey, burgundy, to striped and decoratively mottled. They’re a best bet to anchor container plantings. One great look is to interplant several similar tall cannas in a large container with lantana, straw flowers and coleus, plus sweet potato vine and petunias for drape. In the garden, plant clusters of cannas as focal points or backdrops to other plantings. Cannas also thrive in pond and bog settings. Plant in full sun or filtered light.

Elephant’s Ears – For a tropical effect, try Elephant Ears. Whether your vision is Jurassic Park or Blue Hawaii, these big broad-leaved plants won’t let you down. There are three different kinds: Alocasia, Colocasia esculenta (taro), and Xanthosoma. They offer a range of large leaf types, size and colors from green to grey to black and bi-colors. Each is superb as a singular garden focal point and even better paired with canna, caladium and other leafy tropical plants. Group containers to create a cool green oasis or to soften harsh settings with huge foliage. They are also good as pond plants. Plant in shade or bright filtered light.

Lilies – Unlike summer bulbs which are frost-sensitive characters, lilies are “tough nuts.” Winter-hardy lilies can be planted in fall or spring. They will perennialize even in colder climates to come back in the garden for years. Lilies are true garden queens. Few admiring them will know that such lovely, flamboyant flowers are so easy to grow! Plant them in full sun or partial shade. Asiatics bloom early to mid-summer, fragrant Orientals bloom later in the season. Also, lilies make great container plants; successive plantings every few weeks will fill your house or terrace with color and fragrance all summer