Over here in Maryland, my "Sunrise" that I got in April 2006 is doing very well. It is HUGE, covered with flowerbuds, and started blooming at about the end of May. It is about a month ahead of its cousin purple coneflower "Magnus" and is towering over it right now. "Magnus" was set back a bit from some annoying little black sap-sucking bugs that distorted some of the leaves, but it is growing past that now after I killed the bugs with insecticidal soap. So, I am quite happy with "Sunrise."

Fisherman's Paradise is a large standard. This is still a relatively young plant and it is already about 12" across. This one is Fun Trail and has been blooming constantly for about a month now with lots of fantasy on the blooms.

Hi, am I too late for this? I have been looking for old fashioned busy Lizzie's for years. I noticed that I commented here 2 ,years ago, asking the same question. Does anyone still have them?I can pay onstage and even send you a plant of your choice if you would like to browse the plant catalogues, in return.

Thanks, linnea & NHBabs. Lots of great ideas, thanks SO MUCH, everyone, for all your suggestions. My space is small so it may take me several years of experimenting with 1 type of plant per year. Gardengal & linnea, you recommend H. Firefly & I see seeds readily available, tho' the online sellers with the best reputations show red blooms & the sellers w/ less than the best rep show the pinkish-red that I want. Hmm. Swallowtail shows reddish blooms & says "full sun in the North and part shade in the South." I hope to try it & see if I have enough sun in my shade garden. NHBabs & peren.all, I like your rec of H. sanguinea species or the old-fashioned sanguinea but online sellers seem to offer the newer named varieties. I do see seeds of a pink 'Bressingham hybrid,' which sellers claim was created using an old-fashioned one & claim is one of the few hybrids that will grow true from seed. Similar question about light - I will have to try it. The seller that I see with the best rep is Garden Harvest Supply on the link below. NHBabs, I LOVE your idea of finding a perennial that provides contrast with the hostas in color, size & texture, yet echoes one of the hosta leaf colors to keep things from looking too busy. Great idea - to be worked on. Thanks, everyone, appreciate your help! Seed for pink H. Bressingham hybrid at Garden Harvest Supply http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/productcart/pc/bressingham-hybrid-heuchera-seeds-for-sale-p6016.htm Walters says "full sun or partial shade" for Bressingham, will have to see if I have enough light http://www.perennials.com/plants/heuchera-bressingham-hybrids.html Firefly at Swallowtail Garden Seeds (Ruby Bells is first, scroll down to Firefly) http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/perennials/coral_bells.html#gsc.tab=0