Full Sun

• Full-sun sites receive direct sunlight for most of the day. Sun-loving perennials that thrive in zone 5a temperatures include chrysanthemums. These fall-bloomers produce showy, large flowers in a range of colors from yellow to lavender. Chrysanthemums prefer well-drained soil and grow from 1 to 3 feet tall. The larkspur grows up to 2 feet tall and produces spikes of deep blue flowers in spring. This North American native prefers well-drained soil. Hollyhocks bloom from spring to fall with red, orange, purple and pink flowers. A large perennial, hollyhocks can grow to 5 feet tall and make a good fence or back-border plant. Plant hollyhocks in well-drained soil.
  
  

Light Shade

• Light-shade spots receive a regular pattern of equal sun and shade or two to three hours without sun each day. Light shade perennials include Stokes' aster, which blooms in early summer. This 2 foot tall perennial produces large, purple flowers and has deep-green foliage. Stokes' aster prefers well-drained soil and is native to North America. The little leadwort grows up to 12 inches tall and blooms with light blue flowers in late summer. This perennial prefers well-drained soil and is used as a groundcover. Leadwort has reddish fall foliage. Ligularia grows up to 5 feet tall with spikes of bright yellow flowers that can grow up to 2 feet long. This perennial prefers afternoon shade and rich, moist soils.
  
  

Partial Shade

• Partial-shade sites experience four to five hours per day without direct sunlight. Avens thrive in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. This small, bushy perennial grows from 9 to 18 inches tall and produces bright red, orange and yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. Divide avens in late summer. The cowslip primrose grows to 12 inches tall and produces an abundance of small, yellow flowers in spring. Cowslip primroses prefer slightly acidic, moist soils and tolerate heat. Meadow-rue also prefers moist soil. This perennial grows up to 3 feet tall and blooms with pale-purple flowers in late spring.
  
  

Full Shade

• Full-shade sites don't receive any direct sunlight. The shade-tolerant Solomon's seal blooms in late spring. Flowers start out yellow-green but mature to a creamy white. Soloman's seal thrives in cool spots with moist, well-drained soil. This plant grows between 2 and 3 feet tall. Lungwort also flowers in the spring, but produces pink flowers that turn to blue and white over time. This shade-tolerant plant prefers rich, moist soil and cool sites. Lungwort grows up to 18 inches tall. Divide this perennial in fall.