The late or Chinese peonies are the best for centre pieces because they are the longest lived perennials that can be obtained in many colours. They generally bloom in early June in the North. I would reject columbines, European peonies, sweet williams, foxgloves, larkspurs, poppies, Japan iris, bee balm, and most varieties of phlox.

The best perennials for the purpose, in my opinion are:

Bleeding heart..........

.......Early May

Peach-leaved bellflower-........

.......Mid-June

Gas plant............

.......June-July

Japanese balloon flower........

.......July-Aug.

Miss Lingard phlox.........

.......July-Oct.

Swamp rose mallow.........

.......August

Japanese anemone.........

.......Sept.

Subsessile veronica.........

.......Aug.-Sept.

Hardy chrysanthemums........

.......Sept.-Nov.