There are some plants in my Zone 5 garden that I really have to keep an eye on. I affectionately call them my over achievers. They can and will take over! However, I have to say that after 2 years of extremely hot and extremely dry conditions, I am very grateful for my over achievers. They perform beautifully even when other plants are giving up.

So, today let’s celebrate over achievers!

MY TOP 6 OVER ACHIEVERS FOR 2011 ARE:

#6 Daisies: A determined and prolific bloomer in most any condition. And as we learned in You’ve Got Mail, they are the “friendliest flower”!

#5 Black-eyed Susans: Bright, dependable and beautiful in mass.

#4 Catmint: Low, sprawling and brings in the bees!

#3 Autumn Joy Sedum: Truly low maintenance and they say to hot, dry conditions, “Bring it on. We can take it!”

#2 Yarrow: It come in pinks, yellows, white, reds, lavender and on and on. Great to hug up to and around other flowers and fill in around the edges of borders. Perfect as filler in flower arrangements.

#1 Moonbeam Coreopsis: Easy, breezy, long blooming and beautiful. Love Love Love!

Do you have plants in your garden that are over achievers —- one day they are all over the place and you are ready to “shovel-prune.” Then the next day they are glorious and you think you can’t live without them?