About the Sedums: These perennial plants enjoy gritty, fast-draining soil, and must have full hot sun. They're really desert plants, so give them sharp drainage. (Sedums are often called "Succulents", due to their thickened moisture-retentive leaves, and yes, the short ones include the famous "Hen and Chicks" from grandmother's garden.)

Once sedums are established, you've assured yourself of loads of perennial interest for the later months when most garden flowers are gone.