1.   Also, breeders introduced new versions of old standbys, like coral bells with purple leaves.

2.   But coral bells have recently been liberated from the backstage and supporting roles in the garden.

3.   But like all coral bells, they can and should be divided every few years.

4.   But they can easily be overdone, and one of the beauties of the old-fashioned coral bells is that it is almost impossible to have too many.

5.   Coral bells are sun lovers, especially in the North, and they do best in soil that is moist but well drained.

6.   For spring, consider peonies, iberis, coral bells, columbine.

7.   Hostas, asters, day lilies, coral bells and Siberian iris are likely bets.

8.   Prairie heuchera, a coral bell relative, is indigenous to open spaces and can be found growing wild throughout the northern Midwest.

9.   Roundleaf heuchera provides a further bonus throughout May when coral bell flowers nod from the tops of wiry, two- to three-foot-tall stems.

10.   The breeders also are working on cultivars of coral bells that have extra-tall, extra-prolific stems of extra-large flowers.