Well-behaved, Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Alba' is upright, clump-forming perennial boasting narrow spires densely packed with small, bell-shaped, white flowers held on long, graceful wands over a long season. Blooming from midsummer to fall, they rise well above the foliage mound of large, oval, pointed, mid green leaves.

Low-growing, but extremely showy, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies' (Aromatic Aster) is a compact perennial forming a mound of radiant color from late summer to fall with its profuse, rich sky-blue daisy-like flowers adorned with deep yellow centers. The aromatic, bushy, rich blue-green foliage creates a lovely backdrop to these charming flowers. Native to North America, Aromatic Aster is easy to grow, long-lived, brings cheerful fall color, and is a great source of nectar for butterflies.