A very attractive dwarf variety, New England Aster 'Purple Dome' (Aster novae-angliae) features masses of semi-double, daisy-like, deep purple flowers, 1.5 in. wide (4 cm), with sunny yellow center disks, which can fully cover the plant. Blooming for 4 weeks or longer, from late summer to late fall, this eye-catching beauty easily enlivens any sunny corner of the garden. Native to North America, it is easy to grow, long-lived, brings cheerful fall color, and is a great source of nectar for butterflies. Typically grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). Perfect for small gardens. Deer and rabbit resistant!

A popular dwarf selection, Aster novi-belgii 'Professor Anton Kippenberg' (New York Aster) features masses of semi-double, lilac-blue flowers with narrow ray petals. Borne on slender, branched stems bearing lance-shaped, green leaves, they bloom for weeks from late summer to mid-fall and enliven any sunny corner of the garden. Native to North America, this dwarf Aster is easy to grow, long-lived, brings cheerful fall color, in borders or containers, and is a great source of nectar for butterflies.

Mostly grown for its luminous papery lanterns, Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii (Chinese Lantern) is a vigorous, spreading herbaceous perennial with ovate green leaves and small, starry, creamy-white flowers in summer. In the fall, the blossoms give way to edible berries that are enclosed in large, glowing orange, paper-like, Chinese lantern calyces. They persist through winter, extending the season of interest of this intriguing plant. Its bright lanterns and short stature make it a perfect accent or border plant where it adds a splash of color in the late-season garden. Can be cut to create terrific decorative flower arrangements.

Buddleja davidii 'Buzz Magenta Improved' (Butterfly Bush) is a compact deciduous shrub with gracefully arching branches, studded with lance-shaped, gray-green leaves and sweetly scented, elongated panicles of intense magenta flowers. Borne at the tips of the current year's growth, the flower spikes are freely produced from mid-summer through early fall and sometimes to the first frost. A superb, easily-grown, dwarf Butterfly Bush that is favored by butterflies and provides late summer to fall flowers when few other shrubs are in bloom. Excellent for cutting and perfect for small gardens and containers.