A Glowing Fall Border with Asters, Dogwood and Grasses

Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Fall Borders, Winter Borders

Garden ideas, Border ideas, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Fall borders, Asters, Dogwood Midwinter Fire, New England Aster, Italian Aster, Miscanthus Morning Light

A border of Asters is an unforgettable spectacle in the fall. Combine them with glowing Dogwoods (Cornus sanguinea) and architectural ornamental grasses such as the lovely Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) and you will enjoy a delightful color show which will enlighten your garden for weeks, from midsummer until frost.

Low maintenance and fairly easy to replicate, this planting will make your neighbors envious. Enjoy!

Garden Information

Hardiness	5 - 7
Heat Zones	1 - 7
Climate Zones	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Late), Fall
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Rabbit
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Plants In This Garden

Aster amellus 'Violet Queen' or 'Veilchenkönigin' (Italian Aster)

Among the first Asters to bloom, Aster amellus ‘Queen Violet’ or ‘Veilchenkönigin’ (Italian Aster) enjoys a long flowering season, bearing masses of star-shaped, vibrant deep violet blossoms, up to 2 in. wide (5 cm). Held on erect stems, each flower has a thick layer of slender petals surrounding a golden yellow center.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

Aster novae-angliae 'September Ruby' (New England Aster)

Blooming for 6 weeks or longer, from late summer to late fall, this eye-catching beauty easily enlivens any sunny corner of the garden

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' (Chinese Silver Grass)

Regarded as the best of all Miscanthus species and cultivars, ‘Morning Light’ features a unique and exquisite vase shape that stands out beautifully in the garden

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall, Winter
Height	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass)

Award-winner Zebra Grass ‘Zebrinus’ (Miscanthus sinensis) is a very distinctive ornamental grass with its variegated foliage displaying unusual, horizontal, soft yellow rings along the gracefully arching leaves. This attractive foliage turns rich gold in the fall before turning to tan over the winter. It is complemented by spectacular, pinkish-copper plumes which emerge in late summer or early fall and turn buff-silver as they mature.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall, Winter
Height	5' - 7' (150cm - 210cm)
Spread	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' (Bloodtwig Dogwood)

Noted for its colorful stems and twigs in winter, Bloodtwig Dogwood ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Cornus sanguinea) is a hard plant to beat for a colorful show in the winter garden. It features spectacular decorative features: golden fall foliage followed by branches and stems that start yellow at the base of the plant and gradually turn bright orange to crimson towards the tip of the plant.

Hardiness	4 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	5' - 6' (150cm - 180cm)
Spread	5' - 6' (150cm - 180cm)
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy

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Aster Miscanthus (Maiden Grass) Cornus (Dogwood)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Aster novae-angliae ‘Andenken an Alma Potschke’ (New England Aster)

Aster amellus ‘King George’ (Italian Aster)

Learn About These Genera

Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)

Aster amellus (Italian Aster)

Credit: GAP Photos/Richard Bloom - Design: Adrian Bloom

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.