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. Blooming generously for weeks, from late summer to mid-fall, this fall Aster doesn't need staking and is not sensitive to mildew. Native to Europe, it is easy to grow, long-lived, and is a wonderful addition to the late summer garden. Compact and fast-growing, up to 18 in. tall and wide (45 cm). Drought tolerant, it attracts birds or butterflies.

A favorite for fall color, New England Aster 'September Ruby' or 'Septemberrubin' (Aster novae-angliae) features abundant, daisy-like, bright ruby-rose flowers with large sunny yellow centers. 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 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). Deer and rabbit resistant!

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. Its fine-textured foliage is slightly ivory variegated, making it look silver from a distance. Blooming later than most Miscanthus cultivars, 'Morning Light' displays tiny crimson-red plume flowers in late summer or early fall, which change to silvery white as they mature and provide good winter interest. Rarely flopping, it grows up to 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm). Drought and dry soil tolerant. Tolerates part shade, heat and humidity too.

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. Standing out beautifully in the garden and providing wonderful winter interest, you may want to treat this attractive Maiden Grass as a specimen plant. Grows up to 5-7 feet tall (150-210 cm). Drought tolerant, it is deer and rabbit resistant!

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. Fragrant tiny white flowers appear in late spring that will attract butterflies. They will give way to clusters of dark purple berries in summer that are very attractive to birds.