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.

Quite compact, Dwarf Chinese Silver Grass 'Yakushima Dwarf' enjoys a small size that makes it extremely useful in the landscape. Its fine-textured foliage, which consists of arching, silvery-green leaves borne on short, upright stems, creates an exquisite fountain shape that stands out beautifully and sways gracefully in the slightest breeze. Blooming in late summer to fall, 'Yakushima Dwarf' displays long-lasting, pinky-brown plumes, which change to silvery white as they mature and provide good winter interest. Rarely flopping, it is easily grown in a dense, upright 3 ft. tall (90 cm), rounded fountain-like clump. Drought tolerant, it is attractive to birds but deer ignore it!

Kniphofia rooperi is one of the most distinctive kniphofias with its large, egg-shaped, bright red flowers fading to yellow, held over a broad and high foliage. This tall, late-flowering perennial from South Africa is really one of the highlights of the late summer to early fall border. Changing color as the flower matures, this robust, evergreen perennial displays the deepest shades in buds and fades as the flower opens, resulting in a bicolor look. Virtually disease free, this favorite of hummingbirds is also drought, deer, and rabbit resistant.

An ideal specimen tree for small gardens, Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' (Mountain Ash) is a pretty, upright, deciduous tree with a long season of interest. In late spring it produces charming clusters of white flowers, 4 in. (10 cm), which are quickly followed by abundant clusters of vibrant, butter-yellow fruits. The elegant foliage of blue-green, pinnate leaves is divided into up to 21 leaflets and casts light shade in the summer months. It turns glowing shades of orange, purple, and red in the fall, before falling to the ground, revealing the pale plum-hued bark and striking silhouette of the plant. Highly ornamental, elegant in flower, and colorful in fruit, Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' stars in almost every season of the year.

Valued for its compact habit, Crocosmia 'John Boots' features elegant clumps of erect sword-shaped leaves and eye-catching, arching sprays of butter-yellow freesia-like flowers from midsummer to early fall. Great perennial for the late season garden as it provides weeks of vibrant colors when many other perennials are starting to fade.

Blooming later than most Aconitum species, award-winning Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii'(Monkshood) is an erect, tuberous perennial with dense spires of rich azure-blue flowers in early to mid-fall. Its hooded flowers resemble the hood worn by medieval monks, hence the common name of monkshood. They are borne atop thick, rigid stems clad with handsome foliage of deeply divided, leathery, dark green leaves. This fall-flowering makes outstanding cut flowers and is perfect for wet soils.

Perfect for the back of a border, Eupatorium maculatum (Atropurpureum Group) 'Riesenschirm' (Joe-Pye Weed) is a very architectural perennial, prized for its huge, densely packed clusters of rich pink-purple flowers in late summer and fall. Borne atop sturdy burgundy stems, the blossoms are attractive to bees and butterflies in search of nectar. They give way to fluffy seedheads that persist well into winter and provide food for the birds. They are particularly striking when covered in hoar frost or snow. The foliage is also very handsome with its lance-shaped, deep green leaves radiating from the stem to form a whorl of 3-4 leaves.

Highly floriferous and robust, Leucanthemella serotina (Autumn Ox-Eye Daisy) is a tall, bushy perennial valued for its abundant floral display in the late season garden. It produces large, pure white, charming daisy flowers, 3 in. across (7 cm), with greenish-yellow centers atop rigid, leafy stems. Borne either singly or in sprays from late summer to the first hard frost, they withstand heavy rain and wind without too much difficulty and usually do not require staking. The foliage of toothed, lance-shaped, dark green leaves, is disease resistant. Easy to grow, this giant daisy is useful to create a cheerful impact at the back of the border. Part shade tolerant, it is also perfect for illuminating darker areas of the garden.