A Pretty Late Season Border Idea with Asters, Helenium, and Grasses

Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders, Fall Borders

Create a fantastic display in your garden in late summer or fall. Combine the vibrant deep violet blossoms of Aster amellus 'Violet Queen' (Italian Asters) with the crimson flower spikes of Kniphofia rooperi (Red Hot Poker) and the azure-blue spires of Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii' (Monkshood).

Interplant the arching sprays of butter-yellow Crocosmia 'John Boots' and the charming, white daisies of Leucanthemella serotina (Autumn Ox-Eye Daisy). Glistening for weeks in the late season, these easy-to-grow perennials make a striking contrast to the soft autumnal hues of the lovely Miscanthus sinensis 'Yakushima Dwarf' (Maiden Grass)

Add the architectural presence of Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' (Mountain Ash) and Eupatorium maculatum (Atropurpureum Group) 'Riesenschirm' (Joe-Pye Weed), two wonderful background plants with multiple seasons of interest.

Most plants are top performers and have been awarded prestigious awards. Fairly easy to replicate, this plant combination will glow for weeks. Enjoy!

Garden Information

Hardiness	7 - 8
Heat Zones	7 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Late), Fall
Maintenance	Average
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Loam
Soil pH	Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage

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

Miscanthus sinensis 'Yakushima Dwarf' (Chinese Silver Grass)

Compact and good-looking! 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, delicately softening any landscapes.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Plant type	Ornamental Grasses
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall, Winter
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy

Kniphofia rooperi (Red Hot Poker)

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 one of the highlights of the late summer to early fall border.

Hardiness	6 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen

Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' (Mountain Ash)

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

Hardiness	7 - 8
Plant type	Trees
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread	6' - 20' (180cm - 6.1m)
Characteristics	Showy

Crocosmia 'John Boots'

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.

Hardiness	6 - 9
Plant type	Bulbs
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy

Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii' (Monkshood)

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.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Fall
Height	2' - 5' (60cm - 150cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

Eupatorium maculatum (Atropurpureum Group) 'Riesenschirm' (Joe-Pye Weed)

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.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall, Winter
Height	5' - 7' (150cm - 210cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy

Leucanthemella serotina (Autumn Ox-Eye Daisy)

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.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread	1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy

How Many Plants Do I Need?

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) Aconitum (Monkshood) Helenium (Sneezeweed) Aster Crocosmia Eupatorium (Joe-Pye Weed) Sorbus (Rowan) Miscanthus (Maiden Grass)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Aster amellus ‘King George’ (Italian Aster)

Kniphofia ‘Percy’s Pride’ (Red Hot Poker)

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne’ (Chinese Silver Grass)

Rosa Strawberry Hill (English Rose)

Learn About These Genera

Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)

Aster amellus (Italian Aster)

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.