Alphabetical Plant Listing

A Splendid Fall Border Idea with Penstemon, Asters and Grasses

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders, Fall Borders


Valued primarily for their fall colors, Asters bear a profusion of attractive star-shaped flowers for weeks that cheerfully enliven the late season garden. Available in a wide array of heights, they are useful in the back, middle or front sections of the border. 

This eye-catching combination marries forms, textures and colors in an absolutely remarkable way. You can easily replicate it in your own garden. Select vibrantly colored Asters of various sizes such as Aster x frikartii 'Monch' (Frikart's Aster) for the front of the border, Aster novae-angliae 'Rosa Sieger' and 'Violetta' (New England Asters) for the middle section of the border. Frame them with the tall and architectural Aster novae-angliae 'Lou Williams' and the lovely plumes of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass). 

Add contrast with the bright cerise flowers of Penstemon 'George Home' (Beardtongue). This will help create a wistful harmony that cheerfully enlivens the garden setting.

So get inspired and enjoy the long-lasting beauty of this drought tolerant and relatively low maintenance combination. All plants are deer and rabbit resistant!

Garden Information

Hardiness 6 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage , Traditional Garden

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Aster Great Plant Combination Ideas with Calamagrostis - Reed Grass Great Plant Combination Ideas with Penstemon - Beardtongues


GAP Photos/Friedrich Strauss

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.

Garden Information

Hardiness 6 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage , Traditional Garden

Get Garden Design Ideas


Great Plant Combination Ideas with Aster Great Plant Combination Ideas with Calamagrostis - Reed Grass Great Plant Combination Ideas with Penstemon - Beardtongues


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Penstemon 'George Home' (Beardtongue)
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Aster x frikartii 'Monch' (Frikart's Aster)
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Aster novae-angliae 'Rosa Sieger' (New England Asters)
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Aster novae-angliae 'Violetta' (New England Asters)
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Aster novae-angliae 'Lou Williams' (New England Asters)
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Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass)
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