Marking the end of summer with its sprays of bright yellow flowers, Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' (Rough Goldenrod) is a clump-forming perennial that provides a bold splash of color in the late season garden. Blooming for weeks from late summer to late fall, this eye-catching beauty features arching flower panicles that resemble fireworks cascading off the plant. They are a great source of nectar and pollen, attracting various species of insects, including small bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, skippers, and beetles. The fine-textured leaves emerge burgundy in spring and change to dark green in summer. Ornamental throughout the season, Fireworks is subject to less spreading than the species, and can be mixed with other perennials without fear of it becoming invasive.

spectacular New England Aster variety, 'Violetta' (Aster novae-angliae) features masses of rich violet-purple daisy-like flowers with golden yellow center disks, which can fully cover the plant. 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 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and 3 ft. wide (90 cm). This tall New England Aster may need staking. Deer and rabbit resistant!

Award-winning Rudbeckia triloba is a biennial or short-lived perennial which produces masses of rich golden yellow flowers, 1-2 in. across (2-5 cm) from mid-summer to frost, no matter what the weather is like. Each flower has 6-12 ray-like petals surrounding a dark chocolate central cone, providing fantastic and long-lasting color in the summer garden. Its basal rosette of three-lobed leaves persists through the winter, creating an attractive winter ground cover. Extremely easy to grow, this plant may naturalize easily and remain in the garden thanks to its ability to freely self-seed.