Plants for Late-Season Interest
As summer draws to a close and blossoms begin to fade, it’s important to rely on plants that bring late-season color and texture to borders and beds. Our perennial favorites - Anemones, Asters, Ornamental Grasses, Chrysanthemums, Sedums, and Symphyotrichums - are among the autumn and winter stars of the garden, joined by shrubs such as Viburnums, Aronias, and Winterberries. Every garden needs a sampling of these easy-care plants to maximize the season of bloom and carry the garden and landscape into autumn and beyond with colorful fall foliage, vivid bark, berries, and decorative seedpods. Many of these plants also provide essential nourishment for pollinators at critical stages, and fuel for migrating or overwintering birds.
A quick word about tongue-twisting Symphyotrichums: Horticulturally speaking, these plants had, until recently, been classified with Asters. While the classification for the genus has split into several different genera, these plants, still commonly referred to as “Asters,” provide the same outstanding late season color and sustenance for pollinators and birds as they always have.
