For the back of a sunny perennial border consider combining the tall, rosy blooms of Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum) with the feathery plumes of goldenrod (Solidago) and the airy purple flowers of Russian sage (Pervoskia). A pleasing mid-border combination pairs the underused Caryopteris with its gray-green leaves and small tufted blue flowers with the pink flowers of Sedum 'Autumn Joy'. The color begins in mid-August and continues through late September. An added bonus of 'Autumn Joy' is the terra-cotta seed heads that remain as rustic silhouettes against winter skies. For a dramatic long lasting, late season look, try three of my favorite plants: Miscanthus sinesis, a tall arching variegated ornamental grass; the wonderfully fragrant Clematis terniiflora 'Sweet Autumn' and pretty white Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank'.

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'), Helenium autumnale, sometimes called false sunflower or sneezeweed, and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpura) burst with color. The daisy-like flowers of these plants contrast handsomely with their lance shaped leaves. Another traditional favorite with daisy-like flowers is the chrysanthemum. However, a caveat about chrysanthemums--these are not the same hardy mums our grandmothers planted. Improved breeding has developed a vast array of flower shapes, sizes and colors; the trade-off is winter hardiness. Mums are best planted in the spring, but are more readily available in the fall. Because they are shallow rooted, they are susceptible to frost heave. I prefer not to cut perennials back until spring and have found that mums are more likely to make it through the winter with a light covering of evergreen branches as a winter mulch. Both Heleniums and chrysanthemums benefit by being pinched back until the 4th of July to encourage branching and discourage spindly stems.

Plants that look similar to chrysanthemums, but which are less worrisome are New England asters. Two excellent cultivars are the rose colored 'Alma Potschke' and the dark 'Purple Dome'. They make a dazzling display when planted with Black-eyed Susans and (Pennisetum alopecuroides) 'Little Bunny' Fountain grass--which is the only kind of little bunny that I like seeing in my yard! Asters need good air circulation to prevent mildew and should be divided every two years.

So many plants require full sun that it is easy to forget about late bloomers that will thrive in shade. Despite their funny names, Japanese toad lilies (Tricyrtis formosana), turtleheads (Chelone glabra and C. lyonni), and Japanese anemones brighten shady areas in soft pastels of pink and white.

Fall blooming bulbs are another often-overlooked group of flowers. Crocus, including C. speciosus, violet-blue; 'Cassiope' and "Conquerer' light blue; C. kotschhyanus, pale lavender and saffron crocus, C. sativus, soft mauve, bloom from September to late October if frosts are light. Because the plants are only three to six inches tall, they have a greater impact when planted en mass. Just like spring bulbs, fall flowering bulbs look great interplanted with ground cover. Later, fading blooms and foliage are hidden by the ground cover and falling leaves.

Frost tolerant annuals can provide a vibrant punch of color in the garden or in containers. Ornamental cabbages tolerate temperatures of -10 degrees F and have brilliantly colored ruffled leaves in shades of purple, rose, cream, lavender and green. Beautiful companion flowers for ornamental cabbages and flowering kale are pansies. Modern pansies are bigger and stronger than their ancestors, and with a mild winter, good drainage and a light mulch, they might overwinter in our area.

Another terrific annual that lasts until November is the Gazinnia. It not only provides a long season of bloom in shades of orange, red and yellow, but is also tolerant of heat and drought. A real star in the annual bed is Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var, flavorscens). Grown from seed in sun or part shade, Swiss chard's crimson stalks make an impressive statement all the way into December.

And finally, a wonderful old-fashioned flower that wilts with the heat and then revives with cooler nights is the snapdragon. It often re-seeds, bringing years of joy to the gardener.

SOURCES:

Busse Gardens
5873 Oliver Ave. S.W.
Cokato, MN 55321
1-800-544-3192

The Cook's Garden
P.O. Box 535
Londenderry, VT 05148
802--8824-3400

McClure and Zimmerman
P.O. Box 368
Friesland WI 53935
920-326-4220

W. Atlee Burpee and Co.
300 Park Ave.
Warminster, PA 18974
1-800-888-1447