Aconitum carmichaelii (monkshood)

is a purple-blue-flowering, 5-foot, statuesque plant that will bring drama and color to the late-autumn garden. Bright green divided foliage is another attraction of this stately perennial.

Agastache barberi (anise hyssop)

is a very fragrant, 1½- to 2-foot bushy plant with feathery blue-green foliage and tiny tubular flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds. Flower color can be red or coral-purple. The leaves emit a wonderful minty anise scent when touched.

 Artemisia lactiflora 'Guizo' (white mugwort)

will make you rethink your idea of artemisias as being all silver-foliaged with inconspicuous flowers. This variety is 4 feet tall, with bright green foliage and white attractive flowers — perfect for the back of a sunny border.

Aster divaricatus (white wood aster)

is a good choice for gardeners who have had bad luck with asters. This 1- to 2-footer is covered with small daisylike flowers for months in the late season. Pinch growing tips during early months to promote a dense, floriferous habit.

Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black' (calico aster)

satisfies the need for delicate burgundy foliage and masses of the palest pink flowers. Plants are multibranching 3-footers.

Cimicifuga racemosa 'Hillside Black Beauty' (snakeroot)

continues to be the connoisseur shade gardener's choice with finely divided, dark purple foliage, sweetly fragrant, white, bottlebrush flowers, and a towering presence at 5 to 6 feet.

Dendranthema 'Sheffield' (chrysanthemum)

adds a delicate new color to the fall palette. Flowers are small and single, tinged apricot-pink, and borne on 3-foot plants. Pinch chrysanthemums weekly early in the season to promote stocky growth. Mulch new plants over winter.

Echinops sphaerocephalus 'Arctic Glow' (thistle)

is a departure from the classic blue ball thistle. These spiny flowers bloom white on 2½-foot stems. Texture and shape of flowers contrast with other plants.

Helenium 'Copelia' (sneezeweed)

is a gorgeous autumn copper. Small, raylike flowers with darker centers bloom for weeks on sturdy 3-foot plants.

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Hylotelephium 'Bertram Anderson' (stonecrop)

combines dark burgundy fleshy leaves with late-blooming maroon flowers. This plant pairs beautifully with light green or blue-green sedums.

Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Little Spire' (Russian sage)

is the right choice for gardeners who love the lacy, gray foliage and lavender spires of the tall Russian sage, but want a shorter plant. 'Little Spire' is only 2 feet but has all the attributes of the taller version.

Salvia koyamae (meadow sage)

is a new twist on a perennial favorite. This species blooms late in the season with soft yellow, tubular flowers. Clumping foliage is heart-shaped and plant performs well in part shade.

Tricyrtis hirta 'Miyazaki' and 'Miyazaki Gold' (toad lily)

are two recommended cultivars of this shade- and moisture-loving plant. What a surprise to have delicate, pink-with-purple-spotted, orchidlike flowers in the fall! Attractive, arching green foliage has yellow margins in the Miyazaki gold plants.