Flowering annuals provide a palette of eye catching color that only gets better as the summer progresses, with peak bloom occurring in early to mid August. Come September though, many of our favorites, such as petunias, can look a bit worn and stressed out - when flowering is less profuse, growth is scraggly, and damage from insects and disease becomes more evident [1].

To get around this situation, consider incorporating in your garden plan annuals that continue to flower well, even when nights are cooler and days are shorter. Some examples include blue salvia 'Victoria' and a new pink salvia 'Cherry Blossom', both of which are perennials in zones south of our growing area. Additionally, there is Melapodium 'Showstar'; a tall flowering tobacco [2] or Nicotiana sylvestris; the popular edging plant allyssum; the sometimes perennial Dusty miller that will come back the following year if the winter is mild; and the tall ageratum 'Blue Horizon'. These plants in addition to the fall perennial standbys of mums, asters, and Autumn Joy sedum, as well as the changing foliage colors can provide a smashing conclusion to the garden season.

A good way to get ideas of other late summer performers is to take some time in mid September and visit gardens in your area, carefully observing which varieties are still exhibiting a good display.