By Doug Jimerson

Late summer is a fantastic time to give your landscape new life. See how to brighten up your outdoor spaces with these colorful perennials. 

Late-Blooming Perennials Add Color 

Add late-blooming perennial flowers to your garden now to help carry the color show forward through fall. Top picks include: 

 

• New England aster
• Sedum
• Russian sage
• Hyssop 
• Black-eyed Susan
• Daylily
• Butterfly bush
• Phlox 

Ornamental Grasses Add Structure 

Ornamental grasses are also ideal candidates for late-season planting. These airy beauties are at their best at this time of year as they send up spectacular flower spikes that you can leave in place all winter long. Some top grasses include:

•   Switch grass 
•   Fountain grass 
•   Muhly grass
•   Maiden grass

Groundcovers Solve Problems 

Perk up a hard-to-plant location with groundcovers. These low-growing charmers are a snap to grow, and, over time, spread and beautify barren areas of your yard. For quick-coverage results, plant ground covers 6 to 10 inches apart. Top groundcovers include:

• Hens-and-chicks
• Creeping phlox
• Creeping sedum
• Ice plant
• Mondo grass

Plan for Your Location 

Read the plant label before you buy any plant. If your garden is sunny, look for plants listed for that environment. Sun lovers prefer a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. If there's less light than that, consider perennials that prefer or tolerate partial sun, instead.   

Water, Mulch, and Enjoy 

Once your perennials are in the ground, water them every few days -- especially if the weather is hot and dry. Spread a thick mulch of shredded bark around the base of your new plantings to help keep them hydrated while they get adjusted to their new home. Otherwise, all you need to do is plant, water, and enjoy.