Hydrangea anomala (Climbing Hydrangeas)

White, lacy, hand-sized blooms adorn this thick and lush climbing vine. The old adage "first they sleep, then they creep, then they leap" definitely applies here; it takes several years for a climbing hydrangea to get established, but once that’s taken care of, Hydrangea anomala will grow quickly and can reach up to 50 (yes, you read that right!) feet tall.

Climbing hydrangeas cling to their building of choice quite vigorously with small rootlets and like sun, but are content with a fair amount of shade.

Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangeas)

"Smooth" or "wild" hydrangeas tend to grow to 4-5 feet high and sport gorgeous profusions of large pompom or lacy blooms, making them a wildly popular choice for privacy plantings, borders, or focal points in the garden. These shrubs grow extremely quickly and can actually be cut back almost all the way to the ground each winter, but don’t require shaping or deadheading during the growing season.

Interestingly, these hydrangeas do not react to the pH in the soil by changing the color of their blooms like many other hydrangea varieties. Smooth hydrangeas always have greenish-white or bright white blooms that fade to a sepia-toned brown by fall and make gorgeous cut fresh or dried flowers.

Common cultivars include 'Incrediball,' 'Annabelle,' 'Invincibelle Wee White,' and 'Invincibelle Limetta.'

Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangeas)

Bigleaf Hydrangeas tend to grow in a rounded manner, and can grow from 3-6 feet tall, with large leaves that are serrated and sort of oval. People love these because of their summer blooms, which last a long time, and can be either “lacecap” – with flattened flower clusters, or “mophead,” with globe shaped flower heads. If you plant this hydrangea in alkaline soil, you’ll get a plant with pink flowers. If you plant it in acid soil (or add acidifier to the soil, which is easy to do – just add a few cups to the soil periodically), you’ll get blue flowers. Tip: If the flower color of newly opened flowers is either blue, purple or pink then you have a Macrophylla type. If the flower buds open a green color, then turn white, and as they age turn green or greenish brown, you have an Arborescens type.

Common cultivars include 'Endless Summer', 'Endless Summer Crush,' and 'Blushing Bride.'

Hydrangea paniculata (Panicled Hydrangeas)

Panicled Hydrangeas tend to be larger than bigleaf or smooth hydrangea and some can grow to 15 feet tall if you don’t prune them, though there are varieties for every size, including awesome dwarfs like 'Bobo,' and 'Little Lime.' Unlike the flowers of big leaf hydrangea (above), these blooms are not round ball-shaped – but instead, are more cone shaped. The flowers have a distinctive, very different look than the round ones.

Examples of paniculata hydrangeas include 'Lime Light,' 'Quick Fire,' and 'Vanilla Strawberry.'

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangeas)

Anemone

This beautiful, dainty plant is commonly called Windflower for the way her flowers tend to bob and dance in the breeze. Anemones come in a wide variety of sizes and bloom in a wide range of colors with contrasting centers (some varieties in spring; others in fall). Anemone’s blooms hover on thin stems over her neatly-mounded leaves, giving her the delicate air of a well-dressed aristocrat.

Anemone prefers partial shade and well-drained soil, but isn’t overly picky and is quite easy to grow. She spreads easily, so choose your plant’s home wisely and she’ll reward you with a happily-dancing carpet of gorgeous blooms.

Reasons to want this plant:
Deer and rabbit resistant
Thrive in partial shade
Make beautiful cut flowers
Attract pollinators

Aster

Asters are wonderful additions to a fall garden, with daisy-like flowers that bloom reliably in late-summer and early-fall. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes -- pick from white, pastel blues and pinks, and even purple and scarlet. Best of all, they are easy to grow and will be predictable in the way they bloom for you. Overall, Asters are a very agreeable plant and one that makes a lot of sense to bring to your garden party.

Reasons to want this plant:
Deer resistant
Attract pollinators due to their bright colors.
Disease resistant

Rudbeckia

If August had a spokesplant, Black-Eyed Susan would be it. Hardy green mounds of foliage are crowned with domes of striking yellow rays surrounding contrasting black centers. Just looking at a warm golden sea of these flowers feels like sunbathing for your soul.

Rudbeckia is as hardy as she is pretty, and this plant can grow quite large in the right spot. She prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, can survive all but the driest of droughts, and attracts pollinators like crazy with her highly-contrasted blooms.

Black-Eyed Susan does not like to get her toes wet and is prone to powdery mildew in areas with low air circulation, so drier conditions are better for this beauty.

Reasons to want this plant:
Attracts pollinators
Thrives in full sun to part shade
Drought-resistant

Ironweed

This statement plant is named for its tough stem and persistence to survive. She makes a great addition to a fall garden with her fantastic height. Intensely purple flowers, add a prominent focal point and also attract butterflies and bees. The best thing about Ironweed is its flexibility -- while it grows naturally in moist conditions (even where it sometimes floods), it can handle regular soil as well. Want the same great pollinator attraction and mass of flowers but not the height? Plant the shorter varieties for the same WOW!

Reasons to want this plant:
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts pollinators
Thrives in full sun

Sedum

This diversified group of plants has one thing in common: all sedums are succulents, meaning they store water in their leaves. This gives their colorful foliage a plump, shiny look that provides a unique contrast in the garden, in planters, or along stone walls and walkways. The genus can be loosely split into three groups: upright Border Sedums, low-growing Creeping, and Trailing Sedums.

There’s a moment in the garden when most plants have died back and things start to look a bit bleak, usually right around Halloween. This is Border Sedum’s finest hour. These Sedums begin blooming in August and certainly hold their own during the peak of any late-summer garden, but these plants can withstand very cold temps and look good doing it, which makes them an amazing addition on those dark November days. Border Sedum’s deep purple, emerald green, warm gold, and even hot pink foliage is truly stunning before, during, and after these plants bloom.

Low-growing Creeping and Trailing varieties of Sedums come in a huge array of shapes, sizes, and growing habits; some spread slowly, some are quite invasive, and some fit cozily into any little nook or crevice they can find and stay there quite happily. Most low-growing sedums do bloom, though some varieties have relatively muted blooms and are better known for their striking leaf shapes, colors, and designs. These Sedums are little gems scattered about the garden - rich jewel-toned gifts in surprising, geometric patterns.

Reasons to want this plant:
Late season color
Unique shapes provide high contrast
Huge variety
Drought-tolerant (they store water in their leaves!)
Low maintenance

Grasses

Grasses are a great addition to a garden, especially as they are four-season elements. Consider using them instead of evergreens in places where you want a more interesting texture. There are many varieties of grasses: the arching forms provide a delicate, graceful element and the more upright grasses can provide a more bold statement.

One favorite small grass -- and truly an evergreen one -- is Blue Fescue. It has chalky blue blades, and does best in full sun. It looks great paired with roses or other blooming perennials. It grows to be about 2' by 1.5'. Best of all, this grass stays blue even in the winter.