By adding some very special fall-blooming perennials, you can make an enormous difference to the whole look and feel of your late summer and early autumn garden.

Because of the recent intense heat, many garden plants are on their way out, but these perennials will look good while tolerating late summer heat and drought, as well as the cool fall evenings and heavy rainfalls.

At the top of my list of favourites are the rudbeckias. The perennial varieties provide yeoman service at this time of year, and now it is their opportunity to shine. Perhaps one of the finest of all the rudbeckias is the truly hardy variety, R. Goldsturm. Growing about two feet high with deep golden petals surrounding a dark brown button, Goldsturm just keeps pouring out the colour well into October.

Echinacea has been more recently sold as a herb because of its healing properties, but it also has exquisite flowers. Echinacea purpurea is sold as the herbal variety, but pink E. Magnum and the white-flowering White Swan are classy-looking plants that add an unique quality to summer gardens. They last well, even tolerating some frost, and the spent blossoms make interesting dried flowers. You’ll love some of the newer varieties, like the double E. Pink Poodle, Pink Double Delight and Coconut Lime. You’ll also love the new namesake colours of E. Tomato Soup and E. Mac ’n’ Cheese.

In shady spots or in partial sun, perhaps the most elegant of all the late summer perennials are the Japanese anemones. Dwarf or tall, white, pink or dusty rose, these plants are a definite hit at this time of year. The yellow-centred anemone blossoms always have a fresh look about them, and they combine well with so many other perennials or shrubs.

For some early fall tones, add a bit of fire to your flower beds with crocosmias. For years they were called montbretia and sold as tiny bulbs, but today they are usually sold in bud and bloom as perennials. Crocosmias love a hot spot and very well drained soil, and do they ever add spice to our gardens with their fire-orange freesia-type blossoms! Crocosmia Lucifer is an exceptional scarlet red variety from Blooms in England, but don’t ignore a RHS introduction called Solfatare with its golden orange flowers. Emily McKenzie is one of my favourites because of its orange flowers with striking bronze throats.

Lush-looking fall sedums are especially important at this time of year. The succulent foliage of Autumn Joy and Brilliant certainly looks great all summer and never stresses out in drought situations.

Old-fashioned Michaelmas daisies are still great for fall colour.The colour range has also been broadened to include deep reds, vibrant purples, pure whites and interesting pastel shades.

These are some of my tried and true favourites that add fresh new life to late summer gardens.

Brian Minter is a master gardener who operates Minter Gardens in Chilliwack.