In Perennial Garden Color , author William Welch lists autumn aster as the one reliable aster he's found for the Gulf South. It appears that this plant is actually Aster oblongifolius . 2-footer has delicate, almost ferny foliage and flowers here for several weeks in September. Grasses like Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' star in the fall garden. The long-lasting seed plumes rise 2 feet above the four foot clump.
Leaves have a narrow white stripe down the middle.
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'. All of these prefer sun and are hardy except for 'Rubrum', which needs protection from frost. One way to overcome this is to plant for colorful fall foliage. We may never rival the seasonal display of regions like New England, but fine effects are possible. The deep yellow fall foliage of crepe myrtles can be beautiful.