Helenium autumnale ‘Kanaria’ – A beautiful cultivar of Sneezeweed or Helen’s Flower with pure canary yellow single daisies borne in late summer. It blooms for about 6 weeks and prefers a full sun exposure with even soil moisture (but not wet). ‘Kanaria’ makes a good cut flower and is best placed at the back of the herbaceous border. Grows 3-4′ high by 2′ wide. Zone 4.

Schizostylis coccinea ‘Oregon Sunset’ (syn. Hesperantha coccinea) – One of the better varieties of Crimson Flag which features 1″ wide coral-red starry blooms (that are lighter in the center) from late summer into autumn. They make long-lived cut flowers and are borne over evergreen gladiola-like foliage. Moist to wet soils. Grows 18-24″ high by 12″ wide. Hardy to zone 7.

Crocosmia ‘Sunglow’ – A perennial bulb or corm that lives up to its name with spikes of brilliant bright apricot-yellow flowers emerging from pale orange buds from mid to late summer. These last for about a week as a cut flower and are borne over bright green iris-like foliage. It is quite floriferous and needs division every 3-4 years. Grows 3-4′ high by 18″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Sedum ‘Raspberry Truffle’ – A Terra Nova introduction (part of the Candy Series) with scalloped reddish-purple foliage that really stands out in the garden. The rose-pink flower clusters are borne from late July to September, just when the rest of the garden is fading in the heat. It is an herbaceous perennial but still has some dormant appeal. Grows 10-12″ high by 12″ wide. Zone 4.

Helianthus x multiflorus ‘Loddon Gold’ – This perennial Sunflower is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner with large fully double deep yellow blooms that resemble dahlias somewhat. The dark green foliage is an excellent foil for the flowers, which make good cuts for the vase. If your soil is too rich you may have to stake this tall perennial. Grows 4-5′ high by 2-3′ wide. Hardy to zone 4.