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Autumn is a wonderful time in the garden. Cool, crisp air encourages plants toward dormancy; Evergreen foliage yellows and wilts as deciduous trees paint the landscape with a kaleidoscope of colors. As we reluctantly accept the inevitable and begin preparing our gardens for winter, we can ease the transition by planting selections that provide color and excitement this time of year. Many gardeners traditionally start the gardening season with mums (Chrysanthemum spp. and cvs., Zones 5–9), goldenrods (Solitago spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9), and sedums (Hylothelphium spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9). By extension, many crave something else. Fortunately, there are many unusual, lesser-known fall-blooming perennials that offer gardeners wonderful opportunities to create dynamic, late-season displays. 1. 'Osawa' Allium (Allium thunbergii 'Osawa') Alliums generally make wonderful contributions to spring and summer beds and borders. Stunning globes in shades of pink, purple

 Create a covered container garden  While brightly colored flowers in containers are always eye-catching, darker colored plants and containers can be stunning. Choosing a dark-hued planter instantly gives a sleek, modern feel to a container garden, but filling it with equally bold red, purple or bronze plants really makes an impact. Here are the best thrillers, fillers and spillers for dark containers, and some of our favorite ways to mix and match these plants to create the perfect mood for fall or any time of year. Purple basil The dark colored leaves of purple basil are ornamental and edible (with a clove-like flavor). Place purple basil plants in full sun, making sure the soil is moist but well-drained. 'Red Star' Cordyline 'Red Star' Cordyline has deep red leaves that are 6 feet or more tall. But, in smaller containers, the fountain-like leaves are a bit shorter. This thriller plant requires full sun and is a low-maintenance plant suitable for temperat