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" [image id=&amp;quot;1994&amp;quot; loc=&amp;quot;L&amp;quot; caption=&amp;quot; Don&amp;#039;t let your garden fade away after Labor Day. Try this simple plan, which features low-maintenance shrubs and perennials to provide late-season interest in Zones 5 to 8.  Don&amp;#039;t let your garden poop out after Labor Day. Try this simple plan, which features low-maintenance shrubs and perennials to provide late-season interest in Zones 5 to 8. The beds, backed by a six- to eight-foot wall, fence or hedge, flank a grass path spanned by a wooden arbor; substitute other surfaces or arches that appeal to you. A sunny or partly sunny spot with average, well-drained soil is ideal; if soil is poor, amend it with compost or other organic matter during the preparation. At spring cleanup time, fertilize lightly with a balanced fertilizer. An organic mulch, such as shredded leaves, will help to retain moisture and discourage weeds during the growing season. For color early in the year, underplant with spring-blooming bulbs. Colorful annuals planted between the shrubs and perennials will highlight the area in summer. Key to Plan1. Sweet Autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) 1 plant that vines to 25 feet or more; masses of delicate, fragrant white flowers in fall; prune to 2 inches above the ground every 2 to 3 years.  2. Clematis orientalis 1 plant that vines to 25 feet or more; waxy, bright yellow 1-inch flowers in late summer, followed by an attractive profusion of silver-tailed seed clusters; prune as above.   3. Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) 2 plants planted singly; 3 to 4 feet tall; fluffy white flowers in spring; spectacular yellow and orange fall color; pruning is seldom required. 4. Purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) 2 plants planted singly; 4 to 5 feet tall; clusters of violet berries in the leaf axils; blooms best on young wood; prune in early spring.   5. Blue leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) 2 groups of 3 plants spaced 15 to 18 inches apart; 9 to 12 inches tall; bronzy green foliage turns dark red in cold weather; brilliant blue 1-inch funnel-shaped flowers above reddish bracts.   6. Variegated lilyturf (Liriope muscari &amp;#039;Variegata&amp;#039;) 2 groups of 3 plants spaced 15 to 18inches apart; 12 to 15 inches tall; slender spikes of tiny purple flowers; 1\u20442-inch-wide strap-shaped foliage edged with yellow is striking through the winter.   7. Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) 2 groups of 3 plants, planted 15 to 18 inches apart; 2 to 3 feet tall; showy clusters of pink flowers top arching canelike stems; handsome angel-wing leaves boast a striking reddish reverse.  8. Allium thunbergii &amp;#039;Ozawa&amp;#039; 4 groups of 3 plants spaced 12 to 15 inches apart; 1 foot tall; heads of wine red flowers appear above clumps of grassy foliage very late in the season.  9. Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) 2 groups of 7 plants spaced 18 to 24 inches apart; 3 to 5 feet tall; graceful upright clumps of fronds that turn yellow and orange in fall. Garden plans courtesy of Country Living Gardener lllustration by Michelle Buchard "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/a243/fall-appeal-garden-plan/>