Who said only trees and shrubs get to turn color in the fall?

Some perennials get into the act, too, with colorful fall foliage.  These plants really earn their keep in the garden—they also have blooms earlier in the year!

The undisputed queen of perennials that turn color in fall is Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrictii).  Its pale, steely blue flowers in spring are lovely, but the reason this plant has become a darling of landscape designers is because its feathery, soft foliage turns as gold as any ginkgo tree in autumn.  The color can last for a solid month.

The closely related Amsonia tabernaemontana colors up, too, though not as consistently or for as long.  Its acid-washed denim blue flowers are more substantial, however.  Both plants are easy to grow, drought tolerant, and have no notable enemies.