Perennial Plants for Cold Climates
Perennials for Northern Zones 3 or 4
A frequent frustration of gardeners in cold northern zone climates is hearing about perennial plants that their Southern neighbors enjoy. What plants will survive zone 3?
In a special tribute to our cold climate gardeners here are some fabulous perennials that will grow quickly in the shorter growing season of northern climates, and survive the cold, harsh winters. All the following perennial plants are hardy to zone 3 or 4.
Yarrow (Achillea spp.) - A great low-maintenance perennial plant whose summer flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial insects, the yarrow is a favorite flowering plant of many northern gardeners. New yarrow flower colors are becoming widely available now so while the species form is a bright yellow, you can now find yarrow flowers in bi-colors, red, or white. Achillea tolerates the humid conditions of the south, and the cold northern winters, making it a versatile plant choice for any garden.
Buglewood (Ajuga spp.) - This winter hardy perennial makes an excellent evergreen ground cover and does well in shade gardens, or in mixed borders as an under planting for larger shrubs and perennials. Ajuga cultivars are available with colored foliage to provide year round interest. Lavender blue flowers on 6” spikes provide a spring interest as well.
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) – While the hybrid forms are not typically hardy to zone 4 there are several native varieties that will survive harsh winters to enchant northern gardeners with their unusual flowers, and attractive seed heads, each year.
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) – A great shade perennial with broad glossy leaves, attractive flowers and stunning seed heads of bright red berries on taller flower stalks. Wild ginger will even do well in wet shade situations that can be difficult to find plants for and of course, survive cold northern winters to enchant gardeners in cold climates year after year.
Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla) – Also called False-Forget-Me-Not because of the forget-me-not like blue flowers that appear each spring. The plant is typically grown for the shapely variegated leaves. Large, heart-shaped leaves and finely etched silver coloration makes this cold-hardy perennial an amazing addition to any shade garden.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spp.) - Popular as a cottage garden plant for shade or under story plant, this graceful plant is hardy in cold climates. Cultivars are available with white flowers, in addition to the typical pink, heart shaped flowers that dangle gracefully from the long arching flower stalks. Fine-cut foliage only adds to this plants charming appeal.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) - Although often called Purple Coneflower, the Echinacea plant has been a favorite of hybridizers recently who have produced and astonishing variety of colors and sizes to choose from. Hardy to zone 3, these perennials produce daisy like flowers in purple, pink, white, green or creamy orange, are drought tolerant and attract butterflies to the garden.
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) – So many hybrids exist that it is entirely possible for a gardener to have a garden dedicated solely to daylilies and never reach the end of possibilities. These medium-sized perennial plants bloom for weeks in the summer and produce a multitude of flower buds that each bloom for a single day before dieing. The daylily is an easy plant for amateur hybridizers to start with but are also popular for cold climate, northern .
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – An extremely hardy perennial plant, cardinal flower lobelia should not be confused with the annual forms. Lobelia prefers wet soil and sunny areas in the colder north climates, but part shade in the south. See more details about growing cardinal flowers.
Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale) – Despite the delicate, thin-petaled look of the flowers, the oriental poppy is a hardy perennial plant that will provide cold climate gardeners with joy year after year. The bold colored, cup-shaped flowers appear each spring through early summer and are available in a wide variety of colors. Generally they don't do well in hot, humid summers south of zone 7, but are excellent performers in cold, northern climates.
