5 Hardy Perennials For Zones 3–9
Hardy perennials are plants that can withstand almost any temperature — even super cold winters — and come back every year without you having to worry about replanting them.
And many of them can thrive in almost any hardiness zone in the United States. Unless you live in Alaska or the southern tips of Florida and Texas, you most likely fall within zones 3 through 9. With that in mind, we put together a list of five hardy perennials that will thrive in these zones, all of which are sold at our TN nursery. Here’s what you need to know:
Daylily plants are popular with gardeners and homeowners everywhere because they’re easy to plant, maintain, grow and bloom in almost any condition. In other words, you don’t have to have a green thumb to care for them. Many people even plant them and forget about them.
They come in various colors, and bugs don’t like them. Another reason gardeners and homeowners love daylily plants is that they can bloom from spring through fall, depending on the type you plant.
Many people use daylilies as part of their landscaping. They look great around borders, fences, and walkways. Because the foliage part of the daylily is so thick, they often keep weeds away once they’re established.
Daylilies need a sunny spot to grow, and while they tolerate drought conditions, they prefer moist soil that drains well. Give your young plants a good layer of mulch in late fall to help protect them through the winter.
You can’t go wrong with black-eyed Susans if you want to attract bees and butterflies to your yard or garden. These beautiful perennials often grow wild in fields across the United States and are native to North America. They can grow up to three feet tall with blooms up to three inches in diameter.
You can grow black-eyed Susans in your cut garden, make them part of your landscaping, or even grow them in containers. The gorgeous yellow flowers typically bloom from late spring through mid-fall, depending on your hardiness zone.
The flowers prefer moist, well-draining soil and enjoy sunny spots, though they’ll grow in partial shade. While they prefer rich soil, they aren’t too particular about where you plant them.
3. Daffodils
The sight of bright yellow daffodils blooming is often thought of as one of the first signs that spring has sprung across the United States. They’re bright and sunny and a joy to plant throughout your yard. Remember that you must plant your bulbs in late fall to enjoy their blooms in late winter or early spring.
You may find that you want to plant your daffodil bulbs in groves or woodland areas, as they are gorgeous growing amongst trees and shrubs. But you can also grow them in your landscaping or even in containers. Remember that they don’t bloom during the summer and fall. They also bloom where they’re planted. Unlike perennials, a daffodil bulb won’t spread too far from its original spot. A single bulb will produce daughter plants, but they typically grow next to the original in compact groups.
Daffodils grow best in sunny spots, though they will tolerate some shade. They like well-draining soil that is moist but not overly saturated. Too much water could lead to rotting bulbs. You may want to add a sprinkle of fertilizer to the hole when you first plant your bulbs, but after that, they need very little maintenance and will typically return each year without any effort.
4. Daisy Plants
Classic daisy plants, like the Shasta daisy, are also super easy to maintain and versatile. Scatter them in a field where they can grow like wildflowers or use them to fill your flower beds. They’re popular in cut gardens; you can even plant them in containers. Many gardeners enjoy them because they fill in the gap between spring and summer flowers, blooming in late spring through early to mid-summer.
Daisies are easy to grow and a great flower to start with if you’re new to planting. They don’t require rich soil or regular fertilizing. They want a sunny spot to grow and soil that drains well. They’ll re-seed yearly, so you don’t have to worry about replanting.
Last but not least is the English ivy plant, an evergreen perennial that serves many purposes in gardens and home landscaping. You can grow it as ground cover or allow it to climb up fences, posts, and other structures. It even grows well in containers. While many people plant it for its beauty, some use it to prevent erosion or stop weeds. Remember that it grows fast, so you may need to keep it pruned in certain areas.
The English ivy plant prefers a shady spot and won’t grow well when exposed to too much sun. It prefers well-drained soil, but it will grow in almost any type of dirt — as long as it isn’t overly saturated. However, it does like humidity.
Find all these hardy perennials and everything else you need to complete your garden or landscaping at our TN nursery.
