Perennials for Minnesota & Wisconsin

Minnesota and Wisconsin have climates that yield cold, harsh winters and hot summers. Gardeners need cold-hardy perennials that withstand extreme weather systems that travel through this region, bringing thunderstorms, high winds and tornadoes.

Plant Hardiness

The United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone map classifies regions by the average minimum annual temperatures. The map indicates that Minnesota ranges from zone 2 (-50 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit) to zone 4 (-30 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit). Wisconsin extends from zone 2 to zone 5 (-20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit).

Types

Cold-hardy perennials include the dwarf Dutch iris (Iris reticulate), daylilies (Hemerocallis) and peonies (Paeonia). The dwarf Dutch iris grows to be 4 to 6 inches in height and blossoms in early spring. Daylilies are 1 to 4 feet tall with May-through-July flowers. Peonies are showy flowers that bloom in the spring with long-lasting foliage.

Growing Conditions

Perennials need soil conditioning for the first 10 to 12 inches of soil in the flower bed. Mixing fertilizer and compost into the flower bed boosts the health of the plants. In the fall, perennials require pruning and mulching of wood chips, leaves and pine straw to help insulate perennial roots from the harsh winters.

References

• United States National Arboretum: United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• University of Florida Extension: Perennial Gardening in Florida
• University of Minnesota Extension: Iris
• University of Minnesota Extension: Daylily
• University of Minnesota Extension: Planting Peonies