Hardy Perennials for Zone Five
Gardeners in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 5 must be selective in choosing perennials. Temperatures in this zone drop to minus 20 degrees F in the winter. If you live in this zone, select hardy perennials according to the plant's lighting needs, bloom time, flower color and your potential usage. Does this Spark an idea?
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Bear's Breeches
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Bear's breeches (Acanthus hungaricus) perform well in USDA zone 5 as long, as they are planted in well-drained soils and provided with winter mulch. This herbaceous perennial tolerates partially shady to fully sunny locations. Mature plants form clumps ranging from 3 to 4 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in width. Bear's breeches feature shiny, green leaves and spikes of white to pale-pink flowers in June and July. This low-maintenance plant has few problems, but slugs and snails sometimes feed on the leaves. Use bear's breeches in perennial borders.
Blue Star
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The blue star plant (Amsonia hubrichtii), also called the Arkansas amsonia, features blue, star-shaped flowers in April and May. The feathery, green leaves turn golden yellow in the autumn. Blue stars perform well in USDA zone 5 if planted in well-drained soils with partial shade to full sun. Fully sunny locations lead to better autumn color, but partial shade leads to a longer blooming period. Mature plants form clumps ranging from 2 to 3 feet in both height and spread. This hardy perennial has no serious problems. Mass plant blue stars in rock gardens, cottage gardens or borders.
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Blue False Indigo
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Blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) reaches heights and spreads of up to 4 feet. Spikes of indigo blue to purple flowers appear in May and June followed by black seedpods. The blue-green, cloverlike leaves form mounds beneath the flowers. This hardy perennial prefers well-drained soil receiving full sun but tolerates partially shady positions. Blue false indigo also tolerates poor soil conditions and drought. This hardy perennial has no potentially serious problems, but tall plants need some support. In USDA zone 5, plant blue false indigo in native plant gardens, cottage gardens and naturalized settings.
Cardinal Flower
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Cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) prefer fully sunny locations in the cooler climate of USDA zone 5. These perennials perform best if planted in humus-rich, wet soil. This hardy plant has no serious insect or health problems. Mature plants form clumps ranging from 2 to 4 feet in height and 1 to 2 feet in width. Cardinal flowers bear deep-green, lancelike leaves and flower spikes blooming from July through September. The tubular, cardinal-red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Plant cardinal flowers along swamps, ponds, springs or streams.
Black-Eyed Susan
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Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida) are hardy perennials blooming from June through October. These flowers feature yellow to orange-yellow, rayed petals surrounding dark purplish-brown central disks. Mature plants reach between 2 and 3 feet in height with spreads of up to 30 inches. USDA zone 5 gardeners should plant black-eyed Susans in well-drained soil with full sun. Mass plant black-eyed Susans in perennial borders, native plant gardens or meadows.
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