Best perennials for Metrowest, MA zones 5-6?
Posted on Jul 11, 2009 under Best Perennials | 3 CommentsI want to start a perennial garden in a area of zones 5-6. I want longblooming, hearty perennials. The area is generally full sun to part-shade. Any suggestions?
You are in a lovely temperate range that should support many old favorite perennials. I have no experience with the specifics of East Coast gardening since I’m from the Midwest but I have done alot of reading ( and planting) and going purely off the hardiness map I think a number of the following old reliables will probably thrive for you. They are all cheerfully low maintenance, to the extent that can ever be said about gardening. Most will spread or self sow or both. You would do well to get a nice perennial book. I recommend The Rodale Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perrennials. It is packed with all sorts of useful information in a very useable format. A list of plant suggestions follows;
Tall Garden Phlox
Rudbeckia (Brown Eyed Susan)
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Shasta Daisy
Monarda (Bee Balm or Bergamot)
Asters
Campanula
Platycodon (Balloon flower)
Daylily
Hybrid Lilies
Mallow
Sedum
Russian Sage
Salvia
Hollyhocks
Joe Pye weed
Columbine
Astilbe
Tiarella
Iris
Bleeding Heart
Hosta Lily
Peony
Rose
Honeysuckle
Clematis
Wisteria
Azalea
Ferns
I’m sure there are many more and this is an eclectic yet incomplete list. I really recommend a good book for researching light and other requirements. Still these are simple and sturdy plants and this is something to start dreaming on. Have a wonderful time. I love a new garden!
July 12th, 2009 at 4:51 am
cannas are the best perennials with just lots of sun and plant food. does very well in bogs. all you have to do is after first frost and they look dead cut them back and bring the bulbs inside.
also a great perenial is the Musa Basjoo banana. this is a lovely 14 foot banana which is cold hardy to -20 degrees with mulch and plastic on trunk and -5 with mulch. afterfirst frost the palnt will die to the ground and in the spring will come back up. if you want a larger plant next summer put plastic on the trunk so not the entire trunk thurns gray. then in the spring new leaves will emerge from the green stalk
References :
July 12th, 2009 at 5:06 am
for the best answer to your question call your local County Cooperative Extension Service. Ask for the horticulturist or master gardeners. The extension office should have a list of hardy plants for your area. The answers will be based on sound research and plants currently growing in your area.
References :
July 12th, 2009 at 5:31 am
You are in a lovely temperate range that should support many old favorite perennials. I have no experience with the specifics of East Coast gardening since I’m from the Midwest but I have done alot of reading ( and planting) and going purely off the hardiness map I think a number of the following old reliables will probably thrive for you. They are all cheerfully low maintenance, to the extent that can ever be said about gardening. Most will spread or self sow or both. You would do well to get a nice perennial book. I recommend The Rodale Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perrennials. It is packed with all sorts of useful information in a very useable format. A list of plant suggestions follows;
Tall Garden Phlox
Rudbeckia (Brown Eyed Susan)
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Shasta Daisy
Monarda (Bee Balm or Bergamot)
Asters
Campanula
Platycodon (Balloon flower)
Daylily
Hybrid Lilies
Mallow
Sedum
Russian Sage
Salvia
Hollyhocks
Joe Pye weed
Columbine
Astilbe
Tiarella
Iris
Bleeding Heart
Hosta Lily
Peony
Rose
Honeysuckle
Clematis
Wisteria
Azalea
Ferns
I’m sure there are many more and this is an eclectic yet incomplete list. I really recommend a good book for researching light and other requirements. Still these are simple and sturdy plants and this is something to start dreaming on. Have a wonderful time. I love a new garden!
References :