Growing Flowers in Zone 7
Although it isn’t an everyday occurrence, winters in zone 7 can be as cold as 0 to 10 degrees F. (-18 to -12 C.), so it’s important to keep this possibility in mind when selecting flowers for zone 7. While USDA hardiness zones provide a helpful guideline for gardeners, also bear in mind that it isn’t a perfect system and doesn’t consider a number of factors that affect the survivability of your plants. For example, hardiness zones don’t consider snowfall, which provides a protective cover for zone 7 perennial flowers and plants. The mapping system also doesn’t provide information about the frequency of winter freeze-thaw cycles in your area. Also, it is left up to you to consider the drainage capability of your soil, especially during cold weather when wet, soggy soil can present a real danger to plant roots.
Zone 7 Annuals
Annuals are plants that complete an entire lifecycle in a single season. There are hundreds of annuals suitable for growing in zone 7, as the growing system is relatively long and summers aren’t punishing. In fact, nearly any annual can successfully be grown in zone 7. Here are a few of the most popular zone 7 annuals, along with their sunlight requirements:
Marigolds (full sun) Ageratum (partial or full sun) Lantana (sun) Impatiens (shade) Gazania (sun) Nasturtium (sun) Sunflower (sun) Zinnia (sun) Coleus (shade) Petunia (partial or full sun) Nicotiana/flowering tobacco (sun) Bacopa (partial or full sun) Sweet pea (sun) Moss rose/Portulaca (sun) Heliotrope (sun) Lobelia (partial or full sun) Celosia (sun) Geranium (sun) Snapdragon (partial or full sun) Bachelor’s button (sun) Calendula (partial or full sun) Begonia (part sun or shade) Cosmos (sun)
Zone 7 Perennial Flowers
Perennials are plants that return year after year, and many perennial plants must be divided occasionally as they spread and multiply. Here are a few of the all-time favorite zone 7 perennial flowers:
Black-eyed Susan (partial or full sun) Four O’clock (partial or full sun) Hosta (shade) Salvia (sun) Butterfly weed (sun) Shasta daisy (partial or full sun) Lavender (sun) Bleeding heart (shade or partial sun) Hollyhock (sun) Phlox (partial or full sun) Chrysanthemum (partial or full sun) Bee balm (partial or full sun) Aster (sun) Painted daisy (partial or full sun) Clematis (partial or full sun) Basket of gold (sun) Iris (partial or full sun) Candytuft (sun) Columbine (partial or full sun) Coneflower/Echinacea (sun) Dianthus (partial or full sun) Peony (partial or full sun) Forget-me-not (partial or full sun) Penstemon (partial or full sun)
