Perennials for Zone 3
If you’re new to perennials, start with the ones you’ll have the most success growing. If you live in a cold, winter climate (Zone 3), these are among the hardiest plants that you can depend on to come back year after year. That’s why they’re so popular!
Be assured that each flowering perennial (for zone 3) in this article is very common. It’s sure to be a staple at your local greenhouse or nursery. Additionally, every perennial on this list is one that grows in my own garden so I personally vouch for it. Perhaps you’ll consider adding one or two of them to your yard or garden this summer.
TIP: always read the info on the plant tag. It tells you the planting zone, and the growing condition the perennial needs. The flower may be pretty, but if you don’t have the right soil and light conditions in your yard, it may not do very well. In some cases, you may have to amend your soil to accommodate certain types of perennials. The plant tag gives you this critical information.
A quick review of Perennials
Perennials areplants that come back year after year. However, they do not bloom continually all summer long. Each one has a very specific bloom cycle and then they’re done. The bloom cycle could be early spring, late spring, mid-summer or late summer. Sometimes this information is included on the back of the plant’s tag.
Each type of perennial has a different way of growing. Some grow by “creeping or crawling” across the ground. They can be slow or fast spreaders. While others grow in a clump and get bushy. Most perennials are sun-loving, and like soil conditions with good drainage. But not all. Some prefer the moist soils of cool shade. Still, others like a little bit of both!
Perennials are generally more expensiveto buy than flowering annuals. The benefit is that a perennial comes back year after year. Most are easily dividable after a few years or produce lots of seed. That means ‘freebies’ to plant elsewhere or to pot up for a friend.
SEE: “How to Shop for Perennials at the Garden Center”
SEE: How to learn your planting zone USDA Map of plant hardiness Zones
List: Hardy Perennials for Zone 3
- Sedum
- Creeping flox
- Creeping thyme
- Columbine
- Delphinium
- Trollius
- Companula (bell flower)
- Jacob’s Ladder
- Potentilla (flowering shrub)
Yellow Sedum
This is a favorite plant for the rock garden. There are many varieties of Sedum that are quite unique in appearance. Most of them are very cold hardy and perfect perennials for zone 3. (Note, a few types of Sedum are better suited for zone 4 or 5.) Always check the tag for the zone.
They grow low to the ground and have masses of flowers. They bloom in late spring/early summer. When done blooming, the foliage retains a nice color and texture for fall. Sedum self-seed profusely. The babies are super easy to pull up and transplant to other parts of the yard or garden, or grow in a pot.
Sedum is easy to care for. It is not prone to attracting insects or plant diseases. Critters don’t tend to munch on it. It’s not easily susceptible to overwatering or under watering either. I can’t say enough how bomb-proof these are!
Creeping Flox
You’ll love flox for its mass of hot pink flowers in early summer. Although some flox produces a pale blue flower. If the plant isn’t in bloom when you buy it, check the tag to ensure you’re getting the color you want.
Flox is a low growing creeper for full sun. When in bloom, it looks especially nice if it’s tumbling over a boulder or a stone wall. Its needle-like foliage stays green and still provides interest in the garden even after it’s completed its bloom cycle.
Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme is valued as a ground cover. It’s used between stepping stones because you can walk on it without damaging it. It’s soft, cushion-like foliage releases an aroma of thyme into the air when you brush past it.
Thyme produces tiny little white or pink flowers (depending on the variety you get).
Columbine
The two-toned trumpet-shaped flower of the Columbine has made it a favorite in gardens from decade to decade. Colors are red and yellow or purple and white. The standard or ‘common’ columbine stands tall and therefore is a nice perennial flower for the back row. It blooms mid-summer.
There are many more varieties of Columbine that have been developed in recent years, including a dwarf variety. Some columbine have a double flower. All are hardy perennials for zone 3.
Columbine produce lots of black seeds that self-seed fairly well. So count on having babies the following spring to transplant or pot up for a friend.
Dephinium
The giant delphinium can grow 6-8ft tall! So they are a very showy perennial in the garden. But because of their height, they need to be staked or supported in some way. The stalks flop over and can snap easily in a strong wind or heavy rain.
Like Columbine, there are other varieties of Delphinium in a white range of color from deep blue, light blue, and purple. There’s also a dwarf variety that’s not so tall and for some people, that makes them easier to manage. Always check the tag in the pot to see which variety you have before you buy it.
Trollius
Also known as “Globe flower”, trollius is a hardy summer bloomer. Trollius is available in one of two main colors, pale yellow or gold (which looks more like orange). The shape of the leaves is very similar to that of a delphinium. And self-seeds readily.
Its 3ft height makes it a wonderful plant for the middle of the garden. After a few years, they can be divided so you’ll have more plants for other parts of the yard or garden.
Companula
Think of the word “Companion” and you’ll always remember the name of this plant. It’s also known as ‘purple bell flower’ and ‘bells of Scotland’. They’re an early summer bloomer and frequently seen in rock garden settings. There are several varieties of Companula and all are wonderful perennials for zone 3.
Companulas have a dainty fern-like foliage, with multiple bell-shaped flowers that bob up and down in the breeze.
Jacob’s Ladder
This perennial is actually a wildflower that’s been cultivated for the garden. Jacob’s Ladder gets its name from the ladder-like shape of its leaf. And traditionally from the Biblical story of Jacob’s vision of a ladder in heaven.
It’s one of the earliest plants to bloom in the spring. That’s why you hardly see one in full flower at the greenhouse because they’re nearly bloomed out by the time they arrive. But plant it anyway and wait till next year. You won’t be disappointed!
Potentilla
This is a wonderful flowering shrub that’s an excellent landscaping plant. There is a huge variety of potentilla that range from dainty ground covers to this flowering shrub. The shrubs come with a yellow flower, or white (as mine is above) or cheerful pink flowers or a more rare peach-orange shade. They can be pruned and shaped for your landscaping and look just fine as a green shrub after the blooms fade.
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Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are lots of beautiful, showy perennial flowers that grow in Zone 3. And there are still many others, too. But if you’re a beginner, these are among the easiest to grow. You’re practically guaranteed success!
You’ll love seeing something blooming in your garden in the early spring, even before you’re ready to plant your annuals.
I do recommend the following: Learn a little bit about your plant climate zone. Know the conditions around your home before you make your purchases. And do make your first stop at your local greenhouse or nursery. They will be familiar with all the perennials on this list and can help answer any questions you have.
But, I’ll warn you, once you get started with perennials, you might just find yourself with a whole new passion!
Related posts you may enjoy
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How to shop for Perennials at the garden center
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