If you live in Zone 6, then you should know it has a medium-length growing season, with a frost-free period lasting from mid-May to late September. U.S. cities within this plant hardiness zone include Boston; Buffalo, New York; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Kansas City, Missouri; and Pittsburgh. Asters, astilbe, bee balm, cannas, coneflowers, crocus, daffodils, delphiniums, glads, hibiscus, hostas, hyacinths, irises, lilies, peonies, phlox, salvia, sedum, tulips and yarrow are among the Zone 6 plants we recommend.
Don't forget that your Zone 6 garden probably has several microclimates within it, each of which is best suited for different plant types and varieties. Take some time to determine which microclimates your yard or garden may have, whether it's an open area of your backyard that's always in direct sunlight, a shaded spot beneath a big tree, a rock-covered hill, or a marshland. With a little bit of practice, choosing the best plants for Zone 6 that will also thrive in your garden's specific microclimates will soon become second nature.
Use our growing zone finder to get more information about your exact hardiness zone.
Top Summer Bulbs for Zone 6Shop all »
Summer Bulbs
Spring-planted bulbs that bloom during the summer can thrive in most hardiness zones. What's more, they produce some of the most vibrant colours of the year. Varieties include dahlias, lilies, gladiolus, caladium, cannas, and begonias. In cooler regions, try planting summer bulbs outdoors in pots before transferring them--once the soil is warm enough--to your garden bed or border. Most can go in the ground once the possibility of frost has passed.
Planting Success: Step by Step
BegoniasTop Sun Perennials for Zone 6Shop all »
Sun Perennials
Sun perennials are revered for their versatility, attract pollinators to your landscape and produce countless, lovely blooms for years or even decades. No wonder these are some of the world's most popular flowers! Sun-loving perennials include roses, peonies, irises, daylilies, hibiscus, coneflowers and asters. These varieties perform best when receiving about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Without it, the plants grow poorly, and their blooms, if any emerge, are drab and lifeless.
Planting Success: Step by Step
Bareroot RosesTop Shade Perennials for Zone 6Shop all »
Shade Perennials
Some gardeners don't even try to grow anything in the shaded areas of their gardens or yards. That's a shame, because some incredible plant varieties--including those that yield many delicate, colourful blooms--fare well when grown within dark shadows. We recommend such shade seekers as hellebores, hostas, astilbe, bleeding hearts, toad lilies and ferns. Poor soil can hinder a shade perennial garden more than a lack of sunlight, so be sure to add plenty of organic matter when preparing a new one. Avoid damaging roots when planting Shade Perennials near trees.
Popular Varieties
Planting Success: Step by Step
HostasThe U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which divides the continental U.S. into eight gardening zones based on wintertime minimum temperature averages, can help you select plants that have the best chance of flourishing where you live. Each of our product pages lists the hardiness zones in which that particular plant is best suited for growing. Take the time to learn your location on the garden zone map. Don't wait until the next planting season begins to ask yourself, "What is my gardening zone?" or "What gardening zone am I in?" We can't emphasize this point enough: It's crucial for you to know your zone before choosing your plants. Selecting the right plants for your zone helps ensure a better performing and more attractive garden. As you become a more seasoned gardener and come to be more familiar with the advantages--and the limitations--of your growing season, you'll learn which of your favourite plants you can grow most successfully.
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