Post by treedimensional on May 17, 2013 16:20:59 GMT -5
Ishoes I have to disagree with that list because most of those plants don't bloom very long. The only thing that comes to my mind is roses. Most perennials only bloom for a few days, or weeks at best, because flowering takes a huge amount of energy. Perennial plants have short duration blooms because they have to conserve resources they'll need to make it through winter and refoliate in spring. Japanese beetles are easily controlled with milky spore. If you want plants that bloom from frost to frost, you need annuals.
Post by hausfrau on about an hour ago Our hydrangea does very well through Ohio winters. I think it is an Annabelle (it was at our rental when we moved in).
I agree love my Annabelle hydrangeas. Just can't kill them. Cut them back or not....they just keep blooming from June til September here in NE Ohio.
I know it's colder where you are than I am, and I've had trouble with Azaleas (I'm zone 5.) We had a harsh winter a few years ago and some of mine didn't make it. I'd make sure to look for a hardy variety.
I also really like Hydrangeas.
There's not much/anything I can think of, though, that's going to flower all season. Try a local nursery or garden center (i.e. not Lowes!). They've usually got more knowledgeable people on staff and are better about stocking plants appropriate to your area.
I would recommend hydrangeas as well. I also have a few peony plants which I love. They bloom mainly in spring and early summer but the folliage is really pretty. After it's done blooming, I cut the dead blooms off and enjoy the leaves for the rest of the summer. Then I trim it completely back in fall. (I'm in zone 5)
Here's a picture of my peonies (they are the white and dark pink ones):
My coneflowers bloom pretty much mid-June through frost- same as my butterfly bushes. Daylily Stella D'oros will- my Happy Returns are supposed to but don't, Knockout shrub roses do.
Our hydrangea does very well through Ohio winters. I think it is an Annabelle (it was at our rental when we moved in).
I just planted annabelles this year so they probably won't bloom, but I can't wait to see them next summer.
Our hydrangeas wrap around half of the front of the house and down half of the side of the house by our driveway. I try to keep them trimmed to about waist high or so, but when they are in full leaf and blooming they are just spectacular. Our rental is kind of an ugly little shotgun bungalow thing (it's an early 1900s bungalow with a mid-century addition on front), and the hydrangeas just make it so much more charming. They are also a nice source for some fresh cut flowers throughout the summer.
We also had butterfly bushes, which aren't usually recommended for that zone, but ours thrived and bloomed like crazy. Same as with spirea, if you clip off the dead flowers, it will bloom again. www.garden.org/plantguide/?q=show&id=2091
You can always do to one of the garden centers and ask questions to get suggestions too. Don't go to the flower marts that get set up in grocery store parking lots if you have questions, the staff at those places is usually not as knowledgeable. Go to their main store. My favorite is Linder's in St. Paul (on Larpenteur). Super helpful staff and reasonable prices. Bachmann's and Gerten's are good for advice and info, but I think their plants are really expensive.