By Jennifer Poindexter
Are you struggling to find the right plants to grow in your planting zone? If you live in planting zone seven, you’ve found the right place.
There are a variety of plants that do well in this planting zone. If you aren’t sure of what a planting zone is, it’s the way the country is divided based upon temperature lows.
This helps determine which plants are perennials in certain areas, average lows in certain areas, and can also help you determine first and final frost dates.
If you need to know what your options are for plants in zone seven, here’s the information you need to start planning your landscape:
What You’ll Learn:
- Understanding what a planting zone is and its importance for gardening.
- An overview of planting zone seven, which stretches from New Mexico to Western North Carolina, and its characteristics.
- The ideal conditions and care requirements for twenty different plants suitable for this planting zone.
- An exploration of both perennial and annual plants, and their viability in planting zone seven.
- How to choose the right plants that fit both the growing conditions available and your personal preferences.
An Overview of Planting Zone Seven
Planting zone seven stretches between New Mexico and Western North Carolina forming a wave across the country.
In this area, you should expect no frost between the months of May and September. There’s an average low of zero degrees Fahrenheit in this planting zone as well.
When living in planting zone seven, these are the items to take into consideration when selecting the right plants to grow and determining the appropriate times for planting them.
Plants That Thrive in Planting Zone Seven
Plants that grow in this area as a perennial must be able to handle temperatures down to zero degrees Fahrenheit.
However, don’t let this deter you from growing plants you love because you have a broad window of growing time in planting zone seven. This makes it a great location for growing annuals as you have time to enjoy them.
With this information in mind, let’s discuss which plants grow best in this area and what they need to thrive:
1. Tulips
Tulips are frequently grown for their vibrant colors and uniquely shaped blooms. They open over time, but even in this state, they still remain more narrow than most flowers.
If you’re interested in growing this flower, provide plenty of light and well-draining soil. Tulips should remain hardy in planting zone seven.
2. Daffodils
Daffodils are a naturally cheerful flower. They pop-up in the early portions of spring, provide bright yellow blooms, and even their foliage is rich with color and hard to miss.
If you could use a splash of cheer in your yard, daffodils are a great way to accomplish this. Expect daffodils to remain hardy as long as they’re grown in full sunlight and well-draining soil. Soggy soil can lead to rot where partial shade will only lead to a reduction in blooms.
3. Hibiscus
Many times, people make the assumption that hibiscus flowers only grow in tropical climates. This isn’t the case.
There’s a hardy hibiscus which thrives in areas of full sunlight and well-draining soil. They even remain hardy in zones five through nine, though they will die back to the ground when cold temperatures arrive. Yet, they should return each year.
4. Yarrow
Yarrow produces long stems with clusters of blooms which produce texture and color for your landscape.
Be sure to grow yarrow in areas with full sunlight and well-draining soil. This can help prevent diseases from forming and stop the plant from becoming leggy. Yarrow is hardy from zones three through nine.
5. Hostas
Hostas are a great plant to grow if you have a barren location in an area which doesn’t receive full sunlight.
Most hostas thrive in areas of full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil. Expect the plants to remain hardy in zones three through nine.
6. Begonias
Begonias make gorgeous additions to inground garden plots or container gardens. They’re hard to miss with their deep green leaves and small, colorful flowers.
If you’d like something more classic in your landscape, begonias could be for you. Though they aren’t hardy in planting zone seven, you may grow begonias as an annual. Be sure to provide a growing location with bright, indirect lighting and nutritious, well-draining soil that’s well aerated.
7. Coneflowers
Coneflowers are hard to miss when growing them around your garden. They form long stems and flower heads with petals that droop. This causes the center to protrude which forms a cone shaped flower.
If you’re interested in growing coneflowers, they should remain hardy in planting zone seven as long as they receive full sunlight and well-draining soil.
8. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts are a unique shrub that can be grown in planting zone seven. It should remain hardy in this area as it’s considered a perennial in zones three through nine.
Provide this plant with partial sunlight and well-draining soil that remains evenly damp. This should encourage the plant to thrive while discouraging stress or disease.
9. Black-eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans are a classic flower with bright yellow petals and deep brown centers. These flowers are an excellent addition to a cut flower garden.
When growing black-eyed Susans, select a growing location with well-draining soil and full sunlight. You should also choose a growing place that’s left undisturbed during the dormant period as these flowers are perennial in this zone.
10. Hollyhock
Hollyhocks are beautiful plants which grow to be as tall as six feet. They produce bell-shaped blooms from the long stems.
When growing hollyhocks, select a growing location for a perennial garden as these flowers should remain hardy in planting zone seven. Also, select an area which receives plenty of sunlight and has well-draining soil.
11. Delphiniums
Delphiniums are vibrant flowers with colorful vertical blooms. They also commonly go by the name larkspur.
If you’re interested in incorporating these plants into your landscape, be sure to supply a growing location with full morning sunlight, some afternoon shade, well-draining soil, and protect the plants from strong winds as their height can sometimes lead to breakage in a strong storm. These flowers are hardy in planting zone seven.
12. Dahlias
Dahlias are tall flowers with colorful, layered blooms. They’re a great way to add color to your home or even to intermix in your vegetable garden.
If this is the right flower for you, be sure to plant it in a location with well-draining, loose soil that’s high in nutrients. The flowers also need full sunlight. Dahlias are an annual flower in this planting zone.
13. Gladiolus
Gladiolus frequently goes by the name sword lily. It’s a perfect fit because these plants are long like a sword and have lily-like blooms that come in a range of colors.
When growing gladiolus, they’ll typically serve as annuals in planting zone seven. Don’t let this stop you from growing them. Instead, select a growing location with ample sunlight and loamy soil that drains quickly. Then enjoy them throughout the growing season.
14. Hyacinths
Hyacinths are gorgeous flowers that come from large bulbs. They produce green foliage and small, vertical blooms.
These flowers need ample sunlight, well-draining soil, and a perennial bed as they should come back each year in this planting zone.
15. Caladium
Caladium is known for its unique foliage. The heart-shaped leaves come in variations of light and dark colors.
Should these be a good fit for your landscape, provide a growing location with shade to partial sunlight. These plants also need well-draining soil. They’re considered a perennial in planting zone seven.
16. Sedum
Sedum is a bushy plant with long stems which produces clusters of small blooms. It makes a great shrub-like plant in certain landscapes.
When growing sedum, be sure to plant it in a location with full to partial sunlight and well-draining, aerated soil. Too heavy of a soil can lead to rot. Sedum is hardy in planting zones three through eleven.
17. Bee Balm
Bee balm is a unique plant. It produces crinkled, colorful blooms that are hard to miss. They’re also wonderful for drawing pollinators.
Expect these flowers to grow best in areas of full sunlight and rich, well-draining soil. This plant remains hardy in planting zones three through nine.
18. Salvia
Salvia is another taller plant with a base of bright green foliage. From this base comes long stems with vertical blooms.
These flowers create a good border and also serve as a nice backdrop to other plants in a flower garden. Salvia is hardy in planting zones five through nine, needs full sun, and well-draining soil.
19. Crocus
Crocus is a beautiful plant that enjoys cooler weather. They grow early in the season and produce cup-shaped blooms.
When growing crocus, they do best in areas of full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil. Grow them in a perennial bed as they’re hardy in planting zones three through eight.
20. Jasmine
Jasmine is our last plant to discuss growing in planting zone seven. The plant produces small, white, star-shaped blooms and does best in a growing location with full to partial sunlight.
Also, ensure the growing area contains fertile, well-draining soil. Jasmine should remain hardy in planting zone seven.
You now have twenty different plants to choose from when deciding what to grow around your home or garden in planting zone seven.
Select the plants that best fit the growing conditions you can provide and your taste. Then begin creating a beautiful oasis for perennials and annuals which thrive in planting zone seven.
Key Takeaways:
- Planting zones are regions divided based on their minimum temperatures, which help in determining the suitable plants and their growing periods.
- Zone seven is characterized by an average low of zero degrees Fahrenheit and a frost-free period between May and September.
- A variety of both perennial and annual plants can thrive in zone seven, which include Tulips, Daffodils, Hibiscus, Yarrow, Hostas, Begonias, Coneflowers, Bleeding Heart, Black-eyed Susans, Hollyhock, Delphiniums, Dahlias, Gladiolus, Hyacinths, Caladium, Sedum, Bee Balm, Salvia, Crocus, and Jasmine.
- Each plant has specific requirements for sunlight, soil type, and overall care for them to grow optimally.
- The selection of plants should be made based on their growth requirements and the gardener’s personal preference and available conditions.
Zone Seven Plants Quick Growing Reference Chart
| Plant | Sunlight | Soil | Perennial/Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulips | Plenty of light | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Daffodils | Full sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Hibiscus | Full sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Yarrow | Full sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Hostas | Full to partial sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Begonias | Bright, indirect light | Nutritious, well-draining | Annual |
| Coneflowers | Full sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Bleeding Heart | Partial sun | Evenly damp, well-draining | Perennial |
| Black-eyed Susans | Full sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Hollyhock | Plenty of sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Delphiniums | Full morning sun, some afternoon shade | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Dahlias | Full sun | Nutritious, loose, well-draining | Annual |
| Gladiolus | Ample sun | Quickly draining, loamy | Annual |
| Hyacinths | Ample sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Caladium | Shade to partial sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Sedum | Full to partial sun | Well-draining, aerated | Perennial |
| Bee Balm | Full sun | Rich, well-draining | Perennial |
| Salvia | Full sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Crocus | Full to partial sun | Well-draining | Perennial |
| Jasmine | Full to partial sun | Fertile, well-draining | Perennial |
More About Planting Zone Seven
https://www.uvm.edu/news/extension/garden-planning-plant-hardiness-zones
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/usda-hardiness-zone-maps-united-states
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