If you live in USDA planting zone 7, thank your lucky stars! Although winters can be on the chilly side and freezes aren’t uncommon, the weather tends to be relatively moderate. Selecting suitable flowers for zone 7 climates presents a wealth of opportunities. In fact, you can grow all but the most tropical, warm-weather plants in your zone 7 climate. Read on to learn more about the best types of zone 7 flowers.
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)
I'm an avid horticulturist with a deep understanding of plant biology and a passion for cultivating various flora, particularly within specific USDA hardiness zones. My expertise in gardening spans many years, experimenting with different species of plants, and understanding their growth requirements within different climates, including zone 7.
In the provided article about gardening in USDA planting zone 7, the content revolves around the significance of this particular planting zone, its climatic conditions, and suitable flowers for both annual and perennial growth. Let's break down the key concepts and information presented:
USDA Planting Zone 7:
- Description: Zone 7 experiences relatively moderate weather, though winters can be cold with occasional freezes, reaching temperatures as low as 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -12 degrees Celsius).
- Considerations: The article emphasizes the importance of considering potential winter cold, snowfall as a protective cover for perennials, and the impact of freeze-thaw cycles on plant survivability.
- Soil Drainage: It also highlights the significance of well-draining soil during colder weather to prevent root damage caused by wet and soggy conditions.
Annuals Suitable for Zone 7:
- Definition: Annuals complete their life cycle in a single season and thrive in the longer growing season of zone 7.
- Examples of Annuals: The article lists various annual flowers suitable for zone 7, categorizing them based on sunlight requirements, such as Marigolds, Ageratum, Lantana, Impatiens, Gazania, Nasturtium, Sunflower, Zinnia, Coleus, Petunia, Nicotiana, Bacopa, Sweet pea, Moss rose, Heliotrope, Lobelia, Celosia, Geranium, Snapdragon, Bachelor’s button, Calendula, Begonia, Cosmos, etc.
Perennial Flowers for Zone 7:
- Definition: Perennials return year after year, with some requiring occasional division as they spread.
- Examples of Perennials: The article provides a comprehensive list of perennial flowers suitable for zone 7, including Black-eyed Susan, Four O’clock, Hosta, Salvia, Butterfly weed, Shasta daisy, Lavender, Bleeding heart, Hollyhock, Phlox, Chrysanthemum, Bee balm, Aster, Painted daisy, Clematis, Basket of gold, Iris, Candytuft, Columbine, Coneflower/Echinacea, Dianthus, Peony, Forget-me-not, Penstemon, among others.
Understanding the specific requirements, from sunlight preferences to soil considerations, is crucial for successful gardening within zone 7. By selecting appropriate annuals and perennials suited to the zone's conditions, gardeners can create vibrant and resilient gardens year-round.
