A dear friend of mine recently moved from a warm climate on the coast to a cooler climate where the temperature is much lower. Their new home is actually in zone four, and she was having a difficult time keeping her plants alive. I put together this guide to help others who are in the same situation so that you can make your new house feel more like home.
Zone four is an area of the country that is mainly found in the northern part of the mountain region on the western side of the country. It is also found along the southern coast of Alaska where temperatures can drop to -30 or -20 degrees with ease during the colder time of the year. All of these 15 plants can be found in zone four.
1. Hostas
Hostas can be found growing in zones three through nine. It is actually a plant that prefers the shade, so it will need very little sun to grow. It requires at least an inch of water each week and prefers to grow in soil that has a lot of organic matter.
2. Phlox
The phlox is a plant that can grow as a perennial in zones three through eight. These plants are often tall with large clusters of flowers on the top. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun, though they will still grow when they are planted in the shade. There are also creeping phlox plants that can grow in this zone.
3. Iris
This is a plant that does best in full sun with well-drained soil. It will also grow in the shade, but it needs to have at least six hours of sun a day. Seen in zones three through seven, there are over 200 species of this plant. Wet period of the year can cause leaf spot fungus to form.
4. Coneflower
The coneflower is a plant that can grow to be up to five feet in height, which is why many people like to place it in their garden. They prefer to grow in full sun; however, they will still grow in shady conditions as well. This daisy-like plant can grow in zones three through nine.
5. Daylily
The daylily is a plant that prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but it will grow in any conditions, but the blooms may not be as abundant. These are commonly grown in zones three through nine, and they are a plant that tolerates neglect and forgetfulness well.
6. Peonies
These are plants that can do well in zones three through eight, and it can grow to be up to five feet tall. The rose-like flowers will add a bit of elegance to any garden, and the fragrant blooms will help to attract pollinators to your outdoor space. It will require well-drained soil and full sun to thrive.
7. Columbine
This is a plant that will grow in zones three through nine, and it produces a bloom that has a sweet smell that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. They do best in full sun and well-drained soil. The blooms of this plant can be seen from April to May.
8. Aster
If you are looking for a plant that will bring butterflies and other pollinators to your outdoor space, then consider an aster. It can grow up to eight feet tall with the right care. It will do well with any type of lighting, but the soil needs to be slightly moist in zones three through eight.
9. Yarrow
Yarrow is a plant that does best in heat and full sun, which is why it prefers to grow in sandy soil that is well-draining. The plant can be found in zones three through nine, and it is a drought-tolerant plant that does not like to have a lot of water. This is a plant that can spread quite quickly, so make sure that you have space in your garden.
10. Bellflower
This plant can be seen growing in zones four and above, and some of the hardier species of the plant can even grow in zone three. It will do best in full sun conditions, and the plant produces flowers that are shades of blue and purple that will look nice as a border for the back of your garden.
11. Rock Cress
This is a plant that will do well in a rock garden in zones four through seven. It is a plant that needs full sun and well-draining soil, but it does require a bit of moisture to survive. It is a creeping plant that will spread quickly across the rocks like moss.
12. Bleeding Heart
This is a unique plant that creates blooms that are pink or rose in color and heart-shaped. It grows best in zones three through eight, and it will grow in full sun to light shade. Most of these plants are tolerant of the cold, and they prefer slightly acidic soil to grow in.
13. Bee Balm
This is a plant that will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Bee balm is a plant that can grow to be up to three feet tall. The blooms are all pink, and they will appear in the middle of the summer. They prefer full sun; they are drought-resistant, but they cannot handle high heat. See some of the different varieties here
14. Balloon Flower
This is a very unique plant that puffs out the blooms before it opens them. It can be found in zones three through eight, and it will grow to be between 18 inches to 24 inches tall. This is a plant that may need to be staked before it blooms to keep it upright.
15. Black-Eyed Susan
This is a beautiful plant that has a flower that closely resembles a gold daisy. It will do best in zones four through nine, and the plant can grow to be three feet tall. With full sun, these plants grow quickly, which means they may need to be thinned out in the spring of the year.
