If you have lived in NJ for some time, you already know how temperatures can fluctuate. That’s why it is so important to know what perennials to plant in your zone. Since we are quickly approaching the Fall season now is the perfect time to start choosing which perennials you will want to add to your landscape. There are many perennials that come back year after year with minimal maintenance.
First up are Sedums, which are actually a low maintenance perennial that comes in many different growth patterns, which mean that they can grow flat or upright. They also come in a variety of colors are deer resistant, and drought tolerant. This type of perennial will not respond well to too much care, so it really just a set it and forget it type of perennial. This is also the perfect plant to go in an area of your yard where nothing else typically seems to grow. Some of the many varieties you can choose from include Lemonjade Sedum, which does very well in zones 3-9. New Jersey growing zones can range from 6a – 7b, although with weather patterns changing so frequently that may one day change. Some other options are the Autumn Joy Sedum, and Autumn Charm Sedum. You may have to shop around for these different varieties since not all garden centers will carry them.
Echinacea
This is another option that can actually be added to containers as part of a potted plant decoration. The colors are beautiful when they bloom, and do not need to cut back in the Fall. There are many different varieties of Echinacea such as the Echinacea Purpura, and the Double Scoop Cranberry, which are two favorites.
This plant will definitely add a unique touch to your landscape. You have a few options to choose from such as the Purple Illusion Veronica which is definitely a favorite among those who love bright vibrant purple color in their landscape. Another option is Wizard of Ahhs Veronica which is also a nice colorful option to add to your landscape.
Hosta’s are a very popular plant in New Jersey and are very easy to find. What many people may not realize is that there are many different varieties of Hosta’s to choose from. You can get them in a variety of different leaf colors, and sizes. They are a very easy to grow and do not require a lot of maintenance. One favorite Hosta plant is the Coast-to-Coast Hosta which has very large beautiful looking leaves once they fully grow in. They can also be placed in large containers. If you want to get an even larger Hosta, go with the Empires Wu Hosta, which grows really big, but this Hosta will need a lot of water to get really big. Another beautiful variety is the Whee! Hosta. It’s a smaller Hosta plant and will look really nice planted in a planter for the season. You will just want to make sure that your planter has enough drainage. Of course, we don’t want to forget the Autumn Frost Hosta which also looks nice potted and has some bright colors.
Penstemon
The colors of this perennial are truly beautiful and they come in a few varieties, such as the Midnight Masquerade Penstemon and grows pretty tall. There is also the electric blue which has an amazing blue color and will look great in your landscape. They also need a nice amount of water and can take full sun.