You should consider the colors and drama of your zone seven garden. Colorful plants can be difficult to find, but you can still create a dramatic look with simple, low-maintenance design ideas. Use rocks to complement the look of your zone seven plants and to aid in irrigation. Select several different types of plants so you can mix and match them. The diversity of plants will require a different level of care from each other. Listed below are a few of the best plants for zone seven gardens.
Black-eyed Susan
When growing black-eyed Susans, remember that the soil temperature must be above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They thrive in full sunlight but will bloom in partial shade. Ensure the soil is well-drained. They do not need rich soil and can grow well in low-fertility soil. You can start the seeds indoors approximately six weeks before the last frost date in your area. You should then plant the seeds in the garden, loosely covering them with soil and water them in well.
As long as they receive the proper amount of moisture, black-eyed susans can tolerate some drought but will thrive if they get at least an inch of rain a week. To increase the chances of avoiding leaf spot, apply half of the recommended amount of slow-release balanced fertilizer. After new growth, scatter the fertilizer over the soil and water thoroughly. Mulch the plants to prevent evaporation and retain moisture.
If you’re growing black-eyed susans in zone 7, they do not require high fertility soil. They grow in poor soil but will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. They grow between one and three feet tall, and spread approximately twelve to eighteen inches. You can either plant them close together to avoid spreading or space them apart to create a border. Then, when they’re small, you can cut back the stems by about a third to encourage flowering.
A black-eyed susan plant is a perennial that blooms in zones five to nine. Its big, bright flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your garden. The bloom of a black-eyed susan plant can last for several weeks. The seeds are also edible. Besides being a tasty treat, black-eyed susan flowers are a valuable source of nutrition for local wildlife.
Yellow alyssum
Yellow alyssum is an excellent plant for zone 7 because it is drought-tolerant and attracts beneficial pollinators. It also fills in the garden, deterring weeds. Alyssum grows well in partial or full sun and needs average soil. You can direct sow the seeds in the garden or start them indoors and transplant them in the fall after the danger of frost is past.
The Yellow Alyssum can grow in USDA zones three to seven. While it’s cold-tolerant, it doesn’t like hot, humid weather. In the south, gardeners grow the plant as an annual. However, even in zones 7 and 8, it can survive in a garden. It also requires little maintenance. It only needs to be watered enough to keep its leaves green and flowers in bloom.
The yellow alyssum plant can thrive in USDA zones three to seven, but it struggles in extremely hot, humid weather. In the South, many gardeners treat it as an annual, which results in poor flowering and a scraggly increase habit. It doesn’t need fertilizer, but you can add a small amount to the soil with compost to give the plants a boost. Yellow alyssum is often found in ‘Citrinum’, a compact cultivar with a lemon-yellow flower.
The Basket of Gold Alyssum is native to southern Europe and Turkey. It grows on rocky cliffs and mountainsides. It was introduced to England in 1710, and it first appeared on seed lists in the United States in 1796. While it is a hardy plant in zones three and above, it is not hardy in the humid southeast. Alyssum is a popular choice for zone 7 gardens and a beautiful perennial.
Solomon’s seal
When looking for Solomon’s seal plants for zone 7, it is best to buy those grown from rhizomes. These perennials need plenty of organic matter to grow, so be sure to add compost or organic fertilizer to your soil when planting. They do not need artificial feeding, but will benefit from fertilizing once they have reached the desired height. To grow Solomon’s seal in a pot, follow the following steps:
Start by growing seeds or cuttings of the rhizomes every three years. Divide the rhizomes early in the spring, right before the growing season begins, and in the fall. You can transplant the plants to a different spot after a few years. You can also chop them into several pieces and replant them in another spot. Once you’ve established the new plants, be sure to keep in mind the seasonal needs of the plant.
Once established, you can enjoy the beauty of this perennial in your yard. Its flowers are typically white or cream with a green frilled edge. The rhizomes are starchy like potatoes, and the roots are incredibly nutritious. Native Americans and early European settlers often ate the roots to treat gout and rheumatism. They are also a valuable source of food for birds. Plants of this species are often found growing under trees. They tolerate full sun or partial shade, but they are best in partial shade. The leaves turn lemon yellow and brown in fall, and the stems wither and die over the winter.
Grow Solomon’s seal from seed if you have the space. It will take two years before they sprout, but once they do, the reward will be well worth the wait. Seeds of the species require alternate stratification to ensure the germination of the seeds. Soak the seeds overnight, so they’ll fall to the bottom. After this, you’ll have to change the water every week to prevent mold from growing.
Tall Verbena
The benefits of using this versatile plant for landscape design are many. Its erect growth habit and bright colors make it a great choice for containers. Its red leaves and flowers are often used in floral arrangements. They look stunning in combination with marigolds and dusty miller. They can pass for fall colors as well. This plant needs about six hours of sunlight per day and a well-drained soil. It also requires about an inch of rainfall a week.
Whether you need a plant for your garden in a drought-tolerant region or a groundcover, tall verbena will thrive in your garden. Its flowerheads are made of fragrant, violet-blue flowers, which resemble floating bubbles. The plants do not require staking and bloom continuously throughout the summer. Tall Verbena is also a great choice for containers or rock walls.
You can divide Tall Verbena into smaller plants if you’d like them to grow a little taller. Just cut back the main stalk when the new stems and leaves emerge. Its roots will regrow, but it may be difficult to transplant the plants at the beginning of the season. If you’re concerned about the appearance of the plant in your outdoor space, you can prune the flowers.
Tall Verbena is a good plant in zone seven because of its height. It will not block other plants in your garden. It also grows quickly and is drought-tolerant. It is commonly used in hanging baskets and containers. It makes a great spiller. For container planting, use a general-purpose peat-based potting mix and a well-drained container. To overwinter indoors, divide and pot the plant.
Weigela
A weigela grows best in a moderately acidic soil. It also prefers a slightly alkaline soil, which it can grow in. It grows best in areas with some slope and is drought-tolerant once established. Although weigelas don’t require supplemental watering, they do benefit from some water during dry periods. Weigelas do best in full sun, though dappled shade will do little damage.
A weigela’s blooms are bright and long lasting. This plant can be used in mass plantings, as a border, or as a cut flower. It is best grown in full sun. Weigelas are a good choice for both landscapes and containers. If you have a small yard or a small garden, consider dwarf weigelas. They don’t grow large, and are excellent accent plants or edging.
Weigelas look great in sunny areas, and they’re easy to grow. These medium-sized shrubs look great in large gardens and small courtyards. Their hardy, tough foliage and flowering season make them a good choice for gardens. Almost all weigelas are derived from the same species. Weigela florida, for example, is native to Florida, so it can thrive in the Southern United States.
A weigela requires very little maintenance. These hardy plants generally live in growing zones four through eight. The weigela grows four to six feet tall and wide. Larger varieties can grow up to eight feet. Weigelas are deer and rabbit resistant and require minimal water. However, deer may feed on them under some extreme conditions. This shrub is a great choice for zone 7 gardens.