If you live in a cold climate, you may have trouble choosing shrubs for zone 7a. Here are some ideas for hardy plants and shrubs for your zone. There are shade-loving shrubs and sun-loving shrubs, and a few Perennials, too. Learn more about each type of plant. And then pick some that will thrive in your area. You’ll be glad you made the effort to research the best plants for your area.
Evergreen shrubs
When you want to plant a beautiful, dense shrub in your yard, consider an evergreen plant. These shrubs are great for border enhancement, and their dense foliage contrasts beautifully with the bright, colorful flowers in your garden. Evergreen shrubs can also be topiary, which is when you shear the tops of these plants into shapes that resemble columns. Evergreen plants will require some extra care, but they’ll be well worth the effort!
Broadleaf evergreens are a popular choice for low border planting. Their dense foliage and stiff stems make them great for a border or low hedge. This plant’s leaves grow up to two inches long and are about half an inch wide. This shrub is often used as a groundcover and has the same cultural requirements as mountain laurel. Broadleaf evergreens will grow from two to three feet high.
Japanese maples can tolerate a wide range of soil types. A well-drained location is important, as the Japanese maple doesn’t tolerate soil that is too acidic. They need an open, sunny location to thrive. A hardiness zone 5 tree, Japanese maples thrive in areas with temperatures between eight and fifteen degrees Fahrenheit. You may want to avoid Japanese maples for zone 7a, as their flowers have little ornamental value.
Another evergreen shrub with a beautiful shape is a blueberry. This plant can grow to ten feet tall and produces edible fruit. It will survive winter in Zone 7a, and its evergreen foliage will look great year round. It can be a show-stopper in your yard or the backdrop of your garden. It’s always a good idea to check the growing conditions of your shrubs before you buy them.
Shade-loving shrubs
If you want privacy, or a beautiful focal point for your landscape, shade-loving shrubs are the perfect choice. They tolerate varying levels of shade, are drought-tolerant, and provide spring and winter color. And while you can’t always plant a flowering shrub next to your house, many of them will thrive in a shaded spot. Read on to learn about a few of the best choices for your region!
Heuchera: This plant is grown for its foliage, which is typically deep purple or burgundy. However, you can also find varieties with lime green and red foliage. These plants are primarily grown for their foliage, and they are often used in landscape design. Their foliage provides a dramatic contrast against their red and yellow flowers. In the fall, they also produce small yellow and red berries, which attract hummingbirds to their nectar-filled branches.
If you want a shrub that grows slowly but reliably in shade, choose Inkberry. It is one of the shortest shrubs in the world, reaching only about eight feet. Other choices include Japanese Andromeda, with its clusters of white flowers and evergreen leaves. Japanese Holly, which produces black berries, has rounded spikeless leaves. Japanese Kerria is a deciduous species with yellow blossoms. Rhododendron is perhaps the best known shade shrub, with over 1000 species.
The oakleaf hydrangea is another shade-loving shrub. It has a variety of colors and adds interest to a landscape all year long. The flowers begin in late spring and gradually turn pink. Leaves turn red in the fall and winter, and bark is visible in winter. Native to southeastern North America, this shrub has single or double blossoms and is hardy to -20 degrees F.
Sun-loving shrubs
Flowering shrubs are a great choice for full sun gardens. They need a lot of sunlight to thrive. The sunlight reaches their roots through their leaves, and they absorb the energy from the sun to produce the necessary resources for a healthy plant. Flowers in flowering shrubs tend to be attractive and fragrant, and they can brighten up your landscape year-round. In zone 7a, flowering shrubs may be too hot or too cold for the plant, but they are often resistant to deer.
If you want to grow something that will bloom in full sun, then a weigela is a great choice. This beautiful plant grows between three and fifteen feet tall, and its flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. The shrub prefers full sun, although it will tolerate some shade. Once it blooms, prune it to shape. Regardless of size, you can expect it to bloom in a variety of colors.
Other similar plants include Joe Pye weed and butterfly weed, both of which spread rapidly. Russian sage is another option, and both of these plants can tolerate cold temperatures. Heuchera and Nepeta are similar-looking brush plants. Salvia, a bright green perennial, will thrive in this zone. You can find it online, and it will give you a beautiful garden that will last for years.
Wintercreeper is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that can be used as a ground cover or a privacy hedge. Its green, wavy leaves are accented by bright pink berries. Wintercreeper is easy to grow, and tolerates any type of soil, except for bog conditions. It may require pruning to keep its size under control. Another good choice is the blue star juniper. The blue star juniper has bright blue needles and grows naturally in a ball shape.
Perennials
A variety of ornamental grasses make ideal additions to your perennial garden in zone 7a. These plants offer unique characteristics that most flowers cannot boast. The maiden grass, for example, boasts an elongated, graceful form and coppery flower heads in early fall. Its stems later turn red, providing winter interest. To maintain its beauty, deadheading the flowers in the spring is highly recommended.
There are many factors to consider when choosing plants for zone sevena. The cold winters in zone sevena may affect the performance of some plants, which may require partial shade in the early summer. If you’re planting in full sun in the late summer, you may need to use ground covers or plant other plants that don’t mind partial shade. In addition to their performance in zone 7, you’ll also need to determine whether you want to plant a tree or shrub that requires full shade.
Moss phlox is another perennial that does well in zone sevena. This shade perennial produces small, fragrant blooms from early summer through the fall. The stems are wiry and their leaves are attractive. The foliage is broad and threadlike and the flowers are often faded. A beautiful perennial in any zone, it’s worth considering for your garden. You’ll be happy you did! A variety of hummingbirds and butterflies love this plant.
Perennials in Zone sevena can be both long-lived and low-maintenance. Decide whether you want to plant them individually or in combinations. Then, make sure to choose ones that blend well with your overall look. Whether you want a colorful, lush garden or just some ambiance, a perennial will be around for years! And, remember that your perennial will be with you as long as you like it.
Cold-hardy shrubs
In USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7a and 7b, a variety of shrubs are hardy. They’ll tolerate temperatures that fall below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and still thrive. Wilson Bros Gardens, for example, ships container-grown specimens and guarantees a stunning display for years to come. Zone 7a shrubs include astilbe, sedum, yarrow, and others.
Firethorn: A semi-evergreen shrub with bright orange-red berries, firethorn grows well as a hedge or as an espalier. Its thorny branches make it easy to prune, and there are hardy cultivars. These perennials are best grown in full sun, but part shade is acceptable. Choosing a shrub that has both sun and shade tolerance can increase your shrub’s success.
Aronia: This hardy shrub from the Ericaceae family blooms throughout spring, adding a splash of color to any yard. It thrives in zone 7 and can be planted in shady areas but should remain out of direct sunlight. In addition to its flowering season, it has 50 different species of flowers, from red berries to white bells. Its mature size is two to 10 feet tall and two to eight feet wide.
Mountain laurel: This hardy conical boxwood is hardy in zones 4-7. Depending on the variety, it may need minor shearing to keep its ‘perfect’ form. The foliage is small and bright green, and it grows quickly. ‘Green Mountain’ can grow up to four feet tall and three feet wide. Its dense, compact growth habit makes it ideal for foundation plantings.