10 Great Perennials for the Northeast

Are you excited to get your garden growing but don’t know where to start? Below are 10 perennials that are ideal for the northeast’s sometimes fickle weather!

Name	Color	Grow Zone	Soil Needs	Exposure	Other Notes
Astilbe	Pink purple white	4 to 8	dry to medium moisture well drained	Full sun to part shade	blooms once does not require deadheading does better with afternoon shade
Spiked Speedwell	blue pink & white cultivars Purple	3 to 8	Medium moisture well-drained	full sun	Grows 1-3 feet high cut back flower stalks for repeat bloom divide ever 3 years
Coral Bells	coral or pink flowers foliage is bronze, green or yellow.	4 to 8	moist rich well-drained neutral – slightly acidic pH	Full sun-part shade. The leaf color can be washed out with heavy sun.	Grows 12-18 inches high Mulch after ground freezes to protect the crowns.
Bleeding Heart	Pink red white	2 to 9	Average Well-drained soil	Part to Full shade	Blooms once Stays in flower Can’t handle the hot summers Deadhead to get repeat flowering Divide ever 4-5 years
Cranesbill Geraniums	Pale to Dark Purple or Pink	4 to 8	Average neutral – slightly acidic pH	Full sun – Part shade	Grow 9″ to 2′ Divide every 6-8 years
Catmint	Lilac – Violet	4 to 8	Average dry – medium moisture well-drained	Full sun	Grows 18″ Shear back after it blooms for repeat bloom
Columbine	blue pink purple salmon white yellow	2 to 9	Average slightly acidic Will adapt to any soil	Full sun – part shade	drought tolerant once established divide every decade or so
Russian Sage	blue lavender	4 to 9	Average dry – Medium Moisture	Full sun	Hard prune in Spring when buds start breaking. Divide every 4-6 years Entire plants will not transplant well.
Daylily	Come in all colors, including bicolors.	3 to 9	Average slight acidic pH will tolerate any soil	Full sun – part shade	Cut back flower stems to get reblooms if you have reblooming variety
Peonies	bi-colors pink purple red white	3-8	Average well-draining	Full sun – part shade	Plant with good circulation of air to ensure the leaves don’t remain wet.