Wisconsin is known for its extreme weather conditions. In winter it’s snowy, while in summer it’s blazing hot. This makes it hard for plants, especially delicate flowers, to grow in this part of the country.
So, what flowers grow well in Wisconsin? Wisconsin has three hardiness zones: zone 3, zone 4, and zone 5. Flowers that can survive in these harsh conditions include spring bloomers like candytuft, bleeding heart, and rock cress, as well as summer bloomers like blue clips, coral bells, and veronicas. You can also include repeating bloomers such as knockout roses and flower carpets.
Wisconsin gardens can still look beautiful and colorful; all that’s needed is knowing what flowers thrive in Wisconsin and how to care for them. Keep reading to find the best flowers to plant.
10 Flowers That Grow Well in Wisconsin
Just because you live in a harsher climate doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a lively garden full of flowers. Surprisingly, there are a lot of options to choose from if you live in Wisconsin.
Not only can the flowers we’re about to shed light on handle the harsh conditions of Wisconsin, but they’re also low maintenance and easy to care for.
So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced green thumb, you’ll find it easy to grow any of the following blossoms:
1. Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding hearts, or lamprocapnos spectabilis, are a favorite for anyone wanting to add color and shade to their garden.
Its blooming flowers are either red, white, or pink. The beautiful flowers dangle from the plant, forming a heart shape, hence its name.
This flower is perfect for Wisconsin as it prefers partial sun and can tolerate full sun in cooler areas.
Bleeding hearts are trouble-free plants that require little maintenance. Other than basic care such as weeding and cleaning, the plant doesn’t need any special attention.
Bleeding hearts grow extremely well in zones 2 to 9.
2. Coral Bells
Coral bells, also known as Heucheras, are a beautiful addition to any garden. This ornamental plant blooms in the spring into bright pink or purple flowers.
This plant is native to North America, which means it thrives in arid climates. It can grow almost anywhere and doesn’t require a lot of special care.
Coral bells can spread widely, so make sure to place them apart, or you can plant them in rock gardens. Coral bells don’t need much water and can survive droughts, but you should still water them at least once a week.
Coral bells are suitable to plant in zones 4 to 9.
3. Knock Out Roses
Knockout roses are great as they can withstand extreme weather conditions without a problem. They’re disease-resistant and are known to be self-cleaning. However, they still need some care and protection.
Knockout roses are low maintenance. For the most part, the only thing to be mindful of when planting these bushes is the freezing cold. They need to be protected from extremely low temperatures to avoid their petals freezing.
To keep your roses looking fresh in bloom, you can also give them rose food every now and then. Other than that, these roses are pretty much plant-and-forget.
Knockout roses are hardy in zones 5 to 9.
4. Rock Cress
Rock cress is a colorful flower that suits any garden. It blooms in the spring in colors ranging from bright purple to pastel pink. Not only are these flowers colorful and resilient, but they’re also incredibly fragrant.
As the name suggests, rock cress can be grown in a rock garden. They require well-drained soil. Other than that, they don’t need any special care as they’re able to survive in tough conditions.
They’re great for Wisconsin gardens as they bloom in cooler conditions. Unlike most other flowers, rock cress has a shorter life span in warmer weather.
Rock cress is great in hardiness zones 5 to 7.
5. Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans, also known as Rudbeckia, are beautiful, low–maintenance plants that boast yellow blooms that resemble small sunflowers.
Black-eyed Susan bushes are native to the Northern U.S., not to be confused with Black-eyed Susan vines, which are tropical flowers that wouldn’t survive in cooler climates.
Black-eyed Susans are quick to blossom. They’re also drought-resistant and, like all plants native to Wisconsin, easy to maintain.
They thrive in hardy zones 4 to 9.
6. Bellflowers
Bellflowers are native to North America, which explains why they survive in both sunny weather and cold temperatures.
They’re extremely versatile, and their beautiful blue bell-shaped blossoms are a must-have for every garden.
Bellflowers are fairly easy to grow. You can either grow them in your rock garden or cottage garden. They’re also non-stop bloomers, so you get blue flora almost all year round.
Bellflowers can grow in zones from 3 to 9.
7. Gayfeather
If you’re looking for taller flowers that stand out, look no further than Gayfeathers, which are more commonly known as blazing stars. These vertical flowers can grow up to 4 feet tall.
Gayfeathers are also great flowers to give your garden an exotic feel. Despite their exotic look, they’re hardy plants that can survive in tough conditions.
They can withstand both cold and drought. On top of that, they’re disease-resistant!
Gayfeather is winter hardy in zones 3 to 8.
8. Daylilies
Daylilies are among gardeners’ favorites. These flowers are super hardy and incredibly easy to grow. Their colorful blossoms, which vary from red to bright yellow, are what make them stable in every garden.
Daylilies require no maintenance! They can grow even if neglected. This makes them perfectly suitable for Wisconsin’s tough weather.
These ever-blooming flowers also come in many shapes and sizes. You can choose from the bright yellow Stella de Oro, the reblooming Ruby Spider, or the ever-green So Sweet daylilies.
Daylilies are hardy in zones 3 to 9.
9. Delphiniums
Delphiniums are alluring unrivaled flowers due to their tall stalks and vivid blue color. They grow in beautiful florets, making them a lot of gardeners’ favorite despite their maintenance.
Delphiniums require more attention. They wouldn’t survive during sudden weather changes or in sunny dry weather. They also need stalking to stay upright.
Before planting delphiniums, you should be aware of their toxicity. All parts of the delphinium plant are toxic, not just the blooming flowers. This can be an advantage since deer and stray animals know to stay away from it and any neighboring plants.
Delphiniums are hardy in zones 3 to 7.
10. Bee Balms
Bee Balms, also known as wild bergamot, are one of the most beautiful flowers to add to your garden. They captivate the eye with their purple and pink flowers as well as the beautiful visitors they attract.
Bee Balms are incredibly versatile. If you plant Bee Balms in your garden, expect a fleet of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumblebees to swing by every day.
This is a hardy flower that requires little attention and can survive in drought conditions, which makes it perfect for Wisconsin weather.
Bee balms grow in zones 3 to 10.
Wrapping Up – What Flowers Grow Well in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is one of the coldest states in the country. Its harsh climate makes it hard to grow all sorts of plants, especially flowers. Nevertheless, you can still have a gorgeous garden despite the cold weather.
The hardiness zone in Wisconsin is 3 to 5. Luckily, plenty of flowers thrive in these zones, and the best part is that most of these flowers are low-maintenance and suitable for beginners.
The choices are almost endless; you can choose from the vibrant delphiniums to the delicate knockout roses. You’ll surely have the most colorful garden with almost no effort whatsoever!
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