Best Flowers for Ohio Climate: An Easy Guide

If you're looking for the best perennials to grow in Ohio, you've come to the right place! This post discusses the best options for the Ohio climate.

Ohio falls within USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 and 6, which indicate the region's average annual minimum winter temperature.

  • Zone 5: This zone covers the northern parts of Ohio and includes cities such as Toledo and Cleveland. The average annual minimum temperature ranges from -20°F to -10°F (-29°C to -23°C).
  • Zone 6: This zone encompasses central and southern Ohio, including cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. The average annual minimum temperature ranges from -10°F to 0°F (-23°C to -18°C).

Ohio is known for its unpredictable weather, so choosing plants that withstand various conditions is essential. 

1. Daffodils

Daffodils are among the best plants to grow in Ohio, thanks to their hardiness and versatility. They can thrive in various climates and soil types and bloom early in the spring, making them suitable for gardeners who want to jump on the gardening season. Daffodils come in various colors, so you can choose the perfect ones to match your garden's style.

2. Daylily plants

Daylilies are another excellent option for Ohio gardeners. They can thrive in sunny and shady areas, making them a versatile choice for any garden. Daylilies are fast multipliers, so you can quickly fill up a section of your garden with these beautiful flowers. They are also drought-tolerant, so they're a good choice for gardeners in drier climates.

3. Dutchman's Breeches

If you live in Ohio, Dutchman's Breeches are a great option if you're looking for a unique perennial to add to your garden. These spring ephemeral plants bear flowers resembling white pants hanging from a tree, hence the name. They can thrive in most climates and bloom in the springtime.

4. Ajuga reptans

Ajuga reptans is a hardy ground cover that is perfect for shady areas. It is resistant to drought and pests, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners living in Ohio climates. Ajuga reptans come in various colors, so you can choose the perfect one to match your garden's décor. It blooms in the springtime and spreads quickly to cover a large area.

These are just a few of the best perennial plants for Ohio gardens. These plants are an excellent place to start if you're looking for flowers that can withstand unpredictable weather. Be sure to research your local climate and soil type before selecting a plant. If you’re not sure what climate or hardiness zone you're in, you can check here.

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If you have any questions about growing perennials in Ohio or if you have any other plant needs, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected], we’d love to hear from you!

Daffodil Plant - TN Nursery

Daffodil Plant

Daffodil Plant: Narcissus The Daffodil Plant is a Spring-blooming, trumpet-shaped flower characterized by its vibrant yellow or white petals and central trumpet-like corona. It adds a burst of color to gardens and landscapes. The flower's vibrant colors, from sunny yellows to pastel lemon, create striking visual displays that brighten any outdoor area. They are famous for being yellow, but they come in all kinds of other colors, including white, orange, and even pink. They also feature varieties with more than one of these colors. Therefore, they can form a splendid and colorful swash throughout any garden. They have adorned gardens for thousands of years. Indeed, the Greek name is Narcissus. Currently, it's the national flower of Wales. They've been harbingers of the coming of spring throughout their existence, and because they're perennials, each flower does the same for many years throughout its life cycle. They'll anchor your garden through spring and summer as long-lasting blooms, drawing people's gaze to their grace and beauty. The Blooming Trumpet The Daffodil Before they bloom, the trumpet of the mature bloom is covered in a waxy shell called a spathe. The spathe is delicate and reflects the entire light spectrum when covered in morning dew. Not everyone forms a trumpet, however. They form two kinds of cups:  charming double blooms and what's known as the jonquil, which is a beautiful two-toned bloom. Generally, there are two kinds of jonquils: one with primarily white petals and yellow accents and one that's the opposite. Such flowers that sport two exquisite colors can act as a transition between sections of the garden. Care and Growth Info They can grow almost to 3 feet tall and a foot wide. Their mature leaves are tall and straight and only sag toward the end of the growing season at the beginning of August. They last more than a month through the heart of the summer, lending their multicolored cheek to any garden. Because they thrive in containers as much as in the open, they're a terrific accent for window sills, porches, patios, and decks, bringing their polychromatic cheeriness to every part of the garden and the whole property. Companion Perennial Plants The bright yellow flowers pair very well with other garden residents, including the Northern Blue Star with its deep blue and indigo blooms and the vibrant red of roses or dahlias. When considering them fresh, the color palette is nearly endless and fabulously flexible. Where do they grow best? They love soil with good drainage and full to partial sun. Choose an area of your yard with proper airflow to reduce the chances of fungal diseases.  How frequently should I water them? Watering them in the growing season but avoiding excess watering is recommended to prevent the bulbs from rotting.  How do I Propagate them?  They can be multiplied by dividing clumps of bulbs every three to four years. They can also be grown from seeds, though this process takes longer than bulb division. Harvest seeds when the flowers have withered, sow them in a planting medium and wait for flowers to come up.  When Should I Plant Them Timing is essential. Plant your bulbs in autumn, before the soil freezes, so they have enough time to develop and bloom in spring.  What are some companion Plants for Them? Daffodils enjoy the company of other flowers and more. Grow them with tulips to get a truly floral marriage made in a floral paradise, or grow them with perennials to create a marvelous garden outlook.  

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15 Assorted Daylillies - 5 Plants Each - Red, Orange and Yellow - TN Nursery

15 Assorted Daylillies - 5 Plants Each - Red, Orange and Yellow

15 Assorted Daylillies - Hemerocallis Assorted Daylillies are a popular choice for landscaping due to their vibrant blooms, ease of care, and versatility. These perennial plants offer numerous benefits that make daylilies an excellent addition to any garden or landscape design. Daylilies provide various advantages, from their wide range of colors and patterns to their adaptability to different soil conditions. Get 5 Daylilies, Each In Red, Orange, and Yellow Stella De Oro. This plant ships bare-root and dormant (no leaves or foliage). It will not green out until next spring. Assorted Daylillies For Vibrant Warm Season Blooms Adding Hemerocallis - 5 plants each - red, orange, and yellow - will make your yard vibrant and colorful. Daylilies come in a rainbow of hues and patterns, including self, blend, polychrome, baritone, bicolor, and banded. Their blossoms can be a mixture of colors, like purple and gold, or a combination of scarlet and lemon. Some daylilies can grow up to four feet tall. They typically bloom between mid-spring and early autumn, with June being their most prolific month. Even though each bloom only lasts a day, it can take a month or longer for all blooming. Create Havens for Pollinators With Our Assorted Daylillies  These flowers are beautiful additions to rock, butterfly, and children's gardens. Butterflies and hummingbirds are just two of the many pollinators that daylilies attract with their nectar and pollen. The blue, lemon, and purple flowers draw in lots of bees. These plants rely on pollination to reproduce and create fruit. Because the daylily fruit is a loculicidal capsule, its walls ripen and crack to release the seeds. Design Vibrant Walkways and Borders One of the many uses for daylilies is as a border plant, but they also look lovely scattered around a garden. They work exceptionally well, filling empty spaces in flower beds and sloped banks. They encourage people to stay on the designated path when used as walkway edges. It's common to see them planted along fences, walkways, terraces, and curbsides. Another option is to grow these flowers around a foundation. Their leaves complement a variety of other flowers, like rhododendrons, boxwoods, and evergreens. Suppress Weed Growth By Planting These Daylilies are excellent weed suppressants because their dense foliage smothers and eventually kills most weeds. Another way they help get rid of weeds is by blocking photosynthesis. This means the weeds can't obtain the nutrients (carbohydrates) they need to grow, so they die. Planting 15 assorted daylillies - 5 plants each - will kill young, immature weeds.

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Dutchmans Breeches - TN Nursery

Dutchman's Breeches

Dutchman's Breeches - Dicentra cucullaria Dutchman's Breeches is a spring wildflower with distinctive gray-green, finely divided leaves and unique, drooping clusters of white, pantaloon-shaped flowers resembling miniature hanging pants. It is a captivating and delicate spring ephemeral plant that offers several benefits when incorporated into the landscaping. Native to North America, it is a member of the poppy family and can be found growing in rich, moist woodlands, making it an ideal addition to woodland-themed gardens or naturalized landscapes. Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), also known as "Little Blue Staggers," is a white woodland flower that blooms from March to April. This spring ephemeral is also a perennial native to eastern North America. It also grows naturally in the Pacific Northwest. Dicentra cucullaria is often found in the eastern and Pacific Northwestern woodlands of the United States. The flower grows naturally in the wild on forest floors under dappled sunlight, on moist rocky slopes, and along stream banks. After their blooming cycle ends, the flowers go dormant, and their leaves and stems fall to the ground to make way for summer flowers. Dutchman's Breeches Appearance They range from 6" to 12" tall and bloom for about two weeks. Their creamy white or pinkish flowers resemble pairs of old-fashioned Dutch pantaloons hanging upside-down from a clothesline. Each blossom's outer petals form a puffy 'V' shape that converges in a yellow-tipped base. The plant's feathery compound leaves look like fern fronds, changing color from gray-green to pale yellow before disappearing for the rest of the year.  Stunning In Landscapes  Little Blue Staggers makes an attractive addition to many landscapes. The plant is especially well-suited to wildflower and woodland gardens and works well in areas shaded by mature trees. Its beautiful flowers, with their delicate and cheeky blossoms, will surely draw attention to your spring greenery. They should be planted in the fall. They grow from bulb-like underground plant structures called corms, which can multiply underground. Mature corms can be divided and transplanted to propagate new plants. Pollinators love Dicentra Cucullaria It offers nectar to bumblebees, cuckoo bees, and other bees that feed through the plant's perforations as they pollinate the flowers. Ants also help propagate the plant by carrying its seeds into new territory. If you want to add beauty and a touch of humor to your garden, consider planting a few near your trees. These flowers are a sure way to welcome the first flush of spring. Which is the best location for them? It can be planted in part shade and well-drained soils. It's perfect for an organic look in shade gardens or wooded areas.  What do they look like?   It is fern-like with grey-green leaves, producing heads of white pants-shaped flowers in early spring. Its unique booms are striking in any garden.  How to grow them?  Once established, it requires little care. Water the plant when wet and put mulch on top of the soil to keep the moisture in.  Will they work in wildlife gardens?  Yes! It has many early spring pollinators, including bees. It flowers in early spring and will nectar in cold weather when other plants won't.  Can they be cultivated in pots?  Plant Dutchman's Breeches plants in pots, but place it where there is a combination of partial to whole shade and moist but well-drained soil. That means it's suitable for little gardens.

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Ajuga Reptans - TN Nursery

Ajuga Reptans - Bugleweed

Ajuga Reptans - Bugleweed Plant Ajuga Reptans, sometimes called Bugleweed Plant, is a classic ground-cover perennial with rich foliage and beautiful purple flowers. Gardeners love it because it fights off weeds and makes soils healthier. This low-growing, blooming groundcover plant is popular for several reasons beyond its obvious aesthetic appeal. One benefit is its wildlife-friendliness. The species is adept at attracting pollinators to the garden, making it an excellent addition for homeowners interested in sustainability. Characteristics of Ajuga Reptans - Bugleweed Plant This plant also offers soil stabilization on steep banks and in flood-prone areas. Its long roots grab onto the soil and prevent it from being eroded. Given its hardiness, it requires minimal maintenance.  The plant thrives in numerous soil types and doesn't mind the sun or shade. If left in the ground for long enough, it produces a dense canopy, which helps it fight weeds even more. Ideal Growing Conditions of Ajuga Reptans - Bugleweed Plant This plant prefers well-drained soil. It is hardy and low maintenance for those homeowners who want a plant they don't have to fuss over. Gardeners mostly plant it in loamy or clay soils or other fertile areas. The groundcover can be planted in filtered sun, but it thrives in shade and is drought resistant; its large leaves excel at collecting any light that passes through tree canopies or becomes available earlier or later in the day. Attributes of This Groundcover Low-maintenance ground cover plant with attractive purple flowers Can survive in low-light environments, and direct exposure to the sun Requires occasional pruning and fertilization for healthy spring brooms Suitable for homeowners wanting to create more sustainable gardensGrows to around 1 foot tall under ideal conditions with dense coverage Flowers are this plant's biggest attribute. It is a classic ground-cover perennial with rich foliage and beautiful purple flowers that "shoots" from the center of the plant. Gardeners love it because it fights off weeds and makes soils healthier.  Perfect For Soil Erosion It's popular for several reasons beyond its obvious aesthetic appeal. One benefit is its wildlife-friendliness. The species is adept at attracting pollinators to the garden, making it an excellent addition for homeowners interested in sustainability. It also offers soil stabilization on steep banks and in flood-prone areas. Its long roots grab onto the soil and prevent it from being eroded. Given its hardiness, it requires minimal maintenance. It thrives in numerous soil types and doesn't mind the sun or shade (either is okay). If you leave it in the ground for long enough, it produces a dense canopy, helping it fight weeds even more. Ideal Growing Conditions  You can plant it in full sun, but the plant prefers shade, provided it receives proper watering. Its large leaves excel at collecting any light that passes through tree canopies or becomes available earlier or later in the day. If planting multiple plants, keep them 8 to 12 inches apart. Ajuga Reptans can crowd easily, leading to bulb wastage. It's a super attractive ground cover plant that isn't fussy about soil type or maintenance. Spring Blooms Low-maintenance ground cover plant with attractive purple flowers Can survive in low-light environments and direct exposure to the sun Requires occasional pruning and fertilization for healthy spring brooms Suitable for homeowners wanting to create more sustainable gardens Grows to around 1 foot tall under ideal conditions with dense coverage.

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