Suggested Landscape Plants for Zones 6 & 7

Finding the right landscape plants can be tricky. It's not just a matter of picking out ones that will look nice; it's also important to select plants hardy enough to survive the extremes of the environment. USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 and 7 have annual average low temperatures of -10 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so plants for these landscapes have to be hardy enough to make it through some chilly nights.

English ivy is a sprawling, deep-green ivy. It isn't just for filling in flower beds, but can also be trained around metal framework to create topiaries, as well as climb and cover buildings, trees, pergolas and latticework to create a stunning background to any landscape. There are a number of cultivars, from those groomed to be able to withstand the chilly temperatures of the northern zones to heat-resistant varieties for the south. When selecting a variety of English ivy for an outdoor landscape, be sure to select one that hasn't been cultivated as an indoor variety, since they're not as hardy.

The white fir is an evergreen tree that can reach mature heights of anywhere from 60 to 200 feet, and live upwards of 300 years. Its needles are a unique silver-blue or silver-green, 2 to 3 inches long, and have a pleasant fragrance. Its branches are strong, and can withstand heavy snows without breaking. Well-suited to a variety of soils, the white fir is typically found as a native tree in the western United States. It's also a popular Christmas tree, and will reach a height of 6 feet in its first 6 to 9 years. The seeds of the white fir will attract birds, squirrels and other rodents; in the winter months, the tree is a popular roosting spot for winter birds.

There are a number of varieties of serviceberry, all of which do well in zones 6 and 7. A member of the rose family, the serviceberry blossoms with flowers (usually white) in the spring, which then turn into small, apple-like fruits that attract birds and small animals throughout the season. Most varieties of serviceberry are 20 to 25 feet tall, and round or oval. In the fall, their leaves change to brilliant red, yellow or orange. They thrive in full sun and partial shade, and can tolerate a number of soil conditions.

The chrysanthemum is a late-blooming fall annual that comes in a number of varieties, all of which are well suited to zones 6 and 7. They come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, orange, yellow, red and purple. They do well in full sun and moist soil, requiring some attention and pruning in order to form a compact bush. Stems should be trimmed back in late spring and early summer to shape the bush. After flowering, chrysanthemums should be mulched for protection against the cold winter months. Chrysanthemums begin blooming in September and keep blooming until the first frost.