The Best Perennials for Pennsylvania

Make use of the native perennials growing within Pennsylvania's borders for your landscaping needs -- these plants are your best bet to do well. These native perennials, adapted to the growing conditions in the Keystone State, are cold hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 and 6, which cover most of the state. By using perennials that grow naturally in Pennsylvania, you ensure that your plants have an excellent chance of thriving, since they will face conditions the species are already familiar with.

Shade typically does not deter the growth of white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum), a Pennsylvania native that grows to 5 feet. White snakeroot does well in dry sites, notes the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This is a late bloomer, flowering in September and then enduring until the first fatal frost occurs. White snakeroot will aggressively expand by self-seeding, allowing its use in those naturalized sites of your property where you do not mind if it spreads. The white flowers occur at the end of the stems in flat clusters. The name of this species comes from the Native American believe that medicine made from the roots helped combat the effects of snake bites.

Picture a candelabrum with straight spikes of blue flowers and you have an idea what a mature blue vervain (Verbena hastata) plant looks like. This Pennsylvania species is among the best for the wet areas you need a perennial for, since in the wild it grows near water. Blue vervain develops to 6 feet in some instances, with its flowering period lasting from July into September. The flowers appear on the spikes blooming around the stem in a ring from the bottom upward. Blue vervain will form colonies and fits well as a border perennial or one for your naturalized sites. Keep your blue vervain in the sun for the best results.

The May-apple (Podophyllum peltatum) is among the best Pennsylvania perennials for woodland gardens and wild sites around your home. It will produce plenty of seeds, and it is able to form large colonies by expanding via its root system, shooting up new plants from its roots. The handsome May-apple grows to 18 inches, featuring deeply lobed green leaves. The two leaves stay shut as the stem of the May-apple grows to full size, then open up wide. The flowers bloom in April, turning into what the Missouri Botanical Garden calls a "fleshy fruit." Use these "apples" to make jams and preserves, but remember that the roots and foliage of the plant are toxic to humans. May-apple will become dormant once spring ends, dying back down to ground level.