Flowers are beautiful, and they smell great, too. They add color to our homes and bring cheerfulness into our lives. These plants come in various shapes and sizes, but some flowers are better suited for specific climates. If you live in zone 4, these 13 flowers are perfect. With hundreds of gorgeous varieties to choose from, we can guide you toward the right choice. So, let’s dive into it.
Table of Contents
Here are the 13 Best Flowers to Grow in Zone 4
1. Hardy Kiwi Vine
The hardy kiwi vines are a vigorous, fast-growing plant that belongs to the Actinidiaceae family. These plants are native to eastern Asia, where it is found throughout China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It is a perennial plant that lives for many years and produces new growth every season.
A moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade are ideal conditions for this plant. It tolerates both full sun and light shade conditions. In warmer regions, it needs protection during cold weather. During colder months, you can grow it under glass or indoors.
These hardy plants are perfect for use in hanging baskets, window boxes, or container gardens. They make great cut flowers and attract hummingbirds to your garden.
2. Ballerina Cranesbill Geranium
A native of eastern North America, the ballerina cranesbill geranium is a beautiful and delicate study plant. This perennial grows to be about six inches tall and 18 inches wide, making it great for planting in containers or hanging baskets. Its blooms are pretty, pinkish-pink flowers that look like tutus of ballet dancers, earning its name as one of the best perennial flowers for zone 4.
This hardy plant requires little maintenance and does well in full sun. It can even tolerate some shade. If you do notice brown leaves, give it a good soaking. You don’t want to overwater this plant because it could cause root rot.
3. Bee Balm
Eastern North American bee balm is a perennial flower. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and it is commonly known as Monarda Didyma, bee balm, wild bergamot, and Oswego tea. It is usually found on roadsides, fields, and streams. Its scientific name refers to the Greek god Hermes, who was known for his healing powers. In fact, some people believe that he invented the art of pharmacy.
The plant contains essential oils and resin. These oils are used to treat insect bites and stings, including those caused by bees. They are also effective against cold sores, fever blisters, herpes infections, and poison ivy rashes.
4. Black-Eyed Susan
The black-eyed Susan is another name for the black-eyed Susan. A perennial plant, this flower blooms in the spring and summer months. It creates large clusters of flowers that are bright yellow and purple. These plants grow up to 10 inches tall and bloom throughout the growing season.
This particular variety is known for being very easy to care for and propagate. Like most perennials, you can divide the roots once they start showing signs of growth. You can also take cuttings from the stems and root them in water.
The blackeyed Susan makes a great addition to any garden because it attracts bees and butterflies. In fact, it is considered one of the best nectar sources for pollinators. It also provides shelter for birds such as hummingbirds, orioles, and finches.
5. Blazing Stars
Blazing stars are a genus of flowering plants in the aster family. There are about 200 different species of blazing stars, most of which grow in the western United States. The name “blazing star” refers to the individual blooms being very bright red, orange, or yellow. Most species bloom from July through September.
It attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths. The plant is also the host for several species of Lepidopteran insects, meaning they feed upon the plant. This makes it an important food source for many animals.
| Flower Name | Scientific Name | Bloom Season | Sunlight | Soil Type | Watering Needs | Special Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulips | Tulipa spp. | Spring | Full Sun | Well-Drained | Moderate | Plant bulbs in the fall, and provide winter mulch. |
| Daffodils | Narcissus spp. | Spring | Full to Part | Well-Drained | Moderate | Deer-resistant, naturalize easily. |
| Lilacs | Syringa spp. | Spring | Full Sun | Well-Drained | Moderate | Prune after flowering to maintain shape. |
| Peonies | Paeonia spp. | Late Spring | Full Sun | Well-Drained | Moderate | Plant with eyes (buds) just below the soil surface. |
| Coneflowers | Echinacea spp. | Summer | Full Sun | Well-Drained | Low | Attracts pollinators, cut back in late fall. |
| Black-Eyed Susans | Rudbeckia spp. | Summer | Full Sun | Well-Drained | Low | Drought-tolerant, self-seeding. |
| Astilbe | Astilbe spp. | Summer | Part Shade | Moist, well-drained | Moderate | Mulch to retain moisture, divide every few years. |
| Bleeding Heart | Dicentra spp. | Spring | Part Shade | Rich, moist | Moderate | Requires consistent moisture. |
| Daylilies | Hemerocallis spp. | Summer | Full Sun to Part | Well-Drained | Low | Low-maintenance, prolific blooms. |
| Siberian Iris | Iris sibirica | Late Spring | Full Sun to Part | Well-Drained | Moderate | Divide every few years for best results. |
6. Zinnias
Zinnia is one of the easiest annual flowering plants to grow, and they’re great choices for beginners looking to plant something a little different in their gardens. They tolerate cold temperatures, don’t require much space, and bloom throughout summer. Plus, there are wide varieties to choose from, including yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, white, and even bicolors. And you’ll find plenty of options for planting in containers, too.
For areas within Zone 4, it’s important to remember that zinnias aren’t just good for springtime — they’re also perfect for fall color displays. So if you want to enjoy some colorful foliage in late autumn, consider planting zinnias. But remember that they won’t flower until midwinter, so plan accordingly.
7. Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the easiest plants to grow indoors because they require little water once established. They also do very well in containers and hanging baskets. Most varieties bloom throughout summer, although some varieties begin flowering earlier and continue into fall.
Some marigold varieties even produce seed pods. A few types of marigolds tolerate low temperatures better than others, making them good choices for cold climates.
In addition to being easy to grow, marigolds are great for attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies. They also attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. In fact, marigolds are often used as pollinator gardens. Many gardeners choose to use marigolds as cut flowers, too.
8. Coleus
Coleus is one of the easiest plants to start indoors. They are easy to care for and don’t require a lot of space. You can buy coleus seeds online or purchase plants at local nurseries. Once planted out into the ground, coleus will produce flowers throughout the growing season.
The best zone for planting coleus is zones 3 and 4. These areas are generally warm enough that temperatures do not drop too low during winter months.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a variety based on how tall you want your coleus to grow. For example, ‘Mardi Gras’ grows up to 2 feet tall while ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers’ is about half that height.
9. Spider Flower
Spider flowers are a great addition to any landscape because they’re easy to grow, hardy, and attractive. They’re also extremely useful since they attract insects like bees, butterflies, and moths, which are essential to our food supply. Plus, they’re drought-tolerant and low maintenance. If you live in Zone 4, here are some of the best annuals for attracting pollinators.
10. Petunias
Petunias are among the easiest plants to grow in containers, even though you might think otherwise because of their size. They do well in pots up to 10 inches deep and require little maintenance once established. Their compact growth habit makes them perfect for small spaces like window boxes and hanging baskets. In fact, petunias are often used as filler plants in such areas.
The flowers of petunias are trumpet-shaped and range in colors from white to red, pink, purple, orange, and yellow. These colorful blossoms attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. While most petunias bloom in early spring, some varieties flower later into summer.
11. Arctic Kiwi Vine
Cranesbill geraniums come in a variety of forms. They can become weedy and spread. For that reason, I would like to focus on a particular variety. A small mound of Ballerina cranesbill geraniums blooms in intricate pink and white colors.
12. Ballerina Cranesbill Geranium
As with other cranesbill geraniums, it has lacy foliage. Nonetheless, it keeps a small size and blooms all season with intricate and beautiful flowers.
It prefers sun to part shade conditions for ballerina cranesbill geraniums. Soil quality doesn’t matter too much to them; sandy soil will do. After they’ve been established, they don’t need any additional water.
13. Balloon Planting
Perennial balloon plants bloom late in the summer. This flower has the unique characteristic of turning purple before exploding into a big purple flower. A birdbath or statue would be a wonderful place to place this lovely perennial flower, as it would look lovely placed close to it. It would also look lovely placed in front of a bed or next to a feature of your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. Which Flower Blooms The Longest?
Its name is Anthurium, and it is known as the longest-blooming plant in the world. Up to eight weeks can pass between each spike of heart-shaped flowers. Known as Tail Flower, Flamingo Flower, Painter’s Palette, Laceleaf, or Painter’s Palette, Anthurium andraeanum is the largest genus of the Arum family. Other species include A.
2. What Is The Difference Between An Annual And A Perennial?
An annual dies after flowering and produces new seedlings yearly. Perennials live more than two years, usually three to five years or longer. Many perennials die back during winter. The main difference is that perennials tend to reseed themselves, while annuals must be replanted yearly.
3. How Long Does It Take To Grow A Houseplant?
Plants vary widely in how quickly they sprout roots and grow. Some seeds take only a few days to appear above ground. Others may need months. Once the root system is established, it takes time for leaves to develop and mature. Some plants have a short life span; others last decades.
4. Are There Any Advantages Of Growing Houseplants Indoors?
There are many reasons why people choose indoor plants over outdoor ones. Indoor plants give us greater control, allowing us to design our living environments. They’re easier to maintain, and you won’t have to worry about insects, pests, or drought. You’ll never get burned by hot weather again. And no outside gardening means no weeds, saving you time and money.
5. Do I Have To Buy Expensive Fertilizer For My Indoor Plants?
No. There are plenty of cheap fertilizers available at home stores. If you want to use something more special, then try using organic materials such as worm castings, compost tea, manure, fish emulsion, seaweed extract, or kelp meal. These will add nutrients to your plants without adding chemicals to the soil. Remember that all plants require water and air. Without adequate amounts of these elements, flowers cannot thrive.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy reading our article “The 13 Best Flowers to Grow in Zones 4”. We’ve provided you with some great ideas regarding what plants will work best in your area. So don’t be a couch potato now; go and fill up your zone 4 with beautiful flowers.
