Gardening in Zone 7’s ever-shifting weather can seem challenging: one minute, we’re basking in a mild spring breeze; the next, we’re shivering under a late frost or wilting in a surprise heat wave. And still want blossoms that light up our gardens from spring to fall. The good news? Plenty of resilient flowering plants shine in Zone 7’s variable conditions. Explore 22 top picks that bring reliable color regardless of seasonal surprises.
1. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are known for their sunny, yellow petals and dark centers. These perennials adapt well to various conditions, flourishing in partial shade and full sun. They’re drought-tolerant, making them a great option for hot, dry spells that sometimes appear in Zone 7. Their bright flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding extra life to your garden. Black-eyed Susans also produce long-lasting blooms from mid-summer into early fall, ensuring a colorful display even as the seasons shift.
2. Daylily
Daylilies come in a rainbow of colors—yellow, orange, red, pink, and more. They’ve earned a reputation for toughness and adaptability, easily handling occasional frost snaps and blazing summer days. Their trumpet-shaped blooms appear on tall stalks above slender leaves, creating a graceful garden presence. Daylilies can rebloom multiple times throughout the summer, especially if you remove spent flowers. Plant them in well-draining soil for consistent growth, and enjoy their vibrant show all season long.
3. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers stand out for their hardy nature and beautiful, daisy-like petals in purple, pink, and white shades. Native to North America, they’ve evolved to handle the ups and downs of temperatures in Zone 7. Full sun is ideal, but they’ll also adapt to partial shade. Pollinators love coneflowers, making them a top pick for eco-friendly gardens. Prune back the spent blooms to encourage continual flowering, and consider leaving some seed heads for winter interest and bird feeding.
4. Salvia
Salvia plants, also known as sage, bring a vivid pop of purple, blue, or red spikes throughout summer and into early autumn. This beloved perennial doesn’t mind swings in temperature and is remarkably drought-tolerant. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to their nectar-rich blossoms, lending motion and sound to your outdoor space. Salvia grows best in full sun and well-draining soil, ensuring healthy roots and a brilliant floral display.
5. Shasta Daisy
Shasta daisies add a classic look to the garden with their cheery white petals and sunny yellow centers. Their resilience in various weather conditions makes them ideal for Zone 7’s unpredictability. Once established, they can handle brief dry spells. Shasta daisies do best in full sun, blooming from early to mid-summer, and often rebloom in the right conditions. Their straightforward care and bright blooms make them a staple in many cottage-style landscapes.
6. Phlox
Phlox species vary widely, but garden phlox and creeping phlox are particular favorites among Zone 7 gardeners. Tall garden phlox features large clusters of colorful blossoms atop sturdy stems while creeping phlox forms a lush groundcover of pink, purple, or white blooms in spring. Both types are fairly tolerant of changing conditions, though planting them in well-draining soil is ideal and ensures regular watering. Deadheading spent blooms may encourage a second flush of color.
7. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm is a showstopper with its shaggy, tubular blooms in red, pink, and purple shades. True to its name, it’s a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Bee balm can withstand variable weather, though it thrives in moist, well-draining soil. Prevent powdery mildew by spacing your plants well and watering at the base. Despite its delicate appearance, bee balm performs admirably in the shifting conditions common to Zone 7.
8. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, often called tickseed, produces bright yellow flowers that bounce cheerfully in the breeze. These easygoing perennials don’t require much fuss, handling periodic dryness and wet spells. They grow in neat mounds and bloom continuously with regular deadheading. While most varieties feature sunny yellow petals, you can also find pink or bicolored versions for added visual interest. Plant in a sunny spot for the most abundant blooms.
9. Russian Sage (Perovskia)
Russian sage features tall, airy spires of lavender-blue flowers that sway gracefully in the wind. Once established, it’s famously drought-tolerant, making it a reliable choice for hot summers. The silvery-green foliage contrasts your garden, while the blooms last for weeks, extending your color display. Russian sage prefers full sun and well-draining soil, thriving even in less-than-ideal growing conditions. Plus, its aromatic foliage discourages deer and other pests.
10. Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
Hardy hibiscus varieties enchant gardeners with oversized, tropical-style blooms, often measuring up to a foot across. Though they exude a tropical flair, these hibiscus plants survive frosty weather and rebound each spring in Zone 7. They inject a dramatic note into the garden with colors ranging from pure white to deep red and pink. Their large, heart-shaped leaves lend a lush, full look. Providing full sun and moist soil supports the most robust growth.
11. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, or “mums,” burst into flower in late summer and fall when other blooms fade. These full, cushion-like plants brighten borders and containers in various colors—red, yellow, pink, white, and more. In Zone 7, certain hardy varieties can overwinter with the right care, returning for multiple seasons of color. Regular pinching back in early summer can encourage fuller, more compact growth and abundant autumn blooms.
12. Roses
From old-fashioned heirloom roses to disease-resistant modern varieties, roses thrive in Zone 7 with proper care. Many cultivars can handle late frosts if given adequate winter protection. Roses appreciate well-draining soil rich in organic matter, plus consistent watering. Their spectacular blooms can appear from late spring through fall, offering classic beauty and fragrance to your garden. Prune in early spring to promote healthy new canes and abundant blossoms.
13. Rudbeckia “Autumn Sun”
This particular Rudbeckia variety earns praise for its tall, sturdy stems topped with bright yellow, cone-shaped blossoms. It’s perfect for a back border or a statement piece in mixed plantings. “Autumn Sun” can handle both rainy spells and drought periods, a must in changeable Zone 7 climates. Deadheading may extend the bloom period, which runs from midsummer into fall. In winter, some seed heads are left standing to feed wildlife.
14. Aster
Asters usually burst into bloom in late summer and fall, producing daisy-like flowers in purples, pinks, and whites. They’re cool-weather champs, keeping your garden lively right up to the first frost. Asters manage the back-and-forth of warmer days and cooler nights typical in Zone 7’s autumn. Plant them in full to partial sun, and watch out for overcrowding, which can lead to mildew. Prune plants in early summer for a fuller, neater appearance.
15. Columbine (Aquilegia)
Columbine’s unique bell-shaped flowers add a whimsical touch to spring gardens. They naturally handle the mild spring days and cool nights in Zone 7. While they prefer partial shade, many varieties adapt to various sun exposures. Columbine self-seeds if you let the spent blooms remain, which can help fill tricky spots in your garden. Their delicate foliage and nodding blossoms pair nicely with other spring perennials, like violets and early-blooming phlox.
16. Lenten Rose (Hellebore)
Lenten roses are a highlight of the early spring garden, showcasing nodding blooms in shades of cream, pink, purple, and even green. Despite their delicate look, hellebores are known for their hardiness. They emerge in late winter and persist through fluctuating spring temperatures. They thrive in shady corners and prefer well-draining, humus-rich soil. A bonus: hellebores often remain evergreen in many regions of Zone 7, providing year-round foliage interest.
17. Peony
Peonies reward a little patience with stunning, fragrant blooms each spring. They can handle a range of temperatures and weather events, though you may need to stake the heavy blossoms to keep them from drooping. Once established, peonies can flourish in the same spot for decades, tolerating cold snaps and warming periods alike. They perform best in well-draining soil under full sun but can bloom in partial shade.
18. Verbena
Verbena is prized for its long bloom period and versatility. It can be used in containers, hanging baskets, or as a ground cover, brightening spaces with clusters of purple, pink, or red blossoms. In Zone 7, many verbena varieties easily handle hot, dry summers, provided they get at least six hours of sun daily. Regular deadheading keeps new flowers appearing throughout the season. Verbena stands out as a low-maintenance choice for consistent color.
19. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas, known for their globe or cone-shaped flower clusters, thrive in Zone 7’s moderate climate. Some varieties, like panicle or oakleaf hydrangeas, are particularly adaptable to heat and cold swings. Hydrangeas enjoy the morning sun with afternoon shade, especially in hot summers. Adjusting the soil pH can yield different bloom colors in certain types, giving you an element of creative control over your garden palette.
20. Foxglove
Foxgloves produce tall spires of bell-shaped blooms in pinks, purples, whites, and yellows. These biennials or short-lived perennials prefer partial shade and well-draining soil, and they self-seed readily, ensuring a recurring show each year. While their striking appearance can bring a cottage-garden feel, be aware that all parts of foxglove are toxic if ingested, so plant them responsibly. Their ability to handle cool, damp springs and warmer summers aligns well with Zone 7’s climate changes.
21. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts adorn shade gardens with dainty, heart-shaped pink or white blooms dripping along arching stems. They flourish in moist, well-draining soil and can endure the gentle spring transitions typical of Zone 7. Once summer’s heat arrives, the foliage may yellow and die back, a normal cycle for these woodland natives. Pair bleeding hearts with hostas or ferns to fill the space once they go dormant. Their timeless charm makes them a favorite among many gardeners.
22. Snapdragon
Snapdragons extend the flower show from spring to fall if cared for properly. In cooler spring and autumn weather, they burst with bright blooms in practically every color—red, pink, yellow, orange, white, and beyond. With a bit of mulch and mild winters, some snapdragons can even overwinter in Zone 7, returning for an encore performance. Pinching back spent blossoms encourages branching and fresh, colorful spikes.
Thriving in Zone 7
Whether you prefer classic daisies or eye-catching exotics like hardy hibiscus, there’s a flowering plant perfect for Zone 7’s changing seasons. The key lies in selecting varieties that adapt to weather extremes, from sudden frosts to heatwaves. Once you find the right mix, you’ll enjoy a continuous parade of blooms that keep your garden alive with color, fragrance, and pollinator activity. Now that you have 22 options, you can build a diverse and dazzling garden that stands up to nature’s whims.