Rock Star Plants for Cold Climates

Having reliable plants that work in your zone is an essential piece to building your dream landscape. For cold climate gardeners, our Rock Stars suited to cooler zones in Zones 2-5 are sure to add interest and easy-care beauty to your space.

Cold climates are defined by the average winter temperatures and weather conditions that plants would have to withstand. These shrubs have been trialed and tested across zones to ensure that they will be up the whatever challenge faces them in your zone – cold temps, wet soil, or little to no sunlight for example.

Below we’ve got all the details on these cool climate Rock Stars to give you inspiration for best landscape uses and Best Bud ideas to create the perfect plant pairing. Check out our Complete Guide to Rock Star Plants for a full list that includes warm climate Rock Stars. Let’s dive in!

STANDING OVATION™ SERVICEBERRY

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • An upright shrub that offers year-round interest.
  • Standing Ovation™ adds height to the garden during the warmer months and structure during the colder ones.
  • In the spring it is covered in white flowers that age to edible berries.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant in groups along a garden border for added privacy for your space.
  • An excellent option for a large statement shrub in areas that need multi-season interest.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging, pollinator attractor

PARKLAND PILLAR® BIRCH

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • This is a beautiful birch with a narrow, dense, upright habit that includes the classic white bark and dark green foliage.
  • Parkland Pillar® is an excellent choice for both urban and rural landscapes.
  • Perfect for gardens, privacy screens, and boulevards.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Add height, dimension, and privacy to your space by planting alone or in groups.
  • The bark and leaves make a gorgeous backdrop when planted along the back border of a garden.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging, drought tolerance

FIREDANCE™ DOGWOOD

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • The compact, uniform habit makes it an ideal shrub for small areas.
  • Provides great multi-season interest with pure white flowers in the spring that lead to summer fruit, and red-purple leaves in the fall.
  • This shrub thrives in damp soil making it a great addition to rain gardens.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant along a hill or slope to help hold the soil in place.
  • As Firedance™ can thrive in damp soil, plant in a rain garden or in low areas of your landscape that tend to stay moist.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: mass planting, drought tolerance

NEON BURST™ DOGWOOD

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • It is both heat and sun tolerant.
  • Neon Burst™ retains its bright leaf color throughout the summertime.
  • In the winter, the stems turn a glossy scarlet red, adding unique interest to the stark winter landscape.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant in front of dark-colored plants or hardscapes to help make the bright leaves pop.
  • Use along a border of a garden to create an informal hedge.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: mass planting, drought tolerance

BALI™ HIBISCUS

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • This rock star hibiscus boasts semi-double, pure white flowers that are highlighted with a purple-red center.
  • The intermediate size makes it good for smaller spaces.
  • The bright white blooms offer great contrast in the garden.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant Bali™ to add height to your space.
  • Use the size of this shrub to create structure throughout the landscape.
  • Add visual interest with its stunning blooms.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging, pollinator attractor

ECLIPSE® BIGLEAF HYDRANGEA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • A groundbreaking hydrangea that features deep purple foliage that remains dark all summer long.
  • The striking foliage contrasts beautifully with the cranberry-colored blooms.
  • At 3-5’ tall and wide, Eclipse® is right at home in any landscape or outdoor space, and the colors are perfect for pairing with anything in the garden.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • The features of Eclipse® can be showcased in an entry walkway.
  • With its distinctive foliage and flowers, Eclipse® is a standout as a focal point.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: salt tolerant, mass planting, good for containers

LITTLE HOTTIE® PANICLE HYDRANGEA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Full flower heads with florets that emerge green and turn sparkling white.
  • Covered in large blooms from top to bottom.
  • Strong stems that do not allow the blooms to droop.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • As a border in garden vignettes.
  • Little Hottie® is an excellent option for mass planting and covering large areas of landscape.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: mass planting

WHITE DIAMONDS® PANICLE HYDRANGEA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • White Diamonds® has a medium size that is perfect for fitting into gaps in the garden.
  • Bright, white panicles that command attention in the landscape.
  • The open white panicles eventually fade to parchment and pink.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Create height and interest by planting White Diamonds® in the center of your garden.
  • Border a fence line with White Diamonds® for structure.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging

BERRY WHITE® PANICLE HYDRANGEA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Berry White’s® color starts out white in July then progresses to a jaw-dropping dark pink, beginning at the bottom and developing up to the top of the panicle.
  • The size and height make it perfect for adding privacy hedges or structure to a landscape.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Use it to add a privacy screen along a fence line.
  • Plant to add structure and height to a backyard landscape.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging

COBALT-N-GOLD™ HYPERICUM

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • A mounded habit that has fine blue-silver foliage.
  • Sunny, yellow flowers bloom in late spring and early summer.
  • In the fall, the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red and reveal an attractive exfoliating bark.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Use it to line a walkway or to border an entryway.
  • Plant it in a container for a moveable pop of beauty throughout your space.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: pollinator attractor

STRAIGHT & NARROW® JAPANESE HOLLY

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Strong branches remain upright at maturity and after inclement weather.
  • Foliage is dark green, flat, and looks good all winter.
  • Perfect substitute for ‘Sky Pencil,’ as Straight & Narrow® resists flopping.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Upright privacy screen near patios and along borders.
  • An eye-catching accent along walkways and foundations.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, screens & hedging

CENTENNIAL BLUSH STAR MAGNOLIA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Produces star shaped flowers at almost every node.
  • Features an attractive upright, oval habit.
  • Medium green foliage turns yellow or bronze in autumn.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • A burst of fragrant, large, pink blooms that provide beautiful contrast to evergreens.
  • The perfect spring color and summer shade focal point plant to add to your front yard.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: pollinator attractor

AMBER JUBILEE™ NINEBARK

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Multi-season foliage interest: orange, yellow, and gold new growth followed by mildew-resistant green summer leaves and then red and purple tones in fall.
  • Spring flowers add early-season pops of color in especially cold climates.
  • Dense habit creates an impressive backdrop.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant along the back-of-border or as privacy hedge.
  • Dramatic addition of height to a mixed garden bed display.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging, drought tolerance

JADE PARADE® SAND CHERRY

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Profuse spring bloomer.
  • Low-growing with glossy blue-green foliage turns shades of yellow, orange, and red in fall.
  • Tolerant of dry conditions once established. 

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Due to its spreading, upright habit it is perfect for mass plantings or ground cover.
  • Plant along a hillside to help hold the hill in place.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: mass planting, drought tolerant, salt tolerant, deer resistant, pollinator attractor

TIGER EYES® CUTLEAF STAGHORN SUMAC

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • The new growth on this cutleaf staghorn sumac presents a lively chartreuse green that quickly turns yellow.
  • Fall colors are even more striking, with yellow, orange, and intense scarlet taking over.
  • Both colors contrast nicely with the rosy-pink stems.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Due to Tiger Eyes®versatility and size, it makes for a perfect mass planting option.
  • Use it to create structure across your landscape while also creating a large, bold swath of color and texture.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: deer resistance, mass planting, drought tolerance

CAMPFIRE ROSE

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Campfire Rose has exceptional cold hardiness.
  • The buds are yellow with red undertones that open to semi-double flowers of yellow that eventually fade into pink.
  • Bright glossy foliage compliments the eye-catching blooms.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • The stunning colorful blooms of Campfire Rose make it the perfect choice for a focal point in a foundation bed.
  • Planting Campfire Rose in a decorative pot is easy thanks to its compact size and shape.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: pollinator attractor

ICEBERG ALLEY® SAGELEAF WILLOW

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Incredibly cold hardy to Zone 2.
  • Thrives in moist soil and is great in rain gardens.
  • Colorful spring catkins add early-season interest and nectar for pollinators.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Add Iceberg Alley® to soften or balance a colorful display.
  • An ideal mid-size hedge to add a pop of light color to a darker landscape.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: mass planting

LITTLE SPARK® SPIREA

 WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Retains colorful foliage all season without reversion, offering a substitute for ‘Goldflame.’
  • Orange new growth, yellow summer foliage, and charming pink flowers give way to leaves with shades of pink in fall.
  • Compact, low-maintenance, and hardy selection.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • The compact size makes it an ideal low border planting for along a walkway or foundation.
  • Little Spark’s® size and shape it make it a great choice for decorative pot planting.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: drought tolerance

VIRTUAL VIOLET® LILAC

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Virtual Violet® gets its name from the shiny, violet trimmed new leaves, deep purple stems, and raspberry-purple buds.
  • With an upright shape, this shrub is great for smaller spaces and makes for a perfect foundation plant.
  • The flowers feature the classic lilac scent that packs a powerful punch.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • Plant this lilac shrub as a hedge to create a privacy screen that is as effective as it is beautiful.
  • The classic purple blooms and their fragrance act as a stunning focal point that rises above smaller plants in the landscape.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: screens & hedging, pollinator attractor

SHINING SENSATION™ WEIGELA

WHY IT ROCKS:

  • Shiny burgundy foliage all season long.
  • Prolific pink funnel-shaped flowers in May and June with sporadic summer rebloom.
  • Arching branches and dense habit provide architectural element to the landscape.

HOW TO USE IT:

  • A perfect mid-size hedge for early-season blooms and season-long dark foliage backdrop.
  • Use as a focal point in mixed border.

ROCK STAR FEATURES: pollinator attractor

Landscape Design Inspiration

Need some help getting started to use these Rock Stars together in the landscape? No worries! We’ve outlined a few of our favorite landscape design tips below that you can reference when designing your dream garden.

 Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea + Little Spark® Spirea + Cobalt-n-Gold™ Hypericum

The vibrant colors of the foliage and blooms on Eclipse® are showcased beautifully in a foundation planting as shown above. By adding in the pops of color from Cobalt-n-Gold™ and Little Spark® and the border they provide, the bed comes to life. Add in texture and even more color with dwarf fountain grass and Biokovo Geranium.

Cobalt-n-Gold™ Hypericum + Iceberg Alley® Sageleaf Willow + Bubblegum Pink™ Phlox

This pairing is an excellent for creating a cottage garden or a border. The finely textured blue-silver foliage and yellow flowers of Cobalt-n-Gold™ complement the wider silver leaf of Iceberg Alley® Sageleaf Willow. Finally, Bubblegum Pink™ Phlox adds a fabulous accent color to this wholly native species cottage garden planting.

Little Hottie® Panicle Hydrangea + Spicy Devil® Ninebark + Easy Elegance® Kashmir Rose + Endless Summer® Pop Star® Reblooming Hydrangea

Little Hottie® works hand in hand with Spicy Devil® to create a gorgeous low hedge to border a fence line. Round out the vignette with Pop Star® Reblooming Hydrangea and Kashmir Rose for an interesting visual display of mixed colors, textures and foliage.

You can shop each of these Rock Stars online during our shipping season or use our Find a Retailer tool to locate First Editions ® plants at garden centers near you. Sign up for our monthly newsletter and remember to follow us on social for even more tips, tricks, and inspiration.