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!
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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® 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.
