Many perennials thrive in Ontario's short, warm summers.
Perennial plants are those that live for two years or more, often dying back in the winter to return in the spring or summer. Although much of Ontario has a subarctic climate with long winters, many perennials thrive in the short, but hot, summers. Ontario, Canada is divided into growing zones 0 to 6, with 6 falling in southern Ontario and 0, the harshest, in the far north. You can lengthen the growing season by planting your perennials in raised beds to retain soil heat longer. Protect bulbs and tubers by spreading a thick layer of mulch over the soil in the autumn before the first snowfall. Does this Spark an idea?
Day Lily
The large flowers of the day lily bloom in the summer and tower over low, sword-like foliage. Growing to 36 inches tall, day lilies prefer full sun and moist but well-drained soil. They're planted in the spring or fall. This herbaceous perennial is hardy to growing zone 3. Day lilies bloom in almost every shade of the rainbow and though the flowers live only a day, there is a succession of them to last the entire summer.
Tickseed
Small daisy-like flowers bloom on this perennial from early summer into the fall. Tickseed is from the coreopsis family and grows to 24 inches tall and 24 inches side. The rosea species has pink flowers with a yellow center and grows from zones 4 to 9. Other varieties of tickseed have yellow flowers, such as the auriculata and grandiflora. Tickseed prefers moist but well-drained soil and full sun.
Plantain Lily
Growing from zones 3 to 8, plantain lily is a herbaceous perennial that will thrive in Ontario's central and southern climate. Growing to 15 inches tall and 18 wide, plantain lily needs wet soil and full to partial shade. Deep green, heart-shaped leaves create a backdrop for white flowers blooming in the summer.
Echinacea
Growing in full or partial sun, echinacea is an easy to grow herbaceous perennial. Echinacea, or purple coneflower, thrives from zones 3 to 9 and grows to 4 feet tall. The large daisy-like flowers bloom in shades of purple, white, pink and even green. Echinacea is drought tolerant and will spread in well-drained, loose soil.
Bleeding Heart
The heart-shaped flowers of this perennial hang off arching stems and brighten up your partial or full shade garden. Bleeding heart is hardy from zones 3 to 9 and blooms in late spring to early summer. Bleeding heart will spread or naturalize in soil that is moist but not compact. Growing to 36 inches tall, bleeding heart is an excellent addition to the Ontario garden.
Columbine
Boasting unique flowers over green foliage, columbine thrives in cooler climates from zones 3 to 7. Beautiful paired with coral bells or ferns, it grows up to 36 inches tall in partial shade. Flowers grow on tall stems and bloom in colors ranging from black and white, to red, purple and yellow and will encourage hummingbirds to visit your summer garden.
Tags: from zones, inches tall, Growing inches, Growing inches tall, herbaceous perennial, Bleeding heart, daisy-like flowers
