Landscaping Ideas for Zone 4

Perennial Flowers

• It may seem strange to think that flowers could thrive in such cold temperatures as those in Zone Four, but there are many perennial flowers that grow there. To brighten your Zone Four landscape, consider planting a garden or window box of these flowers.

  There are a large number of iris species that can grow in Zone Four, including the bearded iris, crested iris and Japanese iris. Irises are named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and are extremely colorful plants, ranging from plain white to blue and purple. Some species may even feature multiple colors on the same plant, and so can create a beautiful array of colors for your landscape.

  Other popular Zone Four perennials include black-eyed Susans, lilies and sunflowers, as well as herbs such as thyme and sage.

  Perennials will last for up to five years, but may only bloom for a few weeks each year. Consult a local garden center or nursery regarding which of these flowers will grow best in your specific soil and climate conditions.

Shrubs

• Shrubs can serve a variety of purposes in a landscape, from lining property borders to establishing different areas of your garden or lawn. There are a variety of shrubs and bushes that can grow in Zone Four.

  Dogwood shrubs maintain their distinct green and red stems and leaves year-round, regardless of temperature, making them a common choice for cold-weather landscaping. These shrubs can add color to even a bleak winter landscape.

  Azaleas and rhododendrons are also cold-hardy, making them good choices for a Zone Four landscape. These shrubs produce colorful flowers late into the season.

Evergreens

• As their names suggest, evergreen trees, some of which are also known as conifers, grow year-round, even in cold regions such as Zone Four. These trees can provide much-needed relief from a bare winter landscape, and with the right types of conifers you can even produce your own Christmas trees.

  Evergreen trees include species of pine, fir and juniper, as well as yew, spruce and cypress trees. Use these trees to line walkways or install them near windows so that you enjoy the view of snow against the dark green leaves.