Gardening in Zone 6 is full of possibilities—think bold colors, lush textures, and plants that thrive with the seasons. As summer approaches, it’s the perfect moment to plan which blooms and foliage will transform your outdoor space. Whether you’re going for eye-catching color or subtle charm, there’s a plant waiting to brighten your garden.
1. Lavender
This hardy plant thrives in Zone 6, offering aromatic blooms that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plant lavender in well-drained soil and a sunny location to ensure its vibrant growth.
Lavender’s silvery foliage adds texture to any garden, making it a delight for the senses. Not only does it bring beauty, but it also acts as a natural insect repellent.
Its fragrant flowers can be dried and used in sachets or oils, offering a touch of elegance in your home.
2. Bee Balm
Bee Balm bursts into color with its striking red or pink blossoms, making it a favored choice for a summer garden. This plant is perfect for attracting hummingbirds and bees, ensuring your garden is buzzing with life. Plant it in a sunny spot with moist soil for the best results.
Known for its delightful fragrance, Bee Balm is also a great choice for herbal teas. Its long-lasting blooms can brighten up any flower bed, bringing joy to both the gardener and anyone who visits. This plant is a vibrant summer favorite.
3. Coneflower
With their cheerful flowers, coneflowers consistently bring color to the garden. Their daisy-like flowers, often in shades of purple, attract butterflies and other pollinators. Plant them in well-drained soil where they can soak up the summer sun.
These perennials are not just beautiful but also tough, standing up to heat and drought. Their seed heads add interest in winter, so leave them for birds to enjoy. With their long-lasting flowers, coneflowers are a must-have for a lively garden.
4. Daylily
Daylilies bring a burst of color to any garden, with their trumpet-shaped flowers that come in almost every hue imaginable. These adaptable plants thrive in Zone 6, requiring minimal care while delivering maximum beauty. Plant them in sunny areas with well-drained soil for a fantastic show.
Each daylily bloom lasts just a day, but don’t worry, as each stem holds multiple buds ensuring an ongoing display.
They are perfect for borders or mixed beds, providing a lush, vibrant look. Daylilies are a gardener’s dream for a low-maintenance yet colorful garden.
5. Hydrangea
Known for their large, eye-catching blooms, hydrangeas easily stand out in any garden. These plants thrive in the cool, moist conditions of Zone 6 gardens, producing flowers in shades of pink, blue, or white. Plant them in partial shade to enjoy their full, lush blooms.
Their large flower heads are perfect for cutting and displaying indoors, adding elegance to any room.
With the right care, hydrangeas can thrive and become the centerpiece of your garden. Their changing colors throughout the season make them a dynamic addition.
6. Peony
Peonies are the classic beauties of the garden, known for their lush, full blooms and sweet fragrance. These perennial favorites are well-suited for Zone 6, where they can enjoy the cold winters needed for their springtime blooms. Plant peonies in well-drained soil with plenty of sun.
Once established, peonies require little maintenance, rewarding you with spectacular blooms each year.
They’re perfect for cutting and bringing indoors, filling your home with their lovely scent. Peonies add a touch of timeless elegance to any garden space.
7. Black-Eyed Susan
Bringing energy and warmth, Black-Eyed Susan flowers are often used to create a lively, inviting garden space. These cheerful plants are easy to grow and thrive in Zone 6, needing well-drained soil and full sun to flourish. They’re perfect for adding a splash of color.
Not only do they brighten the garden, but they also attract beneficial insects like butterflies. Their long-lasting blooms make them an excellent choice for borders and naturalized areas.
Black-Eyed Susans are a joyful addition to any summer garden, offering vibrant beauty with ease.
8. Phlox
Phlox is a garden favorite for its rich colors and sweet fragrance. This perennial thrives in Zone 6, bringing stunning clusters of blooms in shades of pink, purple, or white. Plant phlox in well-drained soil and a sunny location to enjoy its vibrant display all summer long.
Phlox is not only beautiful but also attracts pollinators, making it a valuable addition to any garden. Its showy flowers are perfect for borders or as a ground cover, adding texture and color.
With its charming appeal, phlox is a delightful choice for any gardener.
9. Hosta
With their dense green leaves and shade tolerance, hostas are a great fit for Zone 6 gardens. Their broad leaves come in a variety of shapes and colors, adding depth and interest to any garden space. Plant hostas in rich, moist soil for the best results.
While primarily grown for their foliage, hostas also produce attractive flower spikes. They’re a low-maintenance choice, ideal for filling shaded areas with lush greenery. Hostas offer a tranquil, calming presence in the garden, perfect for creating a peaceful retreat.
10. Astilbe
Astilbe brings a touch of elegance to shaded garden spots, with its feathery plumes and striking colors. Perfect for Zone 6, this plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil, adding grace to any garden corner. Plant astilbe where it can enjoy some shade and watch it flourish.
Its plumes come in various shades of pink, red, and white, providing a soft, romantic feel. Astilbe is not only beautiful but also attracts butterflies, adding life to its surroundings.
This charming plant is perfect for borders and woodland gardens, offering both beauty and atmosphere.
11. Columbine
Thanks to their light, lacy appearance, columbines are a great choice for naturalistic planting styles. They thrive in Zone 6, preferring well-drained soil and partial shade. The flowers can be found in a range of colors, including blue, pink, and yellow, delighting both the eyes and the spirit.
Columbines attract hummingbirds, making them a lively addition to the garden. Their graceful blooms and airy foliage add a touch of magic, perfect for cottage gardens.
With minimal care, columbines will reward you with their charming presence each spring and summer.
12. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, often known as tickseed, is a sunny addition to any garden with its bright yellow blooms. This hardy perennial is perfect for Zone 6, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun. Its cheerful flowers bring warmth and joy, making it a staple for summer gardens.
Coreopsis is easy to grow and requires little maintenance, producing blooms over a long period. It’s ideal for borders, containers, or naturalized areas, offering vibrant color.
Coreopsis attracts butterflies, adding movement and life to your garden, ensuring a lively summer display.
13. Salvia
Whether blue, purple, or red, salvia’s blooms stand out in any garden setting. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in Zone 6, preferring well-drained soil and full sun. Salvia’s vibrant flowers attract bees and butterflies, bringing your garden to life all summer long.
Known for its aromatic leaves, salvia adds both beauty and fragrance to the garden. It’s perfect for borders or as a companion plant, enhancing any garden’s charm.
This hardy perennial is a gardener’s favorite, offering low-maintenance care and continuous blooms.
14. Russian Sage
Russian Sage stands tall and proud with its silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers. This aromatic plant thrives in Zone 6, requiring well-drained soil and full sun. Its tall spikes add vertical interest, making it a dramatic addition to any garden.
Russian Sage is both beautiful and durable, with its drought-tolerant nature making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens. It attracts pollinators, ensuring a lively atmosphere.
This plant’s unique texture and color make it a standout choice, adding elegance and structure to your garden space.
15. Shasta Daisy
Offering long-lasting flowers and a tidy growth habit, these daisies are both practical and attractive. Perfect for Zone 6, these perennials thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, rewarding gardeners with abundant blooms. Their cheerful appearance brightens any garden, making them a timeless favorite.
These daisies are easy to grow, providing a reliable burst of summer color. They’re ideal for borders, containers, or cut flower arrangements, adding freshness to your home.
Shasta Daisies attract butterflies and are a symbol of purity, making them a delightful addition to any landscape.
16. Gaillardia
Gaillardia, or blanket flower, is a burst of fiery color with its red and yellow blooms. This plant thrives in Zone 6, preferring well-drained soil and a sunny location. Its striking flowers add a bold touch to any garden, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere.
Gaillardia is easy to grow, requiring minimal care while offering maximum impact. Its long-lasting blooms attract butterflies, ensuring a garden full of movement and life.
Perfect for borders or containers, gaillardia’s vibrant colors make it a standout choice for summer gardens.
17. Sedum
With its fleshy leaves and drought tolerance, stonecrop is a great low-maintenance option for Zone 6. These drought-tolerant plants prefer well-drained soil and full sun, making them perfect for rock gardens or containers. Sedum’s fleshy leaves add texture and interest to any garden setting.
In late summer, sedum produces clusters of small flowers that attract pollinators. Its low-maintenance nature makes it an ideal choice for busy gardeners. Sedum’s varied colors and forms provide endless possibilities for creative garden designs, ensuring a dynamic and lively space.
18. Yarrow
Yarrow is a hardy plant with clusters of tiny flowers that thrive in Zone 6 gardens. Its flat-topped blooms come in shades of yellow, pink, or white, adding a soft touch to any landscape.
Yarrow prefers well-drained soil and full sun, making it a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardens. This plant is not only beautiful but also attracts beneficial insects, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem.
Yarrow’s long-lasting flowers are perfect for borders or naturalized areas, offering a continuous show of color. Its adaptability and charm make it a perennial favorite.
19. Blazing Star
Blazing Star plant thrives in Zone 6, preferring well-drained soil and a sunny location. Its unique structure adds vertical interest, making it a standout choice for summer gardens.
It attracts butterflies and pollinators, ensuring a lively and vibrant atmosphere. It’s perfect for borders or as a focal point, adding both beauty and height. This plant’s dramatic appearance and easy care make it a favorite among gardeners looking to create a dynamic landscape.