Perennials for zone 3

Full sun: hardy in zone 3

Garden peonyZones 3 to 8 · Late springCatmintZones 3 to 8 · Late spring to fallCreeping phloxZones 3 to 9 · Early to mid springAutumn Joy sedumZones 3 to 9 · Late summer to fallYarrowZones 3 to 9 · Early summer to early fallTickseedZones 3 to 9 · Early summer to fallBlue false indigoZones 3 to 9 · Late springNew England asterZones 3 to 8 · Late summer to fallBlanket flowerZones 3 to 10 · Early summer to fallBearded irisZones 3 to 9 · Late springLittle bluestemZones 3 to 9 · Late summer (grown for form)Spike speedwellZones 3 to 8 · Early to late summerDelphiniumZones 3 to 7 · Early summer

Sun or part shade: hardy in zone 3

Purple coneflowerZones 3 to 8 · Early summer to early fallBlack-eyed SusanZones 3 to 9 · Midsummer to fallDaylilyZones 3 to 9 · Early to late summerSiberian irisZones 3 to 9 · Late spring to early summer

Part shade: hardy in zone 3

Shade: hardy in zone 3

Not reliably hardy in zone 3

These need a milder winter. Some can be grown in pots and moved inside.

Perennial salviaZones 4 to 8English lavenderZones 5 to 8Shasta daisyZones 5 to 9Bee balmZones 4 to 9Garden phloxZones 4 to 8Coral bellsZones 4 to 9AstilbeZones 4 to 8Russian sageZones 4 to 9Hardy hibiscusZones 4 to 9Lenten roseZones 4 to 9Anise hyssopZones 4 to 8SwitchgrassZones 4 to 9Lamb's earZones 4 to 8FoxgloveZones 4 to 8LupineZones 4 to 8

When to plant in zone 3

In zone 3b, plant in spring from about May 2 to Jun 27, or in early fall from about Jul 17 to Aug 14.

Zones measure winter cold, not season length, so your own frost dates can be a week or two off the zone median. Look up your frost dates by ZIP code, or read all about zone 3b.

Hardiness ranges, light and size are typical figures from university extension services and botanic garden plant records; a named variety can differ, so check its tag. Planting dates come from each zone's median frost dates (NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals) and the timing rules in how we check.