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Zones 5 Flowers
Annuals & Perennials
Zones 5 gardens can be a little cooler and shorter in growing season, but that doesn’t mean they can’t bloom beautifully! Whether you’re planting colourful annuals for quick summer pop of colour or hardy perennials that return year after year, this guide covers the best flowers for Zone 5. From sowing dates to bloom times and care tips, you’ll have everything you need to plan a vibrant garden that thrives even in cooler Canadian regions.
Flowers for Zones 5
Zone 5 gardens are similar to Zone , but with a slightly shorter growing season and colder winters. Below are annuals and perennials suited to Zone 5, with planting dates, bloom periods, and tips for best results.
Annuals – Zones 5
| Flower | Sow/Plant Dates | Bloom Period | Sun/Shade | Notes / Tips | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmos | Indoor: mid-March Outdoor: mid-May (after last frost) |
July–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeds 🌱 | Attracts pollinators 🐝 | Leave spent blooms for seed | May need frost protection early | Grow Cosmos |
| Sweet Peas | Outdoor: early spring (pre-frost) | Sow as soon as soil workable | June–July | 🌞 Full Sun | Fragrant 🌼 | Trellis support | Cut often to extend bloom ✂️ | Hardy in Zone 5 | Sweet Peas |
| Dahlias | Plant tubers: mid-May (after last frost) | July–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Excellent cut flower ✂️ | Lift & divide tubers | Pollinator-friendly 🐝 | May need extra mulch in winter if overwintered outdoors | Grow Dahlias |
| Gladiolus | Plant corms: mid-May (after frost) | July–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Cut flowers ✂️ | Stake tall stems | Succession plant for longer bloom | May need frost protection early | Grow Gladiolus |
| Calendula | Indoor: Feb–Mar Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
May–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeds 🌱 | Edible petals | Companion for vegetables 🌿 | Hardy in Zone 5 | Flower Calendar |
| Impatiens | Indoor: Mar–Apr Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
June–Sept | Partial Shade | Shade color pop | Keep evenly moist | Containers & borders | Tender, watch late frost | Shade Plants |
| Fuchsia | Indoor: Mar–Apr Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
June–Sept | Partial Shade | Pinch for bushy growth ✂️ | Attracts hummingbirds 🐝 | Great baskets | Frost-sensitive | Plants 4 Baskets |
| Dusty Miller | Indoor: Mar–Apr Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
June–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Silver foliage | Texture contrast | Drought tolerant once established | Hardy in Zone 5 | Soil Amendments |
| Zinnias | Indoor: Mar–Apr Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
June–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeds 🌱 | Excellent cut flower ✂️ | Attracts pollinators 🐝 | Frost-sensitive | |
| Poppies | Outdoor: early spring (as soon as soil workable) | June–July | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeds 🌱 | Do not transplant | Delicate blooms | Hardy in Zone 5 | Plant Today |
| Stock | Indoor: Feb–Mar Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
May–July | 🌞 Full Sun | Strong fragrance 🌼 | Cool-season bloomer | Cut flowers ✂️ | Hardy in Zone 5 | Frost Dates |
| Sunflowers | Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) | July–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeds 🌱 | Tall types need staking | Pollinator magnet 🐝 | Frost-sensitive | Grow Sunflowers |
| Geraniums | Indoor: Feb–Mar Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
June–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Easy from cuttings ✂️ | Containers & borders | Overwinter indoors | Frost-sensitive | Seasonal Blooms |
| Marigolds | Indoor: mid–Mar Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
June–Oct | 🌞 Full Sun | Attracts pollinators 🐝 | Deters pests 🌿 | Companion plant | Frost-sensitive | Flowers |
| Petunias | Indoor: late March Outdoor: mid-May (after frost) |
June–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Deadhead for bloom ✂️ | Take cuttings | Containers & beds | Frost-sensitive | Petunias |
Perennials – Zones 5
| Flower | Sow/Plant / Care Dates | Bloom Period | Sun/Shade | Notes / Tips | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lilies | Plant bulbs: fall (Sep–Oct) or spring (mid-Apr–May) | July–Aug | Full Sun–Partial | Divide every 3–4 yrs ✂️ | Supports 🐝 | Companion: alliums, lavender | Mulch for winter in Zone 5 | Growing Lilies |
| Peonies | Plant/divide: fall (Sep–Oct) or early spring (Apr) | May–June | 🌞 Full Sun | Long-lived, may take years to bloom ✂️ | Fragrant 🌼 | Companion: irises, lilies | Hardy in Zone 5 | |
| Carnations | Plant cuttings or divisions: spring (mid-Apr–May) | June–July | 🌞 Full Sun | Fragrant 🌼 | Good for cutting ✂️ | Companion: lavender, roses | Mulch for winter in Zone 5 | |
| Rudbeckia | Sow seeds: indoor Mar–Apr or outdoor mid-May (after frost) | July–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeding 🌱 | Drought tolerant | Attracts pollinators 🐝 | Hardy in Zone 5 | |
| Coneflowers | Sow seeds: indoor spring / early spring outdoor | July–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeding 🌱 | Attracts pollinators 🐝 | Companion: rudbeckia, yarrow | Hardy in Zone 5 | |
| Roses | Plant bare-root: spring (Apr–May) or fall (Sep–Oct) | June–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Prune annually ✂️ | Mulch for winter | Fragrant 🌼 | Companion: lavender, carnations | Hardy in Zone 5 | Growing Roses |
| Snapdragons | Sow indoor: Jan–Mar, transplant mid-May (after frost) | June–Sept | Full Sun–Partial | Self-seeding 🌱 | Pinch tips for bushy growth ✂️ | Attracts pollinators 🐝 | Hardy in Zone 5 | Grow Snapdragons|
| Hollyhocks | Sow outdoor: spring (mid-May) or fall (Sep) | July–Aug | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeds 🌱 | May need staking | Companion: roses for height | Mulch for winter in Zone 5 | Growing Hollyhocks |
| Wallflowers | Sow indoor: Jan–Mar, transplant mid-May (after frost) | May–June | 🌞 Full Sun | Fragrant 🌼 | Short-lived perennials ✂️ | Companion: pansies, violas | Hardy in Zone 5 | |
| Feverfew | Sow seeds: indoor spring / outdoor mid-May (after frost) | June–Sept | 🌞 Full Sun | Self-seeding 🌱 | Medicinal use | Companion: yarrow, coneflowers | Hardy in Zone 5 | |
| Pansies | Sow indoor: Feb–Mar, transplant mid-May (after frost) | May–June | Full Sun–Partial | Cool-season 🌱 | Can overwinter | Companion: wallflowers | Hardy in Zone 5 | |
| Lavender | Sow indoor: Feb–Mar, transplant mid-May (after frost) | June–July | 🌞 Full Sun | Good drainage | Prune lightly after blooming & Fall | Attracts pollinators 🐝 | Companion: roses, carnations | Hardy in Zone 5 |
Growing Lavender Flower Calendar |
| Iris | Plant outdoors: mid-May (after frost) | May–June | 🌞 Full Sun | Good drainage | Divide every 3–5 yrs ✂️ | Companion: peonies, lilies | Hardy in Zone 5 |
Growing Irises |
| Spring Flowering Bulbs | Plant: fall (Sep–Oct) before frost | Mar–May | Full Sun–Partial | Divide every few years ✂️ | Includes tulips, daffodils, crocus | Companion: pansies, violas | Hardy in Zone 5 |
Grow Spring Bulbs |
Seasonal Checklist
- Start pansies and other hardy annuals indoors
- Prep soil for perennials
- Transplant annuals outdoors after frost
- Stake tall flowers
- Deadhead and water regularly
- Monitor for pests
- Divide perennials if needed
- Collect seeds for next year