What sorts of flowers and plants thrive in the northern US?

Question

I recently moved to Maine from Pennsylvania. I'm going to plant a garden this summer, but I don't know what sorts of plants and flowers will do best in the cooler tempetures. Any ideas? I'm renting the house, so I only need plants that will last one season. (the landlord already okayed the garden, so I don't have to worry about that). The house has a small yard bordered by trees on two sides, and a neighbor and a road on the other two, and most of it is very sunny. Its very rich, dark dirt, but its a little rocky. I'm looking for flowers, vegtables and herbs. I'm also on a budget, so plants I can grow from seed, or plants that are inexpensive would be the best. Any suggestions would be great! thanks!

Answer 1

Maine has several idea gardens open to the public. Hopefully one will be near you.

All-America Selections in Maine is in Stillwater
University of Maine, Rogers Farm
If you like purple the 2006 winning plants include "Supra Purple" dianthus, a 12-inch tall annual loaded with lacy red-violet flowers; "Perfume Deep Purple" nicotiana, a compact, 20-inch tall annual with fragrant, deep purple, star-shaped flowers; "Evolution" salvia, a mid-height annual with spikes of rich violet flowers; "Black Pearl" ornamental pepper, a great garden or container plant with deep purple-black foliage and small, glossy, purple-black fruit; and, believe it or not, "Purple Haze" carrot, noted for its sweet flavor as well as its startling purple flesh.

Another annual flower winner, "Diamonte Coral Rose" diascia, loves cool weather and is a great choice for patio containers or hanging baskets. For hot, sunny gardens, check out "Zowie! Yellow Flame" zinnia, a 24- to 30-inch tall annual with striking red and yellow bicolor flowers.

The other 2006 AAS vegetable award winners will have you thinking about salsa. "Carmen" is an Italian-type sweet pepper that matures to a deep red color. "Mariachi" is a mildly hot chile pepper with loads of cone-shaped fruit that can be used in the yellow or fully mature red stage. "Delfino" cilantro has the same flavor as other cilantros but it sports attractive finely-cut foliage that looks great in the herb garden or in containers.

Maine Garden Day 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Central Maine Community College
Auburn, Maine

Berkshire Botanical Garden
Routes 102 and 183
Stockbridge, MA 01262

Answer 2

Annuals will be the cheapest and fastest growing and maintain flowers for the summer/fall season. Marigolds,petunias,pansies,sunflowers,inpatients,bachelor buttons,alyssum,cosmos just to name a few. Veggies would be cukes,beets,radishes,lettuce,tomatoes,corn for starters. Just about everything you grew in Pa. you can grow in New England. Just the planting season is later(usually Memorial day) and the growing season stops with the first frost sometimes end of Sept but usually by Columbus day.

Answer 3

candy william, nasturtums, Hosta, timber violets, Johnny bounce ups, Violas, forget approximately me nots & echinacea. I even have had success with those in coloration. yet another answerer reported candy woodruff which has tiny white plant life in the beginning up of would, besides the shown fact that that's extra of a floor conceal than the rest. Irish moss has a tiny white flower that prospers in coloration is likewise an staggering floor conceal. Matsuki toad lilies (and another asiatic lillies) will additionally do nicely in coloration. for alluring foliage i admire coleus it has appealing reds, yellows, greeens, even purples & very very nearly blacks are obtainable...solar won't be the only venture your flowers are having... have you ever had your soil examined for pH? does it have alot of organic and organic rely? stable success & happy gardening!!!

Answer 4

try going to hgtv.com. They have all the cable gardening shows & can tell you what plants work best in your area. They have sev. pics of plants that will work, & how to care for them.