Cultivating a garden in areas prone to high winds poses distinct challenges that can test the dedication of even the most passionate gardeners.
Strong gusts can damage branches and stems, disturb roots, and induce stress.
Nevertheless, by choosing hardy perennial plants, you can establish a flourishing garden that not only endures harsh conditions but also thrives in them.
This blog post will delve into sturdy herbaceous perennial plants that can endure windy environments. Each selection not only survives the wind but also enhances your garden with texture, colour, and vitality.
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What is an Herbaceous Perennial?
Perennials are plants that live for more than two years.
Perennials are divided into 2 basic categories: Woody Perennials and Herbaceous perennials.
Woody perennials include plants like trees and shrubs that maintain their framework of trunks, branches, and stems throughout the year. This grouping is further divided into deciduous and non-deciduous trees and shrubs, which are grouped according to how they grow their leaves.
Herbaceous Perennials are non-woody plants that die back to the ground each fall. The root overwinters (as long as the plant is zone hardy), and the plant grows fresh from the ground each spring.
Related: What are Plant Hardiness Zones & How do They Work?
Most herbaceous perennials have a specific season of bloom, meaning they flower at a particular time during the growing season. Blossoming can happen in the spring, early and mid-summer, or fall.
Some, actually very few, perennials are classified as ‘ever bloomers’, meaning that once they start flowering, they continue to flower through the season until frost.
Related: Understanding Perennial Seasons of Bloom
After flowering, herbaceous perennials focus their energy on producing seeds and building stronger root systems.
Zone 3-4 Wind-Resistant Perennials
Being an avid perennial garden, here is a list of the toughest and most hardy prairie perennials that can take the wind and still manage to look great in your garden.
1. Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Known for its aromatic, silvery foliage, and stunning, wispy blue-purple flower spires, Russian Sage is a tough perennial that thrives in windy areas.
Their lavender-blue flowers bloom from midsummer to early fall, attracting butterflies and bees and adding life and movement to your outdoor space.
Additionally, this plant is highly resistant to pests and diseases, making it low-maintenance and hassle-free to grow.
Zone Hardiness: Plant Growing Zones 4-9
Light Requirements: Full to part-sun
Soil Type: One of the key characteristics of Russian Sage is its adaptability to various soil types, including sandy or rocky soils. It prefers full sun exposure, which helps intensify the colour of its foliage and flowers. However, it will also grow well in partial shade.
Plant Care: Depending on the variety, Russian Sage reaches heights of 76 cm – 1.2 m (2.5-4′), creating a beautiful backdrop or focal point in your garden.
Regular watering is necessary during Russian Sage’s establishment period to ensure its health and longevity. Once established, it becomes more tolerant of dry conditions. Avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot.
Russian Sage grows from old wood, and pruning is recommended in early spring to promote new growth and maintain its shape.
Cut back the plant to about 15-25 cm (6-10″) from the ground, removing dead or damaged branches. This rejuvenation pruning helps the plant stay compact and encourages the development of more flowers.
2. Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Sea Holly is a unique beauty that features striking, spiky, and thistle-like flowers on sturdy stems. Its steel-blue and silvery-hued flowers add a touch of elegance, making it a favourite among gardeners and floral designers alike.
Eryngium varieties often have leathery, spiny leaves, which add texture to a garden.
Zone Hardiness: Eryngium thrives in Plant Hardiness Zones 3-9, making it versatile for a wide range of climates.
Light Requirements: This hardy plant is ideal for full-sun and part-sun flower bed and border plantings
Soil Type: Eryngium thrives in well-drained soil. It can also flourish in sandy or rocky conditions once established.
Plant Care: Once established, Sea Holly is drought-tolerant and only requires moderate watering, often sufficiently supplied by rain. Ensure that it isn’t sitting in soggy soil, as that will cause root rot.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more flowering and to maintain plant health.
Fertilizer isn’t necessary, especially with healthy, well-mulched soil; however, a light application can be spread in early spring.
Related: Mulch blog
3. Calamagrostis (Ornamental Feather Reed Grasses )
Ornamental perennial grasses are incredibly resilient in the wind. My favourite family of grasses is Calamagrostis.
Calamagrostis is a beautiful, stately, clumping (non-invasive) ornamental grass with upright, feathery flower spikes that dance gracefully in mid-summer wind. Its elegant plumes add texture and height to a garden, making it a favourite for borders and mass plantings.
Zone Hardiness: Calamagrostis is hardy in plant zones 4-9, making it an excellent grass for the Canadian prairies.
Light Requirements: Feather Reed Grass prefers to grow in full or part-sun conditions
Soil Type: Feather Reed Grass prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a variety of soil types. While it can handle drought conditions, it flourishes with consistent moisture. A layer of mulch will help to retain soil moisture.
Plant Care: Let this grass stand in your winter garden, or cut it back to 15 cm (6″) in late fall or early spring before new growth appears for healthier, robust plants.
Check out any of these variations for a lovely display in your garden: Karl Foerster, Overdam, Eldorado, Avalanche, or Hello Spring.
4. Hemerocallis (Daylilies )
These resilient perennials are must-haves for any sunny garden!
These robust plants have sturdy, lance-shaped leaves and strong flowers atop hefty stems that stand up magnificently against the wind.
Daylilies are tough, hardy, adaptable, clumping, non-invasive flowering herbaceous perennials perfect for zone 3-4 gardens with many landscaping applications, including rock gardens, pollinator gardens, mass plantings, focal points, containers, and they grow well on slopes.
Daylilies are known for their stunning trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a vast array of colours. Each bloom lasts only one day (hence the name), but the plants continuously produce new flowers.
This low-care perennial that regrows from its roots each spring adds structure and beauty to the garden.
Depending on the variety, daylilies can grow to 60-120 cm (2-4′) in height.
Zone Hardiness: 3a-9b
Light Requirements: Part to full sun
Soil Type: Grow Daylilies in full to part sun in fertile, well-draining soil. Ensure the roots aren’t growing in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot.
Mulch the soil to retain moisture, level out soil temperatures, reduce weed growth, and enrich it.
Plant Care: Daylilies do not require fertilizer in healthy soil, but applying fertilizer in early spring will not hurt them.
Remove spent flowers to prevent seed production and to encourage flower development.
Daylily foliage can be cut back in the late fall or early spring.
Related: How to Deadhead Daylilies
5. Baptisia (False Indigo )
Baptisia is a perennial native to North America. It boasts beautiful spikes of pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white atop strong stems, making it a good choice for windy spaces.
Its striking foliage and unique seed pods add interest even after blooming!
Zone Hardiness: False Indigo thrives in Plant Hardiness Zones 3-9, making it a versatile addition to many gardens.
Light Requirements: Grow this plant in full sun to partial shade; it loves basking in at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Soil Type: Baptisia prefers well-drained soil and can adapt to various soil types. While younger plants need regular watering, mature Baptisia is drought-tolerant once established, making it great for low-maintenance gardens.
Plant Care: Cut back spent flowers in fall to encourage healthy growth in spring while allowing the foliage to remain through winter for added visual interest.
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6. Perennial Dianthus (Pinks)
Low-growing Dianthus is a good choice for windy spaces. Its stunning, often fringed flowers are available in pink, red, white, and purple.
They flourish in garden beds, borders, or containers, making them versatile additions to any landscape. Their charming blooms are also highly fragrant.
Zone Hardiness: Dianthus thrives in Plant Growing Zones 3-9, preferring well-draining soil.
Light Requirements: To encourage robust growth and prolific blooms, grow Dianthus in a sunny location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Soil Type: Dianthus in fertile, well-draining soil
Plant Care: Water Dianthus regularly, but avoid waterlogging and let the soil dry out between waterings.
Deadhead spent flowers to promote further blooming and fertilize lightly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season for vibrant colours.
Consider cutting back foliage after blooming to encourage denser growth.
7. Bergenia (Elephant’s Ears / Heartleaf / Pigsqueak)
Bergenia is a hardy, low-growing perennial that features large, glossy leaves that can make for a striking, wind-resilient backdrop in your garden.
In spring, it produces attractive clusters of pink to purple flowers that add a pop of colour, attract pollinators, and beautify any space.
Zone Hardiness: 3-8
Light Requirements: While Bergenia can handle some full sun, it thrives best in partial shade. Too much direct sunlight may scorch its leaves, so consider a location where it can enjoy dappled light or some afternoon shade.
Soil Type: This plant prefers well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It tolerates drought but flourishes with consistent moisture. It’s perfect for shaded to partially shaded areas, making it ideal for those tricky spots in your garden!
Plant Care: Bergenia grows best with consistent moisture, especially in the first year as it establishes.
Incorporate a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth.
Remove old foliage in early spring to make way for new growth.
8. Short Campanula (Clips)
Campanula Clips, commonly known as bellflowers, are short, clumping perennial plants known for their unique cupped, bell-shaped blooms.
They come in shades of blue, purple, and white; and will flower continuously if deadheaded.
Zone Hardiness: Campanula Clips thrive best in Plant Growing Zones 4-9, which means they can withstand colder conditions while blooming beautifully in warmer climates.
Light Requirements: This plant prefers full sun to partial shade. Ideally, it needs about 6 hours of sunlight daily to produce gorgeous blooms.
Soil Type: These flowers love a well-draining soil mix and thrive in a garden with good air circulation. They’re perfect for borders, rock gardens, or even containers!
Plant Care: Keep the soil consistently moist but be careful not to overwater. A regular watering schedule helps them flourish.
Feed with a balanced fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth and abundant flowers.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and maintain a tidy appearance.
9. Stonecrop (Sedum)
Sedum, commonly known as Stonecrop, is a diverse genus of succulent plants known for their fleshy leaves and colourful blooms.
With varieties ranging from ground covers to upright stems, these hardy plants can suit any garden style and are unbothered by windy garden conditions.
Zone Hardiness: Sedum thrives in Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 10, making it resilient in various climates. Whether in a chilly climate or a warmer region, there’s a Sedum variety for you!
Light Requirements: Sedum plants love the sun! Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Their vibrant colours flourish in bright light but can also adapt to partial shade.
Soil Type: These low-maintenance plants prefer well-draining soil and can tolerate poor conditions. They’re perfect for rock gardens, borders, or containers!
Plant Care: Allow the soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot.
Sedums don’t usually require fertilizer, but if preferred, one light fertilizer application during the growing season is typically sufficient.
Trim back dead or damaged leaves to encourage new growth and maintain a tidy appearance.
10. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Honeysuckle is a deciduous climbing or trailing shrub with small, rounded leaves and lightly fragrant tubular flowers that handle breezy locations well.
Honeysuckle flowers are renowned for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Zone Hardiness: Most species thrive in Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, making them versatile for a wide range of gardens. Not all varieties are hardy to zone 3, so read labels carefully.
Light Requirements: Honeysuckles enjoy full sun to partial shade. For optimal flowering, they should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Soil Type: Honeysuckle prefers fertile, well-drained soil but can also thrive in various soil types.
Plant Care: Water Lonicera regularly, especially during dry spells. Be careful not to overwater, as they don’t appreciate soggy roots.
Ensure good airflow around the plants to prevent mildew.
Use a balanced fertilizer in spring to promote growth. Avoid heavy feeding, as honeysuckles can thrive in less nutrient-rich soil.
Light pruning helps maintain plant shape and encourages new growth. In late fall or early spring, remove any dead or diseased wood annually.
I Have a Few More Wind-Hardy Perennial Ideas
Perennials are a fantastic addition to your garden, and there are plenty of options that will thrive in a windy space! Once you’re done this list, there are even more wind-hardy perennials to try! Take a look at Astrantia (Masterwort), Dictamnus (Gas Plant), Echinops (Globe Thistle), and Veronica (Speedwell) for more windy prairie garden options.
More to Explore
- Gardening in the Wind: How to Select and Care for Plants in Windy Conditions
- Gardening in the Wind: 15+ Wind-Resistant Annual Plants for Windy Areas
- From Seed to Bloom: Understanding the Fascinating World of Annual Plants
- 10+ Bell-Shaped Annual Flowers to Feature in Your Garden
- 10+ Amazing Annual and Perennial Flowers to Grow in Full Sun
- 10+ Bell-Shaped Perennial Flowers to Add to Your Garden
- How to Divide Perennials Successfully
- How to Successfully Move a Perennial
© Sharon Wallish Murphy © Gardening with Sharon
