When you’re planning out your next landscaping project to help your home in Connecticut look its very best, we’ve got the tips you need to set you up for success. The addition of the right outdoor plants can make all the difference, adding curb appeal to your property with the natural beauty that they provide.
From annual flowers to perennials that bloom year after year, including many plants that are native to our region, find a selection of the plants local gardeners love to plant in our list below. Each one of them will add a unique character to your property that will enhance the satisfaction your yard gives you.
Landscaping Recommendations: 14 Favorite Outdoor Plants in Connecticut
1. Snapdragons
With their distinctive shape and a variety of different colors, snapdragons are one of the most eye-catching plants that you can add to your outdoor landscape. Although they are native to the Mediterranean region, they are quite durable in cool weather as well, allowing them to thrive in our region with little issue. They are annual flowers, so will need to be replanted every year if you wish to enjoy their appearance year after year.
2. Common Witch Hazel
Our state is known as the witch hazel capital of the world, so of course, you need some witch hazel on your property in Connecticut. The spindly yellow flowers of this plant bloom late in the season, giving you an end-of-season treat to look forward to. Not only is this plant beautiful to look at, but its smooth gray bark can also be used as a natural astringent, giving this plant everyday medicinal benefits.
3. Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod
Like witch hazel, the blue-stemmed goldenrod is another beautiful flower that is native to our region. The plant has developed something of a bad reputation as a common source of allergens, but this is actually a misconception. Its pollen needs to be brought from plant to plant by a pollinator and can’t be carried on the wind, making this flower perfectly safe for anyone suffering from allergies.
4. Daylily
Give this flower several hours of sunlight, particularly in the morning if possible, and you’ll be treated to the beautiful spectacle of its blooming. The light canary-yellow color of this plant’s flowers makes it an attractive element to add just about anywhere in your yard. Daylilies do well in poor soil and can often spread from where they’re initially planted, so be sure to leave them some room to grow.
5. Shasta Daisy
It’s not hard to see why the shasta daisy is such a beloved flower among gardening enthusiasts, with its iconic white petals that grow around a yellow center. They are known to attract bees and butterflies where they’re planted, helping to encourage pollination throughout your yard. They also mix well with other plants, allowing you to add them to any corner of your property that needs a little sprucing up.
6. Marigolds
Because they can thrive in all but the coldest environments, marigolds are an annual flower hearty enough to withstand the chilly early-spring weather our region sometimes gets. They are known for having a long flowering period, letting you enjoy the splash of color they add to your landscape for quite some time. Remove flower heads as they become spent in order to encourage the blooms to keep returning throughout the season.
7. Stonecrop
Otherwise known as ‘Autumn Joy’ because of how late into the season they blossom, stonecrops are another perennial flower that grows well in our area’s climate. They start out with a vibrant pink color that appears at the end of summer before fading to a golden color that lasts through the fall. This flower likes well-draining soil, so amend the area you’re planting in with some gravel if you don’t have soil that is naturally sandy enough.
8. Royal Fern
While flowering plants are certainly beautiful for the eye-catching color they can add to your landscape, ferns can also be a great addition for the more subtle good looks they show off. Royal ferns in particular are New England natives and so will look perfectly at home growing in your yard. Ferns are among the oldest forms of plant life, giving your outdoor space a primeval look that immediately stands out.
9. Black-Eyed Susan
Named for the distinctive dark markings that show on the inner part of its petals, this flower shows off a stunning contrast between its bright gold and inky-black colors. This plant is certainly on the low-maintenance side, requiring minimum effort on your part to help it thrive. As another added benefit, this plant is quite resistant to many critters that love feasting in our area’s gardens, such as deer and rabbit.
10. New England Aster
What better plant is there to grow in a local garden than a flower that shows off pride in our region right there in its name? New England aster blooms right up to the first frost of the season, keeping your garden looking colorful even when other plants are beginning to tire out and go dormant for the winter. The purple color of this flower adds a certain regal quality to any area it grows in.
11. Eastern Purple Coneflower
With a unique dome shape to its blossom and pretty violet color, the eastern purple cornflower is a native flower that makes a great addition to anybody’s garden. The drooping rays that grow out from this plant give it a unique character unlike other plants it will share your garden with. We humans aren’t the only ones who like this flower, either; it’s also a leading source of seeds for the birds who make their home in our region.
12. Narrow-Leaf Mountain Mint
Make your outdoor space a treat for all of your senses by adding the minty scent of the narrow-leaf mountain mint. While the smell and pleasant appearance of this spindly-leafed plant are reasons enough to plant it on your property, these aren’t the only benefit you’ll enjoy. This plant is also exceptional at attracting pollinators to your yard, helping all the other plant life thrive to its fullest potential.
13. Bluets
Make sure you give any bluets you plant in your garden plenty of room to grow, as the flowers that grow on this plant are quite large. They grow in a range of colors from pure white to periwinkle, adding a splash of color wherever you plant them. They are quite content to grow in a wide range of conditions, making this flower easy enough for gardeners of all skill levels to maintain.
14. Trumpet Honeysuckle
Want to see some hummingbirds visiting your garden? Then plant some trumpet honeysuckle and watch as these elusive birds are drawn to the uniquely-shaped flower that grows from this plant. This vine is a native alternative to the invasive Japanese honeysuckle, making it a more environmentally friendly option that still achieves a dramatic look with its yellow and orange-red hues.
If you want to incorporate any of these plants in your landscaping or complete any other outdoor project, trust the professionals you can find on our website to get the job done. Find the assistance you need on Landscaper Locator!