Best perennials for Metrowest, MA zones 5-6?

Sherri Drakos: You are in a lovely temperate range that should support many old favorite perennials. I have no experience with the specifics of East Coast gardening since I'm from the Midwest but I have done alot of reading ( and planting) and going purely off the hardiness map I think a number of the following old reliables will probably thrive for you. They are all cheerfully low maintenance, to the extent that can ever be said about gardening. Most will spread or self sow or both. You would do well to get a nice perennial book. I recommend The Rodale Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perrennials. It is packed with all sorts of useful information in a very useable format. A list of plant suggestions follows;Tall Garden PhloxRudbeckia (Brown Eyed Susan)Coneflower (Echinacea)Shasta DaisyMonarda (Bee Balm or Bergamot)AstersCampanula Platycodon (Balloon flower)DaylilyHybrid LiliesMallowSedumRussian Sage SalviaHollyhocksJoe Pye weedColumbineAstilbeTiarellaIrisBleeding HeartHost! a LilyPeony RoseHoneysuckleClematisWisteriaAzaleaFernsI'm sure there are many more and this is an eclectic yet incomplete list. I really recommend a good book for researching light and other requirements. Still these are simple and sturdy plants and this is something to start dreaming on. Have a wonderful time. I love a new garden!...Show more

Isreal Kochheiser: for the best answer to your question call your local County Cooperative Extension Service. Ask for the horticulturist or master gardeners. The extension office should have a list of hardy plants for your area. The answers will be based on sound research and plants currently growing in your area.

Delmer Pectol: cannas are the best perennials with just lots of sun and plant food. does very well in bogs. all you have to do is after first frost and they look dead cut them back and bring the bulbs inside. also a great perenial is the Musa Basjoo banana. this is a lovely 14 foot banana which is cold hardy! to -20 degrees with mulch and plastic on trunk and -5 with mu! lch. afterfirst frost the palnt will die to the ground and in the spring will come back up. if you want a larger plant next summer put plastic on the trunk so not the entire trunk thurns gray. then in the spring new leaves will emerge from the green stalk...Show more