The Northeast region
The Northeast includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This region has a wide variety of localized ecosystems – from pockets of dense urbanization, to highland deciduous forests, to the sandy coast (and everything in between).
When selecting plants for the garden, hardiness zones provide detail on what plants will best survive your coolest weather. The Northeast can get pretty chilly in the winter, so plants labeled for hardiness zones 3-7 do best in different areas of this region, depending on your specific location.
Growing plants in the Northeast
The Northeast is prone to periods of high rainfall and spring snowmelt. Heavy precipitation events may lead to occasional flooding, runoff, and potential pollution, especially if they follow one of the also-common dry spells or periods of drought. Rain gardens can help capture precipitation when it does come, help the water infiltrate the soil, and prevent runoff and possible pollution issues.
Keeping an eye on, and adjusting your garden watering schedule based on the ever-changing weather forecast can also help prevent overwatering and potential disease issues.
Sunday Tip:
The Northeast is famous for their fall foliage, but with careful plant selection, you can have a garden that is full of color all year long.
Picking plants for the Northeast
Deciding which plants to grow in your backyard can be tricky—but it's easier when you select plants adapted to your home. Using the tips above, start by narrowing in on the plants that best fit your climate from rainfall to frost dates.
A couple of other important things to consider when adding new plants to your yard is
- How much sunlight your plant needs
- How much space to leave between plants
- What are your plants' watering needs
Here are some of our go-to plant resources for planting in the Northeast
- Audubon Native Plant Database
- National Wildlife Federation regional guide
- Your local native plant society
Sunday Tip:
Your local garden nursery and extension office is filled with local knowledge of plants that can grow in your climate and region!
Northeast garden resources
There is more to growing plants in the Northeast than just picking the right one. How do you get ready for planting? When is a good time to plant? How do you create a garden you’ll love? We gathered all of our favorite Sunday resources to help you grow a beautiful garden from season to season in the Northeast.
Fall Planting 101
Did you know that fall is actually one of the best times to plant in the Northeast? Learn why and how to get started now. Check out the best practices to planting in the fall.
How to Prepare a Garden Bed
Get your planting area ready. In the Northeast you might have to add organic matter or resolve compaction issues. Read on for everything you need to prepare your garden bed.
Outdoor Plant Suggestions by Color
Discover garden design tips and tricks to select the best plant colors. In the Northeast you might go for lush deep green layers or bright yellows or deep purples that pop. Start with our garden color wheel to choose your garden color scheme.
How to Plant a Perennial
Start off your new plants strong by following the best practices for planting. Our how to plant video shows step by step plant placement, digging the right hole, and new plant care.
How to Create a Rain Garden
For the wetter areas of the Northeast, consider planting a rain garden to help manage excess water in low-lying areas of your yard. Our guide will help you grow the right plants to create a beautiful rain garden and capture that prized moisture.
Alternative Landscaping Ideas
If you are looking to reduce the space you use to grow grass and add more biodiversity to your yard, we have tons of alternative and xeriscape landscaping options for a low maintenance space that can also help you save water in the Northeast.
