25 Frost Proof Perennials That Can Survive Winter Outdoors

There are many creative ways you can incorporate perennials into your garden or home landscape. Some perennials are well suited for shade gardens, while others thrive in full sun. There are some that more water, pruning, or other maintenance, while others can be planted and almost completely neglected. Many are even tolerant of frost and long, cold winters.

If you live in a hardiness zone that gets a little cooler in the wintertime, it doesn’t mean you are out of luck when it comes to choosing garden perennials. In fact, some perennials will not only survive colder climates, but thrive in them.

If you are looking for some frost-hardy perennials that you can plant this season, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading as we dig deeper into some of our favorite frost-friendly perennials that will come back each year, even after going dormant in colder winters.

Astilbe

Scientific Name: Astilbe spp.

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia, North American
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to shade
• Plant Height: 1-2 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

This low-maintenance perennial grows best with a bit of shade. Plant it in a shade garden garden with rich, moist soil. Leaves may die back in the summer months if they receive too much sun, but as long as the roots are kept moist, they should regrow again the following spring. There are several Astilbe cultivars, all with similar growing requirements, and all resistant to rabbits and deer.

Astilbe have both attractive foliage and showy flowers. Blooming in the summer months, flowers are typically pink, with a soft, feathery appearance. They attract a variety of pollinators and make a good plant for a woodland garden, cottage garden, or along a border.

Bearded Iris

Scientific Name: Iris germanica

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Southern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 2-3 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-10

Iris flowers are popular and easily recognized. Iris rhizomes are readily available for planting in the spring or fall, and once established, require very little maintenance. They are resistant to deer and rabbits.

Iris flowers come in a wide variety of colors and bloom in the spring. The flowers are large, showy, fragrant, and make excellent cut flowers. Iris will spread over time and can be divided every few years to prevent overcrowding. Each cultivar has a unique name and flower color, but all have similar growth habits and requirements.

Blanket Flower

Scientific Name: Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: North and South America
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 6”-12”
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-10

There are several species of Gaillardia, each with variations in blooms and growing requirements. ‘Arizona Sun’ Blanket Flowers are low-maintenance perennials that grow well in average, well-drained soil and full sun.

They may need a bit of watering until they get established in a new location, but after that will tolerate some dry soil and drought.

Blanket Flowers bloom throughout the summer months and attract butterflies and other pollinators. Flowers are very showy with dark red-orange centers, surrounded by bicolor orange and yellow petals. In ideal growing conditions, plants will stay fairly compact and moundlike and will burst into full bloom each summer.

Blazing Star

Scientific Name: Liatris spicata

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern United States
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 2-4 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

This native wildflower is a winner for a wildlife garden, butterfly garden, or prairie landscape. Blazing Star is a tall, upright perennial with thin leaves that extend up the stem, ending in a distinct spike of showy, feathery, purple blooms. Flowers bloom from mid to late summer and attract butterflies and other pollinators, as well as birds.

Blazing Star grows well in moist, well-drained, fertile soils. They need full sun in order to reliably bloom. Because they are tall, erect plants, the full blooms may cause them to become top heavy. If the plants are leaning or falling over, stake them upright during the blooming period.

Blue Oat Grass

Scientific Name: Helictotrichon sempervirens

• Plant Type: Ornamental grass
• Geographic Origin: Europe
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 2-3 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 4-8

Ornamental grasses can add a nice contrast to the perennial garden, rock garden, or home landscape. Blue Oat Grass is an attractive ornamental grass that grows into large clumps of graceful silvery blue-green foliage. Grow it in clusters for a noteworthy display, or pair it with showy perennial flowers for a dramatic contrast.

Blue Oat Grass blooms in mid-summer but it’s the clump of grassy leaves that are the main attraction. This plant is low-maintenance and not bothered by deer or rabbits. It prefers dry to medium-moisture average soils and full sun.

Bugleweed

Scientific Name: Ajuga reptans

• Plant Type:  Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe, Northern Africa, Southwestern Asia
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Height: 6”-9”
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-10

Bugleweed makes an excellent low-maintenance ground cover. Ground-hugging leafy rosettes spread by above-ground stolons and will gradually fill in areas of exposed soil. Bugleweed is resistant to deer and rabbits and prefers a sunny location with average, medium-moisture soil.

Bugleweed blooms in late spring and early summer. Spikes of small, tubelike (bugle-like) blue-green flowers provide a showy display and contrast nicely with the surrounding vegetation. These plants work well as borders and edging, along walkways, or as a lower layer in front of taller perennials.

Butterfly Milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 1-2 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-9

Anyone wanting to attract butterflies to their garden should have Butterfly Milkweed. Milkweed is the host plant for the Monarch Butterfly caterpillar, and the flowers attract many other butterflies, bees, and dragonflies.

Flowers are showy orange clusters and bloom throughout the summer. After flowering, pointed, oblong seed pods develop, opening in the fall to release an abundance of white seed fluff.

Butterfly Milkweed looks great in a pollinator garden, perennial garden, cottage garden, or prairie landscape. It prefers rich, moist soils, but will tolerate some drought. For best blooming results, grow it in a location with full sun.

Common Sage

Scientific Name: Salvia officinalis

• Plant Type:  Semi-woody perennial
• Geographic Origin: Northern Africa and Mediterranean
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 2-2.5 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 4-8

Common Sage is one of those plants you can grow in average, dry soil, in full sun. It is intolerant of wet soils. Grow Sage in an herb garden, vegetable garden, or perennial garden. The aromatic leaves are a common kitchen herb. Sage is resistant to deer and rabbits.

Young Sage plants have softer, herbaceous stems, but older plants develop woody stems. Depending on the variety and the climate, some Sages may lose their leaves in the winter, while other will stay evergreen throughout the winter.

The flowers of Common Sage are pale lavender-blue and appear in the late spring and early summer. They grow on tall spikes and attract bees and butterflies.

Coral Bells

Scientific Name: Heuchera americana

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Height: 1-2 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 4-9

There are a number of cultivars of Coral Bells, with different flower colors, leaf colors, and sizes. These plants make an attractive low-growing perennial in a cottage garden or perennial garden, and look nice in a partially shaded area or along a border. These plants will eventually form a large cluster and make an excellent ground cover.

Tall spikes of small flowers bloom in the summer and attract an assortment of small insects. The flowers are attractive but not especially large or showy. The leaves, however, are quite beautiful in the garden and compliment other perennials nicely.

Common Coreopsis

Scientific Name: Coreopsis grandiflora

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 1.5-2.5 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 4-9

The Common Coreopsis is a low-maintenance wildflower native to the central and eastern United States. It grows well in medium-moisture, average, well-drained soil, and full sun. This cheery plant is tolerant of both rabbits and deer and also attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Coreopsis flowers are bright yellow. They bloom throughout the summer and self-seed readily. Pull out extra unwanted seedlings each spring or use the seeds to grow these as annuals in pots or large containers. This plant works well in a meadow garden or large sunny naturalized area.

Creeping Phlox

Scientific Name: Phlox stolonifera

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Height: 6”-12”
• USDA Plant Zone: 5-9

Creeping Phlox grows into large masses and makes a good ground cover. This plant is native to the southeastern United States. It would look nice planted along a border of a perennial garden, in a cottage garden, or in a rock garden.

Dense masses of pinkish-purple flowers cover the plant in late spring through early summer. The plants are resistant to deer and rabbits, and attract butterflies and other pollinators. Plant Creeping Phlox anywhere in the garden that you need a low-growing plant with early-season color.

Candytuft

Scientific Name: Iberis sempervirens

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Southern Europe
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 6”-12”
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

Candytuft is a low-growing ground cover suitable for a rock garden, cottage garden, or along borders and edges. It also grows well in containers. It needs well-drained soil and benefits from some annual trimming to remove scraggly growth and keep a compact form. This plant is tolerant of both rabbits and deer.

Candytuft blooms in springtime. The white flowers form in dense, round clusters that attract butterflies and other insects. Leaves are small, oblong, and evergreen, maintaining interest throughout the winter months.

Dianthus

Scientific Name: Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Grandiflorus’

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe, Asia
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 6”-12”
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

Dianthus, also sometimes called “Cheddar Pink” is an attractive little plant that works well as a ground cover or edging plant. It prefers well-drained soil in full sun, and is prone to root rot in wet soils.

Dianthus is fairly low maintenance and not generally bothered by deer or rabbits. It blooms reliably each year, from late spring to early summer.

Dianthus ‘Grandiflorus’ leaves are thin and lancelike, growing in a silvery-green cluster. Flowers are bright pink and disklike. A plant in full bloom will appear as a small pink mat of blooms across the top of the entire plant. While flowers are relatively small, they are very showy and make an eye-catching display.

Hosta

Scientific Name: Hosta spp.

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia
• Sun Exposure: Shade to partial shade
• Plant Height: 12”-18”
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

If you are looking for an excellent shade garden plant, look no farther. Hostas are attractive and hardy plants with large green leaves. They grow best in shaded areas with rich, moist soils. Unfortunately, Hosta leaves are a favorite food for browsing deer, so be sure to grow them in a protected, deer-free area.

Hostas bloom from late summer into early fall. Tall flower spikes are graced with attractive pale purple bell-like flowers that attract hummingbirds. Plants can grow quite large and will gradually spread, so be sure to give them plenty of space to grow. Plants can be divided every few years to replant or give away.

Lenten Rose

Scientific Name: Helleborus spp.

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
• Plant Height: 1.5-2 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 6-9

The Lenten Rose is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that is ideal for a shade garden with moist soil. It prefers warmer climate zones, but will perform well as a perennial in zones 6-8.

It is resistant to both deer and rabbits and tolerant of poor soils. In ideal conditions, Lenten Rose will self seed and spread into large clumps, but it grows rather slowly and is easy to manage. It can be divided every few years if necessary.

Foliage is tough and leathery and will often stay evergreen throughout the winter, adding interest to the winter garden. Flowers appear late in the winter, or early in the spring. The flowers are showy, in shades of white and pink, and droop gracefully downwards.

Lily of the Valley

Scientific Name: Convallaria majalis

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Central Asia, Europe
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
• Plant Height: 6”-12”
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

Lily of the valley is a spring-blooming plant that grows well in the shade. In ideal conditions, it grows and spreads readily by underground rhizomes. This plant is considered invasive in some areas, so be sure to check its status in your area before choosing to plant it.

Lily of the Valley is tolerant of poor soils, heavy shade, deer, and rabbits, making it a good plant for difficult gardening areas. It makes an effective ground cover or for filling in contained areas. Leaves are broad and grow singly, directly from the ground. Flower talks appear in the spring, lined with small, white, bell-like flowers.

Maidenhair Fern

Scientific Name: Adiantum pedatum

• Plant Type: Fern
• Geographic Origin: North America, Asia
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
• Plant Height: 1-2 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

Ferns are graceful and attractive with beautiful foliage that adds variety to the shade garden. The Maidenhair Fern grows into clumps of frilly fronds atop a relatively long stem.

New fronds emerge from the ground each spring. Ferns are non-flowering plants which are typically not bothered by deer or rabbits.

When grown in shady conditions, with rich, moist soil, ferns are quite hardy. Ferns generally don’t have issues with insects or diseases, but can be harmed by too much heat, dry soil, and sun. Maidenhair Ferns are native plants that grow naturally in moist, heavily-wooded valleys and ravines.

Mother of Thyme

Scientific Name: Thymus serpyllum

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Northern Europe
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 3-6”
• USDA Plant Zone: 4-8

Mother of Thyme, also called Wild Thyme or Creeping Thyme, is an aromatic perennial ground cover. It grows well in poor soils and full sun, and is an excellent plant for an herb garden or rock garden.

In locations with mild winters, it may stay evergreen, but loses its leaves and goes dormant in colder winter climates.

Mother of Thyme has showy flowers that bloom in early to mid summer. Flowers are small pink clusters that are pinkish-purple. The plant is resistant to deer and rabbits, while the flowers attract butterflies and other insects.

New England Aster

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern North America
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 3-6 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 4-8

New England Aster is a tall, fall-blooming perennial. This plant waits until many others are finished blooming, and then bursts into full bloom from early fall until frost. Flowers are showy and purple, attracting late-season butterflies and a host of other insects. Asters are not generally bothered by deer or rabbits, nor do they have many problems with other pests or diseases.

Grow New England Asters in a naturalized prairie or meadow garden, or in the perennial garden where they have plenty of room to grow. New England Asters do best in full sun.

Plant them in an area with rich, well-drained soil and be prepared to stake them upright if they sprawl too much. These plants can grow quite tall and will gradually spread outward over time.

Ostrich Fern

Scientific Name: Matteuccia struthiopteris

• Plant Type: Fern
• Geographic Origin: Europe, Eastern Asia, Eastern North America
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
• Plant Height: 3-5 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-7

Ostrich Ferns are stunning additions to the shade garden. Grow them in rich, moist soil, under trees, or other areas with plenty of shade. These ferns generally prefer cooler climates and may not perform well in areas with long, hot summers, nor do they like areas that are sunny or dry. Ferns grown in ideal conditions are quite hardy, resistant to rabbits and deer, and uniquely attractive.

Grow Ostrich Ferns in a cluster for a dramatic display, or group them with other shade-loving perennials as companion plants. Ostrich Fern has large fronds that remain green throughout the growing season. New fronds appear in the spring, emerging as fiddleheads, and unfurling from the ground up.

Purple Coneflower

Scientific Name: Echinacea purpurea

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 2.5-3 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

Purple Coneflowers are at home in many landscapes: cottage gardens, perennial gardens, native wildflower gardens, and pollinator and wildlife gardens.

The flowers bloom throughout the summer months and attract many butterflies and other pollinators, as well as seed-eating birds. Deer and rabbits may browse on young plants, but don’t generally bother the larger plants later in the season.

Coneflowers grow best in full sun. Plant them in an area with rich, well-drained soil. Plants will spread slowly over time, either by underground rhizomes or by self-seeding. You can divide the plants every few years to spread them out or give some away.

Stonecrop ‘Autumn Joy’

Scientific Name: Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Height: 1.5-2 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-9

This is a classic perennial flower that is at home in the perennial garden, rock garden, or cottage garden. The thick succulent leaves of Autumn Joy are interesting throughout the growing season, contrasting nicely with other garden perennials. Grow it in full sun with well-drained soil.

In the early fall, Autumn Joy blooms with clusters of small, feathery, pale pink flowers. The flowers attract late-season butterflies and other pollinators. This plant can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings and stem cuttings, as well as dividing larger clumps. If it grows a bit too large and leggy, it can be cut back to a more manageable size.

Solitary Clematis

Scientific Name: Clematis integrifolia

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia, Europe
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Height: 1.5-3 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-7

Solitary Clematis in a non-vining variety of Clematis. Instead, it grows as an herbaceous perennial with upright stems that die back to the ground each winter. Plants grow well with moist soil and a bit of afternoon shade.

The flowers of this unusual Clematis are purple and grow on single stems above the leaf mass, drooping gracefully downwards. These plants are deer resistant and look wonderful when grown in a group. Add them to a cottage garden, perennial garden, or rock garden.

Spiderwort

Scientific Name: Tradescantia virginiana

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern United States
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to shade
• Plant Height: 1-3 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 4-9

Spiderwort is a versatile plant that will grow in many conditions. It tolerates both full sun and full shade, and it will tolerate a range of soil conditions.

This plant will tend to grow into a cluster and can be divided every few years, if necessary, to control growth. Spiderwort is an interesting and attractive plant that would look nice in a natural cottage garden setting, or in a shade garden.

Spiderworts bloom from late spring through mid summer. The flowers each have three petals and are showy and purple. They grow in small clusters at the tops of the main stems. Leaves are long and thin, and resemble a thick, juicy grass.

This plant looks its best in the spring and early summer months. By mid to late summer, the leaves may start to look brown and bedraggled, so plant it among other plants that thrive later in the growing season.

Yarrow

Scientific Name: Achillea millefolium

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe, Asia, North America
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Plant Height: 2-3 feet
• USDA Plant Zone: 3-9

Yarrow is an attractive plant with feathery pale green foliage. It grows well in dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soils. It is tolerant of deer and rabbits, occasional drought, and poor soil conditions.

Yarrow prefers a location with full sun and will grow vigorously, spreading outwards by underground rhizomes. Control growth and spread by removing any unwanted rhizomes from around the edges.

Yarrow flowers attract butterflies and other insects. Depending on the variety, Yarrow flowers may be white, yellow, or various shades of pink. This would be a good plant for filling in challenging garden corners and edges, or for a more wild-looking perennial garden.