Growing Recommendations for Zone 5b?

Q: Thank you! I am constantly wondering what "zone" I am in. With your request came Hardiness Zone and a drop down menu and voilà, Columbia, MO (10 minutes from here) was actually on list.

I would like to know what trees, plants and flowers would do best here (Zone 5b). We have a new home and need trees, plants and flowers that I can take care of. I do well with tulips, daffodils, crocus and the summer salvia types. Thank you for your help.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Annie Hill from Hallsville, MO

A: Annie,

Rather than list hundreds of possibilities for the trees, plants and flowers that grow well in your zones, I'm going to point you toward three very good online resources for your area. The first is University of Missouri Extension Agency web site (http://extension.missouri.edu). Under news and publications you will find excellent gardening resources, including lists of tree, plant and flower cultivars especially suited to your zone and how to take care of them.

Another wonderful resource in your area is the Missouri Botanical Garden web site (http://www.mobot.org). On the home page, click on the Gardening Help link for information on gardening classes, plant information and a gardening tips calendar. Both of these sites also offer links to other great resources.

Finally, the most drought tolerant and disease resistant plants, and therefore the easiest to care for, are native plants. Check out the Missouri Native Plant Society (http://www.missouri.edu/~umo_herb/monps/). The site offers several downloadable files in PDF format, including list of ideas for native trees and shrubs, plants for butterfly gardening and tips on buying plants. Good luck!