Plants for a Windy Garden

If you live in an area where wind is an issue, such as on a plateau or on the edge of a body of water, you will quickly find that not all plants can withstand constant exposure to wind. When you plan your gardens, knowing what plants will withstand constant wind can help you maintain a healthy garden and reduce your frustration.

Ornamental grasses flourish despite the presence of wind. In fact, they can serve double duty by embellishing a yard and acting as a wind break as well. Ornamental grasses do not require a lot of water. Two wind-resistant varieties of ornamental grasses are Stipa and Miscanthus, both of which grow tall and have a feathery appearance. These grasses prefer colder climates.

The bergenia plant first appeared in Asia. Bergenias grow up to 2 feet in height, and their flowers range from pink to purple on burgundy-colored stems. The leaves are large and heart-shaped. They bloom in the beginning of spring and thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 4 through 10. In the colder climates, the leaves turn a rust or bronze color in the fall. Bergenias tolerate wind, though they are better off being partially shielded by a boulder. As long as the ground beneath the leaves are mulched and the soil is fairly moist, they grow well.

Flax is both a medicinal herb as well as the source of linen. This plant does well in most environments, including windy areas. Its flowers can be pink, white, blue or purple. The plant has long tap roots up to 4 feet long, which means it can survive in areas of little water. The roots also allow flax to stay anchored despite the presence of wind. Certain varieties do well in hardiness zones 3 and 4.

The coreopsis is a bright yellow flower that is hardy despite wind. This flower also does well in well-drained soil. The flowers appear in the late summer, and as long as coreopsis has 180 days of frost-free weather, it performs well. Its hardiness zones are 3 through 8.

Daisies come in more than one variety, including the African daisy, shasta daisy and painted daisy. These plants are hardy and will bloom every year. As long as the soil is well drained, they can withstand constant wind. They bloom in the summer and into the fall, and they thrive in hardiness zones 3 through 10.

Zinnias originated in the Southwest and Mexico. They are bright flowers that come in many varieties. This flower is hardy, grows quickly and does well with dry soil as well as full sun exposure. Zinnias don't mind the wind and do well in zones 3 through 10.

Day lilies are another good choice for windy areas because they are hardy and able to survive without much water. They also come in many colors, and different varieties bloom throughout the season. Some of the colors include orange with black spots, purple, white and yellow. They prefer colder temperatures and grow well in hardiness zones 3 and 4.

Dryas are small plants that come in more than one variety. Some have flowers that are white; others have yellow blooms. These plants are extremely hardy and can be found blooming in the Alps and northern Canada and Alaska. They prefer hardiness zones 3 and 4, and bloom in May through July.