Overwintering Perennials in Containers: Cold-Hardy Choices for Chicago Decks

A Chicago-area gardener (Zone 5/6) wants perennials that survive winter in pots.

Coleus Strategy

• Take cuttings in fall; root in water; grow in sunny window.
• Replant outdoors next spring.

Cold-Hardy Perennials for Pots

• Columbines, hens and chicks, sedums, asters, hostas, spiderwort, coreopsis, Iceland poppies
• Herbs: thyme, sage, St. John’s wort, mints

Tip

Visit a large nursery; they’ll have a “container perennials” section or staff to guide you.

Container gardening gets expensive—overwintering saves money!