Full Sun Perennials (Zone 3)
I've lived in Alberta, Canada my whole life — and honestly, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. We get big blue skies, loads of sunshine, and yes... some seriously long winters. But even the coldest season feels a bit more manageable when the sun is shining.
If you’re not from a colder Zone 3 climate like we are here, you might wonder if it’s possible to grow lush, colorful flowers. Spoiler: we absolutely can. And one of my favourite ways to do that is with perennials.
Keep It Simple — and Beautiful
Don’t overcomplicate it! Just because hundreds of plants can grow in Zone 3 doesn’t mean you need to grow them all. Try starting with 4–6 kinds of perennials. Pick a couple that bloom in spring, some in summer, and a few for fall, and you’ll have colour all season long.
Here are some of my favourites to get you started:
☀️ Zone 3 Perennials for Full Sun
Daylily (Hemerocallis sp.)
One of the most versatile perennials out there. Daylilies thrive in full sun to part shade, and while each bloom only lasts a day, the plant stays attractive all season long. They add gorgeous texture and come in a wide range of sizes — from front-of-the-border to tall background types. Try different varieties to stagger bloom times and enjoy flowers from early summer to frost.
Daylily - Hemerocallis sp.
Speedwell (Veronica spicata)
If you're looking for blue flowers, this one’s for you! Veronica blooms most of the summer and also makes a great cut flower. Don’t love blue? Try the pink variety ‘Red Fox’. It’s just as tough and equally lovely in bouquets.
Delphinium (Delphinium sp.)
Tall and stately, delphiniums are perfect for the back of the border. They can easily grow 4–5 feet tall, especially in full sun. Be sure to plant them in a sheltered area — wind can kink those stems. If they don’t get enough sun, the stems will stretch and get floppy.
Poppy (Papaver sp.)
Iceland and Oriental poppies are stunning, with paper-like blooms that make a real impact. Plant them in groups for a dramatic show. Just know their foliage dies back after flowering — tuck them behind other plants that will fill in the space.
If you prefer soft colours over bright orange, try the Champagne Bubbles mix (Iceland poppy) — it offers lovely pastels.
Silver King Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana)
Silver King Sage grows well in hot, dry areas and has striking silver foliage that looks amazing in bouquets. It's a bit leggy, so I plant it in the back of beds.
Silver Mound Sage (Artemisia schmidtiana)
A soft, silvery mound with a delicate look. Don’t fertilize it — that’ll make it flop open. Sage thrives in poor soil and looks great even when not in bloom.
Peony (Paeonia sp.)
Everyone loves peonies — big, fragrant blooms and an old-fashioned charm. They’re an investment: it takes 3 years or more for a peony to flower after planting. But they can live 60+ years in the same spot! Be warned: they can "pout" if moved. Pick the right place and leave them to settle in.
Peony - Paeonia sp.
Goldenrod (Solidago sp.)
Often thought of as a wildflower, newer Goldenrod varieties are garden-worthy and beautiful. Perfect for the back of the border in naturalistic or native-style gardens. It brings texture and upright structure to flower beds — and it’s a surprising hit in bouquets!
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
A tough plant for hot, dry, sunny spots. It produces spires of lavender-blue blooms with silvery-green leaves. It’s lightly fragrant when brushed against. Love the look of lavender but need more hardiness? This is your plant.
Lily (Lilium sp.)
Lilies are amazing for Zone 3. Whether you go with Asiatic, LA Hybrid, Martagon, Tiger, or Oriental lilies, there’s something for every space. Check height before planting — they range from short and compact to towering at 5 feet. I love using the tall ones for cut flowers. If scent bothers you, avoid Oriental lilies and stick to Asiatic or LA Hybrids.
Asiatic Lily - Lilium sp.
Snow in Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
This low, mounding perennial has silvery leaves and frothy white blooms. A great alternative to alyssum and perfect for rock gardens or cascading over borders.
Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima)
A sweet little plant that blooms all summer. It reminds me of chives with its grassy clump and pink pom-pom flowers. Lovely for rock gardens or the front of a bed. Stays compact and neat.
Pinks (Dianthus deltoides)
A charming, low mound of serrated-petal blooms. Great at the front of the border. They look delicate, but they’re tough.
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
A short-lived but lovely perennial with a nostalgic feel. Think cottage garden charm — but remember, it won’t live forever.
Snowdrop Anemone (Anemone sylvestris)
One of my spring favourites. The white blooms remind me of mountain wildflowers. They’re gorgeous at the front of the bed — just make sure to deadhead, or the stems will linger and look a bit messy.
Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)
Tall, dramatic, and hardy. Monkshood’s deep blue flowers bring elegance to the back of the bed. Note: It is toxic — don’t let kids handle it. But it’s well worth growing in the right spot.
Monkshood - Aconitum napellus
Stonecrop (Sedum sp.)
You can't go wrong with sedum. From groundcovers like ‘Dragon’s Blood’ to upright bloomers like ‘Autumn Joy’, these are drought-tolerant, tough, and add amazing texture.
Iris (Iris germanica & Iris siberica)
Spring-blooming beauties with bold foliage. A must for early-season colour. I recently planted a piece of iris from my grandma that originally came from her mom — it didn’t bloom yet, but it’s incredibly special to me.
Wooly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) & Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
These scented groundcovers are perfect for pathways, between stones, or spilling over raised beds. Every time you step on them, they release their lovely scent. Hardy and low-growing — perfect for sunny spaces.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow blooms all summer and comes in dreamy pastels or bold hues. But beware — it self-seeds like crazy. Deadhead regularly or pull baby plants early before they take over.
🌸 Still Want More?
These are just a few of the easiest and most rewarding perennials for full-sun Zone 3 gardens. Here’s a bigger list of tough, Alberta-ready perennials — many of which I grow myself:
Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis)
Aster (Aster sp.)
Avens (Geum sp.)
Creeping Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila repens)
(Note: G. paniculata is a restricted weed in Alberta)Beard Tongue (Penstemon spp.)
Bellflower (Campanula sp.)
Bergenia (Bergenia sp.)
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Clematis (Clematis sp.)
Columbine (Aquilegia sp.)
Coral Bells (Heuchera sp.)
Daisy (Chrysanthemum sp.)
Evening Primrose (Oenothera missouriensis)
Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina)
Lupine (Lupinus sp.)
Phlox (Phlox paniculata, P. douglasii)
Let Your Garden Shine
Gardening in Zone 3 doesn’t mean settling for boring or sparse — it means choosing plants that thrive in our conditions and reward us with colour, fragrance, and joy.
Start small, choose plants you love, and enjoy the magic that comes back year after year.
Happy gardening,
Heidi 🌸
