I'm in I.C.; it's 5a (or as I always say, 5a HA!). I grow about thirty different JM's; though most are still pretty small, I have some fifteen footers, too; they really need some shelter from winter sun and wind. If you want, come see our garden next spring to see which JM's do well here.Dave's Garden folks have a big swap every year, and the last two years it was in Cedar Rapids; you can pick up dozens of plants there every year, and meet lots of gardeners (since my garden is full, I usually take five or six trays full of stuff, and only come home with a half dozen things). Project Green has a plant sale every year.
Don

I'm in Cedar Rapids. Welcome (albeit prematurely) to Iowa! We moved here from the mountains of So. Cal. and I've been amazed at the amount of plants that we grew there that translated just as well if not better to IA's climate. For plant recommendations, well, it depends on what gets you going ;) I love perennials and vegetable gardens so that's what I focus most of my time on and would have the most input on...

I will say this though. If you like roses, you can't go wrong with Knock-Outs, very popular but that's because they do so well here.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Cooking Blog

The folks who have started the Backyard Abundance group have a website with lots of links, and thoughts about how to garden in the IC area - just a possible place to start
with ideas and contacts.

I didn't see where you are coming from. Perhaps there are plants you really like, besides the JM, that we could comment on?

When I moved here from the SF Bay Area, many years ago, I had to learn a different language of plants. I knew right away, though, that I would not have to go without tomatoes in my garden anymore!

Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Abundance