Understanding USDA Hardiness Zones

Climate Characteristics:

• The coldest zone in the U.S.
• Found in northern regions such as Alaska.
• Extremely cold temperatures with short growing seasons.

Best Plants for Zone 1:

• Trees: Black Spruce, Paper Birch
• Perennials: Arctic Poppy, Siberian Iris
• Vegetables: Kale, Spinach (cold-hardy varieties)
• Flowering Plants: Alpine Asters, Arctic Lupine

Climate Characteristics:

• Very cold winters with brief, cool summers.
• Common in parts of Canada and high-altitude regions in the U.S.

Best Plants for Zone 2:

• Trees: Lodgepole Pine, Black Spruce
• Perennials: Morden Hardy Geranium, Snowdrop
• Vegetables: Hardy cabbage, Radishes, Peas
• Flowers: Purple Coneflower, Alpine Poppy

Climate Characteristics:

• Long, harsh winters with short growing seasons.
• Common in parts of northern Minnesota, the Great Lakes, and Canada.

Best Plants for Zone 3:

• Trees: Tamarack, Mountain Ash
• Perennials: Peonies, Daylilies
• Vegetables: Lettuce, Radishes, Carrots (early-season crops)
• Flowers: Lavender, Columbine, Lupine

Climate Characteristics:

• Still cold winters with a moderate growing season.
• Common in parts of the northern Midwest and higher elevations in the Rockies.

Best Plants for Zone 4:

• Trees: Quaking Aspen, Eastern Red Cedar
• Perennials: Bleeding Heart, Siberian Iris
• Vegetables: Beets, Broccoli, Spinach
• Flowers: Peonies, Irises, Astilbe

Climate Characteristics:

• Cold winters with moderate summers.
• Common in parts of the northeastern U.S., central Midwest, and parts of the Pacific Northwest.

Best Plants for Zone 5:

• Trees: Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Birch
• Perennials: Hostas, Daylilies, Echinacea
• Vegetables: Tomatoes, Peppers, Lettuce
• Flowers: Lilies, Black-eyed Susan, Lavender

Climate Characteristics:

• Cold winters and moderate summers.
• Found in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, southern Midwest, and parts of the Pacific Coast.

Best Plants for Zone 6:

• Trees: Apple Trees, Crabapple, American Hornbeam
• Perennials: Coral Bells, Astilbe, Shasta Daisy
• Vegetables: Lettuce, Carrots, Radishes, Onions
• Flowers: Roses, Pansies, Daylilies

Climate Characteristics:

• Mild winters and longer, warm summers.
• Common in parts of the Pacific Northwest, the southern U.S., and parts of the mid-Atlantic.

Best Plants for Zone 7:

• Trees: Redbud, Dogwood, Japanese Maple
• Perennials: Black-eyed Susan, Astilbe, Echinacea
• Vegetables: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peas, Squash
• Flowers: Daylilies, Lavender, Zinnias

Climate Characteristics:

• Mild winters with warm summers.
• Found in parts of the southern U.S., including areas like the Carolinas, northern California, and parts of Texas.

Best Plants for Zone 8:

• Trees: Magnolia, Southern Pine, Crepe Myrtle
• Perennials: Coneflower, Lavender, Black-eyed Susan
• Vegetables: Peppers, Okra, Tomatoes
• Flowers: Lantana, Begonias, Marigolds

Climate Characteristics:

• Warm winters and long, hot summers.
• Common in parts of California, southern Texas, Florida, and the desert southwest.

Best Plants for Zone 9:

• Trees: Orange Trees, Olive, Pomegranate
• Perennials: Agave, Lavender, Palms
• Vegetables: Sweet Potatoes, Beans, Tomatoes
• Flowers: Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Zinnias

limate Characteristics:

• Mild winters with hot summers.
• Found in parts of southern Florida, southern Texas, and southern California.

Best Plants for Zone 10:

• Trees: Mango, Avocado, Figs
• Perennials: Agave, Aloe, Canna Lily
• Vegetables: Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes
• Flowers: Bird of Paradise, Bougainvillea, Plumeria

Climate Characteristics:

• Hot, dry summers with mild winters.
• Found in southern coastal areas, parts of Hawaii, and desert regions of the southwest.

Best Plants for Zone 11:

• Trees: Coconut Palm, Date Palm
• Perennials: Bougainvillea, Agave
• Vegetables: Sweet Corn, Squash, Eggplant
• Flowers: Frangipani, Jasmine, Hibiscus

Climate Characteristics:

• Warm, dry climate with moderate to hot summers.
• Common in parts of southern California, Hawaii, and coastal regions.

Best Plants for Zone 12:

• Trees: Avocado, Mango, Banana
• Perennials: Hibiscus, Plumeria, Agave
• Vegetables: Okra, Sweet Potatoes, Squash
• Flowers: Bougainvillea, Oleander, Frangipani

Climate Characteristics:

• Year-round warmth with no frost or freezing temperatures.
• Found in isolated parts of southern Florida, coastal and lowland Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other tropical U.S. territories.
• Humid or dry tropical climate depending on region, with extended growing seasons and no cold dormancy.

Best Plants for Zone 13:

• Trees: Mango, Banana, Papaya
• Perennials: Plumeria, Hibiscus, Bird of Paradise
• Vegetables: Sweet Potatoes, Okra, Eggplant
• Flowers: Bougainvillea, Heliconia, Ginger Lily