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A zone map is chock full of general guidelines you'll need for your garden plans.
When you know the
planting zones in which you live, you can base your yard care and choice of flowers and plants on smart decisions.
Match your zone with tips from our flower
guide to pick the plants that fit your gardening zones. Generally, the last freeze of spring determines when you can plant, and the first one in the fall brings an end to most flower and vegetable growth.
What Are Planting Zones?
The planting zones, also called hardiness zones, divide the United States, Mexico and Canada into 11 areas. Each of the gardening zones is based on a 10 degree Fahrenheit difference in the average annual minimum temperature.
Planting Zones 1 and 2a, the coldest, represent Canada. The United States falls within zones 2 through 10. Hawaii and Mexico are represented by zone 11, the hottest zone.
| Zone | Fahrenheit | Celsius | Example Cities |
| 1 | Below -50 | Below -45.6 | Fairbanks, Alaska; Northwest Territories (Canada) |
| 2a | -50 to -45 | -42.8 to -45.5 | Prudhoe Bay, Alaska; Flin Fon, Menitoba (Canada) |
| 2b | -45 to -40 | -40.0 to -42.7 | Unalakleet, Alaska; Pinecreek Minnesota |
| 3a | -40 to -35 | -37.3 to -39.9 | International Falls, Minnesota; St. Michael, Alaska |
| 3b | -35 to -30 | -34.5 to -37.2 | Tomahawk, Wisconsin; Sidney, Montana |
| 4a | -30 to -25 | -31.7 to -34.4 | St. Paul, Minnesota; Lewistown, Montana |
| 4b | -25 to -20 | -28.9 to -31.6 | Northwood, Iowa; Nebraska |
| 5a | -20 to -15 | -26.2 to -28.8 | Des Moines, Iowa; Illinois |
| 5b | -15 to -10 | -23.4 to -26.1 | Columbia, Missouri; Mansfield, Pennsylvania |
| 6a | -10 to -5 | -20.6 to -23.3 | St. Louis, Missouri; Lebanon, Pennsylvania |
| 6b | -5 to 0 | -17.8 to -20.5 | McMinnville, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri |
| 7a | 0 to 5 | -15.0 to -17.7 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; South Boston, Virginia |
| 7b | 5 to 10 | -12.3 to -14.9 | Little Rock, Arkansas; Griffin, Georgia |
| 8a | 10 to 15 | -9.5 to -12.2 | Tifton, Georgia; Dallas, Texas |
| 8b | 15 to 20 | -6.7 to -9.4 | Austin, Texas; Gainesville, Florida |
| 9a | 20 to 25 | -3.9 to -6.6 | Houston, Texas; St. Augustine, Florida |
| 9b | 25 to 30 | -1.2 to -3.8 | Brownsville, Texas; Fort Pierce, Florida |
| 10a | 30 to 35 | 1.6 to -1.1 | Naples, Florida; Victorville, California |
| 10b | 35 to 40 | 4.4 to 1.7 | Miami, Florida; Coral Gables, Florida |
| 11 | Above 40 | Above 4.5 | Honolulu, Hawaii; Mazatlan, Mexico |
The 2003 US National Arboretum USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 1475, Issued January 1990
Last Updated February 23, 2004
Take a look at the above zone chart. You'll see the lowest average temperature in Zone 2 is -50 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest average temperature in zone 10 is +30 to +40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Suitable
hardiness means a plant can be expected to
grow in the zone's temperature
extremes,
as determined by the lowest average annual temperature.
Here's an example: If your plant is recommended for a range of gardening zones, the plant is said to be "hardy" in those zones. Let's say zones 5 - 9 are suggested for your perennial. Then you know this plant is suitable for growing in zones 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
For complete information about every area of the United States, go to the USDA official planting zones map (a new window will open). Once there, either click on your region on the map, or click on your state's abbreviation. You'll go right to specific regional information about your zone.
New Planting Zone Map On The Way!
The USDA zone map will change within the next year... their current map is based on statistics that are over 20 years old. We've all noticed our climate has warmed during that time, and our zones will likely be reclassified. Be assured that we will stay up to date with the most current official zone map!
Don't Forget Your Local Features...
Local conditions may also affect the life and health of your plants and lawn. So consider your zones together with your location's own features such as humidity, moisture, drainage, soil, fertility, and winds.
Do you know the zones for most rosebushes? Actually, most roses are hardy in zones 4-9, with some hardy in zones 5-9. You'll discover this and so many more essential rose-growing facts when you learn rose gardening with us!
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