Different parts of the world have different climates, which makes a big difference in perennial gardening. Some plants can grow where other simply can’t. Some plants prefer colder temps, while others thrive in dry heat. Some plants need desert-like conditions to grow successfully, and other plants need a freeze and gradual warm-up to complete their cycle.
The USDA has created a zone hardiness map which assigns each area of the country a zone. An area’s zone is dependent on the average minimum temperature the area sees in a typical winter. The colder the average winter temperature is, the lower the zone number the area is assigned. The hotter an area is, the higher their zone number will be.
What does this have to do with gardening?
It is important to know what zone you live in. Your zone determines the difference between a certain plant being sold as a perennial (will come back year after year) or annual (only last a year) in your area. For example, plants that come back year after year in southern Texas are often sold as annual “patio plants” in northern Minnesota.
How do I know what zone my plant is for?
The majority of plants are sold with an informational tag attached. One of the items listed on this tag is often what zone the plant is “hardy to”. This means the coldest temp (or lowest numbered zone) that the plant can survive as a perennial in. Be sure to check these tags, as many plants are sold in areas that are not necessarily appropriate for it to be grown as a perennial. You can buy any kind of plant to grow in your garden, but only plants that are hardy within your zone will perform as a perennial.
How strictly do you have to adhere to zones?
As previously stated, plants purchased from a nursery will have an informational tag. This tag will generally state what zone the plant is hardy to. These tags are truthful and should be followed. However that is not to say that living in a zone three means you will never be able to grow a perennial hardy to zone five. Many people have done this with success by planting these more fragile plants closer tot heir house, mulching in the fall/winter, and giving extra TLC. There is no guarantee though, only experimentation.
Regardless of what zone you live in, if you get an unusually hard freeze, you may lose your plant. Zones are determined by average temperatures, and temperatures outside of normal that last for an extended amount of time may shorten the life of your plant.
Below is a list of zones and what temperatures are included in it. By averaging your minimum winter temperatures, you can determine what zone your area lies in. Temperatures listed are the lowest average temp in that zone.
Zone 1: Below -50 F
Zone 2: -50 F to -40 F
Zone 3: -40 F to -30 F
Zone 5: -30 F to -20 F
Zone 6: -10 F to 0F
Zone 7: 0 F to 10 F
Zone 8: 10 F to 20 F
Zone 9: 20 F to 30 F
Zone 10: 30 F to 40 F
Zone 11: Above 40F
Perennial gardening is easiest when the zone maps are followed. Ensure successful growth by learning what zone you live in and what plants grow best in your area. By making use of the zone maps, your gardens will be more productive. Happy gardening!
