What if a plant isn’t rated for my zone?
A plant that isn’t hardy to your zone may still be grown as an annual, in a container you bring indoors, or with winter protection. For example, gardeners in Zone 6 often enjoy Zone 9 plants like lantana or coleus as summer annuals. Cold Hardiness zones are based on the average annual minimum temperature in a given area of the country, with USDA Zone 1 being the coldest at minus 50 degrees F and USDA Zone 11 the warmest at above 40 degrees F.The entirety of the UK falls within USDA planting zones 6-9, which are based on average winter temperatures. Zone 6 areas in the UK, where winter temperatures can drop below -17. C, are quite rare. Similarly, few areas fall into zone 7, where temperatures can drop below -12. C.The larger the zone number, the higher the average temperature range. But because the range is an average, it’s important to remember that the zone may experience even colder temperatures.Zone 9a is defined by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones as regions with average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 20°F to 25°F (-6. C to -3. C). This zone includes parts of the southern United States, including areas in Texas, Florida, and California, as well as some coastal and desert regions.All plants have their comfort zone—a specific climate where they grow optimally. Each plant likes to grow in its preferred climate and weather conditions. Planting plants in climates that are too hot or too cold will stress them and could strain their growth.
Where are zones 9 and 10 in the United States?
Zone 9 includes central Florida, southern Louisiana and Texas and stretches up the west coast in a narrow band on the western coast of California. Zone 10 encompasses south Florida, southeast California, the southernmost tip of Texas, and much of Hawaii. The Zone 9 map includes the following states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. Every USDA Hardiness Zone is divided into two subsets.Where is Zone 8? USDA Zone 8 spans mainly from coastal Virginia to central Texas, including the entirety of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.Zone 9 includes central Florida, southern Louisiana and Texas and stretches up the west coast in a narrow band on the western coast of California. Zone 10 encompasses south Florida, southeast California, the southernmost tip of Texas, and much of Hawaii.
What are the planting zones in the United States?
In the United States, planting zones are specific locations that correspond to which plants can grow well there. The planting zone map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, and which varieties of flowers and plants can survive and thrive in those conditions. The USDA plant hardiness zones are the most widely used system globally to determine planting zones. The entirety of the UK falls within USDA planting zones 6-9, which are based on average winter temperatures.