| The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is an | | | | an average minimum temperature below (-) 50 |
| essential tool for all landscapers and gardeners, | | | | degree Fahrenheit. Example locations include |
| whether professionals or weekend | | | | Fairbanks, Alaska and Northwest Territories in |
| do-it-yourselfers. This simple and free tool will help | | | | Canada.Zone 2 contains areas that see an |
| ensure you select only the correct plants, shrubs, | | | | average minimum temperature of (-) 50 to (-) 40 |
| or trees for your region. If you do not follow this | | | | degrees. Example locations include Prudhoe Bay, |
| guide you risk the health of your plant, and | | | | Alaska and Pinecreek , Minnesota.Zone 3 ranges |
| ultimately your time and money.The Map was | | | | between (-) 40 and (-) 30 degrees. Examples are |
| designed to show the average annual minimum | | | | International Falls, Minnesota and Sidney, |
| temperature range throughout the United States, | | | | Montana.Zone 4 ranges between (-) 30 and (-) 20 |
| Canada, and Mexico. There are 11 different zones | | | | degrees. Examples are Minneapolis and St. Paul, |
| that describe the minimum temperature that can | | | | Minnesota and Northwood, Iowa.Zone 5 ranges |
| be expected. The zones were divided based on a | | | | between (-) 20 and (-) 10 degrees. Examples are |
| 10 degree Fahrenheit difference in the average | | | | Des Moines, Iowa and Mansfield, Pennsylvania.Zone |
| annual minimum temperature.It is important to | | | | 6 ranges between (-) 10 and 0 degrees. Examples |
| understand the zones in order to select a plant | | | | are St. Louis, Missouri, and Lebanon, |
| that will survive the winter in your region. This is | | | | Pennsylvania.Zone 7 ranges between 0 and 10 |
| called the plant's winter hardiness. The winter | | | | degrees. Examples are South Boston, Virginia and |
| hardiness of the plant is one of the most crucial | | | | Little Rock Arkansas.Zone 8 ranges between 10 |
| factors for the survival and environmental | | | | and 20 degrees. Examples are Dallas, Texas and |
| adaptation of the plant. A plant's hardiness | | | | Gainesville, Florida.Zone 9 ranges between 20 and |
| indicates the lowest temperature the plant can | | | | 30 degrees. Examples are Houston, Texas and |
| sustain and still survive.Most plants purchased at | | | | Fort Pierce, Florida.Zone 10 ranges between 30 |
| commercial stores will have their hardiness level | | | | and 40 degrees. Examples are Victorville, California |
| indicated on their tag. Determine the Hardiness | | | | and Miami, Florida.Zone 11 is for annual minimum |
| Zone of the area in which the plant will be located, | | | | temperatures above 40 degrees. Examples include |
| and make sure the plant's hardiness falls within | | | | Honolulu, Hawaii and Mazatlan, Mexico. |
| the correct zone.Zone 1 contains areas that see | | | | |