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