Companion plants for ornamental grass by P. Allen Smith

Hardiness Zone 3

Zone 3 requires plants to be very hardy. With temperatures dropping as low as -30 this planting zone is unique. It is also the smallest of the hardiness zones as well. It’s important to know your planting conditions, such as soil type and drainage. Frost is the biggest struggle in zone 3. Last frost date: May 15 is the timeframe given for Zone 3. First frost date: September 15 is the benchmark for the first frost. That means you have a limited window for the frost-free growing season, but don’t worry at Gilbert H Wild we can help. Shop all the plant Gilbert H Wild offers in zone 3 below.

Hardiness Zone 4

Hardiness zone 4 ranges over 22 US States. From the southern coastal areas of Alaska, northern areas of the United States, and high elevations found in the western mountains planting zone 4 is unique. These unique climates share minimum average temperatures of between -30 to -20 degrees F. This means planting in this zone is less challenging than in colder zones, but the short growing season impacts both vegetables and flower bloom times. Shop all the plants Gilbert H Wild offers in zone 4 below.

Hardiness Zone 5

Planting zone 5 includes the southern coastal region of Alaska, the North Central United States, and portions of New England. It has a minimum average temperature range between -20 and -10 degrees F, thus moderately cold winter. While the growing season is shorter than other hardiness zones, you can extend it by using started plants in your annual garden. Zone 5 gardens feature a wide range of environments. From coastal waters and woodlands to the wide plains of the Midwest, plants should not only be cold hardy, but they also need to match the growing environment. Shop all the plants Gilbert H Wild offers in zone 5 below.

Hardiness Zone 7

Planting Zone 7 expands across approximately 15 U.S. states. This zone features cool winters with average minimum temperatures falling between 0 to 10 degrees F. Gardeners in zone 7 often find many different growing climates, from the Eastern coastal areas through the prairies to the dry regions of the southwest, even the forests of Oregon and Washington. The region’s wide variety in climates means that other considerations often need to be made to accommodate for drought tolerance and to adequately adjust soil conditions. Shop all the plants Gilbert H Wild offers in zone 7 below.

Hardiness Zone 8

If you plant in zone 8 then you already know it’s a warmer climate. Hardiness zone 8 is one of the warmest planting zones across a large portion of the southern United States. Extending up the western coast, this zone averages minimum winter temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees F. With a frost-free period lasting from early April until late October along with hot summers, growers typically enjoy a great planting season. Shop all the plants Gilbert H Wild offers in zone 8 below.

Hardiness Zone 9

USDA hardiness zone 9 is considered a year-round planting zone. Located across California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and along the Gulf of Mexico, this zone features enjoyable winters and hot summers. With an average minimum winter temperature of 20 to 30 degrees F, zone 9 can be perfect for year-round gardening. Be sure to consider how long hot summers can make the heat more of an issue than the cold. Plants with low water requirements do well in Zone 9. Shop all the plants Gilbert H Wild offers in zone 9 below.

Hardiness Zone 11

Zone 11 is found in Hawaii, the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, and a few small areas of the Continental United States. This extremely warm zone features warm winters with an average minimum winter temperature of between 40 to 50 degrees F. Cold is not a factor in this zone, since it has zero frost days. Instead, growers here must consider the impact heat has on their planting choices. Tropical plants do well in this hardiness zone. With long hot summers look for plants that are tolerant to the heat. Cold season plants will have a limited growing season in even the coolest part of winter here. Plants native to the area often perform the best batteling the heat. Shop all the plants Gilbert H Wild offers in zone 11 below.