Plants

USDA Hardiness Zone 4 is a planting zone defined by average annual minimum winter temperatures that range from -30°F to -20°F (-34°C to -29°C). It covers large portions of the northern United States, including states like Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and parts of New England, as well as some mountainous regions in the West. Because … Read more

USDA Hardiness Zone 6 is defined by an average annual minimum winter temperature ranging from -10°F to 0°F (-23.3°C to -17.8°C). This moderate climate allows gardeners to grow a wide variety of plants, including fruit trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals that may not survive in colder zones. While winters are cold, they are generally not … Read more

USDA Hardiness Zone 3 is characterized by extremely cold winters, with average annual minimum temperatures ranging from -40°F to -30°F (-40°C to -34.4°C). This makes it one of the coldest zones in the continental United States and parts of Canada. Plants in this zone must be highly cold-hardy to survive the long, harsh winters. Gardeners … Read more

USDA Zone 9 is defined by an average annual minimum winter temperature of 20 to 30°F (-6.7 to -1.1°C). This relatively mild climate allows gardeners to grow a wide variety of plants, including many that cannot survive in colder zones. Zone 9 typically experiences long growing seasons, making it ideal for vegetables, fruits, and ornamental … Read more

Perennials that bloom from spring to fall are valued for their ability to provide continuous color and interest throughout the growing season. Unlike annuals, which must be replanted each year, these plants return season after season, gradually filling the garden with reliable beauty. Their extended blooming period means gardeners can enjoy flowers in early spring, … Read more

USDA Hardiness Zone 1 is the coldest growing zone in the United States, with average minimum winter temperatures below -50°F (-45.6°C). Winters are extremely long, harsh, and dominated by ice and snow, while summers are very short and cool. Only the hardiest of plants can survive in this zone, and gardeners must focus on species … Read more

USDA Hardiness Zone 3 is one of the coldest growing zones in the United States, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from -40°F to -30°F (-40°C to -34.4°C). Winters are long, harsh, and snowy, while summers are short but can be warm enough to support rapid plant growth. The extreme cold requires plants that can … Read more

Botanical Name & Classification Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the Malvaceae family, which also includes cotton, okra, and cacao. The genus contains over 300 species, ranging from tropical shrubs to temperate perennials. The most commonly cultivated types for gardens are Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (tropical hibiscus) and Hibiscus syriacus (hardy hibiscus). These plants are … Read more

Botanical Classification The Chinese Pistache is scientifically known as Pistacia chinensis. It belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, which is the same family that includes cashews and mangoes. This deciduous tree is valued for its ornamental qualities, particularly its vibrant fall foliage. Native to China, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia, it has been widely cultivated … Read more

USDA Hardiness Zone 7 is characterized by moderate winters and warm, often humid, growing seasons. The average minimum winter temperatures range from 0°F to 10°F (-17.8°C to -12.2°C). These conditions allow many deciduous and evergreen trees to thrive, including a mix of temperate hardwoods, ornamental flowering trees, and subtropical-adapted species in the southern portions of … Read more