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Planting Flowers by ZoneEveryone wants to grow their favorite flowers in their garden, but planting flowers by zone will save gardeners from many disappointments. Sometimes, the flowers you want to grow are just not suitable to your hardiness zone and growing conditions! In the end, you'll have a more beautiful garden and a happier time if you grow plants that are suited to your location. Keep in mind that USDA hardiness zones provide only a general guideline for choosing plants, because the zones are based on the coldest winter temperatures in the area. Other factors, like elevation and rainfall, are not part of those zone criteria. The Sunset gardening zones and some of the zoning plans being developed by the American Horticultural Society are more complete guidelines for planting flowers by zone. The following elements are important considerations:
[edit] Winter HardinessThe coldest winter temperature that a plant can endure is an obvious criteria for choosing garden plants, and it is the one most often listed in garden catalogs or at garden centers. There is no point in planting poinsettias in your garden if you have cold winters. They may grow into glorious shrubs in climates similar to their native Mexico, but they'll die in an area that has heavy frosts. Many listings do not distinguish between root hardiness and bud hardiness, which can cause disappointment for gardeners. Many plants die back to the ground each winter in cold climates and grow from the roots again each summer. However, if the plant blooms on 'old wood' -- that is, if its buds developed during the previous growing system and are waiting for spring to open -- the cold winter temperatures may kill the buds even though the plant survives without difficulty. Many spring-blooming perennials and shrubs bloom on old wood. [edit] Required Cold PeriodOther plants need a cold period in order to bloom; a period of cold followed by warmer temperatures signals to the plant that it is time to blossom. Lilacs and forsythias can be grown in warm climates, but they will not flower. Spring bulbs like tulips also need a cold period, but it's quite easy to provide it artificially in your refrigerator. [edit] Heat ToleranceMany plants grow more slowly in the heat of summer, but some tolerate it better than others, while a few thrive in hot (and even humid) weather. Match your choice of plant to your average summer high temperatures for the best results. [edit] Growing DaysHow many frost-free days do you have each summer in your area? Those are the growing days available to your plants. This is not a rigid number, of course, because many seedlings and plants will tolerate light frosts, and because the last frost of the spring and the first frost of the fall will come at slightly different times each year. It's still an important consideration when choosing plants for your garden, especially if you are growing from seed. It's entirely possible to grow a strong, healthy plant, only to have it die from fall frosts before it can flower. If you don't have enough growing days for the plants you want in your garden, you can often include them by starting seeds indoors well before the gardening season begins in your area. Many plants sold as annuals in stores each spring are really frost-sensitive perennials. [edit] Considering Planting Flowers by ZoneCheck the recommended hardiness zone when you purchase a plant at the garden center or through a garden catalog, but don't stop there. Be sure to consider all the growing requirements when choosing flowers and shrubs for your garden. The right plant in the right place will add beauty to your garden and give you many hours of happiness. The wrong choice of plant will be a source of constant frustration. [edit] Related Garden Articles |
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| This page was last modified 13:35, 6 February 2008. |