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What Zone Am I In? Hardiness Zone Map

All plants have a range in which they can survive. For example, plant a palm tree in Siberia and guess how long it would survive the cold. Or plant a fern in a desert and see how it does. The same concept holds true for roses -- if left to their own devices, not all roses will live in all climates. Some like it warmer, and some like it cooler.

To help us figure out what to plant where, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created a Map that divides the U.S. into various Hardiness Zones. These Zones are determined by the coldest winter temperatures on average for a particular area. This coldest temperature is often the primary factor in deciding what plants can grow where.

According to the USDA, Spring Valley Roses is located in the northern edge of Zone 4, which has an average lowest winter temperature range of -30 to -20. However, we can reach Zone 3 temperatures (-40 to -30) more often than not, which makes us consider moving to Iowa. This discrepancy with the USDA's Zone determinations is due to the effect of microclimates. Most folks know that it's usually colder in a valley than it is on top of the hill overlooking the valley. We're in a valley that collects cold air on still nights. Thus, we're in a colder microclimate than our neighbors up on the hill. Cold air settles, warm air rises.

You can see which Zone you're in by looking at the map below. Oh, and by the way, all the roses we offer will grow well in Zones 3 - 8.

USDA Hardiness Zone Map

USDA Hardiness Zones and Average Annual Minimum Temperature Range

Zone
Fahrenheit
Celsius
Example Cities
1
Below -50 F
Below -45.6 C
Fairbanks, Alaska; Resolute, Northwest Territories (Canada)
2a
-50 to -45 F
-42.8 to -45.5 C
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska; Flin Flon, Manitoba (Canada)
2b
-45 to -40 F
-40.0 to -42.7 C
Unalakleet, Alaska; Pinecreek, Minnesota
3a
-40 to -35 F
-37.3 to -39.9 C
International Falls, Minnesota; St. Michael, Alaska
3b
-35 to -30 F
-34.5 to -37.2 C
Tomahawk, Wisconsin; Sidney, Montana
4a
-30 to -25 F
-31.7 to -34.4 C
Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota; Lewistown, Montana
4b
-25 to -20 F
-28.9 to -31.6 C
Northwood, Iowa; Nebraska
5a
-20 to -15 F
-26.2 to -28.8 C
Des Moines, Iowa; Illinois
5b
-15 to -10 F
-23.4 to -26.1 C
Columbia, Missouri; Mansfield, Pennsylvania
6a
-10 to -5 F
-20.6 to -23.3 C
St. Louis, Missouri; Lebanon, Pennsylvania
6b
-5 to 0 F
-17.8 to -20.5 C
McMinnville, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri
7a
0 to 5 F
-15.0 to -17.7 C
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; South Boston, Virginia
7b
5 to 10 F
-12.3 to -14.9 C
Little Rock, Arkansas; Griffin, Georgia
8a
10 to 15 F
-9.5 to -12.2 C
Tifton, Georgia; Dallas, Texas
8b
15 to 20 F
-6.7 to -9.4 C
Austin, Texas; Gainesville, Florida
9a
20 to 25 F
-3.9 to -6.6 C
Houston, Texas; St. Augustine, Florida
9b
25 to 30 F
-1.2 to -3.8 C
Brownsville, Texas; Fort Pierce, Florida
10a
30 to 35 F
1.6 to -1.1 C
Naples, Florida; Victorville, California
10b
35 to 40 F
4.4 to 1.7 C
Miami, Florida; Coral Gables, Florida
11
above 40 F
above 4.5 C
Honolulu, Hawaii; Mazatlan, Mexico

This page was last updated January 12, 2012

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