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Zones 2-10 in the map have been subdivided into light and dark colored sections (a and b) that represent 5ºF (2.8ºC) differences within the 10ºF (5.6ºC) zone.  The light color of each zone represents the colder section; the dark color, the warmer section.  Zone 11 represents any area where the average annual minimum temperature is above 40ºF (4.4ºC).  The maps shows 2º latitude and longitude lines.  Areas above an arbitrary elevation are traditionally considered unsuitable for plant cropping and do not bear appropriate zone designations.  There are also island zones that, because of elevation differences, are warmer or cooler than the surrounding areas and are given a different zone designation.  Note that many large urban areas carry a warmer zone designation than the surrounding countryside.  The map contains as much detail as possible, considering the vast amount of data on which it is based and its size.

In using the map to select a suitable environment for a landscape plant, today's gardeners should keep in mind the following:

Stress Factors.  We became aware of additional stresses to plants during the 1970's.  Acid rain, gaseous and particulate pollution, security lighting, and toxic wastes, among many other stress factors, have significantly increased the potential for unsatisfactory performance of landscape plants.  We need to document the tolerances of plants to these factors.

New Plant Management Systems.  New techniques of planting, transplanting, watering, fertilizing, and providing pest control measures have done much to increase the vigor of landscape plants.  But used unwisely, these same measures can reduce plant hardiness.

Artificial Environments.  We have pushed the use of plants into totally artificial environments such as expressways, malls, elevated decks, and buildings where plant roots are totally removed from the ground and its warming influence.  The assortment of plants that can adapt to such environments is proving to be very restricted.  Hardiness ratings alone are inadequate to guide landscapers in selecting the most successful plants.

© Notice: All information on this and related pages is directly from the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Miscellaneous Publication Number 1475 "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map".  This publication is not copyrighted, and permission to reproduce all or any part of it is not required.