Video:USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
with Geri LauferUSDA plant hardiness zones are meant to indicate which plants are most likely to thrive in which climates and areas. This video from About.com will go into more detail in explaining USDA plant hardiness zones.See Transcript
Transcript:USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
Hi, I'm horticulturist Geri Laufer, here on behalf of Crabapple Landscape Experts for About.com to discuss USDA plant hardiness zones or climate zones.
Meaning of USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
The USDA refers to the United States Department of Agriculture. These zones are set up in order to help people get a handle on if a plant is winter hardy, which is a specific term. Winter hardy means that it will make it through the minimum low temperature in that location and still come back the following spring.
The plant hardiness zone is an indication to you that, if a plant is rated for a certain hardiness zone and you live outside of that hardiness zone, it might not do well. You might be too cold for it or you might be too hot for it. it's just a rule of thumb to help the gardener know which plant to choose.
Sunset Climate Zones
The Sunset is a west coast Pacific area; they also have a brand of plant hardiness zones. They are not exactly in mesh with the USDA hardiness zones. It's really interesting because the UDSA zones have been adopted and sometimes you can see what the zone is in England and Europe; it's very interesting.
For more information, go to About.com.