Hardiness Zones in the United Kingdom

Be aware of the hardiness zone in your area before you decide to buy plants. Some plants might not survive over winter!

Based on the minimum ten-year average winter temperatures, plant hardiness zone maps have been progressively developed, first by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the United States and then more or less applied to the rest of the planet. The purpose of these hardiness zones is to identify how well plants will withstand the cold winter temperatures of these zones. But keep in mind that these maps are mostly guidelines as they do not factor in any potential micro-climates, precipitation, humidity, summer heat tolerance, etc.

Selecting plants suited to the diverse English climate will be a key step to success. If you know your hardiness zone, find the best plants for your climate area. If you are not sure which hardiness zone you belong to, please check the map below.

Alternatively, discover plenty of exciting garden ideas for your geographic area.

Hardiness Zones in the United Kingdom

• The United Kingdom lies in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 through 9 with some variations across regions and seasons. It enjoys a temperate maritime climate characterized by cool winters and warm summers. Summers are cooler than those on the continent (not much higher than 32ºC in summer), but the winters are milder (not much lower than 0ºC in winter). Around the coasts, February is normally the coldest month, but inland there is little to choose between January and February as the coldest month.
• The frost-free growing season is fairly long with the last frost dates ranging from March to April and the first frost dates starting as early as October until the end of November.

Plant Hardiness: Royal Horticultural Society Ratings and USDA Ratings