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Zone 3

Hardiness zone 3: lowest average temperatures of -40°F to -30°F or -40°C to -34.4°C

USDA Hardiness Zone 3 is characterized by its cold climate, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from -40°F to -30°F (-40°C to -34.4°C). This challenging environment requires gardeners and landscapers to select plants that are cold-hardy and can withstand harsh winter temperatures and shorter growing seasons. By choosing appropriate plant varieties and implementing specific gardening techniques, it is possible to create flourishing landscapes in Zone 3.

Native plants, which have evolved to thrive in the region's conditions, are often the best choices for Zone 3 gardens. Some trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals suitable for Hardiness Zone 3 include:

  • Trees: Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sweet Birch (Betula lenta), and Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus).
  • Shrubs: Common Juniper (Juniperus communis), Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium), and Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.).
  • Perennials: Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis), Hosta (Hosta spp.), and Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.).
  • Annuals: Marigold (Tagetes spp.), Petunia (Petunia x hybrida), and Zinnia (Zinnia elegans).

To maximize success in Zone 3 gardening, it is essential to employ specific techniques and practices. Some strategies to consider include:

  • Microclimates: Utilize microclimates, such as sheltered areas near buildings or windbreaks, which offer slightly warmer conditions for less hardy plants.
  • Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch to insulate the soil, retain moisture, and protect plant roots from freezing temperatures.
  • Windbreaks: Plant windbreaks or install physical barriers to reduce wind chill, which can exacerbate the effects of cold temperatures on plants.
  • Season extenders: Use cold frames, row covers, or greenhouses to prolong the growing season for vegetables, herbs, and other tender plants.
  • Container gardening: Grow plants in containers that can be moved indoors or to a sheltered location during the coldest months to protect them from harsh winter conditions.

Zone 3 Guides


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Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra)

Grown for its edible fruit, Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) is an annual boasting hibiscus-like flowers, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm), in shades of yellow, pink, orange and red with contrasting centers. Blooming freely throughout the growing season, the blossoms give way to fruit capsules that can be used fresh or dried, and can also be cooked on their own or added to soups or stews.

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Abies balsamea (Hudsonia Group) 'Nana' (Balsam Fir)

Highly popular, Abies balsamea ‘Nana’ is a dwarf, aromatic, evergreen conifer of globose habit, forming a broad mound with numerous short branches, adorned with a lush foliage of dark green needles radially arranged around the stems. Slow-growing, 2-3 in. per year (5-7 cm), this Balsam Fir is a great choice for small gardens or rockeries. Perfect for adding year-round color to the garden.

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Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)

Prized for its small size, fragrant flowers, and attractive fall foliage, Acer ginnala (Amur Maple) is a bushy deciduous shrub or small tree, often with a multi-stemmed trunk and rounded crown.

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Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)

Popular on the Pacific Coast, Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple) is a large deciduous tree of upright habit with a broad, rounded crown of massive, spreading branches, steeply inclined at the tips. Emerging burgundy in spring, the deeply-lobed leaves, up to 12 in. across (30 cm), mature to dark green before turning brilliant shades of orange and yellow in the fall. These leaves are the biggest ever found on any species of maple, hence the common name.

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Acer negundo (Box Elder)

Hardy and fast-growing, Acer negundo (Box Elder) is a suckering, vigorous, deciduous tree of upright habit with an irregular rounded canopy of widely spreading branches. The opposite, pinnately compound, light green leaves are composed of 3-7 leaflets, 6-15 in. long (15-37 cm), which turn a dull yellow in the fall.

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Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' (Norway Maple)

Majestic, award-winner Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' (Norway Maple) is a vigorous medium-sized deciduous tree prized for its large, rich purplish-crimson leaves that last throughout the summer and its purple fruits. Its oval to rounded, dense crown fills with ornamental clusters of reddish-orange flowers in the spring, just as the leaves emerge. They give way to purple samaras. In the fall, the leaves turn brown, dark maroon or bronze before dropping. Excellent as a shade tree or specimen to add accent to the landscape.

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Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)

Noted for its spectacular fall color, Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) is a large, deciduous tree with a slender trunk and a dense, rounded crown. Its foliage of sharply pointed five-lobed leaves, 7 in. (17 cm) ranges from medium to dark green in summer, and changes to a brilliant palette of yellows, oranges, and browns in the fall.

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Acer rubrum (Red Maple)

Noted for its lovely fall color, Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a relatively fast-growing deciduous tree of pyramidal habit when young, becoming rounded to oval at maturity. In early spring, tiny red flowers, borne in erect clusters, appear before the leaves and are followed by red fruit. Emerging red tinged in spring, the leaves change to dark green with whitish undersides and often develop dazzling yellows and red in the fall. This Red Maple also provides some winter interest, with its attractive, smooth gray bark, often ridged and furrowed with age.

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Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)

Noted for its spectacular fall color, Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) is a large, deciduous tree with a straight trunk, wide-spreading branches and a dense, oval to rounded crown. Its foliage of five-lobed leaves, 3-6 in. (7-15 cm) ranges from medium to dark green in summer, and changes to a brilliant palette of yellows, oranges, and reds in the fall.

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Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze' (Freeman Maple)

Highly popular, award-winning Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze' (Freeman Maple) is a fast-growing, large deciduous tree noted for its ascending branch habit and glorious fall color. Its dense, oval to rounded canopy of deeply cut, bright green leaves, turns brilliant orange-scarlet to crimson-red in fall. The delicate foliage holds its color for several weeks before shedding to the ground. This Freeman Maple also provides some winter interest, with its smooth, thin, gray bark that becomes slightly furrowed with age.

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Achillea 'Coronation Gold'

Performs like a star! Achillea 'Coronation Gold' is a spectacular yarrow that is extremely easy to grow and provides outstanding results even if neglected.

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Achillea 'Fanal' or 'The Beacon' (Yarrow)

Weeks of rich red blossoms! If you are looking for abundant blooms in shades of crimson for weeks of summer color, Achillea 'Fanal' previously known as 'The Beacon' is what you need.

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Achillea 'Feuerland' (Yarrow)

Presenting a mosaic of warm colors with flowers of various ages, Achillea 'Feuerland' is a compact and gorgeous Yarrow with masses of long-lasting clusters of blood-red flowers delicately fading to soft gold as they mature. Its pleasantly aromatic, semi-evergreen, gray-green fern-like foliage is disease resistant and nicely compliments the cheerful flat umbel flowers. This Achillea is perfect for both cool and warm borders.

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Achillea 'Inca Gold' (Yarrow)

Presenting a mosaic of warm colors with flowers of various ages, Achillea 'Inca Gold' has become a favorite of designers with its masses of long-lasting clusters of vibrant orange flowers delicately fading to gold bronze as they mature. Its pleasantly aromatic, green-gray fern-like foliage is disease resistant and nicely compliments the cheerful flat umbel flowers.

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Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow)

Evergreen, award-winning Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow) is highly prized by gardeners for its pleasantly aromatic, silver-green feathery foliage and its long-lasting, conspicuous, bright lemon-yellow flat umbel flowers.

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