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Zone 5

Hardiness zone 5: lowest average temperatures of -20°F to -10°F or -28.9°C to -23.3°C

USDA Hardiness Zone 5 has a temperate climate with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from -20°F to -10°F (-28.9°C to -23.3°C). Gardeners and landscapers in Zone 5 can create thriving landscapes by selecting appropriate plants and employing specific gardening techniques to ensure the success of their gardens.

When choosing plants for Zone 5, it's essential to select cold-hardy species that can withstand local climate conditions. Native plants, which have evolved to thrive in the region's conditions, are often ideal choices. Some trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals suitable for Zone 5 include:

  • Trees: Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum), Pink Oak (Quercus palustris), and River Birch (Betula nigra).
  • Shrubs: Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.), Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), and Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.).
  • Perennials: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), and Peony (Paeonia spp.).
  • Annuals: Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima), Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana), and Verbena (Verbena spp.).

To maximize success in Zone 5 gardening, it's essential to employ specific techniques and practices:

  • 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 5 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 alba (European Silver Fir)

Abies alba (European Silver Fir) is a large evergreen conifer of conical habit with straight stems densely clad with glossy dark green needles with silvery undersides. The seed cones, 4-6 in. long (10-15 cm), are greenish when young turning to dark brown when mature. The bark is silvery-gray with a scaly texture. Growth is very slow in early years, and then rapid as the tree matures.

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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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Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' (Greek Fir)

A popular selection, Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' (Greek Fir), is a dwarf, evergreen conifer rich in many habits. Depending on the nature of the scionwood used in propagation, this dwarf selection could present itself as a low, spreading mat of sharp, stiff, glossy dark green needles with silvery underneath. It can also be seen as an upright pyramidal tree adorned with sturdy, short branches.

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Abies cephalonica (Greek Fir)

Abies cephalonica (Greek Fir) is a large evergreen conifer of conical habit adorned with spreading, erect branches on mature trees. Sharp and stiff, the needles are glossy dark green with two blue-white bands beneath. The seed cones, 4-8 in. long (10-20 cm), are brown when ripe, and disintegrate when mature to release the seeds.

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Abies concolor 'Archer’s Dwarf' (White Fir)

Abies concolor 'Archer’s Dwarf' is a dwarf evergreen conifer of regular, conical habit adorned with slightly ascending branches clothed in soft, silvery-blue, slightly incurved needles. Slow-growing, 3-4 in. per year (7-10 cm), this White Fir is a great choice for small gardens, containers or rockeries.

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Abies concolor 'Candicans' (White Fir)

Regarded as the bluest of all conifers, Abies concolor 'Candicans' is a magnificent large evergreen conifer. Forming a dense pyramid when young, it matures to a columnar, highly symmetrical shape with handsome layered branches smothered by long, silvery-blue needles.

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Abies concolor 'Compacta' (White Fir)

A deservedly popular White Fir, Abies concolor 'Compacta' is a slow-growing dwarf evergreen conifer of great beauty. It forms a dense, compact mound of irregular, spreading shape, unless it is sheared to a conical form. Its branches are beautifully clothed with long and slender, powder-blue needles

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Abies concolor 'Hosta la Vista' (White Fir)

Abies concolor 'Hosta la Vista' is a dwarf evergreen conifer of globose habit, beautifully clothed with long, thick, slightly recurved, blue-green needles adorned with a glaucous, powdery coating. Slow-growing, 1-2 in. per year (2-5 cm), this small White Fir brightens up the garden and makes a lovely addition to small gardens, rockeries or containers.

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Abies concolor 'Piggelmee' (White Fir)

A miniature White Firm cultivar, Abies concolor 'Piggelmee' is a slow-growing dwarf evergreen conifer with a lovely pale blue foliage.

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Abies fraseri (Fraser Fir)

Abies fraseri (Fraser Fir) is a medium-sized evergreen conifer of narrow, pyramidal habit with a spire-like crown and resinous stems densely clad with flattened, short, turpentine-scented needles, shiny dark green above with two silver bands beneath. The seed cones, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), are dark purple when young turning light brown with conspicuously protruding bracts. Held upright along the branches, they create a lovely contrast against the deep green foliage.

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Abies grandis (Grand Fir)

One of the tallest firs in the world, Abies grandis (Grand Fir) is a large evergreen conifer of narrow, conical habit becoming round-topped or straggly with age. Its spreading and drooping branches are densely clad with sharp-tipped needles, shiny dark green above with two silver bands beneath. The needles are arranged in 2 distinct, flattened rows. They exude an orange aroma when crushed.

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Abies koreana 'Alpin Star' (Korean Fir)

Abies koreana 'Alpin Star' (Korean Fir) is a dwarf, evergreen conifer of compact, upright, irregular habit densely clothed in incredibly dark green needles, adorned with white undersides. Slow-growing, 1-3 in. per year (2-7 cm), this Korean Fir is a great choice for small gardens, containers or rockeries.

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Abies koreana 'Aurea' (Korean Fir)

Abies koreana 'Aurea' (Korean Fir) is a desirable evergreen conifer of globe-shaped habit when young, becoming broadly pyramidal over time. Its ascending branches boast short, bright golden-yellow needles adorned with silvery-white undersides in the spring. As the season progresses, the golden coloration takes on a softer shade, almost turning light green. Abundant purple cones are held upright along the branches, creating a lovely contrast against the foliage. A slow grower, 3-6 in. per year (7-15 cm), this golden Korean Fir makes an eye-catching specimen accent. Mature plants can tolerate full sun, but juvenile plants prefer some shade.

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Abies koreana 'Blauer Eskimo' (Korean Fir)

Abies koreana 'Blauer Eskimo' (Korean Fir) is a dwarf, evergreen conifer of globose habit adorned with short and stubby branches clothed in blue-green needles and prominent resin-covered buds which are ravishing in winter. Slow-growing, 1 in. per year (2.5 cm), this Korean Fir is a great choice for small gardens, containers, or rockeries and makes a lovely specimen plant when grafted onto a standard.

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