Question about zones

annbeck62

I live in zone 9b. Many times I look through catalogs and find things I'd like to try growing. What I've found is the zone system seems to be about cold tolerance. I need to make sure things are heat tolerant and the sun is a lot stronger here than in many other zones. Is anyone aware of a way to research that when considering planting something new?

Torey

You are right. Plant catalogues will generally tell you what the plant is hardy to but don't give you any other range. Some will say that a plant is suitable from, for example, from zone 3-7, but they are in the minority.

The following site has list of plants to use for a wide variety of areas across the US as well as other countries. The article mentions a site for a Heat Zone Map.

https://www.gardenia.net/guide/plant-hardiness-heat-tolerance-and-climate-zones

annbeck62

Thanks :)