USDA Plant Hardiness Zones for Illinois
Introduction
If you’re a gardener in Illinois, it’s important to know your planting zone. This will help you choose the right plants for your area and ensure their survival. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the United States into different zones based on average annual minimum temperatures. Illinois is located in zones 5a to 7b.
How to Find Your Illinois Hardiness Zone
To find your Illinois hardiness zone, you can use the interactive map provided by the USDA. Simply click on the map and zoom in to your location. The color-coded zones will show you your zone. You can also refer to the legend on the right side of the map for more information.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Zone
Once you know your hardiness zone, you can start choosing plants that are well-suited to your climate. Nurseries and garden centers will typically have plants that are labeled with their hardiness zones. It’s important to choose plants that are rated for your zone or one zone lower. This will help ensure that your plants can survive the winter.
Climate Changes and Hardiness Zones
Due to climate change, the USDA has recently updated its hardiness zones. The new map reflects the warmer temperatures that have been observed in recent years. As a result, some areas of Illinois may have moved up a zone or two. It’s important to check the latest map to make sure you have the most accurate information.
Non-Hardy Species
Some plants are not hardy in Illinois, even in the warmest zones. These plants will need to be protected from the cold during the winter months. You can do this by mulching around the plants, covering them with blankets or tarps, or moving them indoors.
Choosing Nurseries
When choosing a nursery to buy plants for your Illinois garden, it’s important to choose a reputable nursery. Reputable nurseries will specialize in selling landscaping plants that are appropriate for your area’s hardiness zone. They will also have these plants clearly marked as such.
Additional Tips
- For areas bordering separate zones, it’s best to choose plants that tolerate cooler conditions.
- Non-hardy species should be clearly marked at nurseries.
- Keep in mind that reputable nurseries will specialize in selling landscaping plants appropriate for your area’s hardiness zone.
- It’s important to understand your Illinois hardiness planting zones in order to choose the most suitable plants for your area.
- By looking at the map above and locating the approximate area in which you live, you will be able to find your Illinois hardiness planting zone.
