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Plants for hardiness zone 3A

Gardening
in Zone 3A

Cold, snowy winters and a growing season of about four months. Northern-bred roses, hardy shrubs and lots of perennials thrive once they're established.

  • Winter

    Lows −40 to −35°F

    Seriously cold, with lots of snow

  • Summer

    Warm

    Pleasant summers, cool nights

  • Growing season

    About 4 months

    Typical last frost May 15 · first frost Sep 15

  • Best time to plant

    May–Jun

    Spring planting is safest here

your year in 3A

When to plant, and when to wait it out

  1. JanJanuary: Winter rest: wait it out
  2. FebFebruary: Winter rest: wait it out
  3. MarMarch: Winter rest: wait it out
  4. AprApril: Winter rest: wait it out
  5. MayMay: Good planting time. Last frost ~mid-May
  6. JunJune: Good planting time
  7. JulJuly: Growing & blooming. Peak bloom
  8. AugAugust: Growing & blooming
  9. SepSeptember: Good planting time. First frost ~mid-Sep
  10. OctOctober: Winter rest: wait it out
  11. NovNovember: Winter rest: wait it out
  12. DecDecember: Winter rest: wait it out
  • Winter rest: wait it out
  • Good planting time
  • Growing & blooming
  • You are here

It's October: the garden's resting in 3A. Plan and order now; plant once the ground thaws.

good to know

What 3A means for your plants

  1. 1

    Spring is your planting season

    Plant from mid-May so roots have all summer to grow before winter.

  2. 2

    Hardiness matters most

    Check the tag's coldest zone. Anything rated to Zone 3 or colder will come back.

  3. 3

    Protect graft unions

    Plant grafted roses with the graft 2–3 inches below ground and mound soil over them in fall.

  4. 4

    Wait out late frosts

    A frost in late May isn't unusual. Keep a sheet handy for new plantings.

our picks for you

Recommended for Zone 3A

Sorted by how easily each plant handles 3A’s winters and summers.

  • Thrives in 3A
  • Grow in pots or as seasonal color

Thrives in 3A

Comfortably within their range here. Plant these with confidence.

See all Thrives in 3A

Grow in pots or as seasonal color

Rated for warmer zones. Easy here in a container you bring in on freezing nights.

See all Grow in pots or as seasonal color

Natives for Zone 3A

Plants native to your region, chosen for your zone. Coming soon.

Read: Hardiness zones, explained