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Plants for hardiness zone 4A

Gardening
in Zone 4A

Cold winters, warm summers and a growing season of about four and a half months. Hardy roses, hydrangeas, clematis and many shrubs grow beautifully here.

  • Winter

    Lows −30 to −25°F

    Cold, snowy and reliable

  • Summer

    Warm

    Warm days, a few hot spells

  • Growing season

    About 4½ months

    Typical last frost May 8 · first frost Sep 28

  • Best time to plant

    May–Jun

    Plant once the soil warms

your year in 4A

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: Good planting time. Bareroot roses
  5. MayMay: Good planting time. Last frost ~early May
  6. JunJune: Growing & blooming
  7. JulJuly: Growing & blooming. Peak bloom
  8. AugAugust: Growing & blooming
  9. SepSeptember: Good planting time. Plant before Sep ends
  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 4A. Plan and order now; plant once the ground thaws.

good to know

What 4A means for your plants

  1. 1

    Spring planting wins

    Plant from late April to June. Early fall works too, but finish by mid-September.

  2. 2

    Choose Zone 4 and colder

    Pick plants rated to Zone 4 or lower, and mulch anything right at its limit.

  3. 3

    Pick hardy hydrangeas

    Panicle and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so cold winters never cost you flowers.

  4. 4

    Mulch after the ground freezes

    Mulching after the first hard freeze keeps roots frozen and stops winter heaving.

our picks for you

Recommended for Zone 4A

Sorted by how easily each plant handles 4A’s winters and summers.

  • Thrives in 4A
  • Grow in pots or as seasonal color

Thrives in 4A

Comfortably within their range here. Plant these with confidence.

See all Thrives in 4A

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 4A

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

Read: Hardiness zones, explained