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Plants for hardiness zone 6B

Gardening
in Zone 6B

Four distinct seasons: cold winters, warm summers and a growing season of about six months. Almost every popular rose, hydrangea and clematis grows well in Zone 6.

  • Winter

    Lows −5 to 0°F

    Cold, but rarely bitter for long

  • Summer

    Warm to hot

    Warm, sometimes humid summers

  • Growing season

    About 6½ months

    Typical last frost Apr 12 · first frost Oct 22

  • Best time to plant

    Apr–May, Sep

    Spring and early fall

your year in 6B

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: Good planting time. Bareroot roses
  4. AprApril: Good planting time. Last frost ~mid-Apr
  5. MayMay: Growing & blooming
  6. JunJune: Growing & blooming. Peak bloom
  7. JulJuly: Growing & blooming
  8. AugAugust: Growing & blooming
  9. SepSeptember: Good planting time. Fall planting
  10. OctOctober: Good planting time. First frost ~late Oct
  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: planting time in 6B. The ground is workable and the season ahead is long enough for new plants to settle in before winter.

good to know

What 6B means for your plants

  1. 1

    Fall planting works well

    September and early October plantings root well in warm soil before winter.

  2. 2

    Your choice is huge

    Plants rated Zones 4–8 are the sweet spot. Zone 7 plants often survive with mulch and shelter.

  3. 3

    Watch for late frosts

    A warm March can fool plants. Cover early growth if a frost is forecast in April.

  4. 4

    Summers can get hot

    In hot spells, water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day.

our picks for you

Recommended for Zone 6B

Sorted by how easily each plant handles 6B’s winters and summers.

  • Thrives in 6B
  • Grow in pots or as seasonal color

Thrives in 6B

Comfortably within their range here. Plant these with confidence.

See all Thrives in 6B

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 6B

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

Read: Hardiness zones, explained