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Plants for hardiness zone 8A

Gardening
in Zone 8A

Mild winters, long hot summers and a growing season of about eight months. Fall is the best time to plant, and heat, not cold, is the real test for your plants.

  • Winter

    Lows 10–15°F

    Mild, with the odd hard freeze

  • Summer

    Hot

    Long, hot summers

  • Growing season

    About 8 months

    Typical last frost Mar 20 · first frost Nov 15

  • Best time to plant

    Oct–Nov

    Fall planting beats spring here

your year in 8A

When to plant, and when to wait it out

  1. JanJanuary: Good planting time. Bareroot roses
  2. FebFebruary: Good planting time. Prune roses
  3. MarMarch: Good planting time. Last frost ~Mar 20
  4. AprApril: Growing & blooming
  5. MayMay: Growing & blooming. Peak bloom
  6. JunJune: Summer heat: water, mulch, don't plant
  7. JulJuly: Summer heat: water, mulch, don't plant. Water deeply
  8. AugAugust: Summer heat: water, mulch, don't plant
  9. SepSeptember: Summer heat: water, mulch, don't plant
  10. OctOctober: Good planting time. Best planting
  11. NovNovember: Good planting time. First frost ~Nov 15
  12. DecDecember: Good planting time
  • Good planting time
  • Growing & blooming
  • Summer heat: water, mulch, don't plant
  • You are here

It's October: prime planting time in 8A. Warm soil and mild weather let new plants root before the season turns.

good to know

What 8A means for your plants

  1. 1

    Fall is your spring

    Plant trees, shrubs and perennials in October and November. Roots grow all winter in warm soil, so plants are established before the heat.

  2. 2

    Heat is the real test, not cold

    Most plant tags only list winter cold. Here, check heat tolerance too, and give cool-climate plants afternoon shade.

  3. 3

    Winters are short, with the odd hard freeze

    Lows around 10–20°F are normal. Keep frost cloth handy for tender plants.

  4. 4

    Some plants miss the cold

    Tulips, peonies and some fruit need winter chill. Pre-chill bulbs and choose low-chill varieties.

our picks for you

Recommended for Zone 8A

Sorted by how easily each plant handles 8A’s winters and summers.

  • Thrives in 8A
  • Great here with afternoon shade

Thrives in 8A

Comfortably within their range here. Plant these with confidence.

See all Thrives in 8A

Great here with afternoon shade

Hardy in 8A, but at the warm end of their range. Give them shade after about 2 pm.

Natives for Zone 8A

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

Read: Hardiness zones, explained