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Plants for hardiness zone 8B

Gardening
in Zone 8B

Mild winters, long hot summers and a growing season of about 8½ months, like Dallas–Fort Worth and much of central Texas. Here's what that means for your garden, and the plants we recommend.

  • Winter

    Lows 15–20°F

    Mild, with the odd hard freeze

  • Summer

    Hot

    Long, hot summers

  • Growing season

    About 8½ months

    Typical last frost Mar 7 · first frost Nov 21

  • Best time to plant

    Oct–Nov

    Fall planting beats spring here

your year in 8B

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 7
  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 21
  12. DecDecember: Good planting time. Chilled tulips in
  • Good planting time
  • Growing & blooming
  • Summer heat: water, mulch, don't plant
  • You are here

It's October: prime planting time in 8B. Soil is still warm and the heat has broken, so trees, shrubs, roses and perennials you plant now will root all winter.

good to know

What 8B 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 15–20°F are normal, but a storm like February 2021 can dip below 0°F. 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 8B

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

  • Thrives in 8B
  • Great here with afternoon shade
  • Grow in pots or as seasonal color

Thrives in 8B

Hardy here and happy in the heat. Plant these with confidence.

See all Thrives in 8B

Great here with afternoon shade

Hardy in 8B, but our summers push them. Give them shade after about 2 pm.

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 8B

Plants native to North Texas, chosen for your zone. Coming soon.

Read: Hardiness zones, explained