New Plant Hardiness Zones for Bucks County Landscapers and Gardeners

For those who love planting and landscaping, the plant hardiness zone is a good source for determining which flower, bush or fruit to plant.  If you’re a gardener or landscaper in Bucks County, it’s important to know that these zones have changed and discover the new zone for Bucks County below.

What exactly is a Plant Hardiness Zone?

A plant hardiness zone is part of a system created by Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts and the USDA.  What this system does is give planters an idea if their plant will survive through the winter, whether it be a flower, herb, vegetable or fruit plant.  When a gardener or landscaper knows the zone they’re in, they use the system to make better plant choices.

There are 13 different zones, each separated by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  For instance, Pennsylvania’s plant hardiness zones range from 5 to 7, even under the new plant hardiness zones changes.  Zone 5 ranges from -20 to -10 degrees, zone 6 from -10 to 0, and Zone 7 from 0 to 10.  When a plant is attached to one of these zones, it means the plant can survive in temperatures that are between those in their zone, or in temperatures that are warmer than those in their zone.

What is Bucks County’s Plant Hardiness Zone?

According to a report filed by the Penn State Extension on January 25, 2013, Bucks County changed zones.  Now, Bucks County falls under Zone 7a (0 to 5 degrees).  (Note that each zone can be separated into smaller 5-degree increments using “a” and “b.”)

What this means for a Bucks County landscaping company and gardener is: different plants are better to plant than before.  Some of the most popular plants that thrive in Zone 7a include:

• Flowers: Pansies, Iris, Peonies, Rhododendrons, Zinnias, Roses, Daffodils and Crocuses
• Bushes: Burning Bush, Barberry, Butterfly Bush, Boxwood, Dogwood, Spirea, Aborvitae and Holly
• Fruits: Apples, Blueberries, Blackberries, Grapes, Cantaloupe and Watermelon
• Vegetables: Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplants, Peas and Spinach

As you can see, there are a ton of options for planting in Zone 7a.  This is great news for Bucks County folk and good news for us, FS Landscaping Contractors.  To get the best plants for your respective zone, call us at 215-794-8733 or visit Froehlich’s Farm & Garden Center in Furlong, PA.