The Right Plants for Your Region

Our primary goal at High Country Gardens has always been to provide the newest and best plants, products and information for planting low-maintenance, waterwise landscapes in the western U.S.

All plants have been garden-tested here in Santa Fe, NM. Our high desert climate is harsh and our soils are poor. At our altitude (7,000 ft.), the sun is intense, the air has very low humidity and summer highs range in the low 90°Fs. Winters are cold (USDA zone 6) and precipitation is scant (13" in a good year).

New customers in the East have also become interested in our plants. Here is our advice on how to choose what works best in different parts of the U.S.

Read below for regional information and recommendations.

1. The Intermountain West
2. Coastal California, OR and WA
3. The Desert Southwest
4. Regions with very Hot, Humid Summer Climates
5. Non-Western States (East of the Mississippi)

The plants on our website are well adapted to difficult growing conditions and will thrive throughout most of the western states. Plants marked with the cowboy hat symbol are only suitable for drier western climates. Plants without the cowboy hat symbol are suitable for most areas of the country depending on their cold hardiness (see Cold Hardiness Zones).

To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.

• If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
• If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).

The Rainfall Map gives a fascinating glimpse of how precipitation distributes itself across our vast continent.

Growing High Country Gardens' plants across the US

The Intermountain West

• All plants have been garden-tested here in Santa Fe, NM.
• Our high desert climate is harsh and our soils are poor.
• At our altitude (7,000 ft.), the sun is intense, the air has very low humidity and summer highs range in the low 90°Fs.
• Winters are cold (USDA zone 6) and precipitation is scant (13" in a good year).

Coastal California, OR and WA

• The majority of catalog plants thrive in this region.
• Plants cold hardy in Zones 3 & 4 are not typically recommended for this climate. Non-freezing winter temperatures don't provide for a period of winter dormancy (rest).
• In high rainfall areas of western OR and WA, xeric and very xeric plants must be planted in very well-drained, low fertility soils (avoid heavy loam and clay types).

The Desert Southwest

(Defined as areas in USDA zones 7,8,9 and 10 with mild winters and very hot summers such as inland CA, southern NV, southern UT, most of AZ, southern NM and southwest TX.)

• Even sun loving plants will bloom longer when provided with some afternoon shade; plant on east, southeast sides of buildings, tall shrubs and trees.
• Regular, deep watering during the heat is essential for all xeric plants.
• Planting is best done from fall through early spring (mid-Oct.-early March). Plants need at least 6-8 weeks to re-establish their roots before the extreme heat of summer!

Regions with very Hot, Humid Summer Climates (USDA zones 6-9)

The same suggestions apply as above with the "Desert Southwest."

• Xeric plants with very wooly, gray foliage like Tanacetum (Partridge Feather), Wooly Thyme, Marrubium (Horehound), and some Stachys (Lamb's Ear) may rot ("melt") from rain, excessive humidity and hot weather.

Non-Western States (east of the Mississippi)

• The chart below the map gives the range of rainfall conditions under which xeric plants will do well.
• Growing xeric plants in wetter climates requires a full sun site with very fast draining sandy or sandy-loam soils with low fertility.
• Raised beds and south or west facing sloped beds provide the fastest drainage conditions.
• Gravel is the preferred mulching material.
• Protection from winter moisture is critical. Wet, freezing/thawing soil conditions will rot xeric plants.
• Protect by planting under a roof over hang or placing a movable cold frame over plants in their flower bed.

1. Determine your Zone Use the Zone Finder to determine your zone.

   Zone	Range of Coldest Expected Winter Temperatures
   Zone 3	-40°F to -30°F
   Zone 4	-30°F to -20°F
   Zone 5	-20°F to -10°F
   Zone 6	-10°F to 0°F
   Zone 7	0°F to 10°F
   Zone 8	10°F to 20°F
   Zone 9	20°F to 30°F
   Zone 10	30°F to 40°F

2. Use the Rainfall Map to find your Annual Rainfall

   

3. Use the Symbols to fine tune your choice

   

   "Xeric" (waterwise)

   

   Very "Xeric"

   

   Sun all day

   

   Morning Sun

   

   All day shade

   

   Rabbit Resistant

   

   Rabbit Resistant

   

   Deer Resistant

   

   Attracts Hummingbirds

   

   Attracts Butterflies

   

   Best in Western US