“Hardiness” is an important factor to consider when picking plants for your landscape. Basically, hardiness refers to a plant’s ability to withstand cold temperatures. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness zone map divides geographical regions into zones based on the average low temperature. This is a good starting point for determining which plants will grow in your landscape. In addition to helping you determine which plants to plant and which to avoid, the hardiness zone can also help you determine when to plant seeds or transplant seedlings.

Keep in mind that these hardiness zones are based on average low temperatures. The week-long winter storm in February 2021 damaged and even killed many established plants. How long a plant is exposed to cold weather, where it is located in a landscape, how much mulch is around the plant and how much moisture is in the soil are all factors that can affect a plant’s chances of survival when the temperatures drop.

Nacogdoches is in zone 8b (average low temperature of 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit).