Shannon Pable on Hardiness Zones: Conservative Approach and Native Habitat Clues

Shannon Pable shares a practical, conservative framework for using hardiness zones in Georgia.

"I reference the 11-zone 1960 map—still on most plant labels. I conservatively call north Atlanta Zone 7, south of the Perimeter Zone 8. Yet some Zone 8 plants thrive in Zone 7 with proper siting.

Maps are rough guides. Combining multiple maps still misses soil, sun, rain variables. Best approach: learn a plant's native habitat and replicate those conditions. Bottom line: we must all do our homework."