USDA
Cold Hardiness Zone.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has defined Cold Hardiness
Zones for the U.S. in 10-degree (F.) increments.
Cumberland County is almost entirely in Zone 6, with a small
southern portion, off the plateau, as Zone 7.
Average Annual Minimum temperature for Zone 6 is 0
–10 degrees Fahrenheit. There
have been individual days here with lower temperatures.
The zones that we list are a range of suitable zones for that
listed plant. The lower
zone number represents the colder part of that range.
Mature
Size:
We list the size range as Height X Width.
Many of the plant descriptions cover more than one variety of a
plant, so a range of heights or widths is shown, covering the most
popular varieties. The
“Description / Comments” section on the plant page will sometimes
have more definition of sizes for listed varieties.
Growth
Rate:
We list the comparative growth rate for a plant as related to
most other plants in the same “Category”.
For example, we compare one evergreen tree’s growth rate with
other evergreen trees. The
terms that we have used are:
Fast
= significantly faster than average
Moderate = About average
Slow = Significantly slower
than average
Sunlight
Requirements:
We have used four sunlight values.
In many cases, we show a range, such as “Full Sun to Part
Sun”.
Full
Sun
= Nearly always in
substantial sun during the growing season.
Full sun for six hours or more.
Part
Sun = Alternates between full
sun and full shade during the growing season.
Less than 6 hours per day
Light Sun = Dappled sun /
shade or filtered sun / shade during the growing season.
Dense Shade = Always dark,
little or no sun available. Usually
found under thick, high trees and shrubs, next to the North side of a
house or under a deck.
Adaptable = Used here only when a plant is tolerant of the full
range of sunlight conditions.
Water
Requirements:
Dry
to Moderate = Water
thoroughly without over-saturating.
Keep moist during root development; allow soil surface to dry
completely before watering after plant is rooted.
Moderate to Moist = Water
thoroughly without over-saturating.
Keep moist but not wet.
Moist to Wet = Water
thoroughly to keep moisture constant.
These are conditions found near streams and bogs.
Adaptable = Used here only
when a plant is not at all fussy about the amount of moisture in its
soil.
Maintenance
Requirements:
Low
= Requires little or no
maintenance. Pruning only
if desire for shaping. Generally
disease and insect resistant.
Moderate:
Requires some annual or semi-annual removal of dead / old growth
or flower heads. Plants may
also need fungus or insect control.
High =
Requires regular maintenance throughout the growing period such
as feeding, deadheading and disease control.
May require pruning one or more times a year.
Soil
Requirements:
We list either unusual pH requirements or soil conditions, or
both as appropriate. Most
Cumberland County soil will need amendment with lime to achieve a normal
range pH 6-7.
pH:
Acidic
= a soil pH less than 6
Neutral = a soil pH between 6 and 7
Alkaline = a soil pH that is greater than 7
Soil
Conditions:
Well drained Soil
= Allows
water to readily percolate through it
Sandy Soil = Dry or well
drained
Sandy Loam = Well drained
soil with a moderate content of organic matter.
This type of soil retains moisture well, but is not soggy.
Clay Soil = May be very wet
or very slow draining. Typically
grey color on the Plateau.
Lean soil = Usually dry,
probably sandy, and low in organic matter.
Adaptable = Used here only when the plant is known to be
tolerant of a wide range of soil types.
Invasive:
A plant that escapes into the wild, often to the detriment of the
natural plant and animal ecosystems.
These should be managed carefully in your landscape.
Aggressive:
Either self-sowing to the point of being a pest and / or roots or
stolons escaping their allotted space and crowding out other flowerbed
partners.
