New York Climate Snapshot
Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden
Hardiness Zones
3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Annual Rainfall
30-50 inches annually
Frost Window
October-April (longer upstate)
Water Notes
Generally adequate rainfall; occasional summer drought
Popular Landscaping Styles
Discover design styles perfectly suited to New York's unique climate and landscape
Layered design providing visual interest through all seasons
Key Features:
- ā¢Spring bulbs and early bloomers
- ā¢Summer perennial borders
- ā¢Fall foliage and berries
- ā¢Winter structure from evergreens
Shade-loving plants under tree canopy mimicking forest floor
Key Features:
- ā¢Native ferns and wildflowers
- ā¢Hostas and astilbes
- ā¢Mulched woodland paths
- ā¢Spring ephemeral displays
Informal, romantic design with abundant flowers and herbs
Key Features:
- ā¢Mixed perennials and annuals
- ā¢Climbing roses and clematis
- ā¢Picket fence or rustic edging
- ā¢Herb and vegetable integration
Native wildflower and grass prairie supporting beneficial insects
Key Features:
- ā¢Native perennial wildflowers
- ā¢Ornamental native grasses
- ā¢Seasonal bloom succession
- ā¢Seed heads for winter birds
Recommended Plant Palettes
Native and adapted plants that thrive in New York's climate
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Yellow daisy flowers; blooms summer through fall
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Purple fall flowers; essential for migrating monarchs
Eastern Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Red and yellow nodding flowers; hummingbird favorite
Joe-Pye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum
Tall mauve flower clusters; butterfly magnet
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Purple-pink daisy flowers; drought-tolerant once established
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia
Silvery foliage with lavender-blue flowers
Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
Reliable bloomers in countless colors; deer-resistant
Sedum
Hylotelephium spectabile
Succulent foliage; pink fall flowers attract butterflies
Hosta
Hosta spp.
Bold foliage in green, blue, yellow, and variegated forms
Astilbe
Astilbe spp.
Feathery plumes in pink, red, white; thrives in moist shade
Bleeding Heart
Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Heart-shaped pink or white flowers in spring
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Evergreen native fern; stays green through winter
Seasonal Garden Checklist
Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful New York garden
Plant spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils)
Winterize irrigation systems and water features
Prune dormant trees and shrubs
Start seeds indoors for transplanting
Divide perennials and refresh mulch
Deadhead flowers and monitor for pests
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about landscaping in New York
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