What gardening zone is Fort Collins?
Fort Collins is generally considered to be in USDA hardiness zone 5. Plants that are listed as growing in zone 5 or lower should be able to survive our winters. Plants labeled as zone 6 or higher should be considered annuals here. These plants will probably not make it through our winters. Remember, however, that areas protected by structures could be a zone higher and areas subjected to cold drying winds could be a zone lower. Q: I love the way Aspen trees look in the mountains, but down on the plains many of them seem to look different. Why? A: Aspen, Populus tremuloides, grow best at elevations above 7,000 feet. Aspen also prefer moist soil that drains well. At lower elevations, aspens are prone to a distressing array of insects and diseases. Q: Last year I bought a hibiscus at a local nursery that was labeled perennial, but now it just looks like a dead stick in the ground. Is it alive? A: Perennial hibiscus is very slow to wake up in the spring. Since the plants often get to be qu
