Shop With Confidence: FREE Growing & Glowing Guarantee

Free Shipping on Orders $199+
View as

  • Eastern White Pine Tree

    Pinus strobus

    (17)
    From $4729

  • Autumn Frost Hosta

    Hosta 'Autumn Frost'

    (1)
    $3436

  • Black Scallop Ajuga

    Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop'

    (2)
    $1999
  • City Slicker® Birch Tree - Tree - Nature Hills Nursery - 3 Container 3 - 4 Feet Multi Stem -

    City Slicker® Birch Tree

    Betula nigra 'City Slicker'

    $6515

  • August Moon Hosta

    Hosta 'August Moon'

    $3094

  • Tumaini™ Clematis

    Clematis 'Tumaini'

    (1)
    $6743

  • BerryBux® Blueberry

    Vaccinium corymbosum 'BerryBux'

    $4612

  • Berry Scape® Red Aronia

    Aronia arbutifolia 'Berry Scape'

    (1)
    $2696

  • Frosty Fire Dianthus

    Dianthus x allwoodii 'Frosty Fire'

    $2951

  • Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta

    Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd'

    (4)
    $3502

  • SpinTop™ Yellow Touch Gaillardia

    Gaillardia aristata 'SpinTop Yellow Touch'

    (1)
    From $3179

  • EverBloom™ Watermelon Ice Dianthus

    Dianthus x 'EverBloom Watermelon Ice'

    From $1999
  • Cora Louise Itoh Peony (Paeonia x 'Cora Louise'), a perennial featuring purple, white flowers and perennial.

    Cora Louise Itoh Peony

    Paeonia x 'Cora Louise'

    $12071

  • Red Gnome Dogwood

    Cornus alba 'Red Gnome'

    (2)
    From $3999

  • Mount Aso Pink Japanese Pussy Willow

    Salix gracilistyla 'Mt. Aso'

    (1)
    From $3846

  • Rainbow Fizz™ Spirea

    Spiraea japonica 'Rainbow Fizz'

    (7)
    $5977

  • Sweet Sugar Tyme® Flowering Crabapple Tree

    Malus 'Sweet Sugar Tyme'

    New arrival
    $11499

  • Peking Cotoneaster

    Cotoneaster acutifolius

    (11)
    $6793
  • Lindsey's Skyward™ Baldcypress

    Lindsey's Skyward™ Bald Cypress

    Taxodium distichum 'Skyward'

    (1)
    From $11160
  • Twilight Zone Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone'), a perennial featuring yellow, mixed flowers and perennial.

    Twilight Zone Little Bluestem Grass

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone'

    (1)
    $5375

  • Sunjoy® Mini Saffron Barberry

    Berberis thunbergii 'Sunjoy Mini Saffron'

    From $7692

  • Bronze Wave Coral Bells

    Heuchera villosa 'Bronze Wave'

    (1)
    $3757

  • Hokkaido Dwarf Lacebark Elm

    Ulmus parvifolia 'Hokkaido'

    New arrival
    $7499

  • Spice Girl® Korean Spice Viburnum

    Viburnum carlesii 'Spice Girl'

    (1)
    From $9524

  • Double Pardon Me Daylily

    Hemerocallis 'Double Pardon Me'

    $4109
  • Longflower Alumroot - Nature Hills Nursery - #1 Container -

    Longflower Alumroot

    Heuchera longiflora

    $3765

  • Samaritan Jo™ Clematis

    Clematis 'Samaritan Jo'

    $6743

  • Weeping Blue Alaskan Cedar

    Cupressus nootkatensis 'Glauca Pendula'

    New arrival
    From $12999

  • Abilene™ Clematis

    Clematis 'Abilene'

    $6743

  • Delilah™ Bicolor Purple Dianthus

    Dianthus plumarius 'Delilah Bicolor Purple'

    (1)
    $3040

Zone 4 Plants, Trees & Shrubs

Zone 4 Plants: Cold Hardy Performers for Northern Gardens

USDA Hardiness Zone 4 spans a broad swath of northern America, from southern Minnesota and Wisconsin through much of New England, northern Iowa, and parts of the Mountain West. With average annual minimums between -30°F and -20°F, Zone 4 gardens experience serious winter cold but enjoy a generous growing season that supports an impressive range of plants.

This collection features every tree, shrub, perennial, and vine in our inventory rated for Zone 4 performance. Our horticulture team has verified each selection to ensure it does not just survive Zone 4 winters but actively thrives, delivering strong growth, reliable blooms, and lasting landscape value.

What Thrives in Zone 4?

Cold hardy magnolia trees are a Zone 4 gardener's secret weapon. Varieties like Ann Magnolia and Merrill Magnolia deliver breathtaking spring blooms even after harsh winters. Ornamental trees like Japanese Lilac, Redbud, and Flowering Crabapple add layers of seasonal color.

Cold hardy perennials form the backbone of Zone 4 gardens. Hydrangeas (especially Annabelle and paniculata types), Peonies, Lavender, Echinacea, and ornamental grasses like Karl Foerster all return reliably. For privacy and year-round structure, Arborvitae, Spruce, and Boxwood are proven performers.

Cold hardy fruit trees including apple, pear, plum, and cherry varieties produce excellent harvests in Zone 4. Blueberries, raspberries, and cold-tolerant grape vines round out the edible garden.

Zone 4 Gardening Tips

Plant in spring after frost danger passes (usually early to mid-May) or in early fall for root establishment before freeze. Mulch generously and consider windbreak plantings for exposed sites. Zone 4 offers enough growing season for two flushes of bloom from many perennials if you deadhead mid-season.

FAQ's for Buying Zone 4 Plants FAQs Online

What is USDA Hardiness Zone 4?
Zone 4 is defined by average annual minimum winter temperatures between -30°F and -20°F. It spans southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, much of New England, northern Iowa, and Mountain West valleys. Zone 4 gardens get cold winters but enjoy a productive growing season from May through October.

Can you grow magnolia trees in Zone 4?
Yes. Several cold hardy magnolia varieties thrive in Zone 4, including Ann Magnolia, Merrill Magnolia, and Star Magnolia. These deliver stunning spring blooms and have been bred specifically for northern climates with temperatures reaching -30°F.

What are the best perennials for Zone 4?
Top Zone 4 perennials include Hydrangeas (Annabelle, Limelight), Peonies, Echinacea (Coneflower), Daylilies, Hosta, Black-Eyed Susan, Russian Sage, and Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass. These provide reliable color from spring through fall with minimal maintenance.

When should I plant in Zone 4?
The ideal planting windows for Zone 4 are mid-May through June (after last frost) and September through early October (fall planting). Spring planting gives the full growing season for establishment, while fall planting lets roots develop before winter dormancy.

What fruit trees grow in Zone 4?
Zone 4 supports a wide variety of fruit trees including apple (Honeycrisp, McIntosh), pear (Bartlett, Luscious), plum (Mount Royal, Toka), and sour cherry (North Star, Montmorency). Hardy blueberry, raspberry, and grape varieties also produce well in Zone 4.
Back to top