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  • Sensitive Fern

    Onoclea sensibilis

    Sold out
    35% off
    $2480 $3816
  • Wardii Yew Shrub (Taxus × media 'Wardii'), a shrub featuring yellow, white, green flowers and evergreen.

    Wardii Yew Shrub

    Taxus × media 'Wardii'

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    $9674

  • First Frost Hosta

    Hosta 'First Frost'

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    35% off
    $2015 $3100

  • Amber Jubilee™ Ninebark

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Jefam'

    Sold out
    $7676

  • Honorine Jobert Japanese Anemone

    Anemone x 'Honorine Jobert'

    Sold out
    (1)
    $3549
  • First Editions® Electric Lights™ Red Azalea

    Electric Lights™ Red Azalea

    Rhododendron 'UMNAZ 633'

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    30% off
    $6834 $9763

  • Avalanche™ Birch Tree

    Betula x 'Avalzam'

    Sold out
    (2)
    $9889

  • Fox Valley™ River Birch

    Betula nigra 'Little King'

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    $11760

  • Walker Weeping Pea Shrub - Tree Form

    Caragana arborescens 'Walker'

    Sold out
    (1)
    $24860

  • Top Hat Blueberry Bush

    Vaccinium 'Top Hat'

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    $4070

  • Sassafras Tree

    Sassafras variifolium

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    (27)
    $9790
  • Purple Gem Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'Purple Gem'), a shrub featuring rounded form.

    Purple Gem Rhododendron

    Rhododendron 'Purple Gem'

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    (1)
    $3996

  • Korean Rhododendron

    Rhodendron yedoense var.poukhanense 'Compact'

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    $9091

  • Decadence® Lemon Meringue False Indigo

    Baptisia 'Lemon Meringue'

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    (2)
    $4413

  • Rock 'N Round® Bright Idea Sedum

    Sedum hybrid PP34,396

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    $3008

  • SUGAR BUZZ® Rockin Raspberry Bee Balm

    Monarda x 'Rockin' Raspberry'

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    $3501

  • Sacha™ Clematis

    Clematis 'Evipo060' SACHA™

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    $6194

  • Mellow Yellows Coneflower

    Echinacea purpurea ‘Mellow Yellows’

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    $3427

  • Prairie Sky Hosta

    Hosta 'Prairie Sky'

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    $3653
  • Maui Buttercups Hosta (Hosta 'Maui Butttercups'), a perennial featuring purple flowers and perennial.

    Maui Buttercups Hosta

    Hosta 'Maui Butttercups'

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    $2958

  • Weeping French Pussy Willow

    Salix caprea 'Pendula'

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    (1)
    $6876
  • Shiloh Splash River Birch Tree (Betula nigra 'Shiloh Splash'), a tree featuring deciduous and open, pyramidal form.

    Shiloh Splash River Birch Tree

    Betula nigra 'Shiloh Splash'

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    $9790

  • White Gayfeather

    Liatris spicata 'Alba'

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    $3245

  • Virginia Creeper

    Parthenocissus quinquefolia var. engelmanii

    Sold out
    (2)
    $5800
  • Blue Shag Dwarf White Pine (Pinus strobus 'Blue Shag'), a shrub featuring conical, horizontal form.

    Blue Shag Dwarf White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Blue Shag'

    Sold out
    (1)
    $12887

  • Decadence® Pink Truffles False Indigo

    Baptisia 'Pink Truffles'

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    $4411

  • Shadblow Serviceberry

    Amelanchier canadensis

    Sold out
    (1)
    $10273
  • Mars Madness Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus 'Mars Madness' PP27838), a perennial featuring red, pink flowers and perennial.

    Mars Madness Hardy Hibiscus

    Hibiscus 'Mars Madness' PP27838

    Sold out
    (1)
    $5237

  • Weeping Siberian Pea Shrub Tree Form

    Caragana arborescens 'Pendula'

    Sold out
    (2)
    $24860

  • Fire and Ice Hosta

    Hosta 'Fire & Ice'

    Sold out
    (1)
    $3278

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.
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