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  • Weeping French Pussy Willow

    Salix caprea 'Pendula'

    Sold out
    (1)
    $6876

  • Vulcan Hosta

    Hosta 'Vulcan'

    Sold out
    (2)
    $2917
  • Purple Gem Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'Purple Gem'), a shrub featuring rounded form.

    Purple Gem Rhododendron

    Rhododendron 'Purple Gem'

    Sold out
    (1)
    $3996

  • Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea Tree

    Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk' PP16,812

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    (620)
    $5728

  • American Beech Tree

    Fagus grandifolia

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    $6800

  • Sunjoy® Citrus Barberry

    Berberis thunbergii 'Koren'

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    $2614
  • Weeping White Spruce Tree (Picea glauca 'Pendula'), a tree featuring evergreen and dense, pyramidal form.

    Weeping White Spruce Tree

    Picea glauca 'Pendula'

    Sold out
    (2)
    $15218

  • Princeton American Elm Tree

    Ulmus americana 'Princeton'

    Sold out
    (1)
    $7209

  • Chinkapin Oak Tree

    Quercus muehlenbergii

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    $11853

  • Canadian Wild Ginger

    Asarum canadense

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    $4124

  • Rio Coral Bells

    Heuchera x ‘Rio’ PP24,273

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    $4390

  • Vanilla Spice® Summersweet

    Clethra 'Vanilla Spice'

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    (1)
    $2614

  • White Fringe Tree

    Chionanthus virginicus

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    (18)
    $9790

  • Northern Spire Western Red Cedar

    Thuja plicata ‘Northern Spire’

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    $5306

  • FLARE™ Panicle Hydrangea

    Hydrangea paniculata 'FLARE'

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    (621)
    $7875
  • Helenium Mariachi™ Salsa (Sneezeweed)

    Mariachi™ Salsa Helenium (Sneezeweed)

    Helenium x 'Salsa'

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    $3227

  • Sugartina® Summersweet

    Clethra alnifolia 'Crystalina'

    Sold out
    (1)
    $2614

  • Avalanche™ Birch Tree

    Betula x 'Avalzam'

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    (2)
    $9889

  • Glitters & Glows® Arrowwood Viburnum

    Viburnum dentatum 'Glitters & Glows'

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    $2614

  • Blue Ivory Hosta

    Hosta 'Blue Ivory' PP19,623

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    $3090
  • 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

  • Shadblow Serviceberry

    Amelanchier canadensis

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    (1)
    $10273

  • Snowdrop Anemone

    Anemone sylvestris

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    $2984
  • After Eight Dwarf Oriental Lily (Lilium orientalis 'After Eight'), a perennial featuring red, pink, white flowers and perennial.

    After Eight Dwarf Oriental Lily

    Lilium orientalis 'After Eight'

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    $3160
  • Summer Magic Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium 'Summer Magic'), a shrub featuring white flowers and deciduous.

    Summer Magic Blackhaw Viburnum

    Viburnum prunifolium 'Summer Magic'

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    $16051

  • Cornelian Cherry

    Cornus mas

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    (5)
    $8741
  • Weeping Higan Flowering Cherry - Tree - Nature Hills Nursery - 1 Container -

    Weeping Higan Flowering Cherry

    Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'

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    $7209

  • Schubert Chokecherry Tree

    Prunus virginiana 'Schubert'

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    $7217
  • Boursault Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense 'Boursault'), a shrub featuring blue, purple flowers and broad-leaved evergreen.

    Boursault Rhododendron

    Rhododendron catawbiense 'Boursault'

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    (1)
    $9724
  • Wildfire Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire'), a tree featuring yellow, white flowers and deciduous.

    Wildfire Black Gum

    Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire'

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    $9790

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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