Category: Zone 8 Cold Hardiness

Jan 05 2024

Ecological Use: Shade, Family: Maple (Aceraceae), Food Type: Sweetener, Growth Rate: Moderate, Growth Rate: Slow, Light: Full Sun, Light: Partial Shade, Size/Layer: Understory, Soil PH: Acidic, Soil PH: Neutral, Utility: Wood, Zone 4 Cold Hardiness, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness

Bigtooth Maple, Acer grandidentatum

by Chas Hathaway

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Botanical name: Acer grandidentatum Notes: Recipe Maple Glazed Carrots Acer grandidentatum, commonly known as bigtooth maple, is a tree species not typically known for its culinary uses. However, let’s get...

Jan 03 2024

Ecological Use: Brings Pollinators, Ecological Use: Shade, Ecological Use: Wildlife Food or Shelter, Ecological Use: Wind Break, Family: Apple (Rosaceae), Food Type: Fruit, Food Type: Staple Food, Growth Rate: Fast, Growth Rate: Moderate, Light: Full Shade, Season for Harvest: Summer, Size/Layer: Understory, Soil PH: Acidic, Soil PH: Neutral, Utility: Crafts, the Arts, Textile Dyes/Materials, etc, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness, Zone 9 Cold Hardiness

Rainier Cherry, Prunus avium

by Chas Hathaway

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Botanical name: Prunus avium ‘Rainier’ Notes: Rainier cherry trees are the cold hardiest sweet cherries we’ve yet come across. Some sources say they can grow in zone 4 (we try...

Jan 02 2024

Food Type: Staple Food, Light: Full Sun, Light: Partial Shade, Size/Layer: Vine Layer, Soil PH: Acidic, Soil PH: Neutral, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness, Zone 9 Cold Hardiness

Yamberry, Dioscorea batatas

by Chas Hathaway

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AKA Dioscorea polystachya Dioscorea polystachya, commonly known as Chinese yam or cinnamon vine, is a versatile and nutritious plant suitable for permaculture gardens. Here’s detailed information about it: Chinese Yam...

Jan 02 2024

Ecological Use: Brings Pollinators, Ecological Use: Wildlife Food or Shelter, Ecological Use: Wind Break, Family: Barberry (Berberidaceae), Food Type: Berries, Growth Rate: Moderate, Light: Full Shade, Light: Full Sun, Light: Partial Shade, Season for Harvest: Fall, Season for Harvest: Winter, Size/Layer: Shrub/Bush, Soil PH: Acidic, Soil PH: Alkaline, Zone 4 Cold Hardiness, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness

Common Barberry, Berberis vulgaris

by Chas Hathaway

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European BarberryBotanical name: Berberis vulgaris Notes:Ecological functions/uses: Provides food and habitat for wildlife, acts as a barrier plant due to its thorns, and is used in traditional medicine.Food uses: Berries...

Dec 31 2023

Ecological Use: Erosion Control, Ecological Use: Pest Deterrent, Family: Buckwheat (Polygonaceae), Food Type: Staple Food, Light: Full Sun, Light: Partial Shade, Season for Harvest: Fall, Season for Harvest: Spring, Size/Layer: Herb Layer, Soil PH: Acidic, Soil PH: Neutral, Zone 3 Cold Hardiness, Zone 4 Cold Hardiness, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness

Rhubarb, Rheum x cultorum

by Chas Hathaway

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There are actually a few different kinds of Rhubarb, and many are hybrids (hence the botanical name including “hybridum”). Most of these are hybrids that include the mother species, Rheum...

Dec 29 2023

Ecological Use: Brings Pollinators, Ecological Use: Erosion Control, Ecological Use: Shade, Ecological Use: Wildlife Food or Shelter, Ecological Use: Wind Break, Food Type: Berries, Food Type: Staple Food, Growth Rate: Moderate, Light: Full Sun, Light: Partial Shade, Season for Harvest: Summer, Size/Layer: Shrub/Bush, Soil PH: Acidic, Soil PH: Neutral, Zone 3 Cold Hardiness, Zone 4 Cold Hardiness, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness

Pixwell Gooseberries, Ribes hirtellum ‘Pixwell’

by Chas Hathaway

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Pixwell GooseberryBotanical name: Ribes hirtellum ‘Pixwell’ Notes: Pixwell gooseberry is valued for its relatively low maintenance, high productivity, and ease of harvest due to its fewer thorns compared to other...

Dec 23 2023

Ecological Use: Brings Pollinators, Ecological Use: Wildlife Food or Shelter, Education: Food Forest/Forest Garden, Family: Apple (Rosaceae), Food Type: Berries, Food Type: Fruit, Growth Rate: Fast, Growth Rate: Moderate, Light: Full Sun, Light: Partial Shade, Season for Harvest: Summer, Size/Layer: Understory, Soil PH: Alkaline, Soil PH: Neutral, Utility: Fence/Hedge, Zone 3 Cold Hardiness, Zone 4 Cold Hardiness, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness, Zone 9 Cold Hardiness

Nanking Cherry, Prunus tomentosa

by Chas Hathaway

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Botanical name: Prunus tomentosa Notes:(Ecological functions/uses) Can be used as an edible hedge or windbreak due to its dense growth. Attracts beneficial insects with its fragrant flowers.(Food uses) The fruit...

Dec 23 2023

Ecological Use: Nitrogen Fixer, Family: Bean (Fabaceae), Food Type: Beans, Light: Partial Shade, Size/Layer: Shrub/Bush, Soil PH: Alkaline, Soil PH: Neutral, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness, Zone 9 Cold Hardiness

Illinois Bundleflower, Desmanthus illinoensis

by Chas Hathaway

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AKA Prairie Mimosa HERB LAYER Illinois BundleflowerBotanical name: Desmanthus illinoensis Notes: Propagation of Illinois Bundleflower To propagate the Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis), you’ll primarily use seeds, as it’s the most...

Dec 22 2023

Ecological Use: Wind Break, Food Type: Nuts, Light: Full Sun, Season for Harvest: Fall, Size/Layer: Canopy (LARGE), Soil PH: Acidic, Soil PH: Neutral, Zone 4 Cold Hardiness, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness, Zone 9 Cold Hardiness

Black Walnut, Juglans nigra

by Chas Hathaway

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Black WalnutBotanical name: Juglans nigra Notes: Black walnut, known scientifically as Juglans nigra, is a valuable and versatile tree native to North America. It’s renowned for its hard, durable wood...

Dec 22 2023

Ecological Use: Wildlife Food or Shelter, Ecological Use: Wind Break, Family: Apple (Rosaceae), Food Type: Berries, Growth Rate: Moderate, Light: Full Sun, Light: Partial Shade, Season for Harvest: Spring, Size/Layer: Understory, Soil PH: Acidic, Soil PH: Neutral, Zone 4 Cold Hardiness, Zone 5 Cold Hardiness, Zone 6 Cold Hardiness, Zone 7 Cold Hardiness, Zone 8 Cold Hardiness, Zone 9 Cold Hardiness

White Mulberry, Morus alba

by Chas Hathaway

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White MulberryBotanical name: Morus alba Notes: 1. Fresh Eating: The simplest and most common way to enjoy White Mulberry fruit is to eat it fresh, right off the tree. It’s...