I, for one, find the plant zonal classification not only helpful but
absolutely essential...without it I would be completely at a loss when it
comes to plant survival possibilities........it is only helpful re
temperature and is not an indicator of dry or wet, sun or shade etc. etc..
There is little point in planting a perennial or shrub rated for zone 9 in a
zone 6 location...it would not survive. Even tho a zone 6 rated plant may
survive temperature wise there is no certainty whatsoever it will survive a
particular location due to other circumstances........anyone suggesting that
the system has no value within the USA should take a few lessons in USA
horticulture.......HW.
"Kay Easton" wrote in message
...
In article , Roger Van Loon
writes
Kay Easton wrote:

In article , Roger Van Loon
writes

OK, you are right, of course. Depending upon "how fine you make your
divisions", the whole of the UK (or Europe, or the whole northern
hemisphere) can be one climatic zone :-)
(not an USDA zone of course)

And the UK with its short winter day length and cold wet winters
doesn't
fit happily into the UK zones.

I suppose by that last you mean "the USDA zones".

Yep, sorry - typo.

Then, it's not a
question of fitting (happily or unhappily). It's just a question of
temperatures and statistics: they show what zone you are in, the whole
world over. Day length or wetness don't have anything to do with
that system :-))

Agreed. But being able to grow a particular plant does.

You could just as well state that the US, with their continental
climate, don't fit well into their zone system :-)))

Though I had the impression from this thread that US gardeners find the
system a good indicator of whether a particular plant will survive?

Of course (sigh) for the winter survival of plants there are also
other factors involved...

Yes - at least we have one point we can agree on! :-)
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/garden/