Zone 6 gardeners are getting more planting time, Jackson & Perkins says

By AI, Created 11:27 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Jackson & Perkins says USDA Zone 6 gardeners are seeing spring arrive earlier, creating up to two extra weeks of prime planting time in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Mountain West. The shift matters because gardeners who adjust timing and choose resilient plants can get stronger establishment and longer bloom windows before summer heat hits.

Why it matters: - USDA Zone 6 gardeners are getting a longer frost-free window, which can translate into stronger plant establishment and more time for blooms before summer heat arrives. - The shift also raises the stakes for timing. Late frosts and freeze-thaw swings still threaten new plantings. - Gardeners who adjust their calendars can take advantage of a season that is changing faster than traditional planting advice.

What happened: - Wes Harvell, a rosarian with Jackson & Perkins, said Zone 6 gardeners are getting one to two more weeks of prime planting time than they used to. - Jackson & Perkins tied that change to earlier spring conditions across USDA Zone 6, which stretches from the Mid-Atlantic through the Midwest and into parts of the Mountain West. - The company said nearly half of U.S. growing regions have shifted toward warmer hardiness zone classifications over recent decades. - In some Zone 6 areas, the frost-free growing season now reaches up to 200 days. - Roses that were traditionally planted around Mother’s Day in Zone 6 are increasingly going in the ground in mid-April.

The details: - Snowdrops and crocuses have been emerging as early as February in some microclimates. - Daffodils, tulips and flowering shrubs are reaching peak bloom weeks ahead of historical averages. - Harvell said Zone 6 rewards resilience more than showy plants that cannot handle frost or disease pressure. - Jackson & Perkins highlighted three roses for the season: Moondance Floribunda Rose, Mandarin Sunset Floribunda Rose and Never Been Redder Floribunda Rose. - Moondance Floribunda Rose is an award-winning floribunda with creamy white blooms, strong disease resistance and tolerance to heat and humidity. - Mandarin Sunset Floribunda Rose produces compact clusters of orange double blooms, flowers in continuous waves and is described as easy to grow. - Never Been Redder Floribunda Rose has deep red blooms, strong disease resistance and flowers continuously from late spring until frost. - The company also featured three companion plants: Echinacea Sombrero® Salsa Red, Leucanthemum Realflor® ‘Real Jewel’ Shasta Daisy and Clematis Mrs. Robert Brydon. - Echinacea Sombrero® Salsa Red is a compact, drought-tolerant perennial with red daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators. - Leucanthemum Realflor® ‘Real Jewel’ Shasta Daisy produces yellow, frilled flowers and is heat-tolerant. - Clematis Mrs. Robert Brydon grows 6 to 8 feet tall, flowers from mid-summer into early fall and adds seed heads for extended interest. - Jackson & Perkins said three practices matter most this season: plant about two weeks earlier than usual, use about three inches of mulch and prioritize disease resistance over bloom color.

Between the lines: - The guidance reflects a larger shift in gardening strategy. The old rulebook based on historical frost dates is becoming less reliable in Zone 6. - The emphasis on resilience suggests the main challenge is no longer just getting plants established, but keeping them healthy through humidity swings, late frost and disease pressure. - The recommended varieties favor repeat bloom, hardiness and lower maintenance, which fits a season where gardeners may need more flexibility and less guesswork.

What’s next: - Gardeners in Zone 6 are likely to keep planting earlier as they adapt to longer spring windows. - Jackson & Perkins expects success in 2026 to depend on timing, plant selection and more protective early-season care. - The company says the season offers the potential for extended color and abundant blooms from early spring through fall. - Jackson and Perkins Park Acquisitions, Inc. operates a 100-acre property with a nursery and distribution facility in Greenwood, South Carolina, and its executive office is in Edina, Minnesota. More information is available at the company website.