United States regional guide · ME

Permaculture in Maine

Maine’s cold interior, rocky soils, forests, and moderated Atlantic coast create a short but productive northern season. Hardy berries, wind protection, season extension, and careful use of south-facing sites are recurring strategies.

USDA span

3b–7a

Census region

Northeast

Climate starting point

USDA hardiness zones in Maine

Maine includes USDA zones 3b–7a. Hardiness zones describe typical annual extreme minimum temperatures; within-state elevation, wind, water, soil, and urban heat can change what succeeds on a particular site.

Zone 3bZone 4aZone 4bZone 5aZone 5bZone 6aZone 6bZone 7a

Regional plant starting points

Plants to explore for a Maine design

These plants are useful starting points for researching a design in Maine. Confirm each choice against your exact zone, site conditions, local ecology, and management goals.

01Zones 2–8

Lowbush Blueberry

Vaccinium angustifolium

Layer: Groundcover
Type: Perennial

02Zones 3–7

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Layer: Groundcover
Type: Perennial

03Zones 3–7

Lingonberry

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Layer: Groundcover
Type: Perennial

04Zones 4–8

Red Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

Layer: Shrub
Type: Perennial

05Zones 4–6

American Gooseberry

Ribes hirtellum

Layer: Shrub
Type: Perennial

06Zones 2–6

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Layer: Sub-Canopy
Type: Deciduous Tree

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