United States regional guide · MA
Permaculture in Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranges from cold western uplands to densely settled coastal lowlands and the mild offshore islands. Ocean exposure, rocky or acidic soils, snowfall, and summer humidity all shape perennial performance.
USDA span
5a–7b
Census region
Northeast
Climate starting point
USDA hardiness zones in Massachusetts
Massachusetts includes USDA zones 5a–7b. 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.
Regional plant starting points
Plants to explore for a Massachusetts design
These plants are useful starting points for researching a design in Massachusetts. Confirm each choice against your exact zone, site conditions, local ecology, and management goals.
Crabapple
Malus sylvestris
- Layer
- Sub-Canopy
- Type
- Deciduous Tree
Lowbush Blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium
- Layer
- Groundcover
- Type
- Perennial
Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Layer
- Groundcover
- Type
- Perennial
Red Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
- Layer
- Shrub
- Type
- Perennial
American Gooseberry
Ribes hirtellum
- Layer
- Shrub
- Type
- Perennial
Woodland Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
- Layer
- Groundcover
- Type
- Perennial