United States regional guide · OH

Permaculture in Ohio

Ohio combines humid lake-influenced north, fertile glaciated plains, and hillier Appalachian southeast. Four-season rainfall supports temperate polycultures, while clay drainage, summer humidity, and late frost vary locally.

USDA span

5b–7a

Census region

Midwest

Climate starting point

USDA hardiness zones in Ohio

Ohio includes USDA zones 5b–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 5bZone 6aZone 6bZone 7a

Regional plant starting points

Plants to explore for a Ohio design

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

01Zones 4–8

Crabapple

Malus sylvestris

Layer: Sub-Canopy
Type: Deciduous Tree

02Zones 3–8

American Plum

Prunus americana

Layer: Shrub
Type: Deciduous Tree

03Zones 4–9

American Hazelnut

Corylus americana

Layer: Shrub
Type: Perennial

04Zones 4–8

American Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Layer: Shrub
Type: Perennial

05Zones 3–9

Riverbank Grape

Vitis riparia

Layer: Vine
Type: Vine

06Zones 5–9

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

Layer: Sub-Canopy
Type: Deciduous Tree

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