Australian National Botanic Gardens zones run from 1 (cold mountain) up to 7 (hot tropical). The system only covers down to about −15 °C — colder climates fall outside it.
The ANBG bands
| Band | Temperature range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | −15 °C to −10 °C | Cold mountain |
| Zone 2 | −10 °C to −5 °C | Tableland |
| Zone 3 | −5 °C to 0 °C | Cool temperate |
| Zone 4 | 0 °C to 5 °C | Warm temperate |
| Zone 5 | 5 °C to 10 °C | Sub-tropical |
| Zone 6 | 10 °C to 15 °C | Tropical |
| Zone 7 | 15 °C and warmer | Hot tropical |
How ANBG compares to the other systems
Hardiness scales do not translate one-to-one, because each was built for a different climate and reads in a different direction. Compare the ANBG scale with the other three:
- USDA hardiness zone (United States) – plant tolerates down to this zone.
- RHS hardiness rating (United Kingdom) – plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance.
- Canadian plant hardiness zone (Canada) – plant tolerates down to this zone.
Example plants rated in the ANBG system
- Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria – Zone 1–4
- Cherry — Sweet Prunus avium – Zone 1–4
- Garlic chives (Chinese chives) Allium tuberosum – Zone 1–6
- Lupin — White Lupinus albus – Zone 1–5
- Regal lily Lilium regale – Zone 1–5
- Walnut — Black Juglans nigra – Zone 1–5
- Coral bells ‘Palace Purple’ Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ – Zone 2–5
- Moso bamboo Phyllostachys edulis – Zone 2–7
- Wax myrtle (Southern bayberry) Morella cerifera – Zone 2–6
- Holm oak (Holly oak) Quercus ilex – Zone 3–6
- Tuberose Agave amica – Zone 3–7
- Night-blooming jasmine Cestrum nocturnum – Zone 4–7
- Davidson's plum (Queensland form) Davidsonia pruriens – Zone 5–7
- Yellow mangosteen Garcinia xanthochymus – Zone 6–7