Almost all seed catalogs have a USDA hardiness zone map to help you decide which plants are best for your area. Gardening in Zone 6 is defined by its low average temperatures -23 to -18 C and which plants can withstand that range.http://www.backyardgardener.com/zone/index.html#what If a plant is "hardy to zone 6," then the plant is known to be strong enough to make it through the typical winter climate and survive. Watch out for those plants labeled with specific zone-they will only grow in those zones listed.

Zone 6 is a sweeping band that about cuts the United States in half. Inspect the USDA map to determine if your city and state may fall within this, or other zones. Remember, zones are only a guide; temperature is not the only determining factor for choosing which plants to grow in your area, or even in your garden. Other factors such as soil type, rainfall, wind exposure, humidity, shade, and day length all play a role in the survival of your chosen plants.http://www.backyardgardener.com/zone/index.html#what But to begin your search for the ideal garden plants, trees, or shrubs for your garden and landscape, read on through this guide as a great way to begin the garden planning process.

Zone 6 is characterized by a long growing season and mild winters. The lowest temperatures generally reached are 0 to -10 F, or -23 to -18 C. Gardeners in the East often have to contend with the humidity of zone 6 where those in the West struggle with dry heat and lack of rainfall.http://home.ivillage.com/gardening/zone/0,,28m3,00.html High humidity can make working in the garden unpleasant and often with humidity comes a plethora of insects to devour both garden and gardener.

Here is a list of some perennials that do well in zone 6 and will look great in your perennial garden.http://garden.lovetoknow.com

• Astilbe
• Baby's Breath
• Bee Balm
• Black-eyed Susan
• Chamomile
• Chrysanthemum
• Columbine
• Coneflower
• Coreopsis
• Daylily
• Delphinium
• Foxglove
• Hibiscus
• Hosta
• Iris
• Lavender
• Lily
• Lupine
• Phlox
• Violet
• Verbena
• Wormwood
• Yarrow

The National Arbor Day Foundation lists these trees as the ten most popular trees for Zone 6:http://www.arborday.org/Shopping/Trees/PopularTrees.cfm?zone=6

• American Arborvitae--a tall, slender evergreen tree with a pyramid shape that is often used for windbreaks
• Colorado Blue Spruce--A silver colored evergreen
• Norway Spruce--A very fast growing spruce tree
• White Pine-- A hardy tree with soft needles
• Korean Boxwood--A nice hedge choice
• Bar Harbor Juniper--A long lived, low growing juniper
• Canadian Hemlock--An evergreen that may be shaped
• Hybrid popular--A fast grower
• Austrian Pine--Very hardy
• Weeping Willow--A graceful, if messy, water lover

Some shrubs that work well for zone 6 are:http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/zone-6-deciduous-shrubs/index.html

• Azalea
• Beautyberry
• Blueberry
• Butterfly Bush
• Chokeberry
• Forsythia
• Honeysuckle
• Hydrangea
• Jasmine
• Lilac
• Chicksaw Plum
• Rhododendron
• Rose-of-Sharon
• Smoketree
• Spirea
• Sweet Fern
• Viburnum
• Winterhazel
• Witchhazel

The parts of the country that have the dry heat and lack of rainfall actually have quite a few ways to improve their gardening in zone 6. Lack of water can be alleviated by running a drip system through flower beds and around new trees and shrubs. Older trees are more established and drive their tap roots down further so they don't need the watering that flowers and vegetables do. Mulch will help the soil retain its moisture and help in reducing weeds.http://www.dcmg.org/Seasonal_Garden_Tasks_for_Zone_6/ Keeping the soil tilled will help with the control of nematodes and weeds.

Those dealing with the higher humidity may help their gardening landscape by not watering too much. Excess humidity encourages the growth of mold and fungal diseases and too much watering just exacerbates the problem.http://thegardendesk.com/how-to-manage-indoor-gardening-humidity-problems.html Planting in raised beds will also help avoid water-logged soils.http://thegardendesk.com/how-to-manage-indoor-gardening-humidity-problems.html If you plant in the ground frequent tilling of slightly moist soil with help in drying out the soil, not to mention help in the control of weeds. Wider spacing of vegetables may help in controlling fungal problems.http://thegardendesk.com/how-to-manage-indoor-gardening-humidity-problems.html You may also choose to plant more humidity loving plants, such as ferns, to beautify your garden in an effort to work with the natural state of your area instead of fighting against it. Work in your garden in the early evening or morning to beat the heat and the insects. Cover up or wear insect repellent to deter those pests that brave the cooler air.