I'm moving to a new zone!!!

and that's not all ~ I don't even have to pack a box!  I received an e-mail newsletter yesterday (from one of my favorite local nurseries) that said due to global climate change, gardening zones are being reconfigured.  There will be no more "a's" and "b's" and my current zone 5 is being changed to zone 6.  Well, what do you know?  I already push the envelope with zones and have successfully wintered over many plants supposedly not hardy here but I thought it was just a micro-climate situation?  One of those plants is Texas Betony (Stachys coccinea):

I've posted this photo before but it serves to illustrate my point ~ it's only considered hardy to zone 7.  That said, I've definitely had luck (depending on the severity of the winter) keeping it over to the following year.  I'm wondering now what other plants I can try?  What about you?  Have you heard this news?  Is your zone also changing? and what do you think of the news?  

Edited on 11/7/09 to add the article that was in my nurseries e-mail newsletter:

What USDA Hardiness Zone Are We?

For years, the plains area has considered our self a planting zone 5 which meant that we should consider a plant's hardiness to -20 degrees below zero.  Personally, I can't remember that low a temperature in recent times.  Of late, I have been experimenting with zone 6 plants (0 to -10 below) in the sunnier parts of my garden and have been very successful.  Obviously, I am not the only one noticing this.  Whether or not you subscribe to all the global warming articles you read, this is what Carl Wilson, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Horticulturist, Denver  has written on the subject.  "The USDA plant hardiness zones, last updated in 1990, are about to be revised. Gone will be the "a and b" zones. Four more numbered zones will be added for the semitropical portion of the country for a total of 15 zones.
     For us in Colorado, we will go from a mountain zone 3, foothills zone 4 and plains zone 5 state to a predominantly zone 4,5,6 state. Only the very highest mountain areas (example Leadville at 10,000 ft) will be zone 3. The mountains and foothills will be a mix of 4 and 5,  the populated Front Range zone 5 with zone 6 infiltrating the southern areas plus "heat island" cities of Denver and Ft Collins, and the plains a mix of 5 north and 6 in the south (Ark Valley).
     The reason for the revision is the markedly higher temperatures seen in the climate data collected from 1987 to 2001. A look at the national map reveals zone creep northward confirming what you have heard discussed in Denver for the last 5 years, "this is a zone 6 plant but don't be afraid to try it." Now we will officially be zone 6."

Comments

[Janet]

Congratulations on the 'move'!!! Now you can grow more plants!

[Catherine]

Our zone was changed from 7 to 8 some years ago. I still have to remember that when I'm looking at plant tags. I have a few new plants this year that I'm hoping will push the envelope and survive winter, Autumn sage and Salvia 'Black and Blue'.

[Shady Gardener]

Hi Kathleen, Our zone changed from 4 to 5 a couple of years ago... however, I still prefer to play it safe and purchase 3's and 4's, generally. If, like you, I have a sheltered area, I will try a 5. ;-)

[Sweet Bay]

I think our zone has been changed from7 to 8, but I don't think the plants got the memo. :)

[Gail]

I have such mixed feelings about congratulating any of us for our zone hardiness changes...Sigh! So, I'll congratulate you for being able to grow more plants~~Yeah, I can send you plants now~~ and chastise all of us for contributing to global climate change! Whew! I feel less guilt now for enjoying it all:-)

I have found that the salvias from TX often reseed in the garden. We used to be 6 and are now 7a moving to 7b. gail

[Robin]

After the colder than normal temperatures here in Indiana this year, I'd have a hard time buying that news if I received it. My annuals didn't do very well at all this year.

[Nancy Bond]

I haven't heard of such a change here, but now you've piqued my curiosity and I'll have to look it up. :) That plant and the photo of it are gorgeous! Christmasy. :)

[tina]

Push the envelop and try all your loves-hey you only live once!

[RobinL]

I haven't heard about this, where can I go to see if my zone has changed? But it would help if I could actually figure out my zone! Different sites give me different information.I think we are right on the edge of 5b and 6a.

[Racquel]

I hadn't heard this either Kathleen. My zone is 7b so I'm wondering if I'll be hopping up to a full 8 now? ;)

[Tessa at Blunders with shoots, blossoms 'n roots]

Kathleen,

Sorry I'm so late reading your post- I found it looking for just this information because I really have moved! I had heard about this, but I can't seem to find any info online about the revision either. Did your newsletter provide a link?