Garden design by US state

California has a Mediterranean climate along the coast with dry summers and mild, wet winters. Inland valleys experience extreme summer heat, while mountain regions see heavy snowfall. Southern California is arid with year-round warmth, making water-wise design essential statewide.

Texas ranges from humid subtropical in the east to semi-arid in the west. Summers bring sustained 100+ F temperatures across most of the state. Rainfall varies dramatically, from 56 inches annually in East Texas to under 10 inches in the Trans-Pecos. Flash droughts and sudden downpours are common.

Florida has a humid subtropical climate in the north transitioning to true tropical in the south. Summers are hot and intensely humid with daily afternoon thunderstorms from June through September. Hurricane season (June-November) brings damaging winds and flooding. Sandy, nutrient-poor soils are the norm.

New York has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. NYC benefits from urban heat island effects pushing it into zone 7b, while upstate sees winter lows of -30 F. Annual rainfall averages 40-50 inches, well distributed throughout the year.

Pennsylvania has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters. The southeast around Philadelphia is milder (zone 7a-7b) while the Poconos and northern tier are colder (zone 5b-6a). Annual rainfall is abundant at 38-48 inches, supporting lush growth.

Illinois has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperature extremes range from -20 F to 100+ F. The state receives 34-48 inches of annual rainfall. Chicago's lakefront microclimate moderates temperatures but intensifies wind.

Ohio has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers averaging 75-85 F and cold winters dropping to single digits. Lake Erie moderates the northeast but also generates heavy lake-effect snow. Annual rainfall is 36-42 inches, well distributed, supporting diverse plantings.

Georgia has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers averaging 90+ F and mild winters rarely dropping below 20 F. The state receives 45-55 inches of rain annually. Mountain regions in the north are cooler, while the coastal plain and Savannah area are warmer and more humid.

North Carolina features three distinct climate regions: cool mountain zones with harsh winters, the moderate Piedmont plateau, and the warm, humid coastal plain. Annual rainfall ranges from 40 to 60 inches. Summers are hot and humid, especially in the eastern lowlands.

Michigan has a humid continental climate strongly influenced by the Great Lakes. Lake-effect snow can dump massive amounts in western and northern regions. Summers are pleasant at 70-85 F. The fruit belt along Lake Michigan's eastern shore enjoys moderated temperatures and a longer growing season.

Arizona has an arid to semi-arid climate with extreme summer heat exceeding 115 F in the low desert. Phoenix averages only 8 inches of rain per year. Northern Arizona around Flagstaff is cooler with pine forests and snow. Monsoon season (July-September) brings brief, intense thunderstorms.

Western Washington has a mild oceanic climate with cool, wet winters and dry summers. Seattle averages 37 inches of rain, mostly from October to March. Eastern Washington is semi-arid with cold winters and hot summers. The Cascades create a dramatic rain shadow dividing the state.

Colorado has a semi-arid continental climate with intense sunshine (300+ sunny days), low humidity, and dramatic temperature swings. Denver averages only 15 inches of precipitation annually. Mountain areas receive heavy snow. The thin, high-altitude atmosphere intensifies UV exposure.

Virginia has a humid subtropical climate in the Tidewater region transitioning to humid continental in the mountains. Summers are warm and humid, winters are generally mild. Rainfall is abundant at 40-48 inches annually, well distributed. The growing season ranges from 150 days in the mountains to 250 days on the coast.

Western Oregon has a mild, maritime climate with wet winters and dry summers. Portland averages 43 inches of rain, mostly November through March. Eastern Oregon is high desert with hot summers, cold winters, and 10-15 inches of annual precipitation. The Cascades divide these two worlds.