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Planting zones · Bend, Oregon

What Planting Zone Is Bend?

Bend is in USDA zone 6b. Central Oregon high desert at about 3,700 ft: roughly 10.6 in. of precipitation, mostly in winter, and a very short frost-free season of about 105 days (median last frost June 6, first frost September 20).

  • USDA zone (2023)6b
  • Coldest night (avg.)-5 to 0°FZIP 97701
  • Median last frostJun 632°F
  • Median first frostSep 2032°F
  • Annual precipitation11 inches
  • Frost-free season105 days

Bend hardiness zone by ZIP code

On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Bend fall in zone 6b; 97701 (zone 6b) has an average annual extreme minimum of -5 to 0°F. Choose perennials, shrubs, and trees rated at least to zone 6.

2023 USDA zone for sampled Bend ZIP codes
ZIPZoneAvg. coldest night
977016b-5 to 0°F
977026b-5 to 0°F
977566b-5 to 0°F

Not listed? Look up any ZIP code.

Frost dates and when to plant

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Bend is Jun 6 and the median first fall frost is Sep 20, a typical frost-free season of about 105 days.

Plant container perennials and shrubs after the median last frost (Jun 6), or in early fall at least six weeks before the median first frost (Sep 20) so roots can settle in before the ground freezes.

Rainfall and heat in Bend

Average annual precipitation is 11 inches (Bend, 1991–2020), and 61% of it falls November–March. Summers are dry (September is the driest month), so plants lean on stored soil moisture and supplemental water through their first summer.

The average high in July is about 84°F and the average low in December is about 23°F, measured at about 3,660 ft.

That is why a zone rating alone isn't enough for a xeriscape here: pick plants that are both cold-hardy to zone 6 and rated very low or low water once established.

Low-water plants for Bend

72 plants in our database are hardy to zone 6 and suited to zone 6. Here are 12, driest first, across plant types.

See all zone 6 plants

Frequently asked questions

What planting zone is Bend?

Bend, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, based on the ZIP codes we sampled (97701: 6b, 97702: 6b, 97756: 6b). In 97701, the average coldest night of the year is -5 to 0°F.

When is the last frost in Bend?

The median last spring frost (32°F) at Bend is Jun 6 and the median first fall frost is Sep 20, a typical frost-free season of about 105 days.

How much rain does Bend get?

Average annual precipitation is 11 inches (Bend, 1991–2020), and 61% of it falls November–March. Summers are dry (September is the driest month), so plants lean on stored soil moisture and supplemental water through their first summer.

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Bend (USC00350694). ncei.noaa.gov
  2. USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov