Define plant hardiness.

• A. A plant's ability to survive winter cold in a given climate zone
• B. A plant's ability to resist pests
• C. A plant's drought tolerance
• D. A plant's flowering time

Answer: (A)

Plant hardiness is about a plant’s ability to survive winter cold in its environment, which is captured by climate hardiness zones that mark minimum winter temperatures. A plant rated for a specific zone can withstand the typical cold of that zone, helping gardeners choose species that will endure their winter conditions. This is specifically a measure of cold tolerance, not pest resistance, drought tolerance, or flowering timing. For example, a plant hardy to a lower-numbered zone can survive colder winters, whereas it may struggle in warmer or harsher winter zones. The other options describe traits—pest resistance, drought tolerance, and blooming time—that are unrelated to winter cold survival.