Winters here are mostly cold with drying winds. Average winter temperatures are not as low as in zone 1, but snow and frozen ground can be expected during the coldest months.

Zone 2 provides a growing season of 150-200 frost-free days. The last date of killing frost in spring usually is in late April to mid-May, depending on location. Annual precipitation varies from less than 10 inches to more than 20 inches.

Reliable plants for Zone 2 include Thornless honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis), Arizona cypress (Cupressus glabra), Crabapple (Malus sp.), Lilac (Syringa sp.), Monks pepper (Vitex agnus-castus), Barberry (Berberis sp.), Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) and many kinds of Junipers (Juniperus sp.).

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone System: roughly equivilent to USDA Zone 6 (Average Annual Minimum Temperature = -10 to 0 degrees F).

Sunset Western Climate Zone System: roughly equivilent to Sunset Zone 2 described in Sunset Western Garden Book.