UK hardiness lookup
Inverness (IV1) — RHS hardiness H6
Inverness, Scotland · 143-day frost-free season
Frost dates and growing season for IV1
| RHS hardiness rating | H6 |
|---|---|
| Average last spring frost | mid-May |
| Average first autumn frost | early October |
| Growing season length | ~143 days |
| Temperature range (C) | minimum -20 to -15 °C |
| Temperature range (F) | minimum -4 to 5 °F |
| USDA equivalent | Roughly USDA zone 6. |
UK frost dates come from Met Office regional climate averages (1991-2020). Frost pockets, valleys, and exposed elevation can shift Inverness-area gardens a full band colder than the regional figure. Coastal and urban gardens run a band warmer.
What grows at RHS H6 in Inverness
Cold-resistant plants that shrug off hard Scottish and northern winters. Suitable for upland and exposed gardens.The RHS rates plants — not regions — so check the rating on each plant's tag against this H6 baseline. Anything rated H6 or hardier (numerically higher) should overwinter reliably in a typical Inverness year.
- Picea, Pinus, Abies (conifers)
- Sorbus aucuparia (rowan)
- Birch (Betula pendula, B. utilis)
- Highland heathers (Calluna, Erica)
- Vaccinium (blueberries, bilberry)
- Rugosa roses
- Astrantia
- Lupins
- Cold-tolerant fruit — apple (Discovery, James Grieve), gooseberry, raspberry
- Vegetables — kale, cabbage, leeks, swede, parsnip, broad beans, early potatoes
When to plant in Inverness
Sowing, transplant, and harvest dates for the most common edible crops, calibrated to RHS H6 timing:
- When to plant tomatoes at RHS H6
- When to plant peppers at RHS H6
- When to plant basil at RHS H6
- When to plant garlic at RHS H6
- When to plant lettuce at RHS H6
- When to plant bush beans at RHS H6
- When to plant cucumbers at RHS H6
- When to plant summer squash at RHS H6
- When to plant peas at RHS H6
- When to plant carrots at RHS H6
For a one-shot starting point: tomatoes go outside from the mid-May window onwards; garlic goes in 4-6 weeks before early October; brassicas and salads can run on either side of the frost window with fleece in cold snaps.
Local microclimate notes
Postcode-area ratings are a baseline — your actual garden can sit a band warmer or colder. Urban heat-island effect lifts inner-city gardens; frost pockets at the bottom of slopes drop them. If you can record your own lowest winter temperature for a couple of seasons, that beats any regional average for planning.
For US gardeners reading UK references: RHS H6 is Roughly USDA zone 6. — see the matching USDA Zone 6 guide for the US-side planting calendar.
Source and methodology
Hardiness rating from the Royal Horticultural Society hardiness rating scale. Frost-date averages from Met Office UK climate averages (1991-2020), matched to the nearest representative regional station for postcode IV1. Plant recommendations curated by the Growli editorial team. Last review 2026-05-19.
Other postcode areas in Scotland
- EH1 — Edinburgh (RHS H5)
- EH8 — Edinburgh (Holyrood) (RHS H5)
- EH3 — Edinburgh (New Town) (RHS H5)
- G1 — Glasgow (RHS H5)
- G2 — Glasgow (city centre) (RHS H5)
- G12 — Glasgow (West End) (RHS H5)
- AB1 — Aberdeen (RHS H5)
- DD1 — Dundee (RHS H5)
- PH1 — Perth (RHS H5)
- KY1 — Kirkcaldy (RHS H5)
- FK1 — Falkirk (RHS H5)
- PA — Paisley & Argyll (RHS H5)
- Browse all UK postcode areas