half-hardy

[ haf-hahr-dee, hahf- ]

adjective

, Horticulture.

1. having moderate resistance to cold temperatures.

half-hardy

adjective

1. (of a cultivated plant) able to survive out of doors except during severe frost

Word History and Origins

Origin of half-hardy¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Tender and half-hardy decorative salvias, such as Mexican bush sage, pineapple sage and little-leaf sage, make great container specimens all the way to October.

From Washington Post

“You can start seeds, care for seedlings, push spring and fall, overwinter half-hardy plants like Syrian and Greek oregano or even my artichokes, and force pots of flower bulbs,” she said.

From New York Times

Tender and half-hardy salvias bloom from June to October and attract all kinds of pollinators.

From Washington Post

All these goldenrods would pair nicely with ornamental grasses such as pink muhly grass, blue grama grass or switch grasses, along with half-hardy and tender ornamental sages.

From Washington Post

Now that it is summer here, our UK nurseries are offering young plants for bedding, and many of them are annual or half-hardy perennials.

From The Guardian