The Piedmont Master Gardeners Association
460 Stagecoach Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902-6441 434/872-4580 Fax: 434/872-4578
Look It Up! Maps, Databases and Plant Lists PMG Reference Desk
MAPS
USDA Zone Map: Knowing your horticultural zone can help you choose the right plants for your garden, based on their cold hardiness rating. Much of Central Virginia falls into zones 6b or 7a. Keep in mind that the USDA zone system is based on average annual minimum temperatures and is a guideline only---many gardens contain more than one microclimate, influenced by factors such as wind, sun (or shade), and proximity to water. The USDA website also offers a selected list of woody plants rated by the coldest zone in which they can be expected to thrive.
AHS Heat Zone Map: An alternative to the USDA hardiness zone map, the American Horticultural Society’s map of the United States divides the country into zones based on the average number of days each year that temperatures rise above 86 degrees F. Use the Zip Code Zone finder to pinpoint your zone on the map. For an explanation of the map, visit the AHS website.
DATABASES and PLANT LISTS
Plantfinder: Run by the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Searchable illustrated database of more than 3500 plants growing in the MBG's demonstration gardens. Includes zone ratings, plant culture and characteristics.
Mobot (Missouri Botanical Garden): In addition to the Plantfinder database (see above), the Missouri Botanical Garden’s website includes access to TROPICOS, the world’s largest web-searchable database containing nearly a million plant names. Includes 50,000 images.
Cyndi’s Catalog of Garden Catalogs: Lists more than 2000 mail order catalogs for garden-related equipment and plants. Some companies are rated based on quality of offerings. Largest compendium of garden catalogs on the Internet.
Garden Watchdog: Part of the popular Dave’s Garden website. Rates mail order companies based on posted feedback by gardeners around the country.
Invasive and Exotic Insects, Diseases and Weeds: A joint project of the The University of Georgia’s Bugwood Network, the USDA Forest Service and the USDA APHIS PPQ. Searchable database with images. Includes links to other useful websites.
Invasive Alien Plant Species of Virginia: Website of a program run by Virginia’s state Department of Conservation & Recreation.
PLANTS: Searchable USDA database provides standardized information “about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts and lichens of the U.S. and its territories.” 30,000 images. Fact sheets and plant guides. Part of the USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service.
Plantfiles (part of Dave’s Garden website): Searchable database created from hands-on information submitted by gardeners who use the Dave’s Garden website.
Tinker’s Garden Daylily Database: Large illustrated, searchable database of members of the genus Hemerocallis. Useful for identifying potential garden candidates by color and characteristic.
