Have you ever wondered what the best native species for your own yard or planting project might be? Would you like to help restore habitat and provide food & shelter for native pollinators and wildlife? We are happy to introduce the new West Virginia Planting Tool.
This tool matches your planting site with known native plant communities in West Virginia and recommends the species that will thrive with minimal maintenance while providing excellent habitat for native birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Recommendations are targeted for three different types of planting projects: (1) restoration and mitigation projects, (2) erosion control and right-of-way plantings, and (3) pollinator gardens. Recommendations are customized based on the location in West Virginia and whether or not the planting site is a wetland. Results can be displayed as “top choices only” or as a full list of all of the recommended species likely to thrive at a particular site. Results are categorized as trees, shrubs, vines, forbs, graminoids, or ferns/fern allies. Information is provided for each recommended species including Common Name, Scientific Name, Growth Form, Height, Sun/Shade, Soil Moisture, Bloom Period, Flower Color, Life Cycle, and Natural History Notes.
The WV Planting Tool was created by the WVDEP Watershed Assessment Branch and TAGIS, in partnership with WVDNR Wildlife Resources, West Virginia University Herbarium, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and the WV Native Plant Society.