WHICH NATIVES?

STEP 1

Learn about the plants that are specifically native to your area. There are several great resources to help you identify these native species, including:

Plant Ridge & Valley Natives Guide
Native Plant Finder (by Zip Code)
Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora

Understand the cultural conditions of your site. How many hours of sun does it receive? How moist or dry is the soil? Is there good drainage? What's the pH? Pay attention to which plants are growing naturally nearby as they can provide insight into your site's conditions. Here are some helpful tools:

Lumos: Sun & Moon Tracker
Understanding Sunlight in the Garden
Testing Soil Drainage
VA Tech Soil Testing

STEP 2

Step 3

Begin shopping for plants that would be happy growing in the conditions of your site! Our online shop allows you to filter species by their sunlight preferences, and each species will include ideal growing conditions. Some species are incredibly adaptable, while some are particular. Remember that there is always some trail and error in gardening, so if a plant doesn't do well, don't get discouraged!

Check out our How to Plant guide to make sure you're setting your plants up for success!