Planting guide

Plant requirements and spacing by zone

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The Planting Guide helps landscape architects and designers select appropriate plants for different hardiness zones and site conditions. Search plants by zone, sun requirements, water needs, and soil type to create successful landscape designs.

Proper plant selection ensures healthy growth, reduces maintenance, and creates sustainable landscapes. The guide includes comprehensive plant data including mature size, spacing requirements, growth rate, and planting seasons.

Search plants by hardiness zone, sun requirements (full sun, partial shade, full shade), water needs, and plant type (trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, grasses). View detailed plant information including mature dimensions, spacing, and care requirements to make informed plant selections.

Features

Everything you need

Hardiness zone filtering
Sun requirement search
Water need filtering
Plant type categories
Mature size information
Spacing requirements
Planting season guidance

How it works

Simple workflow

1
Select hardiness zone
2
Filter by sun and water requirements
3
Choose plant type
4
Browse matching plants
5
Review plant details and spacing

Use cases

Built for real-world scenarios

Landscape design

Select appropriate plants for different site conditions and design goals.

Plant selection

Find plants that match site conditions including sun, water, and soil.

Spacing planning

Determine proper plant spacing for mature size and design intent.

Maintenance planning

Select low-maintenance plants based on water and care requirements.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

USDA Hardiness Zones indicate minimum winter temperatures plants can survive. Zones range from 1 (coldest, -50°F) to 13 (warmest, 60°F). Select plants rated for your zone or one zone colder for safety margin.

Spacing = (Mature Spread 1 + Mature Spread 2) ÷ 2. For trees with 40 ft spread: Space 40 ft apart. Closer spacing creates canopy overlap, farther spacing leaves gaps. Consider design intent.

Full Sun: 6+ hours direct sun. Partial Shade: 3-6 hours sun, or filtered sun. Full Shade: Less than 3 hours direct sun. Match to site conditions for healthy growth.

Spring planting: After last frost, allows full growing season. Fall planting: Before first frost, allows root establishment. Some plants prefer one season—check plant-specific recommendations.

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