I'm trying to landscape my garden in zone 9b and have been using Gardenate to find suitable plants. However, I want to explore a broader range of options, especially local varieties that attract native bees. My garden has a lot of fences and shade, so it would be great to get some recommendations that consider light preferences. I'm looking for any tips or resources you might suggest!
3 Answers
Definitely check out your local county extension office. They often have tailored resources for your area, and many of them offer great advice about local gardening. You can also look into Master Gardener programs in your county; they can be a fantastic way to get insight and support from experienced gardeners in your community.
You’ve got to check out some online resources! I recommend starting with the EPA ecoregions website and the USDA database for plant range maps. They really help to identify what works best in your area. Also, if you’re looking for native plants, the Bonap native plant range map is super useful. Plus, don’t forget to look into specific resources based on where you live; places like NC State and Caliscape have excellent guides.
If you're looking for a great book, I can't recommend "The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden" by Roy Diblik enough! It’s loaded with practical planting strategies and 62 garden plans. Perfect for beginners, it focuses on perennials and includes detailed info that can really help you throughout the seasons.