Finding your Ecoregion for Selecting Native Plants

As a gardener, you’re likely familiar with your USDA Hardiness Zone—a number that indicates which perennials are likely to survive your local winter temperatures. For example, northern Georgia is now classified as Zone 8. However, when selecting native plants, it's crucial to go beyond just the hardiness zone. You should also consider your ecoregion to identify plants that are best suited to your local environment, work well together, and support regional wildlife.

Understanding Your Ecoregion

To determine the most appropriate native plants for your garden, you need to identify your specific ecoregion. An ecoregion is a distinct geographic area with a unique combination of climate, soil, and vegetation, which influences the types of plants that thrive there.

Here are two excellent resources to help you find and understand your ecoregion:

• bplant.org: This website provides detailed information on native plants specific to your ecoregion. By navigating to the Piedmont ecoregion page, you can access a comprehensive list of over two thousand native plants suitable for this area.

• EPA Ecoregion Maps: The Environmental Protection Agency's maps allow you to locate your ecoregion at Level III, which provides detailed information about the environmental conditions of your region.

Identifying Your Ecoregion

For those in north Atlanta, the local ecoregion is the Piedmont. Here’s how you can find more specific information about this area:

• bplant.org’s Piedmont Page: Explore native plants for the Piedmont ecoregion and discover which species are best suited to this environment.

• EPA Georgia Maps: Access detailed ecoregion maps for Georgia to better understand your local environmental conditions.

By understanding your ecoregion and selecting plants that are naturally adapted to your area, you can create a more resilient and thriving garden that supports local wildlife and works harmoniously with your environment.