Plant Identifier Apps

Armed with the knowledge of climate zones you are better equipped to make perennial plant, shrub, and tree choices that are likely to succeed in the weather conditions of your geographic location.   But we still need to match plants to our zone.

When we visit local plant retailers, we expect plants are matched to our local climate zone.  This is not always the case.  Retailers may be in an area near a climate zone boundary or choose to push the zone boundary to provide plants for microclimate areas within the zone or within properties.  

Plant growers generally provide plant tags with their plants.  The tag indicates the plant’s sunlight, water, and soil requirements.  The tag may or may not include a climate zone indicator.   Online plant retailers generally provide plant care information which includes sunlight, water, and soil requirements and can include Climate Zones and/or temperature tolerances.

When a plant doesn’t have a climate zone indicator or tag, including plants you get from non-retail sources or see growing in a landscape and are interested in acquiring, a plant identifier app is a handy and helpful tool. 

Plant Identifier Apps are available for use on iPhone and android phones.  These apps provide a photo function, they identify the image with plant name, and provide information about the plant’s needs.  You will generally find USDA Climate Zone and/or temperature tolerances within the plant care information sections and can usually save the plant to your library for reference.

Plant identifier apps offer a lot of useful information about a plant, including bloom season.  Plants may not always look the way they do when we see them.   Snap a photo and check bloom season to ensure the plant will be in bloom during at a time that works in your landscape.

There are many plant identifier apps to choose from including free and subscription options.  Many paid apps provide a short-term free trial so you can try the app before you subscribe.   

If think a plant identifier app could help you choose appropriate plants for you landscape, try a few and choose one that best suits your needs.