USDA Hardiness Zones
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2012. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Accessed from
http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
NORTH CAROLINA: ranges between 5b (-15 to -10F) and 8b (+15 to +10F).
SOUTH CAROLINA: ranges between 7a (0 to 5F) and 9a (2- to 25F)
VIRGINIA: ranges between 5a (-20 to -15F) and 8a (10 to 15F)
ALL U.S ZONES: Includes Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico
Perennial Gardening
GROW NATIVE: The National Gardening Association: Excellent organization and source for native gardening.
PERENNIAL RESOURCE: Where perennial lovers go for good dirt.
PROVEN WINNERS: Hybrid varieties of flowering plants.
PERENNIAL PLANT ASSOCIATION: Dazzling perennials selected by the Perennial Plant Association.
THE TRIAL GARDENS AT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA: Horticultural performance of each cultivar evaluated through "good times and bad."
AMERICAN HOSTA SOCIETY: Hosta information and awards.
Horticulture
SOUTHERN NURSERY ASSOCIATION: works to advance the horticulture industry in the Southeast by supporting and enhancing educational, commercial and research opportunities, and by gathering, analyzing and disseminating information to our members.
ASLA - NORTH CAROLINA: Landscape architecture professionals connecting people and nature, educating the public, and advocating for the profession.
NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION: Great resource for gardening and plant information.
AMERICAN COMMUNITY GARDENING ASSOCIATION: ACGA offers a range of services and programs to help your community garden succeed.
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY: With over 900 members worldwide, the American Fern Society is one of the largest international fern clubs in the world. It was established in 1893 with the objective of fostering interest in ferns and fern allies.
AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY: The Mission of The American Iris Society is to organize and disseminate knowledge of the genus Iris, while fostering its preservation, enjoyment and continued development.
WEBSTER GROVES HERB SOCIETY: WGHS provides student scholarships in herb-related studies, makes donations to community projects, donates plants and member hands-on help in maintaining the herb gardens at Hawken House in Webster Groves, Mudd’s Grove in Kirkwood, and the History Village Herb Garden at Faust Park in Chesterfield. These gardens are open to the public and showcase the herbs that grow so well in this region.
AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: The American Horticultural Society (AHS) is one of the oldest national gardening organizations in the country. It has been a trusted source of high quality gardening and horticultural information.
NATIONAL GARDEN BUREAU: National Garden Bureau is a non-profit organization that exists to educate, inspire, and motivate people to increase the use of plants in homes, gardens, and workplaces
AMERICAN IVY SOCIETY: The American Ivy Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the genus Hedera through education and promotion.
PEST CONTROL LIBRARY: The National Gardening Association: Excellent pest control library where you can search pest symptoms and treatment.
INSECTS - GARDENING IN NORTH CAROLINA: NC State Extension - Identification, the good, the bad, the destructive, control
Vegetable Gardening
OLD FARMERS ALMANAC: Frost dates, planting dates, gardening basics, and podcasts.
COMPANION PLANTING: Companion planting is thought of as a small-scale gardening practice based around the idea that certain plants can benefit others when planted next to, or close to one another.
RODALE ORGANIC LIFE: Home, garden, food, and lifestyle
RODALE INSTITUTE: Promoting organic and healthy lifestyle tips and how-to
Publications
RODALE ORGANIC LIFE: Home, garden, food, and lifestyle
HORTICULTURE MAGAZINE: Expert tips on garden design, soil preparation and plant placement, Stunning inspirational photos of private and public gardens, "Insect ID" to help you identify helpful and harmful garden visitors, and cultivar reviews and recommendations
Organizations
NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION: NC State Extension helps create prosperity for North Carolina through programs and partnerships focused on agriculture and food, health and nutrition, and 4-H youth development.
SOUTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY,: Clemson Extension helps improve the quality of life of all South Carolinians by providing unbiased, research-based information through an array of public outreach programs in youth development; agribusiness; agriculture; food, nutrition and health; and natural resources.
SOUTH CAROLINA GREEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION: aka SOUTH CAROLINA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Supporting the green industry by providing education, marketing, legislative monitoring, & certification. Investing in research, environmental stewardship.
VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION: putting university knowledge into the hands of people. We are credible experts and educators who provide information, education, and tools you can use every day.
EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS: offers proven, unbiased information on a wide range of gardening sustainability and landscape topics.