Landscape Plants for Alaska
Alaska Plant Selection Guide
Welcome
The Alaska Plant Selection Guide will identify the most suitable plants for gardens and open spaces throughout Alaska’s diverse landscapes. Trees, shrubs and other landscaping plants vary considerably in their ability to tolerate different site conditions, selecting the right plant for the right place increases the likelihood for plant survival. This tool focuses on plants that thrive in Alaska, from Zone 1 in the Interior and parts of Southcentral, to Zones 6 and 7 in Southeast Alaska. Plant information for this Guide has been developed cooperatively by the Alaska Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service, and the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Community Forestry Program. For the complete database, visit https://www.akasla.org/alaska-plants.
Plant Finder
Careful planning and site evaluation are critical in selecting the right plant for the right place. The Plant Data Base assists in finding trees and shrubs using several criteria including the horticultural needs of plants such as hardiness zones, light and water requirements and maintenance needs. The database also selects plants by plant size, whether plants are deciduous or evergreen and seasonal interest. Seasonal Interest is a bit subjective and refers to the time of year that plant is the most attractive or interesting – such as blooming, color changes or branching.
There are many other factors that affect plant growth including exposure to wind, temperature extremes, soil, drainage, utilities and proximity to roads, buildings and existing plants. The Plant a Tree Guide is a good resource to help when considering new trees.
To use the Plant Selection Guide start by selecting your hardiness zone; if you don’t know your zone, follow the link provided. Then choose the plant type and size, how much light and water is available and whether you want a low maintenance plant or one that requires more time and effort.
