The Polly Hill Arboretum (PHA) in West Tisbury recently launched a new online plant selection guide designed to choose plants to best fit the Vineyard landscape. PHA, with the support of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC), developed a searchable plant database targeted to municipalities, landscape architects, landscapers, professional gardeners, home gardeners, and garden centers on Martha’s Vineyard, according to a press release.
Searches are based on site conditions, native region, plant type, and plant characteristics. Each category has more detailed options, allowing individuals to tailor requests to their landscape or garden. In an effort to encourage plant selections based on appropriateness for the site, plants with the natural ability to thrive in an Island environment are listed. Plants not suitable for Island conditions, but widely used, are clearly noted in search results.
“The MVC and the Arboretum are both working to increase biodiversity, promote ecological integrity, and preserve the unique ecosystems of the Island,” the press release notes. The guide is available at plantfinder.pollyhillarboretum.org.
