United States regional guide · WV
Permaculture in West Virginia
West Virginia’s steep Appalachian terrain creates cool ridges, sheltered hollows, abundant streams, and frequent microclimates. Slope stability, access, shade, and water movement are as important as the statewide hardiness range.
USDA span
5b–7b
Census region
South
Climate starting point
USDA hardiness zones in West Virginia
West Virginia includes USDA zones 5b–7b. Hardiness zones describe typical annual extreme minimum temperatures; within-state elevation, wind, water, soil, and urban heat can change what succeeds on a particular site.
Regional plant starting points
Plants to explore for a West Virginia design
These plants are useful starting points for researching a design in West Virginia. Confirm each choice against your exact zone, site conditions, local ecology, and management goals.
Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
- Layer
- Sub-Canopy
- Type
- Deciduous Tree
American Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
- Layer
- Canopy
- Type
- Deciduous Tree
Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
- Layer
- Shrub
- Type
- Perennial
American Hazelnut
Corylus americana
- Layer
- Shrub
- Type
- Perennial
American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
- Layer
- Shrub
- Type
- Perennial
Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata
- Layer
- Canopy
- Type
- Deciduous Tree