Part I.  Choose and study three plant selection sites.
For this assignment, select and study three web sites that help with plant selections: two sites must be from the sites listed below and one must be a different site that you find.

A. http://www.sustland.umn.edu/plant/plantdata.asp
B. http://www.growit.com/plantinfo/landscape.htm
C. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder
D. http://bestplants.chicago-botanic.org/query_simple.htm

Part II. Use all three selection sites to help you select plants for the following scenario.
A retired couple in Pullman has hired you to select plants for them. They love to garden but are finding that they can’t maintain their garden like they used to.  They will also be gone for extended periods while traveling throughout the year. They need recommendations for low maintenance and somewhat drought tolerant plants to replace their current high maintenance plants and to fill in some of the turf areas they will be removing.

They need the following:

1. One evergreen groundcover that is under 12" and will grow in clay soil.
2.  Two perennial plants with flowers that attract butterflies: one for full sun and one for shade.
3.  Two deciduous shrubs with fragrant flowers and winter interest (such as attractive bark, showy fruit, or interesting form).
4.  One evergreen tree to use as a windbreak in full sun.
5.  One evergreen tree for partial shade that will contrast visually with the windbreak conifer.
6.  One deciduous tree, 30-40 feet tall, with fall color for full sun.

Part III.  Evaluating web selection sites.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using each of the three selection sites you studied. How accurate was the information available and the selections that were suggested? Was it easy to make a plant selection? Was there a large plant list available to make a good selection? What other type of methods would you choose instead of the Internet search? Why? What would you recommend to someone wanting help with selecting plants?

Answer Sheet (pdf)
Answer Sheet (html)