West Virginia Climate Snapshot
Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden
Hardiness Zones
5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
Annual Rainfall
35-50 inches annually
Frost Window
April-October
Water Notes
Moderate rainfall; variable by elevation
Popular Landscaping Styles
Discover design styles perfectly suited to West Virginia's unique climate and landscape
Alpine and conifer plants
Key Features:
- ā¢Evergreens
- ā¢Rock gardens
- ā¢Cold hardiness
- ā¢Stone features
River valley landscapes
Key Features:
- ā¢Fruit trees
- ā¢Vegetables
- ā¢Flowers
- ā¢Rich soil
Woodland and shade plants
Key Features:
- ā¢Native trees
- ā¢Spring ephemerals
- ā¢Moisture-loving plants
- ā¢Naturalistic
Traditional mountain style
Key Features:
- ā¢Vegetable gardens
- ā¢Berry patches
- ā¢Hardy trees
- ā¢Practical design
Recommended Plant Palettes
Native and adapted plants that thrive in West Virginia's climate
Rhododendron
Rhododendron maximum
State flower; large evergreen shrub
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
State tree; fall color
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Native evergreen
Trillium
Trillium spp.
Spring woodland flower
Peony
Paeonia spp.
Spring flowering shrub
Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
Reliable summer bloomers
Hostas
Hosta spp.
Shade-loving perennials
Siberian Iris
Iris sibirica
Cold-hardy iris
Red Spruce
Picea rubens
Native conifer
Balsam Fir
Abies balsamea
Native evergreen
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Evergreen shrub
Wild Blueberries
Vaccinium spp.
Native berry shrubs
Seasonal Garden Checklist
Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful West Virginia garden
Plant spring bulbs
Winter protection
Start seeds indoors
Plant cool-season crops
Plant trees and shrubs
Plant warm-season vegetables
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about landscaping in West Virginia
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