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The Perennial Garden Library

Search the language of gardening and botany, hear terms and definitions aloud, use voice search when your hands are busy, and explore trusted books, databases, gardens and research resources from one place.

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One Search. The Entire Garden Library.

Search plants, botanical terms, scientific names, synonyms, books, databases, podcasts, gardens and trusted resources from one place.

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My Garden Library

Save plants, garden terms and trusted resources while you research. This free version saves on this device; account syncing can be added later.

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Saved Plants

Saved Garden Terms

Saved Resources

Perennial Plant Records

Search verified plant names, common names, families and historical synonyms from the Perennial Garden Library.

Verified Plant Profile

Family
Common names
Current taxonomy
Verification
Historical / synonym names

Growing & Garden Information

Garden Use, Ecology & Trusted Resources

Select a plant to load an openly licensed reference image when available.
Loading verified plant profiles…Verified against World Flora Online • June 2026
Plant data note: taxonomy is verified against World Flora Online. Practical growing characteristics are added where an exact USDA NRCS PLANTS record exists. NRCS describes its Conservation Plant Characteristics as approximate nationwide values; missing information is left blank rather than invented. Cold-tolerance zone estimates are clearly marked as estimates, not official USDA hardiness-zone ratings.

Garden & Botanical Dictionary

Search horticulture, plant anatomy, botanical Latin, scientific naming, soil, propagation, plant health and more.

Related terms
Terminology foundation references: USDA Forest Service Botanical Glossary · NAL Agricultural Thesaurus
Openly licensed reference image will appear here when available.
Pronunciation note: browser speech is used for this first version so the feature remains free. Botanical and scientific pronunciation can vary by region and professional tradition; pronunciation overrides can be added term-by-term where needed.
Beyond the Dictionary

Garden Resource Center

Curated gateways to reliable plant information, open biodiversity literature, university gardening tools and botanical collections. External resources open in a new tab so your Perennial Library stays open.

Plant Database

USDA PLANTS Database

Standardized U.S. plant names, taxonomy, symbols, distribution, characteristics, images and plant guides.

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Scientific Terminology

NAL Agricultural Thesaurus

USDA National Agricultural Library concepts, definitions, synonyms and broader/narrower scientific relationships.

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Free Books

Biodiversity Heritage Library

Open access biodiversity books and journals from natural-history and botanical library collections around the world.

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University Extension

NC State Plant Toolbox

Search plants by name, traits, landscape use, wildlife value and growing conditions through an Extension-maintained tool.

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Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden

Explore garden collections, plant research, horticultural displays and botanical resources from a major research garden.

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Botanical Terms

US Forest Service Glossary

A USDA Forest Service glossary focused on technical botanical language used in plant identification and description.

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Perennial Tool

My Growing Zone

Find your USDA hardiness zone and connect it to seasonal planning inside Perennial Home & Gardens.

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Perennial Tool

Plant Companions

Compare practical planting relationships, compatible neighbors and combinations that deserve caution.

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Perennial Tool

Seasonal Calendar

Turn garden knowledge into month-by-month action based on zone, season and garden focus.

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MY GARDEN