Back in 2012, a thread was discussed about including Minimum and Maximum Hardiness Zones for plants in the plant database. Dave made it happen. I've noticed when entries are made that information isn't being put in. With a little research the information is available and should be required with each plant entry. Just saying.

Ok I understand that posts of unID'd plants are added to plant database but once a name is given, min and max zones should be added.

Thoughts?

Information in the database is recorded by us the NGA members on a volunteer basis. To require that we research and enter certain "required" information would cause a lot of members to stop supplying information. While it would be nice to see that and other key data entered, I'm sure Dave appreciates any and all information that we provide, even if it is not complete.

Another issue is that it's not necessarily easy to find out this information for many hybrid cultivars, especially if they're quite old or very new. Hybrids from parent species that tolerate very different environments are especially tricky, since you can't even use the parents as a guide.

I would much rather have incomplete entries than no or incorrect entries.

While we encourage each member to contribute, we certainly don't require it. If this information is something you feel is easy to find @Lioba, then perhaps you would consider adding that information to the database entries? If not, then that is totally ok as well.

I suppose if I'm interested in a plant and the information is missing, I could do the research and add it. @robertduval14 How would I do that?

@Australis, I get what you are saying. I think though some information might be better than none, like you know it grows in Zone # - Zone #. Later that can be changed if folks have tried and failed. Like roses for example, I live in Zone 5a, notorious for killing roses but we have an heirloom rose that grows faithfully and invasive roses that drive us crazy. I have a rose bush that attempts to bloom but once it gets ready to produce it gets too cold. Its a beautiful bush. Is that success? Eh. Would I put it to Zone 5a, no.

I do love that this site is community based/information based/shared experiences. My problem is I don't have the time to hang out and ask questions, post pictures to get better answers. Although sometimes I just need you guys for the gardening fix and have to take the time. Thank you for your time and a kick in the pants.

Lioba said:I suppose if I'm interested in a plant and the information is missing, I could do the research and add it. @robertduval14 How would I do that?

EZ-PZ...

When you are on any plants page in the database...we'll use Japanese Honeysuckle as an example...
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Now, when on a that (or any) plants page look at the left side of the screen, there are a few menus on the screen. Click on the one that says 'Edit Data Details'...
https://garden.org/plants/prop...

From that page changes can be made to the plant's database page. Once you finish making changes you will have a chance to review your changes and then confirm them.

Once the plant admins have reviewed your changes they will be added to the database.

Thank you for the information. I just was researching bleeding hearts and Cornell spelled the species name wrong. Ooops. Can't always rely on the experts.

Lioba, some of that anecdotal information like you have with your roses can be really useful to other gardeners. If you are talking about a specific cultivar, you can add that information by going to the plant in the database, scroll down to the the comments section below the photos and post your comments. Or below that is another place to file a plant performance report, which is a more structured form but also has room for general comments. As you have noted, more information is better than less.

No need to scroll down below the photos, it's all on the left side, on the desk top view anyway..

Thanks Sue for pointing that out - I sometimes go about things the round-about way because I don't always pay attention to how well laid out this site is. It's OK though - I always look at the pictures so I'm down there anyway!