AI-assisted practical guide. Examples are hypothetical; proposed workflows are editorial suggestions.
A regional native-plant list is a starting point for investigation, not a shopping order for every site. Build a shortlist that keeps unknowns visible until the actual garden conditions and plant identities have been checked.
Define the site first
Record the available space, observed light, maintenance access, and other practical constraints. Use appropriate guidance to investigate growing requirements rather than guessing from a common name. Keep the source and date of each recommendation.
Create an unknowns column for unresolved identity, suitability, availability, or care questions. Do not replace a missing answer with “probably fine.”
Compare a hypothetical pair
Imagine Candidate A appears on a regional list but its mature size conflicts with a narrow path. Candidate B fits the space but has an uncertain label. Neither should win simply because it has a familiar name. Resolve the relevant question or remove it from the current shortlist.
Keep the number of candidates manageable. A small list with documented reasons is more useful than an enormous collection of plants with no decision criteria.
Record the final choice
Save the selected identity, source, site assignment, and remaining care questions. Revisit the decision after establishment using actual observations. Regional suitability does not guarantee success in one garden, and successful growth does not by itself measure conservation impact. The shortlist should support a practical decision while preserving those limits.