Guilds in Permaculture are combinations of plants that support each other to create an interdependant ecosystem. Since every hardiness zone, microclimate within that zone and indigenous flora/fauna create different pressures, almost every single guild will be different and unique in its specifics.
General guidelines
Most guilds will have certain categories of plants. These categories can be thought of as 'niches' which need to be filled by at least one plant (or sometimes animal) to be a functioning ecosystem. Some categories are:
Elevation
- Canopy layer
- Bushes
- Shrubs
- Groundcover
Plant purpose
- Mediates extremes in temp/water (trees)
- Accumulator (of nutrients)
- Mulch producer
Area-specific Guilds
Hardiness Zone 1 Permaculture guilds: Z1 Hardiness Zone 2 Permaculture guilds: Z2 Hardiness Zone 3 Permaculture guilds: Z3 Hardiness Zone 4 Permaculture guilds: Z4 Hardiness Zone 5 Permaculture guilds: Z5 Hardiness Zone 6 Permaculture guilds: Z6 Hardiness Zone 7 Permaculture guilds: Z7 Hardiness Zone 8 Permaculture guilds: Z8 Hardiness Zone 9 Permaculture guilds: Z9 Hardiness Zone 10 Permaculture guilds: Z10 Hardiness Zone 11 Permaculture guilds: Z11 Hardiness Zone 12 Permaculture guilds: Z12