Native Plant List for Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi
Last updated: September 3, 2026
Native Plants for Alabama, Georgia & Mississippi
The Deep South is home to extraordinary plant diversity. From the longleaf pine savannas of southern Alabama to Georgia’s Piedmont forests and Mississippi’s coastal plain, this region supports native species that deliver year-round color, wildlife habitat, and serious toughness in the face of heat and humidity.
If you’ve ever struggled to keep non-native plants alive through a Southern summer — or watched your water bill climb from June to September — native plants are the answer. These species evolved here. They handle the clay soils, the drought-and-deluge cycle, and the long growing season without breaking a sweat.
How to Use This List
Plants are organized by type in the tables below: trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and ferns. Each entry includes sun, moisture, and soil preferences. Most species on this list thrive in USDA Zones 7a–9a, covering the bulk of AL, GA, and MS.
Pro tip: For maximum wildlife value, aim to include plants that bloom across different seasons. Spring-blooming native azaleas, summer coneflowers, and fall-blooming asters will keep pollinators fed from March through November.
See Also:
- Best Flowering Trees for Alabama
- Best Flowering Trees for Georgia
- Best Flowering Trees for Mississippi
- Best Shade Trees for Alabama
- Best Shade Trees for Georgia
- Find a Native Plant Nursery Near You
Native Trees
Georgia, Alabama & Mississippi - Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black maple | Acer nigrum | F-P | A | 60-80 ft | Like Sugar Maple but tolerates alkaline, clay soils |
| Striped Maple | Acer pensylvanicum | P-S | A-W | 16-33 ft | Shade-loving understory tree; striped bark, sex-changing flowers |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | F | W-D | 50–75 ft | Buds & young twigs are red; great foll color |
| Florida Maple | Acer Saccharum | F-P | A | 50–75 ft | Excellent fall color; produces maple syrup |
| Indigo Bush | Amorpha fruticosa | F-P | A-W | 6–18 ft | Fragrant compound foliage; 1/2" blue flwrs with orange |
| Paw Paw | Asimina triloba | P-S | A | 40 ft | Unique fruit resembles & tastes like banana |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | F | A-W | 40–70 ft | Modest yellow fall color; seed attracts birds |
| Ironwood | Carpinus caroliniana | P-S | W-A | 20–30 ft | Good street tree; yellow, orange & scarlet fall color |
| Water Hickory | Carya aquatica | F-P | W-A | 60-100 ft | Bottomland tree of flooded clay flats and sloughs; bitter inedible nut |
| Pecan | Carya illinoinensis | F | A-W | 70-100 ft | Large bottomland tree; needs 2nd tree to pollinate well |
| American Chestnut | Castanea dentata | F-P | A | 60–100 ft | Chestnut blight-susceptible; mostly stump sprouts now |
| Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | F-S | A-D | 20–30 ft | Clusters of pink flowers line branches in Apr |
| Pagoda Dogwood | Cornus alternifolia | P-S | W-D | 15–25 ft | Clusters of white flowers turn to black berries |
| Stiff Dogwood (Swamp Dogwood) | Cornus foemina | P-S | W-A | 30 ft | White flowers late spring; blue fleshy fruit in summer |
| American Smoke Tree | Cotinus obovatus | F-P | D | 20-30 ft | Rare on limestone glades; slow-growing; brilliant fall color |
| Parsley Hawthorne | Crataegus marshallii | P-F | W-A | 30 ft | White flwr clusters bloom in early spring; scarlet fruits |
| Mayhaw | Crataegus opaca | F | W-A | 35 ft | White flwr clusters (Feb); red fruit (Apr); thorny thicket |
| Green hawthorn | Crataegus viridis | F-P | A-W | 20-35 ft | Small tree, white spring flowers, red fruit holds into winter |
| Titi | Cyrilla racemiflora | F-P | W-A | 30 ft | White fragrant racemes (May-Jun); brown seeds persist |
| Loblolly Bay | Gordonia lasianthus | F-P | W | 40-60 ft | Evergreen wetland tree; needs constant moisture, acidic soil |
| Two-winged Silverbell | Halesia diptera | F-P | A | 15–30 ft | Small white flowers hang from branches in early spring |
| Cassine Holly | Ilex cassine | F-P | W-A | 30 ft | Abundant reddish-orange fruit produced in fall |
| Deciduous Holly | Ilex decidua | F | A-W | 25 ft | Bright red display of red fruits (on fem.) eaten by birds |
| American Holly | Ilex opaca | F-P | A-D | 20–40 ft | To ensure fruit one male is needed per 2-3 females |
| Yaupon Holly | Ilex vomitoria | F-P | W-D | 30 ft | Fem. plants bear red fruit in fall that persists in winter |
| Butternut | Juglans cinerea | F | A | 40-60 ft | Edible nuts; declining from butternut canker disease |
| Sweetgum | Liquidambar styraciflua | F | W-A | 60–85 ft | Brilliant scarlet-red to red-purple fall color |
| Tulip Tree | Liriodendron tulipifera | F | A | 70–90 ft | Large tulip-like flowers are yellow, green, & orange |
| Fraser Magnolia | Magnolia fraseri | P-S | A | 30–50 ft | Huge fragrant flowers; rose-pink fruit; needs moist cove soil |
| Southern Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | F-S | A | 100 ft | Large white flwrs (spring) become scarlet seeds (sum.) |
| Bigleaf Magnolia | Magnolia macrophylla | P-F | A-W | 30-40 ft | Largest native leaf & flower; needs shelter from wind, rich moist soil |
| Sweet Bay Magnolia | Magnolia virginiana | P-F | W-A | 60 ft | White fragrant flwrs (spring) become red seeds (sum.) |
| Southern Crabapple | Malus angustifolia | F-P | D-A | 30 ft | Pink blooms (spring) become sm. apples that birds eat |
| Wax Myrtle | Myrica cerifera | F-P | W-A | 25 ft | Small blue-grey fruits on females last through winter |
| Water Tupelo | Nyssa aquatica | F-P | W | 80–100 ft | Swamp tree with buttressed base; source of tupelo honey |
| Black Gum | Nyssa sylvatica | F | A-D | 30–60 ft | Scarlet red autumn color |
| Swamp Bay | Persea palustris | F-P | W-A | 40 ft | Wildlife eats fruit; leaves used from seasoning cuisine |
| Sand Pine | Pinus clausa | F | A-D | 15-65 ft | Florida scrub endemic; fire-adapted, serotinous cones |
| Slash Pine | Pinus elliottii | F | A-W | 60-80 ft | Fast-growing wet-flatwoods pine; tolerates seasonal standing water |
| Spruce Pine | Pinus glabra | F-P | D-A | 70 ft | Short, twisted yellow-grn needles in pairs, oak-like bark |
| Longleaf Pine | Pinus palustris | F | D-A | 100 ft or more | Long needles; slow, above ground growth when estab. |
| Pitch Pine | Pinus rigida | F | D-A | 40–60 ft | Fire-adapted conifer for sandy, rocky, or barren infertile sites |
| Pond Pine | Pinus serotina | F | W-A | 40-70 ft | Wet, acidic soil; fire-adapted; crooked form; coastal plain NJ-AL |
| Chickasaw Plum | Prunus angustifolia | F-P | A-D | 6–25 ft | Thorny thicket-forming plum; early white bloom, red-orange fruit |
| Cherry Laurel | Prunus caroliniana | F-P | D | 30 ft | Small white flwrs (spring) become black fruits (fall) |
| Mexican Plum | Prunus mexicana | F-P | A-D | 15-25 ft | Fragrant early white bloom; exfoliating bark; plums feed wildlife |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | F-P | D | 50–80 ft | Messy tree; sm.l edible berries in sumer attracts birds |
| White Oak | Quercus alba | F-P | D | 60–90 ft | Brown, red, wine fall color; acorns attract birds/squirrels |
| Cherrybark Oak | Quercus falcata | F-S | W-A | 70–90 ft | Flaky. reddish bark; good street tree |
| Darlington Oak | Quercus hemisphaerica | F | D-A | 60-80 ft | Fast, semi-evergreen; sandy soil; avoid spring pruning (oak wilt) |
| Shingle Oak | Quercus imbricaria | F | A-W | 50-65 ft | Willow-like unlobed leaves; tolerates clay/wet soil; avoid spring cuts |
| Turkey Oak | Quercus laevis | F | D | 20-30 ft | Deep dry sand only; sandhill/scrub specialist, poor in garden soil |
| Overcup Oak | Quercus lyrata | F | A-W | 40-60 ft | Bottomland tree; flood-tolerant; acorn cup encloses most of nut |
| Blackjack Oak | Quercus marilandica | F | A-D | 20–50 ft | Tolerates poor, dry, rocky soil; very slow-growing |
| Swamp Chestnut Oak | Quercus michauxii | F-P | W-A | 80–95 ft | Reliable red fall color contrast with light gray bark |
| Chinkapin Oak | Quercus muehlenbergii | F-P | A-D | 40-60 ft | Limestone-loving shade tree; sweet low-tannin acorns feed wildlife |
| Water Oak | Quercus nigra | F-P | A-W | 50–80 ft | Fast-growing oak; weak wood, short-lived; heavy acorn producer |
| Nuttall Oak | Quercus nuttallii | F-P | W-A | 70–85 ft | Acorn production heaviest every 4-7 yrs; good shade |
| Willow Oak | Quercus phellos | F-S | W-A | 75–90 ft | Beautiful shade tree; good street tree; high branching |
| Shumard Oak | Quercus shumardii | F-P | A | 60-100 ft | Fast-growing large shade tree, tolerant of alkaline soil |
| Live Oak | Quercus virginiana | F-S | D-A | 70–95 ft | Short thick trunk with picturesque horizontal branching |
| Winged Sumac | Rhus coppalina | F | D-W | 30 ft | Pyramidal yellow-green flwr spike with red berries in fall |
| Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia | F-P | A-D | 30–50 ft | Fast nitrogen-fixer; suckers freely; toxic parts; Appalachian/Ozark |
| Cabbage Palm | Sabal palmetto | F-P | A-D | 40–60 ft | Slow-growing coastal palm; salt, wind and drought tolerant |
| Pond Cypress | Taxodium ascendens | F-P | W-A | 45 ft | Useful for soil stabilization at water edges |
| Bald Cypress | Taxodium distichum | F-P | W-D | 65–90 ft | Reddish, peeling bark and rusty fall color |
| Winged Elm | Ulmus alata | F-P | D | 80 ft | Corky wings often appear on its branches |
| Cedar Elm | Ulmus crassifolia | F-P | W-A | 80 ft | Excellent street tree; late summer flowers, fall fruit |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | F-P | A | 40-60 ft | Fast shade tree; mucilaginous inner bark; some Dutch elm disease risk |
Native Shrubs
Georgia, Alabama & Mississippi - Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottlebrush Buckeye | Aesculus parviflora | F-P | A | 6–10 ft | 6-24" spikes of flwrs; yell. fall color; attracts hummers |
| Roundleaf Serviceberry | Amelanchier sanguinea | F-P | A-D | 4-10 ft | Thicket-forming shrub for dry, sandy or rocky soil; sweet edible fruit |
| Climbing Aster | Ampelaster carolinianus | F-P | A-W | 4-12 ft | Scrambling shrub; fall lavender blooms; wants moisture, support |
| American Beautyberry | Callicarpa americana | F-P | D-A | 4–6 ft | Sm. white-pink flwrs become berries that attract birds |
| Sweetshrub | Calycanthus floridus | F-S | A | 6–10 ft | Interesting red or maroon strawberry scented flowers |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | F-P | W | 6–12 ft | Fragrant flower clusters attract hummingbirds |
| Fringetree | Chionanthus virginicus | F-P | D-A | 20 ft | White blooms (spring); fruit for wildlife; yellow fall color |
| Summersweet | Clethra alnifolia | F-P | W-A | 2–4 ft | Ivory white fragrant blooms in summer |
| Buckwheat Tree | Cliftonia monophylla | F-P | W-D | 20 ft | Terminal white flwr clusters (winter); persist until spring |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida | F-S | D-A | 25–30 ft | White flowers in spring become bird-attracting berries |
| Trailing Arbutus | Epigaea repens | P-S | A | 4-6 in | Fragrant evergreen groundcover; acidic soil; never dig from wild |
| Coralbean | Erythrina herbacea | F-P | D-A | 3-10 ft | Scarlet spring flowers before leaves; toxic seeds; thorny stems |
| Dwarf Fothergilla | Fothergilla gardenii | F-P | A-W | 2-3 ft | Fragrant spring blooms; brilliant fall color; needs moist acidic soil |
| Witch Alder | Fothergilla major | F-P | A | 6–10 ft | Showy, fragrant flowers in spring |
| Dwarf Huckleberry | Gaylussacia dumosa | F-P | D-W | 4 ft | Small pink flowers become edible fruit; red fall color |
| Witch Hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | F-S | A-D | 8–20 ft | Golden yellow flowers in fall; spectactular fall color |
| Oakleaf Hydrangea | Hydrangea quercifolia | P-S | A | 6 ft | Oak-like leaves turn purple in fall; large white flowers |
| Bigleaf Gallberry Holly | Ilex coriacea | F-P | W-D | 15 ft | Large black fruit used by wildlife; good border plant |
| Winterberry Holly | Ilex verticillata | F-P | W-A | 6–10 ft | White flowers bloom in spring; berries persist in winter |
| Star Anise | Illicium floridanum | S-P | D-A | 8 ft | Maroon starry flowers (spring); heavily scented leaves |
| Virginia Sweetspire | Itea virginica | F-P | W-D | 3–6 ft | White blooms early-sum; red/orange/maroon fall color |
| Mountain Laurel | Kalmia latifolia | F-P | D-W | 5 ft | Terminal white flower clusters (Apr-May); wine fall color |
| Coastal Doghobble | Leucothoe axillaris | P-S | A-W | 3–4 ft | Small fragrant white flwr clusters late winter-mid spring |
| Lyonia | Lyonia lucida | P-S | A-W | 3–6 ft | Small, nodding bell-shaped white flowers in spring |
| Staggerbush | Lyonia mariana | F-P | A-D | 2-6 ft | Needs dry, sandy, acidic soil; avoid clay and lime |
| Turk's Cap | Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii | P-S | A | 2–6 ft | Shade-tolerant; red hummingbird flowers; dies back in freeze |
| American Sweet Olive | Osmanthus americanus | F-P | D-A | 20 ft | Small, white lightly fragrant flowers in early spring |
| Needle Palm | Rhapidophyllum hystrix | P-S | A | 3–6 ft | Cold-hardy native shrub palm; sharp needles at base; shade |
| Yellow Native Azalea | Rhododendron austrinum | P-S | D-A | 12 ft | Rich yellow or orange blooms for 3 weeks (Apr-May) |
| Honeysuckle Azalea | Rhododendron canescens | P-S | D-A | 12 ft | Large, fragrant,flwr clusters form white-pink (Mar-Apr) |
| Summer Azalea | Rhododendron serrulatum | P-S | A-W | 15 ft | Extremely fragrant white flowers (Jun-Aug) |
| Staghorn Sumac | Rhus typhina | F-P | D-A | 20 ft | Red fall color; green flwr clusters become red fruit |
| Black Raspberry | Rubus occidentalis | F-P | A | 3-6 ft | Fast-spreading edge bramble; cut spent canes after fruiting |
| Dwarf Palmetto | Sabal minor | F-S | D-W | 6 ft | Tropical leaves; round black fruit persists into winter |
| Saw Palmetto | Serenoa repens | F-P | A-D | 3-8 ft | Slow-growing evergreen understory palm; sharp saw-toothed petioles |
| Three-Toothed Cinquefoil | Sibbaldiopsis tridentata | F-P | A-D | 2-6 in | Evergreen mat for rocky, lean soil; rare/high-elev only south of VA |
| Snowbell | Styrax americanus | F-P | W-A | 10 ft | Numerous small white flowers (Apr-May) |
| Poison Sumac | Toxicodendron vernix | F-P | W | 6-30 ft | Severely allergenic wetland shrub; identification only, do not plant |
| Tree Huckleberry | Vaccinium arboreum | F-P | D-A | 20 ft | Bell-shaped white flwrs; berries for wildlife, red fall color |
| Elliott's Blueberry | Vaccinium elliottii | F-P | A-W | 12 ft | White flwrs (Mar-May); edible black fruit; red fall color |
| Arrow-wood Viburnum | Viburnum dentatum | F-P | D-A | 5–9 ft | Flowers May-Jun; small blue-black berries in fall |
| Adam's Needle | Yucca filamentosa | F-P | A-D | 2-3 ft (flower stalk to 8 ft) | Evergreen rosette; curly leaf filaments; tall white flower spike |
Native Perennials & Wildflowers
Georgia, Alabama & Mississippi - Flowering Perennials
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doll's eyes | Actaea alba | P-S | A | 12–30 in | Sm. white flwrs (Apr-May); poisonous berries (Aug-Sep) |
| Red Baneberry | Actaea rubra | P-S | A | 24 in | 1/2" puffy white flowers become red poisonous berries |
| White Snakeroot | Ageratina altissima | P-S | A-W | 1-4 ft | Toxic woodland perennial; part shade, moist soil; spreads by rhizome |
| Nodding Wild Onion | Allium cernuum | F-P | A-D | 8–20 in | Dry soil; nodding white-pink summer flowers; deer resistant |
| Narrowleaf Bluestar | Amsonia ciliata | F-P | D-A | 1.5-2 ft | Thread-like foliage; blue flowers; gold fall color; deer-proof |
| Wood Anemone | Anemone quinquefolia | P-S | A | 4–8 in | Spring-ephemeral groundcover; toxic sap, disappears by early summer |
| Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | S-F | A-D | 24–36 in | Interesting red/yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Wild Sarsaparilla | Aralia nudicaulis | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | Rhizomatous woodland ground cover; white umbels, dark berries |
| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | P-S | A | 12 in or more | Spathe appears Mar-May; red berries late sum-fall |
| Goat's Beard | Aruncus dioicus | P-S | A | 4–6 ft | 6-10" plumes of small cream-colored flowers |
| Wild Ginger | Asarum canadense | S | A | 4–6 in | Evergreen groundcover, glossy heart-shaped leaves |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepia tuberosa | F-P | A | 24–36 in | Clusters of brilliant orange flowers attract butterflies |
| Wild Hyacinth | Camassia scilloides | P-F | A-D | 18 in | Spike of light blue flowers; bulb |
| Blue Cohosh | Caulophyllum thalictroides | P-S | A | 12–24 in | Small yellow-green flowers, clusters of blue berries |
| Rose Turtlehead | Chelone obliqua | F-P | A-W | 2-3 ft | Late-summer hooded pink flowers; bumblebee favorite for moist soil |
| Green n' Gold | Chrysogonum virginianum | F-P | A | 8 in | Large yellow flowers contrast green foliage spring-fall |
| Water Hemlock | Cicuta maculata | F-P | W | 3-6 ft | Extremely toxic; wetlands/ditches only, not for gardens |
| Cohosh | Cimifuga racemosa | P-S | A | 3–8 ft | Long slender clusters of white flowers in sum & fall |
| Spring Beauty | Claytonia virginica | P | A | 5–10 in | 5-petaled white flowers with pink veins bloom Feb-May |
| Bead Lily | Clintonia umbellulata | P-S | A | 24–36 in | Oval-shaped basal leaves; white flowers; ground cover |
| Atlantic Pigeonwings | Clitoria mariana | F-P | D | 1–2 ft | Twining vine; dry sandy/rocky soil; showy upright lavender flowers |
| Large-flowered Coreopsis | Coreopsis grandiflora | F-P | A-D | 1-2 ft | Short-lived perennial, self-seeds readily; lean sandy soil |
| Threadleaf Coreopsis | Coreopsis verticillata | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Fine thread-like foliage; long summer bloom; spreads by rhizomes |
| Pink Lady Slipper | Cypripedium acaule | P-S | A | 8–12 in | Distinctive red-streaked pink pouch; challenge to grow |
| Yellow Lady Slipper | Cypripedium parviflorum | P | A | 18–24 in | Distinctive yellow pouch |
| Shooting Star | Dodecathion meadia | F-P | D-A | 10–16 in | Delicate white to pink petals, red & yellow centers |
| Mist Flower | Eupatorium coelestinum | F-P | A | 12–36 in | Dense clusters of blue flowers late summer until frost |
| Sweet Joe-Pye Weed | Eutrochium purpureum (syn. Eupatorium purpureum) | F-P | A | 5–7 ft | Large pink flowers attract butterflies in droves Aug-Sep |
| Queen of the Prairie | Filipendula rubra | F-P | A | 4–5 ft | Showy large pink plumes Jun-Jul |
| Wild Strawberry | Fragaria virginiana | F-P | A | 6 in | Spring flowers become tasty fruit in early summer |
| Galax | Galax urceolata | P-S | A | 6–12 in (flowers to 2.5 ft) | Evergreen Appalachian groundcover; white flower wands; shade |
| Hairy Alumroot | Heuchera villosa | P-S | A-D | 8-12 in (to 3 ft bloom) | Rock-dwelling native parent of 'Bronze Wave' & other cultivars |
| Swamp Hibiscus | Hibiscus coccineus | F | A-W | 6–8 ft | 6" wide red flwrs are striking against large bold leaves |
| Spider Lily | Hymenocallis caroliniana | P-F | A | 8–12 in | Beautiful unusual white flowers with six protrusions |
| Crested Iris | Iris cristata | F-P | D-A | 5–10 in | Pale lavender-blue crested flowers Apr-May |
| Red Flag | Iris fulva | F-P | A | 24–36 in | Large copper flwrs in late spring; attracts hummingbirds |
| Blazing Star | Liatris spicata | F | A | 2–5 ft | Bright pink-purple stalks of interesting flowers |
| Yellow Bell Lily | Lilium canadense | F | W-A | 6 ft | 3" yellow-orange flowers with dark spots; beautiful! |
| Turks Cap Lily | Lilium superbum | F-P | A | 4–6 ft | Gorgeous orange & yellow flowers; AM sun, PM shade |
| Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis | F-P | A | 2–4½ ft | Terminal clusters of bright red 1.5" flowers in fall |
| Great Blue Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | F-P | A | 12–24 in | Elongated clusters pale to dark blue flowers; late sum |
| Coral Honeysuckle | Lonicera sempervirens | F-P | A | 15–25 ft | Coral-red-yellow trumpet-shaped flwrs; berries for birds |
| Wild Lily of the Valley | Maianthemum canadense | P-S | A | 1–3 in | White flowers in spring; red berries in late summer |
| Virginia Bluebells | Mertensia virginica | P-S | A | 12–24 in | Pink flower buds open to sky blue flowers Mar-Apr |
| Spotted Beebalm | Monarda punctata | F | D | 1-3 ft | Thyme-scented; purple-spotted flowers draw wasps and bees |
| Forget-me-not | Myosotis scorpiodes | P | A | 4–24 in | Long flowering period of May-September |
| Eastern Prickly-pear | Opuntia humifusa | F | D | 4–12 in (spreads 2–6 ft) | Native cactus, yellow flowers, sharp glochids, sandy/rocky soil |
| Yellow wood sorrel | Oxalis stricta | F-S | W-A | 4-12 in | Weedy native groundcover; oxalate leaves, not for eating |
| Allegheny Spurge | Pachysandra procumbens | P-S | A | 9–12 in | Mottled purple leaves; flowers are white with pink tinge |
| Woodland Phlox | Phlox divaricata | F-S | A | 12–16 in | Covered with 1.5" soft pink/lavender flowers in spring |
| Spotted Phlox | Phlox maculata | F-P | A-W | 2-3 ft | Fragrant pink wet-meadow perennial; blooms June-Aug |
| Trailing Phlox | Phlox nivalis | F-P | D | 4-8 in | Mat-forming sandhill groundcover; needs sharp drainage |
| Texas Frogfruit | Phyla nodiflora | F-P | W-D | 2-6 in, spreading 3+ ft | Mat-forming lawn alternative; butterfly host; tolerates mowing |
| Jacob's Ladder | Polemonium reptans | S | A | 12–18 in | Terminal clusters of light blue, bell-shaped flowers, spr |
| Orange Coneflower | Rudbeckia fulgida | F-P | A-W | 18-36 in | Long-blooming rhizomatous native; good pollinator & finch food plant |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | F-P | A | 24–36 in | 2-4" flower heads with 10-20 bright yellow petals |
| Sweet Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia subtomentosa | F-P | A-W | 3-6 ft | Fragrant foliage, long bloom; prefers consistently moist soil |
| Wild Petunia | Ruellia humilis | F-P | D-A | 6-18 in | Low bushy prairie/glade native; drought-tolerant, butterfly host plant |
| Purple Pitcher Plant | Sarracenia purpurea | F-P | W | 4-12 in (rosette) | Carnivorous bog obligate; needs sphagnum/peat & rainwater |
| Oconee Bells | Shortia galacifolia | P-S | A | 3–6 in | Bell-shaped flower (early spr); evergreen ground cover |
| Fire Pink | Silene virginica | F-P | D-A | 10–16 in | Deep red star-like flowers draw hummingbirds Apr-May |
| Tall Goldenrod | Solidago altissima | F-P | A-D | 3–7 ft | Spreads by rhizome; vital late-season pollinator nectar source |
| Indian Pink | Spigelia marilandica | P-S | A | 12–24 in | Showy red tubular flowers with yellow on the inside |
| Celadine Poppy | Stylophorum diphyllum | S | A | 16–24 in | 2" wide lemon-yellow flowers |
| Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | P-S | A-W | 6-12 in | Spreading woodland groundcover; frothy white spring bloom, shade only |
| Virginia Spiderwort | Tradescantia virginiana | F-P | A-W | 1-2 ft | Grass-like clumps; purple flowers close by afternoon |
| White Trillium | Trillium grandiflorum | S-P | A | 8–16 in | Showy white flower turns pink, has 3 petals; 3 leaves |
| Blue Violet | Viola papilionacea | P-S | A | 6–12 in | Excellent ground cover with purple flowers in the spring |
| Barren Strawberry | Waldsteinia fragarioides | P-S | A | 3-6 in | Evergreen woodland groundcover; yellow flowers; fruit not edible |
| American Wisteria | Wisteria frutescens | F-P | A | 30 ft | Large shrub vine with fragrant blue or pink flwr clusters |
Native Grasses & Sedges
Georgia, Alabama & Mississippi -Perennial Ferns
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Maidenhair | Adiantum pedatum | P-S | A | 18–36 in | Airy fan-shaped green fronds, delicate black stems |
| Ebony Spleenwort | Asplenium platyneuron | P-S | A | 6–12 in | Small evergreen fern; dark green foliage; shiny stem |
| Lady Fern | Athyrium felix-femina | S | A-W | 18–24 in | Delicate lacy arching fronds, red stems when mature |
| Rattlesnake Fern | Botrychium virginianum | P-S | A | 30 in | Deciduous ferm retains primitive features; one frond |
| Hay-scented Fern | Dennstaedtia punctilobula | P-S | A | 12–24 in | Fronds small like hay when crushed |
| Marginal Fern | Dryopteris marginalis | P-S | A-W | 18–24 in | Evergreen fern; gray-green, deeply cut leathery fronds |
| Ostrich Fern | Matteuccia struthiopteris | P | A | 3–4 ft | Large, lustrous green arching fronds resemble a palm |
| Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis | F-P | W | 12–24 in | Deeply pinnate.leaves; poisonous to livestock |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea | P-S | A-W | 2–4 ft | Clusters of arching fronds; fertile fronds are brown |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | P | A-W | 2–6 ft | Bi-pinnate blade; pinnea resemble locust tree leaves |
| Christmas Fern | Polystichum acrostichoides | P-S | A | 12–36 in | Stiff deep green fronds are once-pinnate |
| New York Fern | Thelypteris noveboracensis | P-S | A-D | 12–18 in | Light green foliage; fronds are tapered at both ends |
| Marsh Fern | Thelypteris palustris | F-P | W | 1-2.5 ft | Spreads by rhizome; wetland fern, tolerates more sun than most ferns |
| Netted Chain Fern | Woodwardia areolata | P-S | W-A | 18–24 in | Broadly triangular, deeply cut sterile fronds; striking |
Resources
| Sun Exposure | Soil Moisture | Drought Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| F = Full Sun | W = Wet | E = Excellent |
| P = Part Sun | A = Average | G = Good |
| S = Shade | D = Dry | M = Moderate |
| P = Poor |
Get Started
Fall is actually the best planting season in the Deep South — cooler temperatures and winter rains help roots establish before the heat returns. Start with a mix of native trees and shrubs for structure, then fill in with perennials and grasses for color and texture. Your local native plant nursery is the best source for regionally adapted stock — find one near you.
Looking for a nursery that carries native Alabama, Georgia & Mississippi plants?
Browse our native plant nursery directory: Alabama · Georgia · Mississippi
