Native Plants

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.

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
Mockernut Hickory	Carya tomentosa	F-P	A-D	50-80 ft	Slow-growing; thick-shelled nuts; very dry-tolerant on uplands
American Chestnut	Castanea dentata	F-P	A	60–100 ft	Chestnut blight-susceptible; mostly stump sprouts now
Southern Catalpa	Catalpa bignonioides	F-P	A-W	30-40 ft	Showy white flowers, cigar-like pods; native only to Gulf Coast
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
Franklin Tree	Franklinia alatamaha	F-P	A	10-20 ft	Extinct in wild since ~1803; late-summer flowers, fall color
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
Sweet Crabapple	Malus coronaria	F-P	A	15-30 ft	Fragrant pink spring blooms; sour fruit feeds birds; forms thickets
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.
Table Mountain Pine	Pinus pungens	F	D	20-40 ft	Rocky ridgetops only; spiny serotinous cones; fire-adapted
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
Chapman Oak	Quercus chapmanii	F-P	A-D	6-25 ft, usually under 15 ft in scrub	Florida scrub oak; deep sand; key scrub-jay & tortoise habitat
Cherrybark Oak	Quercus falcata	F-S	W-A	70–90 ft	Flaky. reddish bark; good street tree
Sand Live Oak	Quercus geminata	F	A-D	20–40 ft	Scrubby evergreen oak for dry sand; scrub-jay habitat plant
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
Bluejack Oak	Quercus incana	F	D	30-50 ft	Slow-growing sandhill tree for deep, dry sand only
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
Oglethorpe Oak	Quercus oglethorpensis	F-P	A-W	60-80 ft	IUCN Endangered; wet clay only; nursery-propagated stock only
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
Swamp Post Oak	Quercus similis	F	W-A	50-80 ft	Bottomland oak for wet, calcareous soils; slow-growing, long-lived
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
Coastal Plain Willow	Salix caroliniana	F-P	W	15–30 ft	Fast wet-site tree for streambanks and pond edges; not for dry soil
Gum Bumelia	Sideroxylon lanuginosum	F-P	A-D	20-40 ft	Tough, soil-adaptable shade tree; fragrant late-summer bloom; spiny
Mountain Camellia	Stewartia ovata	P-S	A-W	10–20 ft	Rare Appalachian understory tree; large white summer flowers, shade
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
Florida Torreya	Torreya taxifolia	P-S	A-W	15–40 ft (historically; wild plants now usually smaller due to blight)	Fed. endangered; conservation-nursery stock only, never wild-collected
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
Sea Oxeye Daisy	Borrichia frutescens	F	W-A	1–3 ft	Salt-marsh subshrub; tolerant of tidal flooding and salt spray
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
Swamp Loosestrife	Decodon verticillatus	F-P	W	3-8 ft	Wetland shrub for pond margins; tolerates standing water
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
Swamp Privet	Forestiera acuminata	F-P	W-A	10-20 ft	Wetland shrub; tolerates standing water; blooms before leaves
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
Swamp Jessamine	Gelsemium rankinii	P-S	W-A	10-20 ft climbing vine	Toxic wetland vine; unscented flowers, needs wet acidic soil
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
Longstalk Holly	Ilex collina	P-F	W-A	6-13 ft	Rare deciduous bog holly, long red fruit stalks; needs wet acidic soil
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
Gopher Apple	Licania michauxii	F-P	D	6-12 in	Spreading groundcover; favorite food of gopher tortoise
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
Mountain Fetterbush	Pieris floribunda	P-S	A	3-6 ft	Toxic evergreen; smooth leaves, upright flowers unlike Jap. Pieris
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)
Oconee Azalea	Rhododendron flammeum	F-P	A-D	4-8 ft	Toxic flame-orange azalea; dry woods, deer-resistant
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
Northern Dewberry	Rubus flagellaris	F-P	D-A	6-12 in (trails 3-8 ft)	Trailing bramble, roots at tips; prickly stems; spreads readily
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
Rabbiteye Blueberry	Vaccinium virgatum	F-P	A-D	6-15 ft	Needs acidic soil; plant 2+ for fruit; edible berries, bird favorite
Arrow-wood Viburnum	Viburnum dentatum	F-P	D-A	5–9 ft	Flowers May-Jun; small blue-black berries in fall
Walter's Viburnum	Viburnum obovatum	F-P	A-W	6-15 ft	Dense evergreen shrub, white spring flowers, bird-friendly fruit
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
American Sea Rocket	Cakile edentula	F	D	6-18 in	Annual beach dune pioneer; salt-tolerant; not native on Pacific coast
Wild Hyacinth	Camassia scilloides	P-F	A-D	18 in	Spike of light blue flowers; bulb
Creeping Sedge	Carex laxiculmis	P-S	A-D	0.3–1.5 ft	Evergreen dry-shade sedge; slow clumping groundcover, deer resistant
Seersucker Sedge	Carex plantaginea	P-S	A	8–12 in	Puckered-leaf shade sedge; rich moist soil, slow clump, deer resistant
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
Whorled Tickseed	Coreopsis major	F-P	D-A	2–4 ft	Whorled leaves, bright yellow summer blooms, pollinator favorite
Pink Tickseed	Coreopsis rosea	F-P	W-A	8–20 in	Rare pondshore native; wet sandy soil only; never wild-collect
Threadleaf Coreopsis	Coreopsis verticillata	F-P	A-D	1-3 ft	Fine thread-like foliage; long summer bloom; spreads by rhizomes
American Dittany	Cunila origanoides	F-P	A-D	8-18 in	Fragrant, late-blooming; needs lean rocky soil, not rich beds
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
Carolina Larkspur	Delphinium carolinianum	F-P	A-D	1-3 ft	Toxic to livestock & pets; blue flowers; dry, sharp drainage
Squirrel Corn	Dicentra canadensis	P-S	A	6–10 in	Spring ephemeral woodland wildflower; toxic, deer resistant
Shooting Star	Dodecathion meadia	F-P	D-A	10–16 in	Delicate white to pink petals, red & yellow centers
Glade Coneflower	Echinacea simulata	F	D-A	2–4 ft	Glade specialist; full sun, rocky soil; never collect wild.
White Trout Lily	Erythronium albidum	P-S	A	4–10 in	Spring ephemeral; slow to establish, never dig from the wild
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
Sweet-scented Bedstraw	Galium triflorum	P-S	A	6-24 in trailing groundcover	Fragrant shade groundcover for rich, consistently moist soil
Indian Physic	Gillenia stipulata	P-S	D-A	2-3 ft	Airy white flowers; dry shade perennial; root historically emetic
Dakota Mock Vervain	Glandularia bipinnatifida	F-P	D-A	6–12 in	Great Plains native; long-blooming; pink-purple mat
Beach Sunflower	Helianthus debilis	F	A-D	6 in–2 ft	Trailing coastal groundcover; salt and drought tolerant
Woodland Sunflower	Helianthus divaricatus	F-P	A-D	2½–6 ft	Rhizomatous colonizer for dry shade; yellow blooms July–Sept
Western Sunflower	Helianthus occidentalis	F-P	A-D	2–4 ft	Naked flower stalk above basal rosette; dry sun, not aggressive
Cow parsnip	Heracleum maximum	F-P	A-W	4-8 ft	Striking wildflower; sap is phototoxic, causes skin burns in sun
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
Zigzag Iris	Iris brevicaulis	F-P	A-W	8-20 in	Shade-tolerant wild iris; violet-blue blooms; rhizomes toxic
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
Giant Blue Iris	Iris giganticaerulea	F-P	W	3-5 ft	Large-flowered wetland iris for bogs, pond edges; rhizomes toxic
Dixie Iris	Iris hexagona	F-P	W-A	2-3 ft	Marsh/swamp iris; violet-blue blooms spring; needs wet to moist soil
Dwarf Violet Iris	Iris verna	P	D-A	4-6 in	Tiny fragrant woodland iris; needs sandy, dry, well-drained soil
Seashore Mallow	Kosteletzkya pentacarpos	F-P	W	3–6 ft	Salt-tolerant marsh native; pink blooms July–Oct
Trailing Ratany	Krameria lanceolata	F	D	2-6 in	Trailing root-hemiparasite; magenta flowers for specialist oil bees
Tall Blue Lettuce	Lactuca biennis	F-P	A-W	3–8 ft	Biennial; milky sap can irritate skin
Wood Nettle	Laportea canadensis	P-S	A-W	1-5 ft	Stinging hairs; moist shade; red admiral butterfly host
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
Lanceleaf Loosestrife	Lysimachia lanceolata	P-F	A-W	1-2 ft	Nodding yellow blooms on prairie perennial; needs consistent moisture
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
Littleleaf Sensitive-briar	Mimosa microphylla	F	D-A	trailing, 3-6 ft spread	Trailing legume; touch-sensitive leaves; pink pom-pom flowers
Winged Monkeyflower	Mimulus alatus	P-S	W-A	1-3 ft	Wet-soil wildflower; violet blooms July-Sept; shade to part shade
White Four O'Clock	Mirabilis albida	F-P	D	1-2.5 ft	Prairie taproot perennial, evening pink blooms; very drought tolerant
Spotted Beebalm	Monarda punctata	F	D	1-3 ft	Thyme-scented; purple-spotted flowers draw wasps and bees
Indian Pipe	Monotropa uniflora	S	A-W	3-10 in	Non-photosynthetic; parasitizes fungi; never dig or transplant
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
American Ginseng	Panax quinquefolius	P-S	A	8-24 in	Shade woodland herb; wild roots scarce/protected, buy nursery stock
Wild Quinine	Parthenium integrifolium	F-P	A-D	2-4 ft	Long-blooming white prairie forb; handle foliage with gloves
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
Pokeweed	Phytolacca americana	F-P	A	4-10 ft	Poisonous perennial; exceptional fall bird food; self-sows
Jacob's Ladder	Polemonium reptans	S	A	12–18 in	Terminal clusters of light blue, bell-shaped flowers, spr
Common Cinquefoil	Potentilla simplex	F-P	A-D	4-10 in	Mat-forming groundcover; tolerates mowing, poor soil; deer resistant
Rabbit Tobacco	Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium	F-P	A-D	1-3 ft	Annual/biennial; dry poor soils; cream everlasting flowers fall
Gray-headed Coneflower	Ratibida pinnata	F-P	A-D	3-5 ft	Long-blooming prairie perennial with drooping yellow rays, anise scent
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
Lyreleaf Sage	Salvia lyrata	F-P	A-D	0.5-2 ft	Flat lobed rosette; lavender spikes; tolerates mowing, self-seeds
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
Royal Catchfly	Silene regia	F	A	2-5 ft	Scarlet prairie flower; hummingbird magnet; rare, use nursery stock
Fire Pink	Silene virginica	F-P	D-A	10–16 in	Deep red star-like flowers draw hummingbirds Apr-May
Prairie Dock	Silphium terebinthinaceum	F	A	4-10 ft	Giant basal leaves; bare flower stalk; deep taproot, drought-tough
Tall Goldenrod	Solidago altissima	F-P	A-D	3–7 ft	Spreads by rhizome; vital late-season pollinator nectar source
Zigzag Goldenrod	Solidago flexicaulis	P-S	A	1–3 ft	Shade-loving goldenrod with zigzag stem; blooms late summer-fall
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
Georgia Aster	Symphyotrichum georgianum	F-P	A	1-3 ft	Rare; nursery stock only, never wild-collect
Aromatic Aster	Symphyotrichum oblongifolium	F	D-A	1-2.5 ft	Dry/rocky sites; cultivar 'October Skies' widely sold
Tall Meadow-rue	Thalictrum pubescens	F-S	A-W	3-6 ft	Airy white summer bloom; moist to wet soil; sun to shade
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
Wingstem	Verbesina alternifolia	F-P	A-W	3-8 ft	Spreads by rhizome in moist soil; late-summer yellow blooms
Blue Violet	Viola papilionacea	P-S	A	6–12 in	Excellent ground cover with purple flowers in the spring
Walter's Violet	Viola walteri	P-S	A-W	2–4 in	Trailing groundcover for shaded, lime-rich woodland soil
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
Wavy Scaly Cloak Fern	Astrolepis sinuata	P	D	4-12 in	Scaly gray-green rock fern; curls in drought, revives after rain
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
Woolly Lip Fern	Cheilanthes tomentosa	F-P	D	6-15 in	Rock-crevice fern; curls in drought, regreens with rain; no rich soil
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
Scouring Rush	Equisetum hyemale	F-P	W-A	2-5 ft	Evergreen, jointed stems; spreads by rhizome; toxic to livestock
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
Purple Cliffbrake	Pellaea atropurpurea	F-P	D	4-12 in	Evergreen rock fern; needs limestone crevices, not garden soil
Broad Beech Fern	Phegopteris hexagonoptera	P-S	A-W	8-20 in	Deciduous colonial fern, winged rachis; spreads by rhizome in shade
Resurrection Fern	Pleopeltis michauxiana	P-S	D	2-10 in fronds	Epiphytic fern on bark; shrivels when dry, greens up after rain
Christmas Fern	Polystichum acrostichoides	P-S	A	12–36 in	Stiff deep green fronds are once-pinnate
Southern Shield Fern	Thelypteris kunthii	P-S	A-W	2-4 ft	Spreading evergreen-to-semi-evergreen fern for shade groundcover
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.

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