Native Plant List – North Carolina and South Carolina
This is a "starter" list of native plants for North Carolina and South Carolina. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.
See Also:
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South Carolina Native Plants for Landscaping [with Pictures]
North Carolina Native Flowering Shrubs for Your Garden
North Carolina and South Carolina Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serviceberry | Amelanchier arborea | F-P | A-D | 15-25' | Yellow/orange./red fall color; white flowers in April |
| Devil's Walkingstick | Aralia spinosa | F-P | A-D | 10-20' | Thorny; 3-4" clusters of wht flowers in sum.; birds like berries |
| Paw Paw | Asimina triloba | P-S | A | 40' | Unique fruit resembles & tastes like banana |
| American Hornbeam | Carpinus caroliniana | P-S | W-A | 20-30' | Good street tree; yellow/orange/scarlet fall color |
| Chinquapin | Castanea pumila | F-S | A | 20-25' | Slender spikes of strongly scented staminate flowers |
| Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | F-S | A-D | 20-30' | Clusters of rosy/pink flowers (Apr); flowers line branches/trunk |
| Fringetree | Chionanthus virginicus | F-P | A | 12-20' | Wispy, creamy wht. fragrant flowers in May |
| Pagoda Dogwood | Cornus alternifolia | P-S | W-D | 15-25' | Clusters of wht. flowers (late sum.); Black berries, fall follage |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida | F-S | D-A | 25-30' | Wht. flowers in spring turn into bird-attracting berries |
| Washington Hawthorn | Crataegus phaenopyrum | F-P | A | 25-30' | Wht. spring flowers; red fall berries; orange/scarlet fall color |
| Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana | F-P | D-A | 30-50' | Yellow/orange/mauve color; butterfly larval plant |
| Carolina Silverbell | Halesia carolina | F-S | A | 30' | Drooping large white bell-shaped flowers in early spring |
| Common Witch-hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | F-S | A | 15-30' | 1" fragrant, creamy to bright yellow flowers in fall |
| American Holly | Ilex opaca | F-S | A-D | 20-40' | To ensure fruit, one male is needed per 2-3 females |
| Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | F-P | A-D | 40-50' | Offers nesting and cover to birds |
| Umbrella Tree | Magnolia tripetela | F-P | A | 15-40' | 6-8" wht. flowers spring w/unpleasant odor; red fruit in fall |
| Hop-hornbeam | Ostrya virginiana | P-S | A | 30-60' | Scarlet red autumn color |
| Sourwood | Oxydendrum arboreum | F-S | A-D | 20-30' | Fragrant flowers in spring; yellow/pink/red in fall |
| Hoptree | Ptelea trifoliata | F-S | A | 15-20' | Small, white fragrant flowers; yellow/green fall color |
| American Plum | Prunus americana | F-P | W-D | 12-20' | White fragrant flowers in spring; 1" red/yellow fruit in summer |
| Pin Cherry | Prunus pensylvanica | F-P | W-D | 25-40' | Leaves poisonous to livestock; fruit attracts birds |
| Common Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | F-P | D-A | 30-60' | Yellow flowers (Apr); clear yellow/orange/pink/scarlet fall color |
| Blackhaw Viburnum | Viburnum rufidulum | F-S | D-A | 10-15' | Showy clusters of wht. flowers that leap out from follage |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | F | W-D | 50-75' | Buds and young twigs are red/green fall color |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | F-P | A | 50-75' | Excellent fall color; beautiful large shade tree |
| Yellow Buckeye | Aesculus flava | P-S | A | 50-75' | Erect clusters of yellow flowers in spring; org. fall color |
| Yellow Birch | Betula alleghanienses | F-P | A | 60-75' | Does best in cool soil; beautiful bark |
| Sweet Birch | Betula lenta | F-P | A | 40-55' | Golden-yellow fall color |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | F | A-W | 40-70' | Modest yellow fall color; seed attracts birds |
| Bitternut Hickory | Carya cordiformis | F-P | A | 50-70' | Striking yellow buds; pinnately compound leaves |
| Pignut Hickory | Carya glabra | F-S | D | 50-60' | Golden-yellow fall color; rapid growth rate |
| Yellowwood | Cladrastis kentuckea | F-P | A | 30-50' | Clusters of fragrant/wht pea-type flowers (spr); yllw. fall color |
| Beech | Fagus grandifolia | F-P | A | 85+' | Nuts in fall attract birds/mammals/humans |
| Tulip Tree | Liriodendron tulipifera | F | A | 70-90' | Large tulip-like flowers are yellow/grn./org. in May-June |
| Cucumber Tree | Magnolia acuminata | P-S | A | 50-75' | Yellow/grn. magnolia-type flowers (spr); pink/red fuit in fall |
| Black Tupelo | Nyssa sylvatica | F | A-D | 30-60' | Scarlet-red fall color |
| Sycamore | Platanus occidentalis | F-P | A-W | 70-90' | leaves drop all summer; white molted bark |
| Red Spruce | Picea rubens | F-S | A | 60-70' | Evergreen; 2" green/purple cones mature to red/brown |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | F-P | D | 50-80' | Messy tree; small edible berries in sum. attract birds |
| White Oak | Quercus alba | F-P | D | 60-90' | Brown/red/ bright red fall color; grows rapidly |
| Red Oak | Quercus rubra | F-P | D-A | 60-75' | Russett red to bright red fall color; grows rapidly |
| Post Oak | Quercus stellata | F-P | D | 40-50' | Variable fall color; non-showy to golden-brown |
| American Linden | Tilia americana | F-S | A | 60-80' | Clusters of creamy yellow fragrant flowers in early |
| Canadian Hemlock | Tsuga canadensis | F-S | A | 40-60' | When grown in sun this evergreen requires consistent watering |
| Carolina Hemlock | Tsuga caroliniana | F-S | A | 30-70' | Good screen for cool, shady areas |
North Carolina and South Carolina Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Tea | Ceanothus americanus | F-P | D | 3' | Short spikes of tiny white flowers in June |
| Sweetfern | Comptonia peregrina | F-P | A-D | 2-4' | Lacy serrated foliage which is pleasantly aromatic |
| Snowhill Hydrangea | Hydrangea arborescens | P-S | A | 4-6' | Large clusters of flat, creamy white flowers Jun-Jul |
| Shrubby St.John's Wort | Hypericum prolificum | F-P | A | 1-5' | Showy 1" yellow flowers bloom Jun-Sept |
| Drooping leucothoe | Leucothoe fontanesiana | P-S | A | 3-5' | Lance-shaped leaves on slender stems. few branches |
| Carolina Rose | Rosa carolina | F-P | W-D | 3-4' | Yellow, orange, red fall color; pink flowers May-July |
| Swamp Rose | Rosa palustris | F-P | A-W | 4-6' | Fragrant flowers in summer, red hips in fall |
| Cranberry | Vaccinium macrocarpon | F-P | A | 4-6" | Pink bell-shaped flowers in spring; edible fruits |
| Lowbush Blueberry | Vaccinium pallidum | F-P | A-D | 12-16" | Sets some fruit even in shade; has white/pink flowers |
| Maple-leaf Viburnum | Viburnum acerifolium | F-P | A-D | 6' | Pie-shapedclusters of creamy-white flowers; beautiful fall color |
| Red Chokeberry | Aronia arbutifolia | F-P | W-A | 6-11" | Red berries load shrub & are eaten by mammals and birds |
| Black Chokeberry | Aronia melanocarpa | F-P | D-W | 3-5' | Dependable showy orange, burgundy & purple fall color |
| Sweetshrub | Calycanthus floridus | P-S | A | 6-10' | Interesting brown blooms Apr-July |
| Cinnamonbark | Clethra acuminata | F-P | A | 8-15' | Twisted racines of white lily-of-the-valley like fragrant flowers |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | F-S | A-W | 6-10' | Creamy white flowers May-Jun; no fall color |
| Hazelnut | Corylus americana | F-S | A | 12-15" | Edible nuts; suckering |
| Bush-honeysuckle | Diervilla sessilifolia | F-S | A | 4-6' | Small yellow flowers on tips of new growth all summer |
| Hearts-a-bustin | Euonymus americanus | P-S | A | 4-6' | Purplish flowers in May; Red seed pods in Sept, attracts birds |
| Large Fothergilla | Fotherfilla major | F-P | A | 6-10' | Showy, fragrant flowers in spring; spectacular fall leaves |
| Dense Hypericum | Hypericum densiflorum | F-P | W-D | 4-6' | Golden yellow 1" flowers in late spring |
| Common Winterberry | Ilex verticillata | F-S | A-W | 6-15' | Red berries on female plants persist into winter & attract birds |
| Virginia sweetspire | Itea virginica | F-S | W | 3-6' | Spectacular long lasting yellow, orange, crimson fall color |
| Mountain Laurel | Kalmia latifolia | F-P | A | 8-10' | Pink, red, or white flowers in late spring |
| Spicebush | Lindera benzoin | P-S | A | 6-12' | Yellow spicily fragrant flowers in late winter; red fruit in fall |
| Sweet Azalea | Rhododend. arborescens | F-S | A | 3-6' | Fragrant white to pink flowers, red stamen in early summer |
| Flame Azalea | Rhodod. calendulaceum | P-S | A | 4-8' | Yellow, orange, scarlet flowers in late spring |
| Carolina Rhododendron | Rhodod. carolinianum | P-S | A | 3-5' | Light to dark pink flowers mid-May; evergreen |
| Mountain Rosebay | Rhodod. catawbiense | F-S | A | 6-10' | 5-6" unbel of lilac-purple to pale pink flowers mid-spring |
| Pinxter Azalea | Rhodod. periclymenoides | P-S | A | 6-10' | Variable flower color - often pink flowers before leaves emerge |
| Pinkshell Azalea | Rhododendron vaseyi | F-P | A-W | 5-10' | Pink/white flowers with orange freckles emerge before leaves |
| Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | F-S | A-W | 5-12' | Showy white flowers in July, edible fruit in Sept |
| Coral Berry | Symphoricar. orbiculatus | F-S | A | 2-5' | Bell shaped flowers become clusters of large pink berries |
| Hobblebush | Viburnum alnifolium | P-S | A | 6-10' | White flowers; red to black berries; yellow/orange/red fall color |
| Highbush Blueberry | Vaccinium corymbosum | F-P | D-W | 6-12' | Excellent fall color; fruit readily eaten by humans & wildlife |
| Deerberry | Vaccinium stamineum | F-P | A | 10-15' | Twisted trunks; bell-shaped flowers; sweet, spicy tasting fruit |
| Witherod Viburnum | Viburnum cassinoides | F-S | A-W | 5-6' | White flowers; green, pink, red, blue, & black berries |
| Tag Alder | Alnus serrulata | F-P | W | 40' | Can fix nitrogen |
| Mountain Winterberry | Ilex montana | F-P | A | 15-40' | Red berries on female plants |
| Mock Orange | Philadelphus inodorus | F-P | W | 10-12' | White fragrant blooms smell like orange blossoms |
| Rosebay Rhododendron | Rhododend. maximum | P-S | A-W | 15-40' | Huge clusters of white to deep pink flowers with yellow spots |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | F-P | D-A | 9-15' | Velvety red fruit on female plants that persist into winter |
| Silky Willow | Salix sericea | F-S | W-A | 12' | Provides good wildlife habitat |
| Arrowwood | Viburnum dentatum | F-P | W-A | 6-12' | Creamy-white blooms in spring |
North Carolina and South Carolina Herbaceous Perennials
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doll's eyes | Actea pachypoda | P-S | A | 1-2' | Small white flowers Apr-May; poisonous white berries Aug-Sep |
| Blue Star | Amson.tabernaemontana | F-P | A | 2-3' | Blue showy flowers in May |
| Thimbleweed | Anemone virginiana | S | A | 1-3' | Lovely large white flowers followed by fluffy seed heads |
| Wild Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | P-S | A-D | 1-2' | Unique red & yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Pussy's Toes | Antern. planaginfolia | F | A | 1/2-1' | Forms a low mat of little rosettes of white-wooly leaves |
| Green Dragon | Arisaema dracontium | P-S | A-D | 28" | Simular to Jack-in-the-pulpit; goes dormant mid-summer |
| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | P-S | A | 12" | Spathe appears Mar-May; red berries late summer, fall |
| Goat's Beard | Aruncus dioicus | F-P | A | 4-7' | Feathery plumes of cream-colored flowers rise above foliage |
| Wild Ginger | Asarum canadense | P-S | A | 6" | Evergreen groundcover with heart-shaped glossy leaves |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | F | D | 1-2' | Clusters of brilliant orange flowers Jun-Aug |
| White Wood Aster | Aster divaricatus | P-S | A-D | 2-4' | Showiest of shade-loving asters; white flowers in late spring |
| Late Purple Aster | Aster patens | F-P | A-D | 1-3' | 1 1/2" bright violet-blue flowers with yellow centers |
| False Goats Beard | Astilbe biternata | P | A | 24-39" | Fern-like foliage and plume flowers |
| Wild Indigo | Baptisia tinctoria | F | A | 2-3' | Small yellow flowers July-Aug |
| Blue Cohosh | Cauloph. thalictroides | P-S | A-W | 1-3' | Green flowers Apr-May; blue poisonous berries |
| Pink turtlehead | Chelone lyonii | F-P | A-W | 24-30" | Showy pink flowers July-Sept |
| Green-and-Gold | Chrysogonu. virginainum | P-S | A | 8" | Yellow flowers contrast green foliage in spring & fall |
| Black Cohosh | Cimicifuga racemosa | P-S | A | 1-3' | Slender candle-like clusters of white slowers in summer & fall |
| Mouse-eared Coreopsis | Coreopsis auriculata | F | A | 18" | Rich yellow flower head spring to frost if dead-headed |
| Coreopsis | Coreopsis pubescens | F | A | 3-4' | Bright golden yellow flowers all summer |
| Bleeding Heart | Dicentra eximia | F-P | A | 12-18" | Attractive foliage & interesting pink & white flowers |
| Shooting Star | Dodecatheon meadia | F-P | A | 1-2' | Delicate white to pink petals, red & yellow center |
| Trout Lily | Erythroni. americanum | P-S | A | 3-6' | Large low-petaled yellow flowers |
| Joe-Pye Weed | Eupatorium fistulosum | F-P | A | 5-8' | Purplish-pink flowers explode in Aug/Sept attracting butterflies |
| Wild Strawberry | Fragaria virginiana | F-P | A-D | 6" | Forms groundcover; tasty fruit in early summer |
| Wintergreen | Gaultheria procumbens | P-S | A | 4-8" | Pink flowers in summer followed by edible fruit that persists |
| Wild Geranium | Geranium maculatum | F-S | A | 1-2' | 1" lavender-purple clowers in spring & summer |
| Sharp-lobed Hepatica | Hepatica acutiloba | S | A-S | 4-9" | White, pink, blue, or purple solitary flowers in spring |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | S | D | 1-3' | Greenish-purple bell-shaped flowers bloom on leafless stalks |
| Little Brown Jugs | Hexastylis arifolia | P-S | A | 6" | Spotty groundcover, heart-shaped leaves, jug-shaped flowers |
| Jewelweed | Impatiens capensis | F-P | A | 3' | Beautiful orange flowers attract butterflies & hummingbirds |
| Dwarf Crested Iris | Iris cristata | P-S | A-D | 4-8" | Pale lavender-blue, crested flowers Apr-May |
| Blazing Star | Liatris spicata | F | A | 3' | Tall purple spikes bloom after 2-3 years |
| Turks-cap Lily | Lilium superbum | F-P | A | 4-6' | Gorgeous orange flowers; morning sun & afternoon shade |
| Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis | F-P | W | 3-5' | Terminal clusters of bright red flowers each 1 1/2" long in fall |
| Lobelia | Lobelia puberula | F-S | A-P | 2-4' | Spikes of flowers range from pale blue to violet |
| Great Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | P-S | W | 1-3' | Elongated clusters of pale to dark blue flowers in late summer |
| Fringed Loostrife | Lysimachia ciliata | F-P | A-W | 2-3' | Yellow flowers grow upside-down |
| Partridge Berry | Mitchella repens | P-S | A | 3" | Elegant pink flowers, red edible fruit,dense/creeping groundcvr |
| Bishop's Cap | Mitella diphylla | P-S | A-D | 1-2' | Produces distinctive clusters of tiny white flowers |
| Bee Balm | Monarda didyma | F-P | A | 3-4' | Edible leaves; red flowers attract bees/hummingbirds |
| Allegheny Spurge | Pachysand. procumbens | S | A | 9-12" | Mottled purple leaves; flowers are white with pink tinge |
| Phacelia | Phacelia bepinnatifida | P-S | A | 12-18" | Reseeds readily; contact can cause allergic reaction |
| Chalice Phlox | Phlox amoena | F-P | A | 2-3' | Clusters of fragrant rose&white flowers, attracts hummingbirds |
| Carolina Phlox | Phlox carolina | F-P | A | 3-4' | Thick leaves & showy flower clusters |
| Wild Blue Phlox | Phlox divaricata | P-S | A | 12-18" | Fragrant lavender-blue flowers Apr-May |
| Garden Phlox | Phlox paniculata | F-P | A | 2-4' | Clusters of magenta, pink lavender, or white flowers Jul-Sep |
| Creeping Phlox | Phlox stolonifera | P-S | A | 6" | White, pink, purple to violet trumpet-shaped flowers in spring |
| Golden Aster | Pityopis graminifolia | F | A-D | 2' | Leaves look like silvery grass blades; Numerous yellow flowers |
| Solomon's Seal | Ploygonatum biflorum | P-S | A | 2-3' | 1/2" bell-shaped greenish-white flowers hang from leaf axils |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | F | A-D | 2-3' | 2-4" flower heads with 10-20 bright yellow petals summer/fall |
| Bloodroot | Sanguinaria canadensis | S | A | 6-10" | 2" white flowers with yellow centers; roots have red sap |
| Oconee Bells | Shortia galacifolia | F-P | A | 8" | Waxy leaves & dainty, frilly, parasol-like white flowers in May |
| Fire Pink | Silene virginica | F-P | A | 10-20" | Deep red-pink flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Blue-eyed Grass | Sisyrinchium mucronat. | F-P | A-D | 1' | Rich blue/purple flowers with yellow centers May-Jul |
| Winkle-leaf Goldenrod | Solidago rugosa | F | A-D | 2-5' | Tiny flowers look like strings of yellow baeds Aug-Oct |
| Bush Pea | Thermopsis villosa | S | A | 3-5' | 1" yellow flowers crowd long narrow erect clusters spring/sum |
| Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | P-S | A | 6-12" | Evergreen groundcover; feathery white flowers Apr-Jun |
| New York Ironweed | Vernonia neveboracensis | F | A-W | 4-7' | Intense reddish-purple thistle-like heads |
| Yellow-root | Xanthorhiz. simplicissima | F-S | A | 2' | Bright green celery-like folliage; racemes of purple flowers |
North Carolina and South Carolina Ferns
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum pedatum | P-S | A | 18-36" | Tiny fan-shaped deep blue-green fronds held on black stems |
| Lady Fern | Athyrium felix-femina | S | A-W | 18-24" | Delicate & lacy arching fronds have dark red stems at maturity |
| Hay-scented Fern | Dennstaedtia punctiloba | S-F | A | 36" | Fronds smell like hay when crushed |
| Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis | F-P | W | 12-24" | Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda connamomea | P-S | A-W | 24-48" | Clusters of arching fronds; cinnamon colored fertile fronds |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | P | A-W | 2-6' | Bipinnate blade; pinnae resemble locust tree leaves |
| Christmas Fern | Polystich. acrostichoides | P-S | A | 12-36" | Stiff deep green fronds are once-pinnate |
| 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 |