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.
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 |