15 Best Native Plants for North Carolina Landscaping

Mostly humid and subtropical, North Carolina supports a diverse array of native plant species, giving homeowners an abundance of options for their landscaping projects. A majority of North Carolina lies within plant hardiness zone 8. However, sections of the western side of the state fall within zones 6 or 7.

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While choosing plant species for your landscaping needs ultimately depends on your specific location, there are a good number of native plants that thrive in all areas of the state.

Why Choose Native Plants?

Designing landscapes with well-adapted, native plants offers extraordinary benefits for North Carolina homeowners:

• Minimizes watering & maintenance requirements

• Creates a more durable, hardy landscape

• Reduces stormwater runoff & land erosion

• Promotes the local ecosystem

Plant Selection Criteria

When choosing plants for your outdoor space, there are six main factors to consider:

• Climate Adaptability: You’ll have the most success with plants that thrive in North Carolina’s extreme heat and humidity, but can tolerate the occasional cold snap.

• Soil Considerations: Depending where you live in North Carolina, you may have soil that is more sandy, loamy, or organic. Skilled landscapers should have a working knowledge of your area’s soil type, drainage, and acidity—all of which have a big impact on plant choice.

• Water Requirements: While certain plants can’t get enough water, others are considered “drought-tolerant.” With North Carolina’s prolonged warm season, it’s essential to pick species that suit your unique watering capabilities.

• Sunlight Preferences: As you’re deciding on plants, think about placement. Some plants are content in full sun 24/7, but many others prefer at least partial shade.

• Maintenance: How much time do you have to get out and prune or examine plants for fungus or insect damage? If you’re short on time, go with a low-maintenance variety.

• Aesthetics: Last but not least, design and visual preferences should play a role in your decision. Consider factors like flower color, plant size, foliage texture, and the overall visual impact.

Read on for our list of top-performing plants suitable for various North Carolina gardens.

Best Plants for NC Landscaping: From Coast to Mountains

1. Blanket Flower

Gaillardia

Growing 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, Blanket Flowers produce daisy-like blooms in bright red, orange, and yellow. The plant has a mounding growth habit with lance-shaped leaves.

Special Features:

• Extremely drought-tolerant

• Deer-resistant

• Attracts butterflies and bees

• Long blooming season from early summer through fall

Requirements: Full sun and well-drained soil.

2. Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

An evergreen fern, this lush species grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. With dark green, leathery fronds, the Christmas Fern is one of the most adaptable and reliable native ferns.

Special Features:

• Deer-resistant

• Excellent erosion control

• Tolerates dry shade once established

• Extremely low maintenance

Requirements: Partial to full shade and a humid environment

3. Yaupon Holly

Ilex vomitoria

Available as a shrub or small tree reaching 15 to 25 feet tall, this evergreen plant features small flowers and bright red berries on female plants. Not only that, but you can actually make tea from its leaves.

Special Features:

• Extremely adaptable

• Salt-tolerant

• Drought-resistant once established

• Native to southeastern U.S.

• Can be used for screening or hedging

Requirements: Full sun to partial shade and a wide range of soil conditions.

4. Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

A climbing vine reaching 10 to 15 feet, coral honeysuckle produces tubular coral-red flowers with yellow throats, blooming spring through fall.

Special Features:

• Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies

• Less aggressive than Japanese honeysuckle

• Ideal for trellises, fences, and arbors

• Works well in wildlife gardens

Requirements: Full sun to partial shade and adequate drainage.

5. Fountaingrass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

A clumping ornamental grass, Fountaingrass varieties grow 2 to 5 feet tall and produce soft, arching plumes in white, pink, or purple shades.

Special Features:

• Drought-tolerant

• Provides winter interest

• Very low maintenance

• Excellent as an accent plant

Requirements: Full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.

6. Rose Mallow (a.k.a. Hibiscus)

Hibiscus moscheutos

A popular perennial flower, Hibiscus reaches about 4 to 6 feet tall and produces stunning dinner-plate-sized flowers in white, pink, or red with dark centers.

Special Features:

• Attracts pollinators

• Tolerates wet soils

• Creates a dramatic summer display

Requirements: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.

7. Coral Bells

Heuchera micrantha

Lingering between 12 and 18 inches tall, this low-growing perennial features colorful foliage in purple, bronze, silver, or green. It gets its name from small bell-shaped flowers that emerge on tall stems in late spring.

Special Features:

• Evergreen in many zones

• Drought-tolerant once established

• Deer-resistant

• Suitable for ground or containers

Requirements: Partial shade to full sun and rich, well-drained soil.

8. Lamb’s Ear

Stachys byzantina

Growing 12 to 18 inches tall, this unique ground-covering perennial has soft, silvery-gray fuzzy leaves reminiscent of lamb’s ears.

Special Features:

• Drought-tolerant

• Tactile interest

• Deer-resistant

• Children's garden favorite

Requirements: Full sun to partial shade and well-drained dry to medium soil.

9. Daylily

Hemerocallis

A popular clumping perennial with strap-like leaves, Daylilies feature beautiful flowers in nearly every color except blue.

Special Features:

• Extremely hardy

• Drought-tolerant

• Long blooming season with proper selection

Requirements: Full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

10. Sage

Salvia officinalis

Most commonly known for its use in the kitchen, this delightful herb produces spiky flower stalks in vibrant blues, purples, reds, or whites and typically grows about 2 to 3 feet tall.

Special Features:

• Drought-tolerant

• Aromatic

• Attracts pollinators

• Deer-resistant

Requirements: Full sun and well-drained loamy soil.

11. Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

This classic upright perennial grows 2 to 3 feet tall and produces an abundance of golden-yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centers.

Special Features:

• Long blooming season

• Drought-tolerant

• Excellent cut flower

Requirements: Full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.

12. Camellia

Camellia japonica or sasanqua

A large evergreen shrub, Camellia varieties reach between 6 and 12 feet tall and boast beautiful rose-like blooms in white, pink, or red.

Special Features:

• Winter blooming

• Glossy evergreen foliage

• Long lifespan

Requirements: Partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

13. Candytuft

Iberis sempervirens

Known for its plentiful, pure-white flower clusters in spring, this low-growing evergreen perennial is a sweet addition to your garden.

Special Features:

• Deer-resistant

• Drought-tolerant

• Good ground cover

Requirements: Full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil.

14. Lemon Thyme

Thymus pulegioides

Another low-growing herb, this aromatic plant grows only about 3 to 6 inches tall and produces small purple flowers and lemon-scented foliage.

Special Features:

• Lovely scent

• Drought-tolerant

• Edible leaves

• Attracts pollinators

Requirements: Full sun and dry to medium, well-drained soil.

15. Star Jasmine

Trachelospermum jasminoides

A rich evergreen vine capable of climbing a whopping 15 to 20 feet, this lush native species produces fragrant white star-shaped flowers in spring and summer.

Special Features:

• Intensely fragrant

• Glossy evergreen foliage

• Suitable for trellises, walls, and arbors

• Can be used as ground cover in frost-free areas

Requirements: Full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil.

Thorpe Landscapes: North Carolina’s Landscaper of Choice

Ready to bring the natural beauty of North Carolina into your outdoor space? As local landscaping professionals who've transformed countless gardens across the state, we've seen firsthand how these 15 native plants can create stunning, sustainable landscapes that thrive in our unique climate.

Whether you're looking to establish a pollinator garden in Wilmington, create a low-maintenance yard in Raleigh, or design a drought-resistant landscape in Asheville, these native plants are proven performers in our North Carolina soils and conditions.

Ready to start designing your beautiful landscape? Contact us today to get started!