Think about which light conditions your garden space has to offer as you view the plants below. The perennial herbs and shrubs are grouped into three categories: "sun garden", "part-shade garden" and "shade garden", representing the conditions under which they are most likely to thrive.
Photos by Alison Northup and Robby Deans.
Eryngium yuccifolium (Apiaceae)
Seed origin: Alamance County, NC
Achillea gracilis (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Achillea gracilis (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Conoclinium coelestinum (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Cultivation
Prefers moister-than-average soils
Coreopsis lanceolata (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Randolph County, NC
Prefers dry soils
Liatris virgata (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
Prefers dry soils
Packera anonyma (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Rudbeckia fulgida (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
Lechea racemulosa (Cistaceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
Prefers drier-than-average soils
Carex lurida (Cyperaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers moist to wet soil. Useful for stabilizing stream banks.
Chamaecrista fasciculata (Fabaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Annual
Clitoria mariana (Fabaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Hypericum mutilum (Hypericaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers consistently moist to wet soil.
Triadenum walteri (Hypericaceae)
Seed origin: Guilford County, NC
This is a wetland species - best planted at the edge of a pond or in a marsh or swamp.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Iridaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Just an adorable little plant. Related to irises but with a much smaller flower.
Flowers appear pale in the sun and deep blue/purple in the shade
Hibiscus moschuetos (Malvaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
This beautiful, large-flowered native appreciates constantly moist soil. It can grow to 5-6 feet tall in good conditions.
Monarda fistulosa (Lamiaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Salvia lyrata (Lamiaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
This low-growing plant is beautiful in a lawn setting during spring flowering. Prefers dry soils. Expect some spreading by seed.
Rhexia mariana (Melastomaceae)
Seed origin: Guilford County, NC
A wetland plant, it requires soil with extra moisture.
Penstemon laevigatus (Plantaginaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Also available as plugs - see below.
Andropogon ternarius (Poaceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
One of our showiest native grasses, with its poofy white flowers and seeds in the fall. Likes both dry and average-moisture soils. Also available as plugs - see below.
Danthonia spicata (Poaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers drier-than-average soils.
Schizachyrium scoparium (Poaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers drier-than-average soils.
Also available as plugs - see below.
Ludwigia alternifolia (Onagraceae)
Seed origin: Davie County, NC
This is a wetland species.
Blephilia ciliata (Lamiaceae)
Seed origin: Orange and Granville Counties, NC
Hypericum hypericoidees (Hypericaceae)
Seed origin: Randolph County, NC
Prefers drier-than-average soils.
Vernonia acaulis (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Randolph County, NC
Asclepias incarnata (Apocynaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Rudbeckia hirta (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
Solidago pinetorum (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers drier-than-average conditions
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Lamiaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers moister-than average soils.
These species are top-notch for supporting wildlife, but they spread too vigorously for some home gardens. Plant these if you have a large open area or if spread can be controlled by a forested edge or by mowing, etc.
Apocynum cannabinum (Apocynaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Great for pollinators, caterpillars and host plant for the dogbane leaf beetle (Chrysochus auratus). Indigenous Americans across North America used the silky stem fibers to make cordage for a variety of uses. Spreads via rhizomes.
Asclepias syriaca (Apocynaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Famous supporter of monarch butterflies and many other insect species. Spreads via rhizomes.
Campsis radicans (Bignoniaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Known for its large orange-to-red blooms, this species is a favorite of hummingbirds. It can be found growing in the forest but does best when it can get some light, such as a forested edge or clearing, where it will grow very large. Climbing vine, can be planted in shade or part shade, but will seek out the sunshine.
Swida amomum (Cornaceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
Requires constantly moist or wet soils, in sun or part shade. Spreads by short rhizomes to form a dense thicket.
Passiflora incarnata (Passifloraceae)
Parent origin: Forsyth County, NC
Spreads by long rhizomes - sprouts will pop up several feet from the parent plant. In a garden situation, these sprouts must be managed by persistant removal.
Viola sororia (Violaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
As one of the earliest native species to flower, it is an important supporter of pollinators in late winter/early spring.
Spreads readily by mechanically flinging seeds. Plant where it has room to spread.
Achillea gracilis (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Achillea gracilis (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Conoclinium coelestinum (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Cultivation
Prefers moister-than-average soils
Packera anonyma (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Rudbeckia fulgida (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
Vernonia acaulis (Asteraceae)
Seed origin: Randolph County, NC
Campsis radicans (Bignoniaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Known for its large orange-to-red blooms, this species is a favorite of hummingbirds. It can be found growing in the forest but does best when it can get some light, such as a forested edge or clearing, where it will grow very large. Climbing vine, can be planted in shade or part shade, but will seek out the sunshine.
Coralberry (Caprifoliaceae)
Seed origin: Alamance County, NC
Lechea racemulosa (Cistaceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
Prefers drier-than-average soils
Swida amomum (Cornaceae)
Seed origin: Stokes County, NC
Requires constantly moist or wet soils, in sun or part shade. Spreads by short rhizomes to form a dense thicket.
Sedum ternatum (Crassulaceae)
Seed origin: unknown
One of our native succulents!
Carex lurida (Cyperaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers moist to wet soil. Can help stabilize stream banks
Vaccinium pallidum (Ericaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth and Stokes Counties, NC.
Usually found in dry shade. Spreads via rhizomes to form a colony. Fruit is edible and tasty, though small. Two or more plants will encourage fruit set. Attractive fall color.
Chamaecrista fasciculata (Fabaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Annual
Hypericum mutilum (Hypericaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers consistently moist to wet soil.
Triadenum walteri (Hypericaceae)
Seed origin: Guilford County, NC
This is a wetland species - best planted at the edge of a pond or in a marsh or swamp.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Iridaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Just an adorable little plant. Related to irises but with a much smaller flower.
Flowers appear pale in the sun and deep blue/purple in the shade
Monarda fistulosa (Lamiaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Salvia lyrata (Lamiaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
This low-growing plant is beautiful in a lawn setting during spring flowering. Prefers dry soils. Expect some spreading by seed.
Penstemon laevigatus (Plantaginaceae) Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Danthonia spicata (Poaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers drier-than-average soils
Persicaria setacea (Polygonaceae)
Seed origin: Guilford County, NC
Requires moist-to-wet soils
Fragaria virginiana (Rosaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
The tiny berries are totally edible and taste amazing!
Mitchella repens (Rubiaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
An adorable, slow-growing groundcover with white flowers and red berries. Does best when not covered in leaf litter, such as on a mossy mound or tucked into a rock wall.
Heuchera caroliniana (Saxifragaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
(Note: image shows the similar H. americana)
Viola sororia (Violaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
As one of the earliest native species to flower, it is an important supporter of pollinators in late winter/early spring.
Spreads readily by mechanically flinging seeds. Plant where it has room to spread.
Lobelia cardinalis (Campanulaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers moist to wet soil
Silene stellata (Caryophyllaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Blephilia ciliata (Lamiaceae)
Seed origin: Orange and Granville Counties, NC
This pretty little plant requires high-pH (basic) soil - do not plant in red clay! It can survive in loamy or sandy soils, or in a pot.
Oenothera fruticosa (Onagraceae)
Seed origin: Davie County, NC
Anemone virginiana (Ranunculaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Pycnanthemum verticillatum (Lamiaceae)
Seed origin: Randolph County, NC
Prefers drier-than-average soil. Leaves are very fragrant, like a lemony mint.
The flowers (not shown) are whitish with purple dots, similar to other Pycnanthemum species.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Caprifoliaceae)
Seed origin: Alamance County, NC
Sedum ternatum (Crassulaceae)
Seed origin: unknown
One of our native succulents!
Carex blanda (Cyperaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Carex blanda (Cyperaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Vaccinium pallidum (Ericaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth and Stokes Counties, NC.
Usually found in dry shade. Spreads via rhizomes to form a colony. Fruit is edible and tasty, though small. Two or more plants will encourage fruit set. Attractive fall color.
Hydrangea arborescens (Hydrangeaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers cool, moist shade.
Triadenum walteri (Hypericaceae)
Seed origin: Guilford County, NC
This is a wetland species - best planted at the edge of a pond or in a marsh or swamp.
Chasmanthium latifolium (Poaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers moist soil.
Persicaria setacea (Polygonaceae)
Seed origin: Guilford County, NC
Requires moist-to-wet soils
Mitchella repens (Rubiaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
An adorable, slow-growing groundcover with white flowers and red berries. Does best when not covered in leaf litter, such as on a mossy mound or tucked into a rock wall.
Heuchera caroliniana (Saxifragaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
(Note: image shows the similar H. americana)
Tiarella cordifolia (Saxifragaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Lobelia cardinalis (Campanulaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Prefers moist to wet soil
Silene stellata (Caryophyllaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Quercus coccinea (Fagaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Quercus alba (Fagaceae)
Seed origin: Forsyth County, NC
Quercus phellos (Fagaceae)
Seed origin: unknown
Cercis canadensis (Fabaceae)
Seed origin: unknown
Andropogon ternarius - price per tray of 32 plugs. 16 trays available. Forsyth and Stokes Counties, NC ecotypes
Muhlenbergia schreberi - price per tray of 32 plugs. 6 trays available. Forsyth County, NC ecotype.
Danthonia spicata - price per tray of 32 plugs. Forsyth County, NC ecotype.
Penstemon laevigatus - price per tray of 32 plugs. 1 tray available. Forsyth County, NC ecotype
Sisyrinchium angustifolium - price per tray of 32 plugs. Forsyth County, NC ecotype
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