Piedmont, NC Native Plant Selection

Allium canadense (Amaryllidaceae)

Eryngium yuccifolium (Apiaceae)

Apocynum cannabinum (Apocynaceae)

Great for pollinators, caterpillars and host plant for the beautiful 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 and stems can become numerous - plan accordingly.

Asclepias incarnata (Apocynaceae)

Host plant for monarch butterflies. 

Asclepias syriaca (Apocynaceae)

Host plant for monarch butterflies and many other insect species. Spreads via long rhizomes - plant where spreading is desired or where it can be controlled, such as by mowing.

Asclepias tuberosa (Apocynaceae)

Host plant for monarch butterflies.

Arisaema triphyllum (Araceae)

Achillea gracilis (Asteraceae)

Cirsium altissimum (Asteraceae)

Very tall indeed! Reaching 8 ft or more. 

Photo by Sean Washington

Conoclinium coelestinum (Asteraceae)

Prefers moister-than-average soils

Coreopsis lanceolata (Asteraceae)

Prefers dry soils

Coreopsis major (Asteraceae)

Coreopsis tripteris (Asteraceae)

Helianthus atrorubens (Asteraceae)

Heliopsis helianthoides (Asteraceae)

Liatris virgata (Asteraceae)

Can handle dry soils. Prefers full sun.

Marshallia obovata (Asteraceae)

Photo by Becky Dill

Packera anonyma (Asteraceae)

Pityopsis aspera (Asteraceae)

Photo by Becky Dill

Rudbeckia fulgida (Asteraceae)

Rudbeckia hirta (Asteraceae)

Rudbeckia triloba (Asteraceae)

Silphium asteriscus (Asteraceae)

Solidago altissima (Asteraceae)

Solidago caesia (Asteraceae)

This goldenrod species prefers full shade and is well-behaved. 

Solidago gigantea (Asteraceae)

Another common species which is similar in appearance to tall goldenrod, but which likes moister soils and can tolerate more shade. It is similarly of great benefit to pollinators.

Stokesia laevis (Asteraceae)

Purple or white flowers. A native of bogs of South Carolina, it nevertheless does well in many conditions in NC's Piedmont. Prefers part shade or full sun.

Vernonia acaulis (Asteraceae)

Andersonglossum virginianum (Boraginaceae)
Prefers moist to wet soil. Requires full shade.

Lobelia cardinalis (Campanulaceae)
Prefers moist to wet soil. Typically found growing in full- or part-shade, but it can handle higher sun exposure in moister soil conditions.

Lobelia puberula (Campanulaceae)
Typically found in part shade, forest-edge habitat.

Lobelia spicata (Campanulaceae)
Typically found in part shade but can handle sunnier spots if the soil is not too dry.

Silene stellata (Caryophyllaceae)

Lechea racemulosa (Cistaceae)
Prefers drier-than-average soils

Sedum ternatum (Crassulaceae)

One of our native succulents!

Vaccinium pallidum (Ericaceae)

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.

Euphorbia corollata (Euphorbiaceae)
Source populations: Forsyth and Stokes Counties, NC

Chamaecrista fasciculata (Fabaceae)

Annual

Clitoria mariana (Fabaceae)

Hypericum hypericoidees (Hypericaceae)

Prefers drier-than-average soils.

Hypericum mutilum (Hypericaceae)

Requires constantly moist to wet soil.

Hypericum prolificum (Hypericaceae)

Hypericum stragulum (Hypericaceae)

Triadenum walteri (Hypericaceae)

Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Iridaceae)

Just an adorable little plant. Related to irises but with a much smaller flower.

Blephilia ciliata (Lamiaceae) 

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.

Clinopodium vulgare (Lamiaceae)

Collinsonia canadense (Lamiaceae)

Monarda fistulosa (Lamiaceae)

Source populations: Forsyth County, NC

Monarda punctata (Lamiaceae)

This short-lived perennial is a good choice for a pollinator garden. With luck, it will reseed.

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Lamiaceae)

Prefers moister-than average soils.

Pycnanthemum verticillatum (Lamiaceae)

Has a pleasantly strong minty fragrance.

Photo by Jeff Davis.

Salvia lyrata (Lamiaceae) 

This low-growing plant is beautiful in a lawn setting during spring flowering. Prefers dry soils. Expect some spreading by seed. 

Scutellaria integrifolia (Lamiaceae) 

Hibiscus moschuetos (Malvaceae)

This beautiful, large-flowered native appreciates constantly moist soil. It can grow to 5-6 feet tall in good conditions.

Rhexia mariana (Melastomaceae) 

A wetland plant, it requires soil with extra moisture. 

Phemeranthus teretifolius (Montiaceae) 

One of our native succulent plants! In nature, this species only grows on rocky outcrops. However, it also does well in a pot. 

Aletris farinosa (Narthiaceae)

This is tasty to mammals - make sure to protect it if necessary, at least until established. It produces many seeds and with luck will seed in. 

Ludwigia alternifolia (Onagraceae)

This is a wetland species.

Oenothera fruticosa (Onagraceae)

Onoclea sensibilis (Onocleaceae)

Sanguinaria canadensis (Papaveraceae)

Mimulus ringens (Phrymaceae)

Penstemon laevigatus (Plantaginaceae)

Persicaria setacea (Polygonaceae)

Requires moist-to-wet soils and full shade.

Steironema ciliatum (Primulaceae)

Anemone virginiana (Ranunculaceae)

Aquilegia canadense (Ranunculaceae)

Aruncus dioicus (Rosaceae)

Fragaria virginiana (Rosaceae)

The tiny berries are totally edible and taste amazing! The native species has white flowers. There is a similar looking invasive species with yellow flowers and tasteless berries - they are not the same!

Rosa carolina (Rosaceae) 

The flowers of this low-growing native rose shrub smell amazing (in our opinion, better than the European roses)! That said, some individuals of this species spread rapidly outward via rhizomes. Our recommendation? Enjoy it in a pot.

Mitchella repens (Rubiaceae)

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)

Viola sororia (Violaceae)

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.

Calycanthus floridus (Calycanthaceae)

Coralberry (Caprifoliaceae)

Swida amomum (Cornaceae)
A large shrub that requires constantly moist or wet soils. Spreads by short rhizomes to form a dense thicket. Plant were spreading is desired or where it can be controlled, such as by mowing.

Rhododendron periclymenoides (Ericaceae)

Truly a full-shade species. Does not respond well to direct sunlight in late spring, summer or fall (cool morning sun is tolerable)

Hydrangea arborescens (Hydrangeaceae)

Prefers cool, moist shade.

Ceanothus americanus (Rhamnaceae)

Carex annectens (Cyperaceae)

Photo by Daniel Atha.

Carex blanda (Cyperaceae)

Carex cherokeensis (Cyperaceae)

Carex crinita (Cyperaceae)

This is a wetland species. Make sure to plant it in moist soil.

Carex lurida (Cyperaceae)

Prefers moist to wet soil. Can help stabilize stream banks

Juncus tenuis (Juncaceae)

Agrostis perennans (Poaceae)

In part shade, this species appreciates extra moisture, even wet conditions. In full shade, it can handle dry conditions.

Andropogon gerardi (Poaceae)

A tallgrass prairie species. In the wild, it can be an indicator of more natural, remnant prairies. You can read more here.

Andropogon ternarius (Poaceae)

One of our showiest native grasses, with its poofy white flowers and seeds in the fall. Can handle dry soils.

Andropogon virginicus (Poaceae)

Brachyelytrum erectum (Poaceae)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Poaceae)

Prefers moist soil.

Danthonia spicata (Poaceae)

Prefers drier-than-average soil

Dichanthelium acuminatum var. fasciculatum(Poaceae)

Dichanthelium commutatum (Poaceae)

Dichanthelium scoparium (Poaceae)

Elymus hystrix (Poaceae)

Erianthus alopecuroides (Poaceae)

Elymus villosus var. arkansanus (Poaceae)

Muhlenbergia schreberi (Poaceae)

Setaria parviflora (Poaceae)

Prefers moister-than-average soils.

Sorghastrum nutans (Poaceae)

Matelea caroliniana (Apocynaceae)

Campsis radicans (Bignoniaceae)

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. A climbing vine, it can be planted in shade or part shade, but will seek out the sunshine. Make sure whatever it will grow on can handle a heavy, quickly-growing vine.

Ipomoea coccinea (Convolvulaceae)
An annual climbing vine. Attracts hummingbirds!

Apios americana (Fabaceae)
Also called "ground nut". Large twining vine grows both upward and outward in part-shade, forest-edge type habitat. Make sure you have something for it to climb on. The edible tubers it produces are reportedly delicious. It prefers moister-than-average soil.

Passiflora incarnata (Passifloraceae)

One or our most stunning native fowers, it also produces delicious fruits, known locally as "maypops". 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 or by mowing.

Clematis crispa (Ranunculaceae)

Clematis viorna (Ranunculaceae)

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Vitaceae)

This climbing vine in the grape family produces berries that are an important food source for wildlife. It has beautiful red foliage in the fall. Because its tendrils leave behind tiny dots that stick to its climbing surface, it may not be appropriate for climbing on painted surfaces. 

Liquidambar styraciflua (Altingiacieae)

Quercus coccinea (Fagaceae)

Quercus alba (Fagaceae)

Quercus phellos (Fagaceae)

Liriodendron tulipfera (Magnoliaceae)

Salix nigra (Salicaceae)

Acer negundo (Sapindaceae)

Acer rubrum (Sapindaceae)