All of the plants listed in this guide are great for the garden because they are adapted to the local climate of the region’s ecoregions, and will tolerate average growing conditions. These plants also nurture local wildlife, like birds and butterflies, by providing them food and shelter. Planted in the right spot, these choices will beautify and animate your garden with colorful flowers, foliage, and a variety of wildlife.

For a beautiful garden, plant them with compost or leaf mold, and note that some may need occasional extra watering.

A sidewalk surrounded by native plants and flowers leading to a white house.

Why Scientific Names?

People use scientific names for plants to make sure everyone knows exactly which plant they are talking about. These names are like special codes that help everyone from around the world identify plants correctly, no matter what language they speak.

Tip:

Similar plants can share common names and ancestry, but they can be bullies in the garden by taking over local plants. Whenever you purchase a plant, make sure you reference the scientific name to ensure you’re getting exactly the species you want!

Let Us Help You Find Your Next Plant!

Schizachyrium scoparium

Bluestem

Schizachyrium or Andropogon

Chasmanthium latifolium

River Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium

Panicum virgatum

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

Dryopteris marginalis

Marginal Wood Fern

Dryopteris marginalis

Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenoides

Photo of a Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Netted Chain Fern

Woodwardia areolata

Asarum canadense

Deciduous Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Asarum arifolium

Little Brown Jug

Hexastylis arifolia

Coreopsis auriculata

Mouse-Eared Coreopsis

Coreopsis auriculata

Iris cristata

Dwarf-Crested Iris

Iris cristata

Mitchella repens

Partridge Berry

Mitchella repens

Phacelia bipinnatifida

Phacelia

Phacelia bipinnatifida

Phlox divaricata

Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Asclepias incarnata

Milkweed

Asclepias

Symphyotrichum laeve

Asters

Symphyotrichum or Eurybia

Phlox carolina

Phlox

Phlox carolina, Phlox amplifolia

Helianthus mollis

Sunflower

Helianthus

Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum

Lobelia cardinalis

Lobelia

Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia syphilitica

Echinacea purpurea

Coneflowers

Echinacea and Rudbeckia

Eryngium yuccifolium

Rattlesnake Master

Eryngium yuccifolium

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. tabernaemontana

Bluestar

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Aquilegia canadensis

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Aruncus dioicus

Goatsbeard

Aruncus dioicus

Coreopsis major

Whorled Tickseed

Coreopsis major

Impatiens capensis

Jewelweed

Impatiens capensis

Liatris spicata

Dense Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Mertensia virginica

Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

Solidago rugosa

Rough-Stemmed Goldenrod

Solidago rugosa

Vernonia gigantea

Tall Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

Silphium mohrii

Moonflower Silphium

Silphium mohrii

Smallanthus uvedalia

Yellow-Flowered Leafcup

Smallanthus uvedalia

Hydrangea quercifolia

Hydrangeas

Hydrangea quercifolia, Hydrangea arborescens

Vaccinium arboreum

Blueberry

Vaccinium

Viburnum bracteatum

Viburnum

Viburnum bracteatum, Viburnum acerifolium

Calycanthus floridus

Sweetshrub

Calycanthus floridus

Callicarpa americana

American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Euonymus americanus

Hearts-a-Bustin’

Euonymus americanus

Hypericum frondosum

St. John’s Wort

Hypericum frondosum

Fruit and Leaf

Winterberry Holly

Ilex verticillata

Itea virginica

Virginia Willow

Itea virginica

Physocarpus opulifolius

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Rosa palustris

Swamp Rose

Rosa palustris

Sambucus canadensis

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Bignonia capreolata

Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

Clematis virginiana

Virgin’s Bower

Clematis virginiana

Gelsemium sempervirens

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Passiflora incarnata

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Vitis rotundifolia

Muscadine Grape

Muscadenia rotundifolia

Amelanchier arborea

Serviceberry

Amelanchier species

Staphylea trifolia

American Bladdernut

Staphylea trifolia

Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Chionanthus virginicus

Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Halesia carolina

Carolina Silverbell

Halesia tetraptera

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Ilex opaca

American Holly

Ilex opaca

Oxydendrum arboreum

Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum

Prunus americana

American Plum

Prunus americana

Juniperus virginiana

Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

Quercus alba

White Oak

Quercus alba

Shortleaf Pine Tree

Shortleaf Pine

Pinus echinata

Buy Local.
Plant Local.