Plant Raleigh

Unless noted otherwise, all plants are native to North Carolina. We’ve grouped them by ecoregion, or the areas where they naturally grow, to help you find plants that are a good fit for your yard. Since soil, moisture and climate can vary across Raleigh, choosing plants suited to your area can help them thrive.

Use the field below to filter plants in the table.

Perennials, Ferns, Vines, and Groundcovers

Scientific Name	Common Name	Piedmont (P), Mountain (M), Coastal (C)	Exposure Needs	Water Needs	Wildlife Value
Perennials NC Native
Amsonia tabernaemontana	Wideleaf Blue-Stars	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Occasional Wet or Dry	Birds and Insects
Anacis tripteris	Tall Coreopsis	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Anacis verticillata	Threadleaf Coreopsis	P, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Anemone virginiana	Tall Anemone	P, M	Shade -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Aquilegia canadensis	Eastern Columbine	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Arisaema triphyllum	Common Jack-in-the-Pulpit	P, M, C	Shade -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Asclepias incarnata	Western Swamp Milkweed	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Asclepias tuberosa	Butterflyweed	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Insects
Asclepias syriaca	Common Milkweed	P, M	Sun	Average -- Dry	Insects
Baptisia alba	White Wild Indigo	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average --Dry	Insects
Baptisia autralis	Tall Blue Wild Indigo	M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Insects
Chrysopsis mariana	Maryland Golden-Aster	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Conoclinium coelestinum	Mistflower	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Echinacea purpurea	Purple Coneflower	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Eryngium yuccifolium	Rattlesnake-Master	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Occasional Wet or Dry	Insects
Eupatorium perfoliatum	Boneset	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Eupatorium serotinum	Late Eupatorium	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Wet -- Dry	Insects
Euthamia caroliniana	Carolina Grass-Leaf Goldenrod	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Eutrochium dubium	Three-Nerved Joe-Pye-Weed	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Eutrochium fistulosum	Hollow-Stem Joe-Pye-Weed	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Gaillardia aestivalis	Lanceleaf Blanketflower	C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Geranium maculatum	Wild Geranium	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Helianthus angustifolius	Swamp Sunflower	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Wet -- Average	Birds and Insects
Iris virginica	Southern Blue Flag	P, C	Sun	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Kosteletzkya pentacarpos	Seashore-Mallow	C	Sun	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Liatris pilosa	Grass-Leaf Blazing Star	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Liatris spicata	Florist's Gayfeather	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Liatris squarrosa	Scaly Blazing Star	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Lobelia cardinalis	Cardinal Flower	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Marshallia obovata	Piedmont Barbara's Buttons	P	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Monarda fistulosa	Appalachian Bergamot	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Monarda punctata	Eastern Horsemint	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Muenchhusia moscheuta	Eastern Rose-Mallow	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Oenothera fruticosa	Narrowleaf Sundrops	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Parthenium integrifolium	Common Wild Quinine	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Penstemon laevigatus	Eastern Smooth Beardtongue	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Penstemon smallii	Small's Beardtongue	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Phlox paniculata	Garden Phlox	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Physostegia virginiana	Northern Obedient Plant	M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Polygonatum biflorum	Small Solomon's Seal	P, M, C	Shade -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects, Edible Roots
Pycnanthemum muticum	Clustered Mountain-Mint	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects, Edible
Pycnanthemum tenufolium	Slender Mountain-Mint	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Occasional Wet or Dry	Insects, Edible
Rhexia virginica	Virginia Meadow-Beauty	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Rudbeckia fulgida	Orange Coneflower	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Rudbeckia hirta	Woodland Black-Eyed Susan	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Rudbeckia laciniata	Common Cutleaf Coneflower	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Sarracenia flava	Yellow Pitcherplant	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Wet	Insects
Sarracenia rubra	Carolina Sweet Pitcherplant	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Wet	Insects
Scutellaria incana	Downy Skullcap	P	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Scutellaria integrifolia	Narrowleaf Skullcap	P, M, C	Sun	Wet	Birds and Insects
Silphium perfoliatum	Common Cup-Plant	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Occasional Wet or Dry	Birds and Insects
Solidago caesia	Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod	P, M, C	Sun -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Solidago nemoralis	Eastern Gray Goldenrod	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Solidago rugosa	Wrinkle-Leaf Goldenrod	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Moist -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Symphyotrichum grandiflorum	Big-Headed Aster	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average --Dry	Birds and Insects
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae	New England Aster	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium	Eastern Aromatic Aster	M	Sun	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Symphyotrichum pilosum	Frost Aster	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Wet -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Tradescantia virginiana	Common Spiderwort	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects, Edible
Veronicastrum virginicum	Culver's Root	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Vernonia noveboracensis	New York Ironweed	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Moist -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Zizia aurea	Common Golden-Alexander	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Perennials NON NC Native Honorable Mentions
Achillea millefolium	Common Yarrow		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry -- Moist	Insects, Edible
Agastache foeniculum	Blue Giant-Hyssop		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds, Insects, Edible
Agave spp.	Century Plants		Sun	Dry	Birds, Insects, Bats, Edible
Amsonia hubrichtii	Hubricht's Bluestar		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Insects
Boltonia asteroides	Doll's Daisy		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Chrysogonum australe	Gulf Coast Green and Gold		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry -- Moist	Insects
Echinacea pallida	Pale Purple Coneflower		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds, Insects, Edible
Foeniculum vulgare	Common Fennel		Sun	Average -- Dry -- Moist	Birds, Insects, Edible
Gaillardia pulchella	Common Blanket-Flower		Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Isotrema tomentosum	Wooly Dutchman's Pipe		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Muenchhusia coccinea	Scarlet Rose Mallow		Sun -- Part Shade	Moist -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Muenchhusia grandiflora	Large-Flowered Hibiscus		Sun -- Part Shade	Moist -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Penstemon digitalis	White Beardtongue		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Rudbeckia maxima	Giant Coneflower		Sun	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Ruta graveolens	Common Rue		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry -- Moist	Insects
Salvia nemorosa	Woodland Sage		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Salvia yangii	Russian Sage		Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds, Insects, Edible
Stokesia laevis	Stokes Aster		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Vernonia lettermanii	Narrowleaf Ironweed		Sun	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Ferns
Adiantum pedatum	Northern Maidenhair	P, M+A96:H106, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Moist -- Wet	Groundcover and bird's nest material
Asplenium platyneuron	Ebony Spleenwort	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Dry	Groundcover and bird's nest material
Athyrium asplenioides	Southern Lady Fern	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Moist -- Wet	Groundcover, Frogs, Toads, and Lizards
Deparia acrostichoides	Silvery Spleenwort	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Moist -- Wet	Groundcover and bird's nest material
Dryopteris ludoviciana	Southern Woodfern	C	Part Shade -- Shade	Moist -- Wet	Groundcover and bird's nest material
Dryopteris marginalis	Marginal Woodfern	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Moist -- Wet	Groundcover, Frogs, Toads, and Lizards
Onoclea sensibilis	Sensitive Fern	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Moist -- Wet	Groundcover, Frogs, Toads, and Lizards
Osmunda spectabilis	American Royal Fern	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Moist -- Wet	Groundcover, Small mammal shelter
Osmundastrum cinnanoneum	Cinnamon Fern	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Moist -- Wet	Groundcover, Small mammal shelter
Polystichum acrostichoides	Christmas Fern	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Dry	Groundcover and bird's nest material
Pteridium pseudocaudatum	Southern Bracken	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Groundcover, Small mammal shelter
Vines
Ampelaster carolinianus	Climbing Aster	C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Bignonia capreolata	Cross-Vine	P, M, C	Sun -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Campsis radicans	Trumpet-Creeper	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Centrosema virginianum	Spurred Butterfly Pea	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Clitoria mariania	Butterfly Pea	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Gelsemium sempervirens	Carolina Jessamine	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Hydrangea barbara	Climbing Hydrangea	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Moist -- Wet	Insects
Passiflora incarnata	Purple Passionflower	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Insects, Edible Fruit
Passiflora lutea	Yellow Passionflower	P, M, C	Part Shade — Shade	Average — Moist	Insects, Edible Fruit
Lonicera sempervirens	Coral Honeysuckle	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Groundcovers
Chrysogonum virginianum	Virginia Green-And-Gold	P, M, C	Part Shade — Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Coreopsis auriculata	Mouse-Ear Coreopsis	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Erythronium umbilicatum	Dimpled Trout Lily	P, M, C	Shade — Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Heuchera americana	American Alumroot	P, M, C	Part Shade — Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Heuchera villosa	Rock Alumroot	P, M	Part shade — Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Hexastylis virginica	Virginia Heartleaf	P, M	Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Iris cristata	Dwarf Crested Iris	P, M, C	Part Shade — Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Mitchella repens	Partridge-Berry	P, M, C	Shade — Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Packera anonyma	Appalachian Ragwort	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Packera aurea	Golden Ragwort	P, M, C	Part Shade — Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Phlox divaricata	Eastern Blue Phlox	P, M, C	Part Shade — Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Phlox subulata	Moss Phlox	M	Sun	Average -- Dry	Insects
Phyla nodiflora	Creeping Frogfruit	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Dry -- Moist	Insects
Salvia lyrata	Lyre-Leaf Sage	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Sanguinaria canadensis	Bloodroot	P, M, C	Shade — Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Sedum ternatum	Mountain Stonecrop	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Sisyrinchium angustifolium	Common Blue-Eyed Grasses	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Tiarella cordifolia	Piedmont Foamflower	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Trillium spp.	Trilliums	P, M, C	Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Vaccinium macrocarpon	American Cranberry	C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects, Edible Fruit
Viola sororia	Common Blue Violet	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects

Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes

Scientific Name	Common Name	Piedmont (P), Mountain (M), or Coastal (C)	Exposure Needs	Water Needs	Wildlife Value
Grasses
Agrostis perennans	Autumn Bentgrass	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Anatherum ternarium	Splitbeard Bluestem	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Anatherum virginicum	Broomsedge	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Andropogon gerardi	Big Bluestem	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Arundinaria tecta	Switch Cane	P, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Chasmanthium latifolium	River Oats	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Chasmanthium laxum	Slender Spikegrass	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Dichanthelium scoparium	Velvet Witchgrass	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Elymus hystrix	Common Bottlebrush Grass	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Elymus virginicus	Common Eastern Wild-Rye	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Eragrostis elliotii	Elliot's Lovegrass	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Eragrostis spectabilis	Purple Lovegrass	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Erianthus giganteus	Sugarcane Plumegrass	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Muhlenbergia capillaris	Hair-Awn Muhly	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Panicum virgatum	Switchgrass	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Schizachyrium scoparium	Common Little Bluestem	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Sorghastrum nutans	Yellow Indiangrass	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Sporobolus heterolepis	Prairie Dropseed	M	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Tridens flavus	Purpletop	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Sedges NC Native
Carex annectens	Yellow-Fruited Sedge	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Carex crinita	Long-Fringed Sedge	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Carex flaccosperma	Meadow Sedge	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Carex grayi	Gray's Sedge	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Carex intumescens	Bladder Sedge	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Carex laxiculmis	Spreading Sedge	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Carex lurida	Sallow Sedge	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Carex radiata	Eastern Star Sedge	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Carex rosea	Rosy Sedge	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Carex vulpinoidea	Fox Sedge	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Rhynchospora colorata	Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge	C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani	Softstem Bulrush	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Scirpus cyperinus	Woolly Bullrush	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Sedges NON NC Native Honorable Mentions
Carex bicknellii	Bicknell's Sedge		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Carex divulsa	European Grey Sedge		Sun -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Carex texensis	Texas Sedge		Sun -- Part Shade	Average --Moist	Birds and Insects
Rushes
Juncus effusus	Common Rush	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Juncus tenuis	Path Rush	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average --Moist	Birds and Insects
Luzula acuminata	Carolina Wood-Rush	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average --Moist	Birds and Insects

Shrubs

Scientific Name	Common Name	Piedmont (P), Mountain (M), Coastal (C)	Exposure Needs	Water Needs	Wildlife Value
Shrubs NC Native
Aesculus sylvatica	Painted Buckeye	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Alnus serrulata	Tag Alder	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Moist -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Aronia arbutifolia	Red Chokeberry	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Aronia melanocarpa	Black Chokeberry	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Asimina triloba	Common Pawpaw	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Callicarpa americana	American Beautyberry	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Calycanthus floridus	Carolina Allspice	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Insects
Ceanothus americanus	Common New Jersey Tea	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Cephalanthus occidentalis	Buttonbush	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Clethra alnifolia	Sweet Pepperbush	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Dirca palustris	Leatherwood	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds
Euonymus americanus	Hearts A' Busting	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds
Fothergilla gardenii	Coastal Witch-alder	C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Insects
Fothergilla major (Fothergilla latifolia)	Mountain Witch-Alder	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Hydrangea arborescens	Smooth Hydrangea	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Hypericum densiflorum	Bushy St. John’s Wort	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Insects
Ilex decidua	Possumhaw Holly	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Ilex glabra	Inkberry	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Ilex verticillata	Winterberry Holly	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’ (or other dwarf)	Dwarf Yaupon Holly	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Itea virginica	Virgina Sweetspire	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl'	Grey Owl Juniper	P, M	Sun	Average	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Kalmia latifolia	Mountain Laurel	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Leucothoe axilaris	Coastal Doghobble	P, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects and Overwinter shelter
Leucothoe fontanesiana	Mountain Doghobble	P, M	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects and Overwinter shelter
Lindera benzoin	Spice Bush	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Morella cerifera (and dwarf species)	Southern Wax Myrtle	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Physocarpus opulifolius	Eastern Ninebark	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Rhododendron arborescens	Sweet Azalea	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Rhododendron atlanticum	Dwarf Azalea	C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Rhododendron calendulaceum	Flame Azalea	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Rhododendron canescens	Piedmont Azalea	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Rhododendron catawbiense	Catawba Rhododendron	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Rhododendron minus	Gorge Rhododendron	P, M	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Rhododendron periclymenoides	Pinxter Azalea	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Moist -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Rhododendron viscosum	Swamp Azalea	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Rhus aromatica	Fragrant Sumac	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Rhus glabra	Smooth Sumac	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Rhus typhina	Staghorn Sumac	P, M, C	Sun	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Rosa carolina	Carolina Rose	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds, Insects, Edible Fruit, Overwinter Shelter
Rosa palustris	Swamp Rose	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Salix caroliniana	Carolina Willow	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Salix humilis	Prairie Willow	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Salix sericea	Silky Willow	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Sambucus canadensis	Elderberry	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Swida amomum	Silky Dogwood	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Moist	Birds and Insects
Swida foemina	Southern Swamp Dogwood	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Swida racemosa	Gray Dogwood	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Vaccineum arboreum	Farkleberry	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Vaccineum corymbosum	Smooth Highbush Blueberry	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Vaccineum stamineum	Dwarf Deerberry	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Viburnum acerifolium	Mapleleaf Viburnum	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Viburnum dentatum	Arrowood Viburnum	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Viburnum nudum	Possumhaw Viburnum	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Viburnum prunifolium	Blackhaw Viburnum	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Viburnum rafinesqueanum	Downy Viburnum	P	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Xanthorhiza simplicissima	Yellowroot	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds
Yucca filamentosa	Adam’s Needle	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Flowers
Shrubs NON NC Native Honorable Mentions
Calycanthus x raulstonii	Raulston's Allspice		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Hydrangea paniculata	Panicle Hydrangea		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Hydrangea quercifolia	Oakleaf Hydrangea		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Hypericum frondosum	Golden St. John's-Wort		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Illicium floridanum	Florida Anise Shrub		Shade -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Illicium parviflorum	Anise Tree, Anise Shrub		Shade -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Rhododendron austrinum	Florida Flame Azalea		Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Rhododendron prunifolium	Plumleaf Azalea		Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Viburnum obovatum	Small Leaf Arrowwood		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects

Shade and Understory Trees

Scientific Name	Common Name	Piedmont (P), Mountain (M), Coastal (C)	Exposure Needs	Water Needs	Wildlife Value
Shade Trees
Aesculus flava	Yellow Buckeye	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Acer floridanum	Southern Sugar Maple	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Acer leucoderme	Chalk Maple	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Acer negundo	Eastern Box Elder	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Acer rubrum	Eastern Red Maple	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Acer saccharinum	Silver Maple	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Acer saccharum	Sugar Maple	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Acer x freemanii	Freeman's Maple	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Celtis laevigata	Sugarberry	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Celtis occidentalis	American Hackberry	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Fagus grandifolia	American Beech	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Edible Nuts
Juniperus virginiana	Eastern Red Cedar	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects and Overwinter Shelter
Magnolia grandiflora	Southern Magnolia	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Overwinter Shelter
Nyssa aquatica	Water Tupelo	C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Insects
Nyssa biflora	Swamp Tupelo	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Nyssa sylvatica	Black Gum	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Wet	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Pinus echinata	Shortleaf Pine	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Pinus palustris	Longleaf Pine	P, C	Sun	Average	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Pinus taeda	Loblolly Pine	P, M, C	Sun	Average	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Pinus virginiana	Virginia Pine	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Quercus alba	White Oak	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Quercus bicolor	Swamp White Oak	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Wet	Insects
Quercus coccinea	Scarlet Oak	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Quercus falcata	Southern Red Oak	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Quercus lyrata	Overcup Oak	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Quercus marilandica	Blackjack Oak	P, M, C	Sun	Average	Birds and Insects
Quercus michauxii	Swamp Chestnut Oak	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Quercus nigra	Water Oak	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Wet	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Quercus pagoda	Cherrybark Oak	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Quercus palustris	Pin Oak	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Quercus phellos	Willow Oak	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Quercus rubra	Red Oak	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Quercus shumardii	Shumard Oak	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Quercus stellata	Post Oak	P, M, C	Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Quercus velutina	Black Oak	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Quercus virginiana	Southern Live Oak	C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Salix nigra	Black Willow	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Taxodium ascendens	Pond Cypress	C	Sun	Moist -- Wet	Birds and Shelter
Taxodium distichum	Bald Cypress	C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Shelter
Tillia americana	American Linden	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Ulmus americana	American Elm	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Understory Trees NC Native
Aesculus pavia	Red Buckeye	P, C	Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Amelanchier arborea	Downy Serviceberry	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Amelanchier canadensis	Eastern Serviceberry	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Amelanchier laevis	Smooth Serviceberry	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Asiminia triloba	Common Pawpaw	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Benthamidia florida	American Dogwood	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Carpinus caroliniana	American Hornbeam	P, M, C	Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Cercis canadensis	Eastern Redbud	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Flowers
Chionanthus virginicus	Fringe-Tree	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Cladrastis kentukea	American Yellowwood	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Crataegus crus-galli	Cockspur Hawthorn	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Crataegus marshallii	Parsley Hawthorn	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Crataegus phaenopyrum	Washington Hawthorn	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Crataegus viridis	Green Hawthorn	P, M, C	Sun	Average	Birds and Insects
Diospyros virginiana	American Persimmon	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Hamamelis virginiana	Northern Witch Hazel	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Ilex opaca	American Holly	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Ilex vomitoria	Yaupon Holly	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Ilex x attenuata	Topal Holly	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Magnolia tripetala	Umbrella Magnolia	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds
Magnolia virginiana	Sweetbay Magnolia	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Overwinter Shelter
Ostrya virginiana	Hop-hornbeam	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Oxydendrum arboreum	Sourwood	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade -- Shade	Average	Birds and Insects
Prunus americana	American Wild Plum	P, M	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Prunus angustifolia	Chickasaw Plum	P, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Prunus serotina	Eastern Wild Black Cherry	P, M, C	Sun	Average	Birds and Insects
Sassafras albidum	American Sassafras	P, M, C	Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Root
Styrax americanus	American Snowbell	P, M, C	Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Understory Trees NON NC Native Honorable Mentions
Benthamidia japonica	Kousa Dogwood		Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Catalpa bignoides	Southern Catalpa		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects,and Bats
Carya illinoinensis	Pecan		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, and Edible Fruit
Cercidiphyllum japonicum	Katsura Tree		Sun	Average -- Moist	Insects
Cercis canadensis subsp. texensis	Texas Redbud		Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Flower
Cercis chinensis	Chinese Redbud		Sun -- Part Shade	Average	Birds, Insects, and Edible Flower
x Chitalpa	Desert Catalpa		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Cotinus obovatus	American Smoketree		Sun	Average -- Dry	Birds and Insects
Cryptomeria japonica	Japanese Cryptomeria		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds
Ficus carica	Common Fig		Sun -- Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Birds, Insects, Edible Fruit and Leaves
Ginkgo biloba	Ginkgo		Sun	Average -- Moist	Edible seed
Gordlinia grandiflora	Mountain Gordlinia		Part Shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Magnolia ashei	Ashe's Magnolia		Sun -- Part shade	Average -- Moist	Birds and Insects
Magnolia laevifolia	Polished Leaved Magnolia		Sun -- Part shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Magnolia x soulangeana	Saucer Magnolia		Sun -- Part shade	Average -- Moist	Insects
Metasequoia glyptostroboides	Dawn Redwood		Sun	Average -- Moist	Birds
Pinus glabra	Spruce Pine		Sun	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects
Quercus nuttallii / Quercus texana	Nuttall Oak		Sun	Average -- Wet	Birds and Insects

Invasive Plants

Raleigh is committed to fostering landscapes that are resilient, adaptable, and diverse. The City promotes the use of native plants while actively discouraging the spread of invasive species. An invasive plant is one that is non-native to a given ecosystem and whose presence causes, or is likely to cause, harm to the environment, economy, or public health. For these reasons, the plants listed below are prohibited from use in required landscaping and are strongly discouraged from being planted anywhere within Raleigh.

Scientific Name	Common Name
Rank 1 – Severe Threat
Ailanthus altissima	Tree-of-heaven
Albizia julibrissin	Mimosa
Alliaria petiolata	Garlic Mustard
Alternanthera philoxeroides	Alligator-weed
Ampelopsis glandulosa	Porcelain-berry
Celastrus orbiculatus	Oriental Bittersweet
Dioscorea polystachya	Chinese Yam
Elaeagnus umbellata	Autumn Olive
Ficaria verna	Fig Buttercup
Hedera helix	English Ivy
Humulus scandens	Japanese Hops
Hydrilla verticillata	Hydrilla
Lespedeza bicolor	Bicolor Lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneata	Sericea Lespedeza
Ligustrum japonicum & cultivars	Japanese Privet
Ligustrum lucidum & cultivars	Glossy Privet
Ligustrum sinense & cultivars	Chinese Privet
Lonicera japonica	Japanese Honeysuckle
Microstegium vimineum	Japanese Stilt-grass
Miscanthus sinensis	Chinese Silver Grass
Murdannia keisak	Marsh Dewflower
Myriophyllum aquaticum	Parrot-feather
Paulownia tomentosa	Princess Tree
Persicaria perfoliata	Mile-a-minute-vine
Phragmites australis	Common Reed
Pueraria montana var. lobata	Kudzu
Pyrus calleryana	Bradford/Callery Pear
Reynoutria japonica var. japonica	Japanese Knotweed
Reynoutria sachalinensis	Giant Knotweed
Reynoutria x bohemica	Bohemian Knotweed
Rosa multiflora	Multiflora Rose
Salvinia molesta	Giant Salvinia
Spiraea japonica	Japanese Spiraea
Vitex rotundifolia	Roundleaf Chaste-tree
Wisteria floribunda	Japanese Wisteria
Wisteria sinensis	Chinese Wisteria
Wisteria x formosa	Hybrid Asian Wisteria
Youngia japonica	Asiatic Hawk’s-beard
Rank 2 – Significant Threat
Akebia quinata	Chocolate-vine
Allium vineale	Field Garlic
Arthraxon hispidus	Basket Grass
Arum italicum	Italian Arum
Berberis thunbergii	Japanese Barberry
Broussonetia papyrifera	Paper Mulberry
Buddleja davidii	Orange-eye Butterfly-bush
Causonis japonica	Bushkiller
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos	Spotted Knapweed
Cirsium arvense	Canada Thistle
Citrus trifoliata	Trifoliate Orange
Clematis terniflora	Sweet Autumn Clematis
Corydalis incisa	Purple Keman
Cytisus scoparius	Scotch Broom
Egeria densa	Brazilian Elodea
Elaeagnus angustifolia	Russian Olive
Elaeagnus pungens	Thorny-olive
Euonymus alatus	Burning Bush
Euonymus fortunei	Wintercreeper
Glechoma hederacea	Ground-ivy
Imperata cylindrica + varieties	Cogongrass
Iris pseudacorus	Yellow Flag
Ligustrum vulgare & cultivars	Common Privet
Lonicera fragrantíssima	Amur Honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii	Morrow’s Honeysuckle
Lonicera morrowii	Standish’s Honeysuckle
Lonicera standishii	Pretty Honeysuckle
Lygodium japonicum	Japanese Climbing Fern
Lysimachia nummularia	Creeping Jenny/Charlie
Lythrum salicaria	Purple Loosestrife
Mahonia bealei	Leatherleaf Mahonia
Morus alba	White Mulberry
Myriophyllum spicatum	Eurasian Water-milfoil
Nandina domestica	Heavenly Bamboo
Oshuna crassipes	Water Hyacinth
Perilla frutescens	Beefsteak-plant
Persicaria longiseta	Longbristle Smartweed
Persicaria maculosa	Lady’s-thumb
Phyllostachys aurea	Golden Bamboo
Rosa lucieae	Memorial Rose
Rubus phoenicolasius	Wineberry
Solanum viarum	Tropical Soda Apple
Sorghum halapense	Johnson Grass
Stellaria media	Common Chickweed
Triadica sebifera	Chinese Tallow-tree
Tussilago farfara	Coltsfoot
Ulmus parviflora	Chinese Elm
Verbascum phlomoides	Clasping Mullein
Viburnum dilatatum	Linden Arrow-wood
Vinca major	Greater Periwinkle
Vinca minor	Common Periwinkle
Rank 3 – Lesser Threat
Agrostis gigantea	Black Bentgrass
Ajuga reptans	Bugleweed
Anthoxanthum odoratum	Sweet Vernal Grass
Artemisia vulgaris	Common Mugwort
Arundo donax	Giant Reed
Bromus catharticus var. catharticus	Bromegrass
Bromus commutatus	Meadow Brome
Bromus japonicus	Japanese Brome
Bromus secalinus	Cheat
Bromus tectorum	Cheatgrass
Cardiospermum haliacacabum	Balloon Vine
Cichorium intybus	Chickory
Cirsium vulgare	Bull Thistle
Conium maculatum	Poison-hemlock
Cynodon dactylon	Bermuda Grass
Daucus carota	Queen-Anne’s-lace
Dipsacus fullonum	Wild Teasel
Emblica urinaria	Chamber-bitter
Eremochloa ophiuriodes	Centipede Grass
Fatoua villosa	Mulberry-weed
Firmiana simplex	Chinese Parasol-tree
Helleborus species	Lenten-rose
Hibiscus syriacus	Rose-of-Sharon
Holcus lanatus	Common Velvet Grass
Ilex cornuta + varieties	Burford Holly
Kummerowia stipulacea	Korean Lespedeza
Kummerowia stipulacea	Japanese-clover
Lamium purpureum	Purple Dead-nettle
Leucanthemum vulgare	Oxeye Daisy
Liriope muscari	Big Blue Lilyturf
Lolium pratense	Meadow Fescue
Ludwigia hexapetala	Common Water-primrose
Melia azedarach	Chinaberry
Melilotus albus	White Sweetclover
Melilotus officinalis	Yellow Sweetclover
Mosla dianthera	Minature Beefsteakplant
Najas minor	Spinyleaf Naiad
Nymphoides peltata	Yellow Floating Heart
Ornithogalum umbellatum	Star-of-Bethlehem
Paspalum dilatatum	Dallis Grass
Paspalum notatum	Bahia Grass
Paspalum urvillei	Vasey Grass
Pastinaca sativa	Wild Parsnip
Phleum pratense	Timothy
Poa compressa	Flat-stemmed Bluegrass
Poa pratensis	Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa trivialis	Rough Bluegrass
Populus alba	Silver Poplar
Potentilla indica	Indian Strawberry
Rhamnus cathartica	European Buckthorn
Rhodotypos scandens	Jetbead
Securigera varia	Crown-vetch
Senecio vulgaris	Common Groundsel
Setaria faberi	Nodding Foxtail-grass
Setaria pumila	Yellow Foxtail

Plant Raleigh Book

Contact

Lauren Freudenberger
City Horticulturist
Lauren.Freudenberger@raleighnc.gov

Department:: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

Related Services:: Gardens and Urban Agriculture

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Perennials, Ferns, Vines, and Groundcovers

Perennials NC Native

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Ferns

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Grasses

Sedges NC Native

Sedges NON NC Native Honorable Mentions

Rushes

Shrubs

Shrubs NC Native

Shrubs NON NC Native Honorable Mentions

Shade and Understory Trees

Shade Trees

Understory Trees NC Native

Understory Trees NON NC Native Honorable Mentions

Invasive Plants

Rank 1 – Severe Threat

Rank 2 – Significant Threat

Rank 3 – Lesser Threat

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