NC NATIVE PLANTS

For decades, Cline’s Nursery has been passionate about NC native plants. We are committed to providing our customers with the highest-quality NC native plants in a variety of types, sizes and colors.

Choosing what plants to decorate your garden with is an exciting but intimidating task! Whenever you decide to plant something, you should be making sure that it is compatible with your garden and the location you are in. For this reason, many gardeners prefer plants that are native to the region in which they are planting.

Benefits of Planting NC Native Plants

There is a long list of benefits that comes with planting native plants in your garden. The first and often most important benefit to gardeners is the savings in money and water. Native plants are accustomed to their habitat which allows them to hold water better than non-native plants, meaning you will save a significant amount of water. Since these plants are accustomed to their environment, they are better resistant to local weather. They are able to withstand variations that are typical to the region. Non-native plants may not be able to survive irregularities in your region’s weather.

Another significant benefit to planting native plants in your garden is that they may actually restore the natural habitat of your area. By planting plants that are native to your area, you are restoring the environment for many of the animals that live in your yard and surrounding areas. Native plants are great for creating a pollinator garden, producing fruit, nectar, and seeds which provide a natural source of food to the pollinators and support the ecosystem and other wildlife in your area.

One of the best benefits of planting native plants is that they do not require fertilizer or pesticides! Because they are adapted to your specific region, these plants will not require assistance in defending themselves against indigenous insects, fungi, and disease. Instead of spraying your plants with pesticides and fertilizers that may harm your yard and animals around, your plants will grow on their own!

With all of that being said, here are the best 25 Native Pollinator Plants for North Carolina!

Spring Blooming NC Native Plants

Aside from finding plants that are native to your region, you should determine the best plants according to the season in which you are planting them and want to see them bloom. According to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, these are the best NC native plants that bloom in the Spring:

  • Wild Indigo (Baptisia)
  • Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia Virginiana)
  • Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea)
  • Stoke’s Aster (Stokesia Laevis)
  • Lanceleaf Blanketflower (Gaillardia Aestivalis)
  • Bee Balm (Monarda)
  • Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon Digitalis)
  • Golden Alexander (Zizia Aurea)
  • New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus Americanus)

Summer Blooming NC Native Plants

These are some of the best native plants to plant if you want a nice summer bloom, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension

  • Milkweeds (A Sclespias Suberosa, A Incarnata, and other species)
  • John Wort (Hyhpericum Fondosum)
  • Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia Siphilitica)
  • Blazing Star (Liatris Spicata)
  • Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium Yuccifolium)
  • Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum)
  • Buttonbush (Cephalanthus Occidentalis)
  • Blue Vervain (Verbena Hastata)
  • Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum Virginicum)
  • Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium Dubium)

Fall Blooming NC Native Plants

Here are some of the best NC native plants to put in your garden if you would like to see a fall bloom.

  • Spotted Horsemint (Monarda Punctata)
  • Asters (Symphyotricum)
  • Climber Aster (Ameplaster Carolinianus)
  • Boneset (Eupatorium Perfoliatum)
  • Goldenrod (Solidago)
  • New York Ironweed (Veronia Noveboracensis)

Where to Find NC Native Plants

If you look hard enough at most garden centers you can find plenty of native plant options, but that can be difficult and exhausting! There are a few garden supply stores that reign superior when shopping for native plants, some are in North Carolina and some are not.

Sources in North Carolina:

  • Cline’s Nursery is located in Shelby, North Carolina. They are a retail and wholesale nursery with a wide assortment of native perennials, shrubs, herbs, and annuals
  • Country Farm & Home is located in Pittsboro, North Carolina. They are a distributor of native plants with the ability to ship their products all over the country! The plants they distribute are grown at Mellow Marsh Farm.
  • Cure Nursery is also located in Pittsboro, North Carolina. They specialize in container-grown native trees, shrubs, and perennials.
  • Growing Wild Nursery is located in Siler City, North Carolina. They are best known for their online nursery of native perennials.
  • North Carolina Botanical Garden is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Here, you can find native perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and even grasses.

Native Plants Suppliers Outside of North Carolina

  • Ernst Conservation Seeds is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. They specialize in native pollinator seed mixes.
  • Applewood Seed Company is located in Arvada, Colorado. Here, they specialize in flower, herb, and grass seeds meant for wildflower meadows.
  • Roundstone Native Seed serves the area of Upton, Kentucky. You can find native pollinator seed mixes here.

No matter where you get your NC native plants or seeds, you want to be sure that it comes from somewhere that can ensure their quality. Every location on this list has proven itself to be reliable and superior to other options. Look into what native plants will work best in your garden and plant some this year!

CONTACT US

Looking for a particular plant, tree or shrub? If we don’t have the color, quantity or size you need, we’ll get it for you quickly! Save time by letting us be your go-to source! Fill out the form below and a member of our staff will be in touch with you, or call us at 704-487-9861.

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