- Best South Carolina Native Plants for Your Lawn<\/a>
- 1. Carolina Jessamine<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Coral Honeysuckle<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Beebalm<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Butterfly Milkweed<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Late Purple Aster<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Purple Coneflower<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Swamp Sunflower<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Yellow Indiangrass<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Sweetgrass<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Christmas Fern<\/a><\/li>
- 11. Eastern Red Cedar<\/a><\/li>
- 12. American Beautyberry<\/a><\/li>
- 13. Oakleaf Hydrangea<\/a><\/li>
- 14. Virginia Sweetspire<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to Choose the Best Native Plants for Your Landscape<\/a><\/li>
- Why Use Native Plants?<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Native Plants in South Carolina<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Best South Carolina Native Plants for Your Lawn<\/h2>
South Carolina\u2019s native plants have been growing in the region for thousands of years and can give your landscape a touch of beauty, like your own small piece of Congaree National Park. <\/p>
They were discovered by the Catawba and then European settlers but are now being rediscovered as people realize these plants are able to thrive in their South Carolina landscapes successfully. <\/p>
Out of all the native plants growing here in the Palmetto State, these are the best:<\/p>
1. Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"yellow](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Carolina-Jessamine-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Homer Edward Price<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> South Carolina\u2019s state flower, Carolina jessamine is known as the \u201cherald of spring\u201d because it blooms so early in the year. A vine with shiny dark green leaves and bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, it is the perfect plant to grow along fences and arbors. <\/p>
Since the colonial days, the root has been used as a home remedy<\/a> for migraine, fever, bronchitis, whooping cough, neuralgia, rheumatism, and ovarian and uterine pain, among other things. However, there is no scientific support for this, and the plant becomes toxic to both animals and people when too much is ingested.<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Vine<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 7 to 10<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Clay, sand, loam, acidic, well-drained<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> A sweet scent that is used for perfume<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>February through April<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Medium<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> 10 to 20 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards<\/strong>: In addition to the plant\u2019s toxicity, its stands are highly flammable.<\/li>
- Maintenance Needs:<\/strong> Low<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Coral-Honeysuckle-Lonicera-sempervirens.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Paul VanDerWerf<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Coral honeysuckle has clusters of long, tubular bright red flowers that stand out against its smooth, glossy leaves. This South Carolina native needs light, airflow, and plenty of drainage in your yard<\/a> to thrive. It can tolerate poor drainage for short periods of time but will eventually contract powdery mildew if left wet for too long.<\/p>
This twining vine plant works as either a climber or a groundcover and is a favorite among hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumblebees, so it is a perfect choice if you\u2019re planting a pollinator garden<\/a>. In fact, coral honeysuckle is perfect for birdwatchers since its red berries also attract quail, finches, thrushes, and robins. <\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Vine<\/li>
- Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 4 to 9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Clay, sand, loam, slightly acidic, well-drained. It acclimates to many soil types. <\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Semi-evergreen perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>None<\/li>
- Bloom Time: <\/strong>March through May<\/li>
- Water Needs: <\/strong>Medium<\/li>
- Mature Height:<\/strong> 15 to 20 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards:<\/strong> Slightly poisonous. Do not consume. <\/li>
- Maintenance Needs:<\/strong> Low<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Beebalm (Monarda didyma<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Bee](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Monarda-didyma.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Watts<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> Beebalm was named by Native Americans, who used it to season food and as a medicine to soothe bee stings (hence the name). It has a few other names, such as \u201chorsemint\u201d and \u201cbergamot.\u201d<\/p>
Bee balm’s fragrant, colorful flowers bloom in scarlet, pink, and purple. It is an attractive plant for bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Though it can tolerate some shade, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil and full sun. Bee balm can grow up to 4 feet tall and spreads rapidly.<\/p>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>4 to 9 <\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Chalk, clay, loam, sand<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>Minty aroma when leaves are crushed<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>May to June<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Average<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>2 to <\/strong>4 feet <\/li>
- Potential Hazards:<\/strong> Vulnerable to powdery mildew. <\/li>
- Maintenance Needs:<\/strong> Low<\/li> <\/ul>
4. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)<\/em><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Butterfly-Milkweed-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Wackybadger<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Butterfly milkweed is an important plant in South Carolina with a rich history. <\/p>
Native Americans used its fibers to make ropes and to weave into clothing. They also used it for food. European settlers used its leaves to make a tea to treat chest inflammation, and called the plant \u201cpleurisy root.\u201d It was listed in the American Pharmacopoeia and the National Formulary until 1936.<\/p>
Butterfly milkweed has straight, hairy stems and produces flat or rounded clusters of many small individual flowers. Unlike other plants from the milkweed species, butterfly milkweed does not create a thick, milky sap, but instead a watery, translucent sap. The fruit of butterfly milkweed is a pod full of tufted seeds that are spread by floating on the breeze.<\/p>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3 to 9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Clay, loam, sand<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>Vanilla<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>June to August <\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>1 to 2 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards: <\/strong>Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses<\/li>
- Maintenance Needs:<\/strong> Low<\/li> <\/ul>
5. Late Purple Aster (Symphyotrichum patens)<\/em><\/h3>
![\"late](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Symphyotrichum-patens-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Anyone who has driven through South Carolina has seen these plants with their long, thin, purple flowers. The stems of this plant grow up to 3 feet tall, and the blooms appear in late summer and disappear in early fall.<\/p>
The flower’s nectar attracts pollinators, and the plant is drought- and salt-tolerant. <\/p>
If you grow it in your yard, be sure to keep it in soil with good drainage. Poor airflow and drainage can cause powdery mildew<\/a> and aster wilt.<\/p>
- Plant Type:<\/strong> Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 4 to 8<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Sandy to shallow rocky<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> None<\/li>
- Bloom Time:<\/strong> September to October<\/li>
- Water Needs:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Mature Height:<\/strong> 3 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards: <\/strong>None<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/li> <\/ul>
6. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Echinacea-purpurea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Purple coneflower is not only colorful but also attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your yard. Some people use it as an herbal remedy for preventing and treating coughs and colds. <\/p>
Purple coneflower has long, smooth stems and long, drooping lavender petals attached to a spiny center. Its scientific name comes from the Greek word echinos<\/em>, which means hedgehog.<\/p>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3 to 8<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Well-drained, <\/strong>sandy, and rich soil<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/strong><\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>Light, sweet, honey-like<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>Middle of summer and continues off and on until frost<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Medium<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> 2 to 5 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards: <\/strong>None<\/li>
- Maintenance Needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li> <\/ul>
7. Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Helianthus-angustifolius.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Sixflashphoto<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The name gives it away: This is a plant that thrives in wet soil. Its bright yellow daisy-like flowers stand out in the swamps for which South Carolina is famous. When it isn’t in a swamp, it is known as narrow-leaved coreopsis or sunflower. In a swamp or not, it attracts songbirds and other pollinators. <\/p>
The leaves are narrow, hairy, and pointed at the tip. Swamp sunflowers can grow up to 8 feet tall and can be a bit flimsy, needing to be staked for security. They need plenty of room to spread and do well in moist soils. They can be vulnerable to caterpillars and diseases such as rust and powdery mildew.<\/p>
- Plant Type:<\/strong> Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 5 to 9<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full or partial sun<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Clay, loamy, or sandy soil<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> Delicate, vegetal<\/li>
- Bloom Time:<\/strong> Late summer to early fall<\/li>
- Water Needs:<\/strong> Moderate to high<\/li>
- Mature Height:<\/strong> 5 to 8 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards: <\/strong>None<\/li>
- Maintenance Needs:<\/strong> Low<\/li> <\/ul>
8. Yellow Indiangrass (
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 5 to 9<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3 to 8<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 4 to 8<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3 to 9<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>4 to 9 <\/li>
- Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 4 to 9<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 7 to 10<\/li>
- 2. Coral Honeysuckle<\/a><\/li>
- 1. Carolina Jessamine<\/a><\/li>