YardNatives

Native plants for Covington County, Alabama

377 native plants recorded in Covington County, Alabama

The USDA plant database has 459 plants recorded growing wild in Covington County. 377 of them are native to the lower 48, and 34 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 180 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 45 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 72 trees, 17 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 118 of them (31%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Gray everlasting (Gamochaeta coarctata) are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Covington County

SpotRated to fitRated not toUnrated
Sun all day1180259
Half shade7345259
Under trees4078259
Heavy clay7543259
Sandy, drains fast8731259
Never watered4969259
Stays soggy6454259

Sun all day in Covington County: 118 rated natives

59 trees, 21 wildflowers and herbs, 19 shrubs, 11 grasses and sedges, 6 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Common blue violet (Viola sororia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Sand blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Peelbark St. Johnswort (Hypericum fasciculatum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial
  8. Dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · perennial

Half shade in Covington County: 73 rated natives

37 trees, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 9 grasses and sedges, 6 shrubs, 4 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  2. Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  3. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  4. Peelbark St. Johnswort (Hypericum fasciculatum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  5. Common blue violet (Viola sororia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Sand blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · high shade tolerance
  8. Narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · perennial

Under trees in Covington County: 40 rated natives

22 trees, 9 wildflowers and herbs, 4 shrubs, 3 grasses and sedges, 1 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Peelbark St. Johnswort (Hypericum fasciculatum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial
  6. Carolina redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grasses and sedges
    USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Manyspike flatsedge (Cyperus polystachyos) grasses and sedges
    USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Covington County: 75 rated natives

35 trees, 16 wildflowers and herbs, 12 shrubs, 8 grasses and sedges, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  2. Common blue violet (Viola sororia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · perennial
  4. Narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · perennial
  5. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Eastern baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia) trees
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) trees
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Carolina redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Covington County: 87 rated natives

48 trees, 15 shrubs, 12 wildflowers and herbs, 8 grasses and sedges, 3 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Sand blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Peelbark St. Johnswort (Hypericum fasciculatum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial
  5. Dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · perennial
  6. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Eastern baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia) trees
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Elliott's blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Covington County: 49 rated natives

25 trees, 11 shrubs, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 4 vines, 2 grasses and sedges. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  2. Peelbark St. Johnswort (Hypericum fasciculatum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  3. Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance
  5. Narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance
  6. Dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · perennial
  7. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance

Stays soggy in Covington County: 64 rated natives

28 trees, 14 wildflowers and herbs, 12 shrubs, 8 grasses and sedges, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  2. Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  3. Broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  4. Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  5. Green arrow arum (Peltandra virginica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil
  6. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  7. Eastern baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia) trees
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  8. Pink azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Natives Covington County has that most of Alabama does not

41 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Alabama's 66 counties. A few of them:

Where to start in Covington County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Covington County gives you the most rated choice (118 plants), and Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 40 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 259 unrated natives too.