Native plants for Escambia County, Alabama
344 native plants recorded in Escambia County, Alabama
The USDA plant database has 420 plants recorded growing wild in Escambia County. 344 of them are native to the lower 48, and 18 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 133 wildflowers and herbs, 42 grasses and sedges, 44 shrubs, 12 low woody plants, 94 trees, 19 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 144 of them (42%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus) and 2 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Escambia County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 144 | 0 | 200 |
| Half shade | 88 | 56 | 200 |
| Under trees | 50 | 94 | 200 |
| Heavy clay | 97 | 47 | 200 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 106 | 38 | 200 |
| Never watered | 64 | 80 | 200 |
| Stays soggy | 76 | 68 | 200 |
Sun all day in Escambia County: 144 rated natives
76 trees, 24 shrubs, 21 wildflowers and herbs, 13 grasses and sedges, 7 vines, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - 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 - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Sand blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - St. Peterswort (Hypericum crux-andreae) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Escambia County: 88 rated natives
45 trees, 16 wildflowers and herbs, 11 grasses and sedges, 10 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - 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 - 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 - Sand blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in Escambia County: 50 rated natives
26 trees, 9 wildflowers and herbs, 6 shrubs, 6 grasses and sedges, 2 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Peelbark St. Johnswort (Hypericum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial - Sawtooth blackberry (Rubus argutus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Escambia County: 97 rated natives
51 trees, 17 wildflowers and herbs, 14 shrubs, 10 grasses and sedges, 4 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - 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 - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fetterbush lyonia (Lyonia lucida) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · perennial - Narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Escambia County: 106 rated natives
59 trees, 20 shrubs, 12 wildflowers and herbs, 11 grasses and sedges, 2 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Sand blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - St. Peterswort (Hypericum crux-andreae) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fetterbush lyonia (Lyonia lucida) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Peelbark St. Johnswort (Hypericum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial
Never watered in Escambia County: 64 rated natives
31 trees, 13 shrubs, 8 grasses and sedges, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 4 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - 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 - St. Peterswort (Hypericum crux-andreae) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance - 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 - Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Blue huckleberry (Gaylussacia frondosa) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance - Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Escambia County: 76 rated natives
38 trees, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 13 shrubs, 8 grasses and sedges, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Dwarf witchalder (Fothergilla gardenii) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - 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 - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Fetterbush lyonia (Lyonia lucida) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Parsley hawthorn (Crataegus marshallii) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Pink azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Natives Escambia County has that most of Alabama does not
6 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Alabama's 66 counties. A few of them:
- Viviparous spikerush (Eleocharis vivipara): only here
- Ridgestem false foxglove (Agalinis oligophylla): 2 counties
- Pineland bogbutton (Lachnocaulon digynum): 2 counties
- Chapman's blazing star (Liatris chapmanii): 2 counties
- Scentless bayberry (Morella inodora): 3 counties
- Cottony goldenaster (Chrysopsis gossypina): 3 counties
Where to start in Escambia County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Escambia County gives you the most rated choice (144 plants), and Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 50 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 200 unrated natives too.