Native plants for Franklin County, Alabama
288 native plants recorded in Franklin County, Alabama
The USDA plant database has 364 plants recorded growing wild in Franklin County. 288 of them are native to the lower 48, and 21 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 128 wildflowers and herbs, 8 grasses and sedges, 27 shrubs, 16 low woody plants, 88 trees, 21 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 125 of them (43%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Toothed spurge (Euphorbia dentata) is also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Franklin County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 125 | 0 | 163 |
| Half shade | 74 | 51 | 163 |
| Under trees | 44 | 81 | 163 |
| Heavy clay | 69 | 56 | 163 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 96 | 29 | 163 |
| Never watered | 68 | 56 | 164 |
| Stays soggy | 37 | 88 | 163 |
Sun all day in Franklin County: 125 rated natives
74 trees, 21 wildflowers and herbs, 14 shrubs, 11 vines, 4 low woody plants, 1 grasses and sedges. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pride of Ohio (Dodecatheon meadia) 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 - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Franklin County: 74 rated natives
48 trees, 9 wildflowers and herbs, 7 vines, 6 shrubs, 4 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 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 - Pinnate prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 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 - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Under trees in Franklin County: 44 rated natives
32 trees, 5 wildflowers and herbs, 3 shrubs, 2 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 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 - Pinnate prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 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 Franklin County: 69 rated natives
40 trees, 12 wildflowers and herbs, 8 shrubs, 6 vines, 2 low woody plants, 1 grasses and sedges. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate 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 - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 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 - Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Franklin County: 96 rated natives
62 trees, 13 wildflowers and herbs, 11 shrubs, 7 vines, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pride of Ohio (Dodecatheon meadia) 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 - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Franklin County: 68 rated natives
39 trees, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 9 shrubs, 7 vines, 3 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 - Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Limestone wild petunia (Ruellia strepens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Franklin County: 37 rated natives
19 trees, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 7 shrubs, 2 vines, 1 low woody plants, 1 grasses and sedges. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Limestone wild petunia (Ruellia strepens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pink azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Laurel greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil - Valley redstem (Ammannia coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth
Natives Franklin County has that most of Alabama does not
22 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Alabama's 66 counties. A few of them:
- Brown widelip orchid (Liparis liliifolia): only here
- Stemless evening primrose (Oenothera triloba): only here
- White avens (Geum canadense): 2 counties
- Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis): 2 counties
- Mullein foxglove (Dasistoma macrophylla): 2 counties
- Mountain woodfern (Dryopteris campyloptera): 2 counties
- Longleaf buckwheat (Eriogonum longifolium): 2 counties
- Duck River bladderpod (Lesquerella densipila): 2 counties
- Lyreleaf bladderpod (Lesquerella lyrata): 2 counties
- Smallfruit primrose-willow (Ludwigia microcarpa): 2 counties
Where to start in Franklin County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Franklin County gives you the most rated choice (125 plants), and Common blue violet (Viola sororia) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 37 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 163 unrated natives too.