Native plants for Gwinnett County, Georgia

186 native plants recorded in Gwinnett County, Georgia

The USDA plant database has 225 plants recorded growing wild in Gwinnett County. 186 of them are native to the lower 48, and 15 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 99 wildflowers and herbs, 21 grasses and sedges, 13 shrubs, 8 low woody plants, 38 trees, 7 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 55 of them (30%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. A plant missing here has not been recorded yet, which is not proof it would fail.

What fits each kind of spot in Gwinnett County

Sun all day in Gwinnett County: 55 rated natives

26 trees, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 7 shrubs, 5 grasses and sedges, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
2. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 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. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Gwinnett County: 31 rated natives

16 trees, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 5 shrubs, 3 grasses and sedges, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate 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. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · high shade tolerance
5. New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
7. Hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
8. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in Gwinnett County: 23 rated natives

12 trees, 4 wildflowers and herbs, 4 shrubs, 2 grasses and sedges, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate 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. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial
5. Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial
6. Hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) grasses and sedges
   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. Devil's walkingstick (Aralia spinosa) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight

Heavy clay in Gwinnett County: 34 rated natives

15 trees, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 5 grasses and sedges, 4 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
2. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) grasses and sedges
   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. New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Gwinnett County: 39 rated natives

19 trees, 8 wildflowers and herbs, 5 shrubs, 5 grasses and sedges, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
2. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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. Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · perennial

Never watered in Gwinnett County: 30 rated natives

15 trees, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 5 shrubs, 2 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. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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 · high drought tolerance
5. New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance
7. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance

Stays soggy in Gwinnett County: 19 rated natives

7 wildflowers and herbs, 7 trees, 3 grasses and sedges, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
2. Nodding lady's tresses (Spiranthes cernua) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
3. Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
4. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
5. 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
6. Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial
7. Hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Natives Gwinnett County has that most of Georgia does not

13 natives here are on file in no more than 8 of Georgia's 159 counties. A few of them:

• Wild goose plum (Prunus munsoniana): only here
• Coastal serviceberry (Amelanchier obovalis): 2 counties
• Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum): 2 counties
• Riverbank wildrye (Elymus riparius): 4 counties
• Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense): 4 counties
• Pygmypipes (Monotropsis odorata): 4 counties
• Long's rush (Juncus longii): 5 counties
• Fewflower nutrush (Scleria pauciflora): 6 counties
• Downy pagoda-plant (Blephilia ciliata): 7 counties
• Gulf pipewort (Eriocaulon koernickianum): 7 counties

Where to start in Gwinnett County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Gwinnett County gives you the most rated choice (55 plants), and American water-willow (Justicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 19 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 131 unrated natives too.