Native plants for Houston County, Alabama
308 native plants recorded in Houston County, Alabama
The USDA plant database has 381 plants recorded growing wild in Houston County. 308 of them are native to the lower 48, and 27 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 126 wildflowers and herbs, 40 grasses and sedges, 41 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 75 trees, 17 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 123 of them (40%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Gray everlasting (Gamochaeta coarctata) and 1 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Houston County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 123 | 0 | 185 |
| Half shade | 77 | 46 | 185 |
| Under trees | 43 | 80 | 185 |
| Heavy clay | 79 | 44 | 185 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 88 | 35 | 185 |
| Never watered | 49 | 73 | 186 |
| Stays soggy | 70 | 53 | 185 |
Sun all day in Houston County: 123 rated natives
64 trees, 22 wildflowers and herbs, 19 shrubs, 8 grasses and sedges, 6 vines, 4 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 - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Hairy chaffhead (Carphephorus paniculatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid 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 - Fetterbush lyonia (Lyonia lucida) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
Half shade in Houston County: 77 rated natives
42 trees, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 8 shrubs, 6 grasses and sedges, 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 - 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 - 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 - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 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 - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · high shade tolerance - Elliott's blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in Houston County: 43 rated natives
22 trees, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 5 shrubs, 4 grasses and sedges, 2 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 - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Carolina redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Tenangle pipewort (Eriocaulon decangulare) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Devil's walkingstick (Aralia spinosa) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Longleaf woodoats (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Houston County: 79 rated natives
41 trees, 16 wildflowers and herbs, 10 shrubs, 7 grasses and sedges, 3 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Hairy chaffhead (Carphephorus paniculatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Fetterbush lyonia (Lyonia lucida) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Swamp rose (Rosa palustris) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Two-wing silverbell (Halesia diptera) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Houston County: 88 rated natives
50 trees, 16 shrubs, 13 wildflowers and herbs, 6 grasses and sedges, 2 vines, 1 low woody plants. 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 - Fetterbush lyonia (Lyonia lucida) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - 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 - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - 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 Houston County: 49 rated natives
26 trees, 10 shrubs, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 3 vines, 3 grasses and sedges. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Hairy chaffhead (Carphephorus paniculatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - 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 - Blue huckleberry (Gaylussacia frondosa) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Houston County: 70 rated natives
31 trees, 18 wildflowers and herbs, 10 shrubs, 7 grasses and sedges, 2 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Crimsoneyed rosemallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - 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 - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate 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 - Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
Natives Houston County has that most of Alabama does not
42 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Alabama's 66 counties. A few of them:
- Small-leaf arrowwood (Viburnum obovatum): only here
- Variableleaf Indian plantain (Arnoglossum diversifolium): only here
- Gholson's sedge (Carex gholsonii): only here
- Elliott's croton (Croton elliottii): only here
- Branched hedgehyssop (Gratiola ramosa): only here
- Least duckweed (Lemna minuta): only here
- Shrubby primrose-willow (Ludwigia suffruticosa): only here
- Largeflower rose gentian (Sabatia grandiflora): only here
- Hall's bulrush (Schoenoplectiella hallii): only here
- Elliott's goldenrod (Solidago latissimifolia): only here
Where to start in Houston County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Houston County gives you the most rated choice (123 plants), and Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 43 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 185 unrated natives too.