Native plants for New Hanover County, North Carolina
772 native plants recorded in New Hanover County, North Carolina
The USDA plant database has 1,048 plants recorded growing wild in New Hanover County. 772 of them are native to the lower 48, and 110 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 398 wildflowers and herbs, 173 grasses and sedges, 54 shrubs, 42 low woody plants, 69 trees, 36 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 229 of them (30%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 15 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in New Hanover County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 229 | 0 | 543 |
| Half shade | 152 | 77 | 543 |
| Under trees | 87 | 142 | 543 |
| Heavy clay | 162 | 67 | 543 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 160 | 69 | 543 |
| Never watered | 82 | 146 | 544 |
| Stays soggy | 149 | 80 | 543 |
Sun all day in New Hanover County: 229 rated natives
68 grasses and sedges, 60 wildflowers and herbs, 53 trees, 29 shrubs, 10 vines, 9 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 - Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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
Half shade in New Hanover County: 152 rated natives
53 grasses and sedges, 41 wildflowers and herbs, 32 trees, 14 shrubs, 8 low woody plants, 4 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 - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 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 - 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
Under trees in New Hanover County: 87 rated natives
36 grasses and sedges, 21 wildflowers and herbs, 14 trees, 8 shrubs, 7 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 - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
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 - Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in New Hanover County: 162 rated natives
52 grasses and sedges, 49 wildflowers and herbs, 32 trees, 16 shrubs, 7 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
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 - Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in New Hanover County: 160 rated natives
47 grasses and sedges, 43 trees, 35 wildflowers and herbs, 24 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
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 - Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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
Never watered in New Hanover County: 82 rated natives
22 wildflowers and herbs, 21 trees, 17 grasses and sedges, 14 shrubs, 5 vines, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate 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 - Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate 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
Stays soggy in New Hanover County: 149 rated natives
58 grasses and sedges, 38 wildflowers and herbs, 29 trees, 16 shrubs, 4 vines, 4 low woody plants. 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 - Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - 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 - Stiff marsh bedstraw (Galium tinctorium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - 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 - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate 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
Natives New Hanover County has that most of North Carolina does not
84 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of North Carolina's 100 counties. A few of them:
- Mexican pricklypoppy (Argemone mexicana): only here
- Tropical waterhyssop (Bacopa innominata): only here
- Scarlet spiderling (Boerhavia coccinea): only here
- Sand sedge (Carex arenaria): only here
- Coastal sandbur (Cenchrus spinifex): only here
- Winged pigweed (Cycloloma atriplicifolium): only here
- Piedmont flatsedge (Cyperus distans): only here
- Smooth flatsedge (Cyperus laevigatus): only here
- Wedgeleaf draba (Draba cuneifolia): only here
- Saltmarsh fingergrass (Eustachys glauca): only here
Where to start in New Hanover County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where New Hanover County gives you the most rated choice (229 plants), and Bedstraw St. Johnswort (Hypericum galioides) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 82 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 544 unrated natives too.