Native plants for Rockdale County, Georgia

150 native plants recorded in Rockdale County, Georgia

The USDA plant database has 186 plants recorded growing wild in Rockdale County. 150 of them are native to the lower 48, and 7 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 85 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 10 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 15 trees, 5 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 36 of them (24%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Rockdale County

Sun all day in Rockdale County: 36 rated natives

13 trees, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 8 grasses and sedges, 3 vines, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
2. Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. 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
5. Orangegrass (Hypericum gentianoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth
6. Farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial
7. Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · rapid growth · perennial
8. Common ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Rockdale County: 21 rated natives

10 trees, 6 grasses and sedges, 3 wildflowers and herbs, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
2. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Devil's walkingstick (Aralia spinosa) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance · toxicity: slight
4. Orangegrass (Hypericum gentianoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth
5. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
6. Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) trees
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
7. Grassleaf rush (Juncus marginatus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Tapertip rush (Juncus acuminatus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Under trees in Rockdale County: 10 rated natives

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

1. Devil's walkingstick (Aralia spinosa) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
2. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) trees
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) trees
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · rapid growth · perennial
6. Shortbeard plumegrass (Saccharum brevibarbe) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · about 6.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Black willow (Salix nigra) trees
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · rapid growth · perennial
8. Water oak (Quercus nigra) trees
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · rapid growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Rockdale County: 22 rated natives

7 trees, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 5 grasses and sedges, 2 vines, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
2. Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. 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
5. New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Tapertip rush (Juncus acuminatus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Three-way sedge (Dulichium arundinaceum) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · rapid growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Rockdale County: 27 rated natives

10 trees, 7 grasses and sedges, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 2 vines, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
2. Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. 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
5. Orangegrass (Hypericum gentianoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth
6. Farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial
7. Eggleaf rosette grass (Dichanthelium ovale) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. Grassleaf rush (Juncus marginatus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Rockdale County: 15 rated natives

5 wildflowers and herbs, 4 trees, 3 grasses and sedges, 2 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
2. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Eggleaf rosette grass (Dichanthelium ovale) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
4. Orangegrass (Hypericum gentianoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth
5. Farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) trees
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial
6. New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Stays soggy in Rockdale County: 18 rated natives

7 grasses and sedges, 5 wildflowers and herbs, 4 trees, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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. Needlepod rush (Juncus scirpoides) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 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. Tapertip rush (Juncus acuminatus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
7. Winter bentgrass (Agrostis hyemalis) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
8. Grassleaf rush (Juncus marginatus) grasses and sedges
   USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Natives Rockdale County has that most of Georgia does not

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

• Little River Canyon onion (Allium speculae): 3 counties
• Downy pagoda-plant (Blephilia ciliata): 7 counties
• Openground draba (Draba aprica): 7 counties
• Gulf pipewort (Eriocaulon koernickianum): 7 counties
• Alexander's rock aster (Eurybia avita): 7 counties
• Jones' aster (Eurybia jonesiae): 7 counties
• Blackspore quillwort (Isoetes melanospora): 7 counties
• Wingpod purslane (Portulaca umbraticola): 7 counties
• Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum): 7 counties
• Woollysheath threeawn (Aristida lanosa): 8 counties

Where to start in Rockdale County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Rockdale County gives you the most rated choice (36 plants), and Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 10 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 114 unrated natives too.