Yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a drought tolerant native vine.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2016 HGIC, Clemson Extension
These plants are drought tolerant once established. All plants need water while establishing their root system and during periods of extended drought. Root establishment can take from one to several years, depending on the original size of the plant. Larger plants will take longer to establish.
When selecting plants using this list, remember that many factors determine the suitability of a plant for a particular location. In addition to dry soil adaptability, consider light requirements, soil type, hardiness and heat tolerance, and other factors. All plants listed are suited to the entire state, unless mentioned otherwise.
Plants with the most drought tolerance once established are marked with a *.
Tall Deciduous Trees (50 feet or more in height at maturity)
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| *Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica |
60 to 70′ 45 to 50′ |
Sun; very adaptable; tolerates wind, and low fertility soil. | Native; fast growing shade tree; susceptible to borers. |
| *Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba |
50 to 80′ 30 to 40′ |
Sun; very adaptable; tolerates pollution, urban soil and heat. | Essentially pest and disease free. |
| Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua |
60 to 75′ 30 to 40′ |
Sun; prefers deep, moist, well-drained soil; tolerates drought if given ample root spread. | Native; not good for lawns due to fruit, but seeds attract birds. |
| *Sawtooth Oak Quercus acutissima |
40 to 60′ 40 to 60′ |
Sun; tolerates urban soil conditions. | Acorns are attractive to wildlife. |
| *Water Oak Quercus nigra |
50 to 80′ 40 to 50′ |
Sun; highly tolerant of moist to wet soil. | Native. |
| *Shumard Oak Quercus shumardii |
40 to 60′ 40 to 60′ |
Sun; very adaptable; tolerates alkaline soil. | Native. |
| *Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum |
50 to 70′ 20 to 30′ |
Sun; tolerant of moist to wet soil; requires acid soil. | Native. |
| Japanese Zelkova Zelkova serrata |
50 to 80′ 40 to 70′ |
Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates wind and urban growing conditions. Piedmont only. | Often used as an elm substitute |
Medium Deciduous Trees (30 to 50 feet in height at maturity)
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| Southern Catalpa Catalpa bignonioides |
30 to 40′ 30 to 50′ |
Sun or part shade; prefers deep, moist fertile soil; tolerates most conditions, including very hot, dry situations. |
Native; often defoliated in summer by sphinx moth larvae. |
| American Persimmon Diospyros virginiana |
35 to 60′ 20 to 35′ |
Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates low fertility, dry soils. | Native; difficult to transplant |
| *Chinese Pistache Pistacia chinensis |
30 to 50′ 25 to 40′ |
Sun; very tolerant of low fertility, dry soil and urban conditions. | Excellent orange-red fall color. |
| Sassafras Sassafras albidum |
30 to 60′ 25 to 40′ |
Sun or light shade; prefers moist, loamy, well-drained soil; tolerates acid, rocky, dry soil. | Native; does not transplant well. Great fall color. |
Small Deciduous Trees (Under 30 feet in height at maturity)
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| Trident Maple Acer buergeranum |
20 to 30′ 20 to 30′ |
Sun; acidic well-drained soil. Piedmont and Midstate. | Yellow, orange and red fall leaf color. |
| Fig Ficus carica |
10 to 20′ 10 to 20′ |
Sun; prefers moist well-drained soil; tolerates heat. | Will shed leaves if very dry. |
| Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana |
10 to 25′ 10 to 20′ |
Sun or shade; prefers moist soil; moderate drought tolerance. | Native; yellow flowers in fall. |
| *Chinese Flame Tree Koelreuteria bipinnata |
20 to 30′ 15 to 20′ |
Sun; any well-drained soil. | Showy pink seed pods. |
| *Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica and hybrids |
10 to 25′ 10 to 25′ |
Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates heat. | Numerous varieties. |
| Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum |
25 to 30′ 15 to 20′ |
Sun or part shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates moderate drought. | Native; superb fall color. |
| *Chaste Tree Vitex agnus-castus |
15 to 20′ 15 to 20′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates heat. | Blue flowers in summer. |
Evergreen Trees
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| *Jelly Palm Butia capitata |
10 to 20′ 10 to 15′ |
Sun or light shade; sandy, well-drained soil; Midstate and Coastal Plain. | Blue-green to blue gray fronds; edible fruit. |
| Deodar Cedar Cedrus deodara |
60 to 80′ 35 to 40′ |
Sun; well-drained, dry soil; does not like excessive wind. | Very large; long lived. |
| Loquat Eriobotrya japonica |
15 to 25′ 15 to 25′ |
Sun; moist, well-drained soil; tolerates part shade, moderate drought; Midstate and coastal plains. | Grows in sheltered areas in Piedmont |
| *Gum Tree Eucalyptus species |
Variable. | Sun; subject to cold damage; E. dalrympleana, E. gunnii, E. camphora, and E. cinerea are hardiest. | Plants rarely top 25′ in Southeast; will grow back from base. |
| *Nellie Steven’s Holly Ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ |
15 to 25′ 10 to 20′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; excellent heat tolerance. | Vigorous, fast growing. |
| American Holly Ilex opaca |
20 to 30′ 15 to 20′ |
Sun or part shade; prefers well-drained moist soil; moderate drought tolerance. | Native. |
| *Weeping Yaupon Holly Ilex vomitoria ‘Pendula’ |
15 to 20′ 10 to 15′ |
Sun; very adaptable; tolerates heat, wet soil and salt. | Native. |
| *Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana |
40 to 50′ 8 to 20′ |
Sun; very adaptable to low fertility soils and heat. | Native; do not plant near apples. |
| Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora |
60 to 80′ 30 to 50′ |
Sun or part shade; drought tolerant with good root spread in good, loamy soil. | Native; ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Teddy Bear’ are dwarf varieties that grow to 30′. |
| Loblolly Pine Pinus taeda |
50 to 90′ | Sun; prefers moist, acid, deep soils, but very adaptable. | Native. |
| Longleaf Pine Pinus palustris |
55 to 80′ | Sun; prefers well-drained soil; very adaptable, tolerates salt spray. Mid to low state. | Native; stays in a “grass” stage for 5 to 7 years. |
| Carolina Cherry Laurel Prunus caroliniana |
20 to 30′ 15 to 25′ |
Sun or part shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; adaptable. | Native. |
| *Darlington Oak Quercus hemisphaerica |
40 to 60′ 30 to 40′ |
Sun; highly adaptable. | Native; good street tree. |
| *Live Oak Quercus virginiana |
40 to 80′ 60 to 100′ |
Sun; adaptable to wet or dry soils, sand or compacted soil. | Native; smaller, upright habit in Piedmont. |
| *Cabbage Palm Sabal palmetto |
25 to 30′ 10 to 15′ |
Sun to light shade; tolerates wind, salt spray and sandy soil. | Native; sheltered areas in Piedmont. |
| Windmill Palm Trachycarpus fortunei |
20′ | Part shade; prefers a rich, fertile, loamy soil; tolerates moderate drought. | One of the most cold hardy palms. |
Evergreen Shrubs
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| *Glossy Abelia Abelia x grandiflora |
3 to 6′ 3 to 6′ |
Sun or shade; prefers well-drained, moist soil; Piedmont and Midstate. | Several dwarf or variegated varieties. |
| *Pineapple Guava Acca sellowiana Syn. Feijoa sellowiana |
3 to 15′ 3 to 15′ |
Sun or light shade; well-drained soil. Coastal Plain and sheltered areas in Midstate. | Pink, white and red flowers are edible; may produce edible fruit on coast. |
| *Century Plant Agave species |
1½ to 3′ 1½ to 3′ |
Sun; very well-drained, dry soil. | A. parryi and A. americana are hardy throughout the state. |
| Aucuba Aucuba japonica |
6 to 10′ 5 to 8′ |
Shade; prefers well-drained, moist, high organic matter soils; moderate drought tolerance. | Female plants will have red berries if planted near a male plant. |
| Wintergreen Barberry Berberis julianae |
6 to 8′ 6 to 8′ |
Sun or light shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates moderate drought. | Very thorny; makes a good barrier hedge. |
| *Bottlebrush Callistemon citrinus and C. rigidus |
5 to 10′ 5 to 10′ |
Sun; well-drained, acid soil; moderate salt tolerance. Coastal Plain only. | C. rigidus ‘Clemson Hardy’ can be grown in the Midstate and Piedmont. |
| Japanese Plum Yew Cephalotaxus harringtonia |
Variable | Sun or shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates moderate drought. | Cultivars from 20′ tall, upright forms to 2′ tall, spreading groundcovers. |
| Sago Palm Cycas revoluta |
3 to 5′ 4 to 6′ |
Part shade; prefers well-drained, sandy, high organic matter soil. Coastal Plain and sheltered areas in Midstate. | Very slow growing; do not over fertilize. |
| Fatsia Fatsia japonica |
6 to 8′ 6 to 10′ |
Part shade to shade; prefers moist, high organic matter soils; tolerates most soils, and salt spray. | Tropical effect; white flowers in November. |
| *Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta |
Variable | Sun or light shade; very adaptable; very heat tolerant. | Varieties in many sizes from 3′ to 20′ tall. |
| *Yaupon Holly Ilex vomitoria |
Variable | Sun or part shade; highly adaptable; tolerates very wet or very dry soil, salt spray, and heat. | Native; numerous varieties in many sizes from 2′ to 20′ tall. |
| Primrose Jasmine Jasminum mesnyi |
5 to 6′ 6 to 8′ |
Sun or part shade; tolerates moderate drought; Midstate and Coastal Plain. | Yellow flowers in late winter. |
| *Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis |
Variable | Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil. | Varieties in many sizes from 18″ to 25′ tall. |
| Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis |
3 to 10′ 3 to 8′ |
Part shade; prefers rich, well-drained soil; Midstate and Coastal Plain. | Used as cooking herb. |
| Fringe Flower Loropetalum chinense |
6 to 10′ 6 to 10′ |
Sun or shade; prefers moist, well-drained, high organic matter soil. | Some dwarf varieties grow no more than 2′ tall. |
| *Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera |
10 to 15′ 10 to 15′ |
Full sun or part shade; tolerates low fertility soil and salt spray. | Native; bayberry scent from leaves and berries. |
| *Heavenly Bamboo Nandina domestica |
6 to 8′ 4 to 6′ |
Sun or shade; prefers moist, fertile soil. | Berried varieties may be invasive; dwarf varieties as short as 2′. |
| *Oleander Nerium oleander |
6 to 12′ 6 to 12′ |
Sun or part shade; wind, heat and salt tolerant; Coastal Plain. | All parts are poisonous. |
| *Japanese Pittosporum Pittosporum tobira |
8 to 12′ 12 to 18′ |
Sun or shade; well-drained soil; very heat tolerant; Midstate and Coastal Plain. | Dwarf varieties can be as short as 2′ tall. |
| Yew Podocarpus macrophyllus |
15 to 25′ 8 to 12′ |
Sun or part shade; well-drained, fertile soil; tolerates heat; Midstate and Coastal Plain. | Deer resistant. |
| *Scarlet Firethorn Pyracantha coccinea |
6 to 12′ 6 to 12′ |
Sun; well-drained soil. | Bright fall berries; many cultivars. |
| *Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus |
3 to 5′ 4 to 6′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates heat and salt. | Makes a nice, small hedge; edible herb. |
| Dwarf Palmetto Sabal minor |
4 to 5′ 4 to 5′ |
Sun to light shade; prefers moist soils. | Native. |
| Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens |
4 to 6′ 4 to 6′ |
Sun to light shade; tolerates salt spray; Midstate and Coastal Plain. | Native. |
| *Walter’s Viburnum Viburnum obovatum |
12 to 20′ 12 to 20′ |
Sun to part shade; wet to dry soils; heat tolerant. | Native; dwarf cultivars grow to as little as 4′ tall. |
| *Sandankwa Viburnum Viburnum suspensum |
6 to 12′ 6 to 12′ |
Sun to shade; tolerates hot, dry areas and sandy soil; Coastal Plains. | Best in sheltered areas. |
| *Yucca Yucca species |
Variable | Sun; dry soil. | Y. filamentosa is native; species vary from 2 to 10′ |
Deciduous Shrubs
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| *Groundsel-bush Baccharis halimifolia |
5 to 12′ 5 to 12′ |
Sun; tolerates wet soil, low fertility soil and salt spray. | Native; white flowers and fruit September to November. |
| *Butterfly Bush Buddleja species |
5 to 15′ 5 to 15′ |
Sun; prefers well-drained, moist, fertile soil. | Numerous cultivars; flowers all summer; cut back in early spring. |
| *Blue Mist Shrub Caryopteris xclandonensis |
2 to 3′ 2 to 3′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; do not over fertilize. | Blue flowers in late summer; cut back in early spring. |
| Wintersweet Chimonanthus praecox |
10 to 15′ 8 to 12′ |
Sun or part shade; well-drained soil; adaptable. | Fragrant yellow flowers in winter. |
| Forsythia Forsythia x intermedia |
8 to 10′ 10 to 12′ |
Sun; tolerant of heat and pollution. Piedmont and Midstate. | Large shrub looks best with minimal pruning. |
| Pomegranate Punica granatum |
12 to 20′ 10 to 18′ |
Sun; prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil, but very adaptable; Midstate and Coastal Plain. | Double flowered varieties do not bear fruit. |
| *Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra |
10 to 15′ 10 to 15′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates very low fertility, dry soil. | Native; brilliant fall color; not poisonous. |
| China Rose Rosa chinensis |
5 to 8′ 5 to 8′ |
Sun; prefers well-drained, high organic matter soil; tolerates heat. | Many varieties; long blooming in spring and fall, slows midsummer. |
| Maple-leaf Viburnum Viburnum acerfolium |
5 to 6′ 3 to 4′ |
Part to deep shade; prefers high organic matter soil; Piedmont only. | Native; excellent fall color. |
| *Black Haw Viburnum prunifolium |
12 to 15′ 8 to 12′ |
Sun and shade; good heat tolerance. | Native; rose-pink to blue-black fruit in fall. |
Groundcovers & Vines
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| *Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior |
1½ to 2′ 2 to 3′ |
Part to heavy shade; extremely tough plant. | Remove oldest leaves in spring. |
| Cross Vine Bignonia capreolata |
30 to 50′ | Sun or shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; very adaptable. | Native; flowers best in sun. |
| *Trumpet Vine Campsis radicans |
30 to 40′ | Sun or part shade; extremely adaptable. | Native; extremely vigorous vine. |
| Prostrate Plum Yew Cephalotaxus harringtonia |
1½’ 4 to 5′ |
Shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates heat. | ‘Prostrata’ and ‘Duke Gardens’ are prostrate cultivars. |
| Dwarf Plumbago Ceratostigma plumbaginoides |
6 to 12″ 12″ |
Part shade; loose, well-drained soil. | Blue flowers in late summer to fall; red fall leaves. |
| Creeping Fig Ficus pumila |
40 to 50′ | Sun or part shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; Midstate and Coastal Plain. | Will grow with shelter in Piedmont. |
| Carolina Jessamine Gelsemium sempervirens |
10 to 20′ if supported | Sun or shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; very adaptable. | Native vine; S.C. state flower. |
| Winter Jasmine Jasminum nudiflorum |
2 to 3′ 4 to 6′ |
Sun or part shade; well-drained soil; tolerates moderate drought. | Yellow flowers in late winter. |
| *Shore Juniper Juniperus conferta |
1 to 1½’ 6 to 9′ |
Sun; tolerates heat, low fertility sandy soil and salt. | Will not tolerate excess moisture. |
| *Creeping Juniper Juniperus horizontalis |
1 to 2′ 4 to 8′ |
Sun; adaptable; tolerates heat and heavy soil. | Numerous cultivars. |
| *Lilyturf Liriope species |
12 to 18″ 12 to 15″ |
Sun or shade; adaptable; tolerates heat and salt spray. | Liriope spicata may be invasive into natural areas. |
| Mondo Grass Ophiopogon species |
8 to 16″ 8 to 16″ |
Part shade to shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; adaptable. | Dwarf cultivars may be as little as 2 to 4″ tall. |
| *Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia |
30 to 50′ | Sun or shade; very adaptable; tolerates wind and pollution. | Native vine; bright to deep red fall color. |
| Maypops Passiflora incarnata |
10 to 15′ | Sun to light shade; tolerates wet or dry soil. | Native vine; attracts hummingbirds. |
| Lady Banks’ Rose Rosa banksiae |
15 to 20′ | Sun or part shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates heat and some salt spray. | Low disease susceptibility. |
| *Spreading Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus |
12 to 18″ 3 to 4′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates heat and salt. | var prostratus and other cultivars |
| Sweet Box Sarcococca hookeriana v. humilis |
12 to 15″ 12 to 15″ |
Part shade to shade; very adaptable; Piedmont only. | Fragrant flowers in late winter. |
| *Creeping Thyme Thymus serpyllum |
1 to 4″ 12″ |
Sun; must have well-drained, fairly low fertility soil; Piedmont and Midstate. | Nice amongst stepping stones. |
| Star Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides |
10 to 12′ as vine | Part shade to shade; moderate drought tolerance. | Highly fragrant vine; needs shelter in upper Piedmont. |
| Periwinkle Vinca species |
3 to 18″ Variable |
Sun or shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; adaptable. | Vinca major is invasive into natural areas. |
| *American Wisteria Wisteria frutescens |
20 to 30′ | Sun or light shade; deer resistant. | Native vine; Japanese and Chinese wisteria are highly invasive. |
Perennials & Bulbs
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| Bear’s Breeches Acanthus species |
2 to 3′ 2 to 3′ |
Sun or part shade. | Spreads aggressively in sandy soil. |
| *Yarrow Achillea species |
2 to 3′ 2 to 3′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; Piedmont and Midstate. | A. millefolium is a native; numerous cultivars. |
| Lily of the Nile Agapanthus africanus |
2 to 4′ 2 to 3′ |
Sun or light shade; prefers loamy soil. | One of the few true blue flowers. |
| *Southernwood Artemisia abrotanum |
3 to 5′ 4 to 6′ |
Sun; well-drained, low fertility soil. | Pleasantly scented foliage. |
| *’Powis Castle’ Wormwood Artemisia ‘Powis Castle‘ |
2½ – 3′ 4 to 6′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates humidity; Piedmont and Midstate. | One of the best silver-gray plants for the south. |
| *Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa |
2 to 3′ 2′ |
Sun; well-drained soil. | Native; attracts butterflies. |
| *False Indigo Baptisia species |
3 to 6′ 2 to 5′ |
Sun; well-drained soil. | Several native species; does not transplant well. |
| *Tickseed Coreopsis species |
1 to 2′ 1 to 2′ |
Sun; well-drained soil. | Many native species; trim or deadhead after bloom. |
| Montbretia Crocosmia hybrids |
3 to 4′ 1′ |
Sun to part shade on coast; well-drained soil. | Vivid orange, yellow or red flowers. |
| *Hardy Ice Plant Delosperma cooperi |
5″ 2′ |
Sun; very well-drained soil. | Bright fuchsia-purple flowers all summer. |
| Cheddar Pinks Dianthus gratianopolitanus |
1′ 1 to 2′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; heat and humidity tolerant; Piedmont and Midstate. | ‘Bath’s Pink’, ‘Firewitch’ and ‘Tiny Rubys’ |
| Coneflower Echinacea species |
1 to 3′ 1 to 3′ |
Sun; well-drained, low fertility soil; heat tolerant. | Native; new colors in yellow, gold, white, apricot and rose. |
| Globe Thistle Echinops ritro |
2 to 4′ 3′ |
Sun; prefers moist well-drained soil; Piedmont and Midstate. | Flowers dry well and keep blue color. |
| Barrenwort Epimedium species |
8 to 15″ 12″ |
Shade to heavy shade; high organic matter soil; Piedmont only. | One of best for dry shade. |
| Hardy Ageratum Eupatorium coelestinum |
2 to 3′ 3′ |
Sun or light shade; spreads rapidly in fertile soil. | Native; blue flowers late summer until frost. |
| *Indian Blanket Gaillardia x grandiflora |
2 to 3′ 2′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; very adaptable. | Can be short lived, but easy to grow from seed. |
| *Gaura Gaura lindheimeri |
3 to 4′ 3′ |
Sun; prefers low fertility well-drained soil. | ‘Whirling Butterflies’, ‘Siskiyou Pink’ |
| Sunflower Heliopsis Heliopsis helianthoides |
3 to 5′ 2 to 3′ |
Sun; well-drained soil. | Blooms July until frost; ‘Summer Sun’ |
| Lenten Rose Helleborus hybrids |
18” to 24” 1½ to 3’ |
Part to full shade; well-drained soil | Evergreen; naturalized from seed |
| Daylily Hemerocallis cultivars |
1½ to 3′ 18 to 24″ |
Sun or light shade; highly adaptable. | Thousands of cultivars in every color but blue. |
| *Red Yucca Hesperaloe parviflora |
3 to 4′ 3′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; very adaptable. | Slender pink to rose flowers, narrow foliage. |
| *Bearded Iris Iris hybrids |
8 to 36″ 10 to 24″ |
Sun or light shade; well-drained soil; Piedmont and Midstate. | Thousands of cultivars. |
| *Red Hot Poker Kniphofia uvaria |
3 to 5′ 4′ |
Sun; very well-drained soil. | Long-lived plants. |
| *Lantana (perennial) Lantana camara |
5 to 6′ 5 to 8′ |
Sun; tolerates heat, salt and infertile soil. | ‘Miss Huff’ and ‘Mozelle’ are hardiest cultivars. |
| *Lavender Lavandula species |
1 to 3′ 2 to 3′ |
Sun; well-drained, low fertility soil; entire state for some species. | L. x intermedia, L. dentata, L. stoechas best in Southeast. |
| *Blazing Star Liatris spicata |
2 to 3′ 2′ |
Sun; tolerates heat and low fertility soil. | Native. |
| Sea Lavender Limonium latifolium |
24 to 30″ 30″ |
Sun; well-drained soil; good air circulation. | Small lavender flowers in large clusters dry well. |
| Evening Primrose Oenothera species |
1 to 3′ 1 to 2′ |
Sun; very adaptable; best in Piedmont and Midstate. | Several of the species are native. |
| *Russian Sage Perovskia atriplicifolia |
4 to 5′ 4′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates heat. | Trim after flowering to encourage rebloom. |
| *Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata |
6 to 9″ 12″ |
Sun; well-drained soil; do not fertilize. | Sheer lightly after flowering to encourage tight growth. |
| Mexican Petunia Ruellia brittoniana |
3 to 5′ 3 to 5′ |
Sun or light shade; very vigorous. | ‘Katie’ is a 10 to 12″ dwarf cultivar. |
| *Texas Sage Salvia greggii |
3 to 4′ 3 to 4′ |
Sun; needs excellent drainage. | Often confused with or hybridized with S. microphylla. |
| Brazilian Blue Sage Salvia guaranitica |
5 to 6′ 4 to 5′ |
Sun or part shade; well-drained soil. | Attracts hummingbirds. |
| *Little Leaf Sage Salvia microphylla |
3 to 4′ 3 to 4′ |
Sun; needs excellent drainage. | Very similar to S. greggii. |
| *Lavender Cotton Santolina species |
1 to 2′ 2′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; prune hard after flowering; Piedmont only. | S. chamaecyparissus is gray; S. virens is green; evergreen |
| *Stonecrop Sedum species |
3 to 24″ 18 to 24″ |
Sun or light shade; well-drained soil; adaptable. | Numerous species; some evergreen, some deciduous. |
| *Hens & Chicks Sempervivum tectorum |
8 to 12″ 9″ |
Sun; well-drained soil. | Cultivars with a variety of shapes and leaf colors. |
| *Goldenrod Solidago species |
2 to 6′ 2 to 4′ |
Sun or light shade; tolerates heat and low fertility soil. | Many species are native; ‘Fireworks’, ‘Golden Fleece’ |
| *Lamb’s Ear Stachys byzantina |
12 to 15″ 12″ |
Sun to light shade; well-drained soil; Piedmont and Midstate. | ‘Big Ears’ is best cultivar for Southeast. |
| *Thyme Thymus species |
2 to 12″ 1 to 2′ |
Sun; well-drained, light soil; entire state for some species. | Culinary herb with colorful flowers. |
| Purple Heart Tradescantia pallida |
12 to 18″ 18 to 24″ |
Sun or light shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil. | Lavender pink blooms above purple foliage. |
| Verbena Verbena species |
8 to 24″ 18 to 36″ |
Sun; well-drained soil; good air circulation. | Several species are native; V. bonariensis grows 3 to 6′ tall. |
Ornamental Grasses
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| *Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii |
3 to 8′ 2 to 4′ |
Sun; prefers moist to average soil; adaptable; Piedmont and Midstate. | Several other species are also native. |
| *Hairgrass Muhlenbergia capillaris |
2 to 3′ 3 to 4′ |
Sun; very adaptable. | Native; extremely showy clouds of pink flowers in fall. |
| *Beach Grass Panicum amarum |
2 to 4′ Variable |
Sun; tolerates low fertility soil, salt spray, wind and heat. | Native; spreading and lower in sand; ‘Dewey Blue’ |
| Fountaingrass Pennisetum alopecuroides |
2 to 4′ 2 to 4′ |
Sun or light shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates moderate drought. | Can self sow; several cultivars. |
| *Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium |
2 to 3′ 1 to 2′ |
Sun to light shade; tolerates almost any soil. | Native; ‘The Blues’ grows only 1 ½’ tall and has good blue foliage. |
| Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans |
3 to 6′ 1½ to 3′ |
Sun; prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil; tolerates most soil. | Native; ‘Sioux Blue’ is very upright, blue leafed cultivar. |
| *Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis |
24″ 36″ |
Sun; well-drained soil; very heat tolerant. | Very fine-textured leaves; arching form. |
| *Texas Needle Grass Stipa tenuissima |
18 to 24″ 18 to 24″ |
Sun; prefers dry soil, avoid excessive water once established. | Fine textured evergreen leaves; weeping mound. |
Annuals
| Common Name Botanical Name |
Height Width |
Growing Conditions | Comments |
| *Annual Vinca Catharanthus roseus |
1 to 2′ 1 to 2′ |
Sun; good drainage; heat tolerant. | Numerous cultivars. |
| Spider Flower Cleome hassleriana |
3 to 5′ 3 to 4′ |
Sun; adaptable to most soils; heat tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. | Self seeds abundantly. |
| *Golden Tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria |
2 to 3′ 2′ |
Sun; prefers well-drained, dry soil. | Often reseeds. |
| *Cosmos Cosmos species |
2 to 4′ 1 to 2′ |
Sun; well-drained, fairly low fertility soil. | Many cultivars; often reseeds. |
| Mexican Heather Cuphea hyssopifolia |
1 to 3′ 3′ |
Sun; prefers well-drained fertile soil; moderate drought tolerance; good heat tolerance. | Flowers from early summer to frost. |
| Cigar Plant Cuphea ignea |
1 to 2′ 2′ |
Sun; prefers well-drained, fertile soil; moderate drought tolerance; good heat tolerance. | Red flowers in summer and fall. |
| *Snow-on-the-Mountain Euphorbia marginata |
2 to 3′ 3′ |
Sun to part shade; prefers low fertility, well-drained soil. | Bright white-edged leaves in late summer into fall. |
| *Blanketflower Gaillardia pulchella |
1 to 2′ 2′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates salt spray and low fertility. | Native; one of the best annuals for the beach. |
| *Globe Amaranth Gomphrena globosa |
1 to 3′ 1′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates heat. | Excellent for dried flowers. |
| *Lantana (annual) Lantana camara |
Varies widely | Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates heat and salt spray. | Numerous cultivars, variable hardiness. |
| *Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis |
1 to 1 ½’ 3 to 6′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates heat and salt spray. | Lavender and white flowers, hardy in some areas. |
| Gold Medallion Melampodium paludosum |
15 to 24″ 12″ |
Sun; well-drained soil; heat and humidity tolerant. | Yellow daisies summer through fall. |
| *Moss Rose Portulaca grandiflora |
4 to 8″ 12″ |
Sun; well-drained soil; prefers dry, sun-baked areas. | May reseed. |
| Gloriosa Daisy Rudbeckia hirta |
2 to 3′ 2′ |
Sun; well-drained, dry soil. | Native; several varieties; biennial grown as annual. |
| Scarlet Sage Salvia coccinea |
1 to 3′ 2′ |
Sun or part shade (best); moderate drought tolerance. | Often reseeds; may be perennial on coast. |
| Mealycup Sage Salvia farinacea |
1 to 2′ 2′ |
Sun or part shade (best); moderate drought tolerance. | Blue flowers; may be perennial on coast. |
| *Mexican Bush Sage Salvia leucantha |
3 to 5′ 4′ |
Sun or light shade; good drainage. | May be perennial on coast. |
| Dusty Miller Senecio cineraria |
1 to 2′ 1′ |
Sun or part shade; well-drained soil; tolerates moderate drought. | Perennial usually grown as annual; winter bedding near coast. |
| Mexican Sunflower Tithonia rotundifolia |
3 to 8′ 4′ |
Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates heat and humidity. | Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. |
Originally published 10/04
