Utility companies have the thankless task of maintaining the right-of-way for above-ground utility lines to keep the power on. Gardeners and residents often gasp in horror upon seeing the tree and large shrub pruning performed to keep the lines clear. It is a necessary evil. But in many cases, following a ‘right plant in the right place’ mentality will avoid plants interfering with the lines.
While most plants under ten feet should not interfere with utility lines, there are always exceptions to the rules. Before choosing plants for areas near utility lines, determine how much overhead space is available and err on the side of smaller-growing plants.
Many plant lists for shrubs under ten feet are available online. However, the plants in the list below are shrubs native to South Carolina. Native plants grew here for thousands of years before European settlers came to America. Our native plants evolved with our state’s insects, birds, animals, soil, and climatic conditions. They provide food and shelter for local wildlife and withstand the harshest climatic extremes, including heat and drought. While some introduced species withstand our environment, few offer food for insects and other wildlife like our natives.
Common Name Botanical Name |
Region (*) | Sun Exposure | Soil Conditions |
Deciduous Native Shrubs | |||
Bottlebrush Buckeye
Aesculus parviflora |
C, M, U | Part shade/Part sun |
Moist, well-drained |
Shadbush
Amelanchier obovalis |
C, M, U | Sun/Part shade | Moist, well-drained |
Chokeberry
Aronia arbutifolia |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained |
American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist to dryish, well-drained |
Sweetshrub
Calycanthus floridus |
C, M, U | Shade/Part sun | Moist, well-drained |
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained to wet, or standing water |
Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained to wet |
Bush Honeysuckle
Diervilla sessilifolia |
U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained |
Dwarf Fothergilla
Fothergilla gardenii |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained to seasonally wet |
Witchhazel
Hamamelis virginiana |
C, M, U | Shade/Part sun | Moist, well-drained |
Scarlet Rose Mallow
Hibiscus coccineus |
C, M, U | Sun/Part shade | Moist, occasionally wet |
Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens |
C, M, U | Part shade/Part sun | Moist, well-drained |
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia |
C, M, U | Part shade/Part sun | Moist, well-drained |
Possumhaw
Ilex decidua |
C, M, U | Sun/Part sun | Moist, well-drained |
Winterberry Holly
Ilex verticillata |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained to seasonally wet |
Virginia Sweetspire
Itea virginica |
C, M, U | Shade to Sun | Moist, well-drained to wet |
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin |
C, M, U | Shade/Part sun | Moist, well-drained |
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained to occasionally dry |
Native Azalea
Rhododendron spp. |
C, M, U | Part sun/Shade | Moist, well-drained |
Sumac
Rhus spp. |
C, M, U | Part shade/Sun | Moist to dryish, well-drained |
Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis |
C, M, U | Sun | Moist, well-drained to wet |
Bigleaf Snowbell
Styrax grandifolius |
C, M, U | Sun/Part sun | Moist, well-drained |
Rabbiteye Blueberry
Vaccinium virgatum |
C, M, U | Sun/Part sun | Moist, well-drained, acidic |
Maple Leaf Viburnum
Viburnum acerifolium |
C, M, U | Part shade | Moist, well-drained to occasionally dry |
Walter’s Viburnum
Viburnum obovatum |
C, M, U | Sun/Part shade | Well-drained |
Rusty Blackhaw
Viburnum rufidulum |
C, M, U | Sun/Part shade | Moist, well-drained to occasionally dry |
Evergreen Native Shrubs | |||
Coast Leucothoe
Agarista populifolia |
C, M, U | Shade/Part shade | Moist, well-drained |
Inkberry
Ilex glabra |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained |
Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained to wet |
Anise Tree
Illicium floridanum |
C, M, U | Part shade/Part sun | Moist, well-drained |
Drooping Leucothoe
Leucothoe fontanesiana |
U | Shade/Part shade | Moist |
Fetterbush
Lyonia lucida |
C | Part shade/sun | Moist, well-drained |
Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained to sandy and dryish |
Devilwood
Osmanthus americanus |
C, M, U | Part sun/Sun | Moist, well-drained |
Needle Palm
Rhapidophyllum hystrix |
C, M, U | Sun/Part shade | Well-drained |
Dwarf Palmetto
Sabal minor |
C, M, U | Sun/Part shade | Moist to dryish, well-drained |
Saw Palmetto
Serenoa repens |
C | Part sun/Part shade to Shade | Moist to dryish, well-drained |
Spanish Bayonet
Yucca aloifolia |
C, M, U | Sun/Part sun | Dry |
*C – Coast M – Midlands U – Upstate |