North Carolina’s diverse climate and rich soil make it an ideal location for growing a variety of perennial plants. Choosing the right perennials for your garden can ensure vibrant blooms and a thriving landscape year after year. Native plants are well-suited to the local environment and typically require less maintenance than non-native species. Perennial plants, which come back year after year, provide ongoing beauty and structure to your garden. North Carolina native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them resilient and reliable choices.
Flowers that bloom throughout the growing season provide essential nectar sources for these beneficial insects. A butterfly garden not only adds beauty but also supports local ecosystems by promoting biodiversity.
Here are some of the best perennials for North Carolina that not only beautify your garden but also support local wildlife and pollinators.
Best Perennials for North Carolina
1. Bugleweed
Growing Bugleweed in North Carolina is like adding a touch of magic to your garden! This versatile herbaceous perennial is perfect for brightening up those shady spots in your perennial garden.
It’s a fantastic ground cover that thrives in North Carolina’s climate, making it an excellent choice for a shade garden or even an herb garden.
One of the best things about Bugleweed is how its flowers attract butterflies, adding even more life and color to your garden. These flowering perennials bloom in early spring, providing an early burst of beauty when the rest of your garden is just waking up.
2. Blazing Star
This spectacular plant, also known as Liatris, is a fantastic addition to any wildlife garden, thanks to its tall, spiky flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. When the flowers emerge, they create a stunning display that starts from the top of the spike and works its way down, providing a prolonged blooming period that keeps your garden lively and colorful for weeks.
Blazing Star is a low maintenance plant, making it a perfect choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Its dark green leaves form a lush base that beautifully contrasts with the vibrant purple flowers.
Its blooming period lasts from mid-summer to early fall, ensuring your garden stays bright and cheerful even as the seasons change. Plus, its hardy nature means it requires minimal upkeep once established.
3. Columbine
Columbine provides a beautiful display that can reseed itself, keeping your garden lively year after year. You can often find Columbine at garden centers, ready to bring a splash of color to your space. Its delicate flowers, which bloom in early summer, attract pollinators and add a whimsical charm to your garden.
It thrives in the eastern United States, including North Carolina, and is a perfect low-maintenance plant for both novice and seasoned gardeners. It prefers medium moisture and does well in moist soils, making it ideal for those tricky spots in your garden that stay damp.
Plant Columbine in a location where it can enjoy partial shade to full sun, with some afternoon shade to protect it from the intense summer heat. Its blooming period extends into mid-summer, providing a continuous show of vibrant flowers.
4. Blanket Flower
Perfectly suited to the southeastern United States, Blanket Flowers thrive in North Carolina’s climate. They’re fantastic ground cover, spreading their cheerful blooms across your garden and providing a stunning display from early summer to fall.
One of the best things about Blanket Flower is its adaptability. It flourishes in hardiness zones 3-10, making it a versatile choice for many regions. Plant them in well-drained soil and full sun to get the best blooms. Once established, Blanket Flowers are drought-tolerant and require minimal watering, which is great for busy gardeners.
These plants can also self-seed, ensuring a continuous presence in your garden year after year. Pair them with other perennials like New England Aster and Joe Pye Weed to create a rich variety of colors and textures that will attract pollinators and bring your garden to life.
To keep your Blanket Flowers looking their best, deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage new growth and extend the blooming period. They are well suited for both formal garden beds and more casual, naturalistic plantings. Their bright colors and resilience make them a delightful addition to any garden, providing a long-lasting display that requires little maintenance.
5. Black-Eyed Susan
Whether you’re planting Black Eyed Susan in full sun or part shade, these hardy perennials will thrive and bring joy to your garden from early summer to late fall.
One of the secrets to success with Black-Eyed Susan is giving them a good head start. Plant them in well-drained soil and water them regularly until they’re well established. Once they take root, they’re incredibly resilient and can tolerate both drought and poor soil conditions.
For a stunning display, plant them in larger clumps alongside other pollinators like Blazing Star and Lobelia cardinalis. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also creates a vibrant habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
It is also great at self-seeding, so you’ll enjoy new blooms year after year without much effort. To encourage self-seeding, leave some seed heads on the plants after the flowers fade.
6. Bearded Iris
These stunning perennials are known for their beautiful, often purple flowers that can turn any garden into a royal affair. Bearded Irises are clump-forming plants that thrive in North Carolina’s climate, making them a perfect choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
One of the best tips for growing Bearded Iris is to ensure they have well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. These low-growing beauties love the sun and need at least 6-8 hours of it daily to bloom their best.
When planting Bearded Iris, it’s important to space them properly to allow for good air circulation. Plant the rhizomes just below the soil surface, with the tops exposed to avoid rot.
7. Bee Balm
Bee Balm is a magnet for pollinators, making it a perfect choice for gardeners who love to see hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies in action. When planted in your garden, it creates a dynamic and lively environment that’s sure to impress.
To get the best results, plant Bee Balm in a sunny spot where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, full sun encourages the most prolific blooms. Bee Balm prefers moist, well-drained soil, so be sure to water it regularly, especially during dry spells.
One of the delightful bonuses of growing Bee Balm is that it attracts not only pollinators but also birds like the American Goldfinch. These charming birds are drawn to the seed heads left after the flowers fade, adding another layer of life to your garden.
8. Chrysanthemum
To get the most out of your Chrysanthemums, plant them in a sunny spot where they can soak up at least six hours of sunlight daily. These beauties love the sun and thrive in well-drained soil. Make sure to plant them in the spring or early summer to give them plenty of time to establish before the cooler weather arrives.
For a spectacular display, pinch back the growing tips in early summer. This encourages the plant to grow bushier and produce more blooms. Water them regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid getting the foliage wet to prevent diseases. Adding a layer of mulch around the plants can help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
9. Asiatic Lily
These stunning flowers are known for their bright, vibrant colors and upward-facing blooms that can light up any garden space. To give your Asiatic Lilies the best start, plant them in a sunny location where they can bask in at least six hours of sunlight each day.
These lilies thrive in well-drained soil, so make sure the planting area isn’t prone to waterlogging. Plant the bulbs in the spring, about 6 inches deep, and space them 12 inches apart to give them plenty of room to grow.
Once your Asiatic Lilies are planted, water them regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture and keep the roots cool during the hot summer months. One practical trick is to stake the plants as they grow, especially if your garden is prone to strong winds, to keep the tall flower stalks from tipping over.
Conclusion
With the right selection of perennials, your North Carolina garden can become a year-round paradise for both you and the local wildlife. From the magical blooms of Bugleweed and the vibrant spikes of Blazing Star to the whimsical charm of Columbine and the sunny faces of Black-Eyed Susans, there’s no shortage of beauty and diversity to enjoy. Each plant brings its own unique flair and benefits, creating a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and habitats.
So, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these perennials are sure to make your garden the envy of the neighborhood. Embrace the fun and excitement of gardening in North Carolina, and watch as your landscape transforms into a haven of vibrant blooms and happy pollinators.
