Landscape Plants Native to South Carolina’s Lowcountry

Southern Magnolia Flower

Imagine your landscape looking as beautiful as Middleton Place, filled with the rich diversity of plants native to South Carolina’s Lowcountry, like red maple and elderberry. In this article, we’ll give you a list of plants that thrive in the local climate, so you can add timeless beauty to your space.

However, if you want to learn more about native plants for the entire Palmetto State, check out our article: “South Carolina Native Plants for Landscaping.”

Lowcountry native trees

Red maple

close up image of red maple
Heng Wang | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is a standout tree known for its brilliant red fall color and red fruit, which give it its fitting name. This tree is a nectar and pollen source for beneficial insects, as well as a host plant for butterfly larvae.

In addition, red maples can reach impressive heights, growing anywhere between 40 to 120 feet tall. This tree is native to all of the Lowcountry’s counties, except Dorchester.

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in well-drained soils, medium to moist, in sunny or partially shaded locations.
  • Avoid alkaline soils.

Southern magnolia 

A Southern Magnolia flower
David Ohmer | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a true icon of the South, known for its large, striking white flowers that fill the air with a sweet fragrance. These blooms give way to seeds that are a valuable food source for native birds, making this tree both lovely and beneficial to the local wildlife.

The southern magnolia can grow between 60 and 80 feet tall. On a fun note, both the flowers and the fruit of this tree are edible, so it’s more than just a pretty face in your yard — it can be a unique culinary addition as well.

Growing conditions:

  • If you want dense shade, plant this tree in a full sun setting, with 40 feet of spacing and in well-drained soil.

Lowcountry native shrubs

Elderberry 

White common elderberry flowers
Dinesh Valke | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

The common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a versatile shrub that has bright green leaves and clusters of white flowers that exhale a refreshing lemony scent. After flowering, this shrub produces berries that can be used in a variety of culinary creations, such as jams, jellies, teas, and even wine.

Beyond its benefits to humans, elderberry also provides food and shelter to local wildlife, making it a valuable addition to your landscape. It grows to a height of 5 to 12 feet.

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in moist soils, with a neutral or acidic pH. 
  • Keep the plant moist.

Yaupon holly

Red berries growing on a Yaupon Holly tree
Robert Nunnally | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

The Yaupon holly, or Ilex vomitoria, is an attractive shrub that’s more commonly found along the Lowcountry’s coast. It produces delicate white flowers, followed by bright red berries that persist into the winter. These berries are a favorite among birds, insects, and small mammals.

This shrub is highly adaptable, tolerating a wide range of conditions, and grows between 10 and 12 feet. Moreover, with its vibrant red berries, Yaupon holly will also look great for Christmas decorations. 

Growing conditions:

  • Tolerates various soil types, but prefers well-drained settings, with medium to high moisture.

Lowcountry native flowers

Blazing star

Blazing star
Drew Avery | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0

Blazing star (Liatris spicata) is a native herbaceous wildflower that can be found in the southern Lowcountry counties like Hampton, Jasper, and Beaufort, as well as further north in Berkeley. This plant features fluffy, violet flower spikes that bloom throughout the summer, attracting a wide array of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Blazing star is typically 2 to 6 feet tall, and is both easy to grow and low-maintenance, making it an ideal choice for homeowners who want a splash of color without much fuss.

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in moist, well-drained sites, with acidic or neutral soils. 
  • Perfect for rain gardens. You can learn how to build a rain garden in our other article.

Black-eyed Susan

grouping of bright yellow black-eyed susans
Jim, the Photographer | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Black-eyed Susan, or Rudbeckia hirta, is a wildflower that’s perfect for adding vibrant color to your yard. Its bright yellow petals surrounding a dark center — or black eye — create a striking contrast with blooms from summer to fall, keeping your garden lively for an extended period.

One of the benefits of the black-eyed Susan is its ability to self-seed, making it easy to maintain its presence in your landscape year after year. In addition, this plant is highly adaptable, tolerating various soil conditions, except for poorly drained soils. It is one of the best native plants for Charleston.

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in well-drained soils with up to 2 feet of spacing. 
  • Remove spent flowers to extend the blooming period.

Seashore mallow 

Pink flowers of Seashore mallow
Mrs. Gemstone | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica) is commonly found along South Carolina’s Lowcountry coast, particularly in marshes with fresh or brackish water. While it thrives in these natural habitats, it can also adapt to regular garden soil as long as it’s kept moist.

One of the unique aspects of this plant is its delicate pink flowers, which bloom only for a single day. However, they bloom in such profusion that you’ll have many flowers opening over a span of days, creating a continuous display of color.

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in acidic or neutral soils in sunny sites, and keep it moist. 
  • This plant lives only about five years.

Lowcountry native vines

Coral honeysuckle 

Coral honeysuckle flowers
yewchan | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a native vine found throughout South Carolina, including the Lowcountry. It blooms from early spring to early summer with clusters of striking pink-red tubular flowers that look like tiny trumpets and are perfect for attracting pollinators.

This vine thrives when it has a support structure to climb, making it an excellent choice for walls, pergolas, and fences, where it can grow up to 20 feet. 

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in well-drained, acidic or neutral, moist soils. 
  • This plant is intolerant of dry soil and may experience leaf spot or powdery mildew in hot, humid weather.

Virginia creeper 

Virginia Creeper
Linnaeus | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0

The Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a fast-growing vine that can be quite aggressive in its spread, making it an excellent choice if you need to cover a large area quickly. This plant can grow up to 50 feet tall, so it’s perfect for covering walls, fences, or trellises. However, its sucker discs can cling tightly to surfaces, potentially causing damage to walls.

In addition, Virginia creeper also produces small fruits that are toxic to humans, so it’s important to plant it in areas where children or pets won’t be tempted to eat them. This vine can also be used as a ground cover.

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in well-drained, medium to moist soils. 
  • Trim it regularly to keep it contained.

Lowcountry native ground covers

Partridge berry 

close up image of Partridge berry
Jomegat | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0

Partridge berry (Mitchella repens) is a ground cover that does more than just provide a green carpet. This highly ornamental plant brings unique charm to your garden with its glossy, evergreen leaves, which emit a wintergreen scent when crushed.

In the spring, partridge berry blooms with tiny white flowers, and as fall arrives, it produces red berries that persist throughout the winter. These berries also attract birds and small mammals, adding ecological benefits to its beauty. 

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in well-drained, acidic soils, in partial sun or full shade. 
  • Keep it consistently moist.

Lowcountry native grasses

Switchgrass

closeup image of switchgrass
Matt Lavin | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is an excellent ornamental grass if you’re looking to add texture and movement to your Lowcountry landscape. Its beautiful, upright foliage can grow up to 7 feet tall, and from late summer to fall, it blooms with copper-toned flower panicles.

This tough, low-maintenance perennial is highly resilient and will stand tall through the winter in the Lowcountry, providing essential habitat for birds during the colder months.

Growing conditions:

  • Plant it in well-drained soil, and cut the foliage to the ground in late winter.

Where to buy Lowcountry native plants

You can check the South Carolina Native Plant Society’s Lowcountry Chapter if you’re interested in getting native plants through Native Plant Markets. You can also check the following nurseries:

More South Carolina resources

If you want to know more about how to make your South Carolina landscape look pristine, take a look at our other articles:

When to call a pro

Native plants are perfectly adapted to South Carolina’s Lowcountry, requiring minimal care once established. However, you still need to plant them and spend a bit of time maintaining them to ensure they thrive. The good news is, you don’t have to tackle it alone. Call a local gardening professional to help you create the Lowcountry landscape of your dreams.

Main Photo Credit: Southern Magnolia. Wendy Cutler | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Maria Isabela Reis

Maria Isabela Reis is a writer, psychologist, and plant enthusiast. She is currently doing a PhD in Social Psychology; and can't help but play with every dog she sees walking down the street.