How to choose the best native plants for your garden in Greenville:<\/p>
Greenville County lies between U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones<\/a> 7A, 7B, and 8A. Greenville itself is almost all located within zone 8A. The soil composition in Greenville consists of mostly deep, well-drained soil. Keep all of this in mind while searching for the right native plants for your property. <\/p> There are hundreds of kinds of native plants in South Carolina. Here we\u2019ve compiled a list of 11 of the best shrubs, trees, and wildflowers for your Greenville home.<\/p> Butterfly milkweed<\/a> is one of the plants most commonly associated with butterflies, particularly monarch butterflies. It produces small, vibrant clusters of orange flowers in summer and fall. In the wild, butterfly milkweed can be found in meadows and along roadsides. In your yard, it makes a great border plant or adds bold color to the back of your flowerbed.<\/p> Like most native plants, butterfly milkweed is resistant to most pests and diseases that affect plants in the Piedmont area. It is especially resistant to deer. However, it can succumb to crown rot if planted in poorly-drained soil. While butterfly milkweed has historically been used by Native Americans for food and medicinal purposes<\/a>, beware that it can be toxic when consumed if not prepared correctly. <\/p> Don\u2019t let the name confuse you — Florida flame azaleas<\/a> are another native plant that will thrive in your Greenville garden. The spectacular flowers bloom in April and range in color from light yellow to red-orange. The clusters of funnel-shaped flowers have delicate protruding red stamens. It has a sweet fragrance, like honeysuckle, which is common in many native azalea species.<\/p> The Florida flame azalea attracts birds such as swallowtails, songbirds, and hummingbirds. It also attracts butterflies such as the monarch and Gulf fritillary, as well as bees to help pollinate your garden. They grow best under the partial shade of trees, but be careful not to plant them too close because they will experience root competition. <\/p> You will fall in love with the cardinal flower<\/a>, a native plant with show-stopping red flowers. The brilliant flower spikes can be seen from a distance in marshes, meadows, and the edge of streams. Wildlife loves cardinal flowers too — they\u2019re a source of nectar for hummingbirds. <\/p> The blossoms open from top to bottom on the 2-4 foot spikes in late summer and last through early fall.<\/p> Unlike other native wildflowers, the cardinal flower requires higher amounts of water to survive. This would make a great addition to a rain garden, or as a landscaping accent alongside a water source, such as a pond or stream. <\/p> Birds love to nest in the majestic Southern magnolia tree<\/a>. Some birds, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and yellow-bellied sapsucker, eat the tree\u2019s seeds.<\/p> Southern magnolias produce very large, fragrant white flowers in spring and summer. They\u2019re relatively fast-growing, but require more watering and maintenance than other native plants. Their evergreen foliage is very hardy and makes a great contrast to other garden plants. If you don\u2019t mind the maintenance that comes along with it shedding its leaves and seed pods, a Southern magnolia would make a charming addition to your backyard. <\/p> The Eastern red cedar<\/a> is a fast-growing, aromatic evergreen tree. Its female plants produce pale blue fruit, which is eaten by finches and bluebirds. It is a great nesting habitat for hummingbirds, doves, and warblers. It is also a source of food for the larvae of Great Purple Hairstreak butterflies. <\/p> The tree bark is a red-brown color and exfoliates in long strips. The wood is very sturdy and rot-resistant, so it is often used for things like fence posts.<\/p> Eastern red cedars are resistant against many weather extremes, including drought, cold, and heat. Avoid planting near apple trees — the Eastern red cedar is susceptible to a fungal disease called cedar-apple rust. <\/p> Beautyberry<\/a> is a beautiful native plant that can be recognized by its clusters of bold purple fruits that form in August and last through early winter. Small flowers bloom in the early summer, ranging from blue to pink and light purple. <\/p> This woody shrub is often found in open meadows and woodland areas. In your landscape, it works well in a pollinator garden, butterfly garden, or native garden.<\/p> It is a very resilient plant, being resistant to disease, pests, heat, and fire. The beautyberry\u2019s fruit attracts birds such as mockingbirds, finches, and robins. It also attracts larger mammals such as deer and raccoons. <\/p> What would this native plant list be without Carolina jessamine<\/a>, the state flower of South Carolina? With its bright yellow flowers, slender vines, and sweet aroma, this plant is a beautiful addition to your native plant garden. <\/p> This is a very adaptable and easy plant to grow. Carolina jessamine can be grown as a vine or as a form of ground cover. As a vine, it can adorn fences, trellises, decks, arbors, and entryways. It attracts hummingbirds, game birds, and butterflies. Be careful to keep children away from this plant, as all parts of the plant are very toxic. It is disease- and pest-resistant. <\/p> Eastern purple coneflower<\/a> is a popular native plant with long-lasting daisy-like purple and lavender flowers that bloom from early summer through mid-fall. They are a wonderful source of nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. They are very easy to grow with little maintenance required. <\/p> This plant is not only popular for its looks and durability. Flowers from Echinacea species are often used to make herbal tea. Extracts of the Eastern purple coneflower have natural antibiotic properties when ingested in small amounts. <\/p> You\u2019ve likely noticed the thin purple flowers of the late purple aster while driving around the Piedmont area. These low-maintenance native plants can commonly be found growing happily along the road, dry fields, or rocky woodlands, attracting bees and butterflies to their flowers. <\/p> Late purple asters<\/a> are easy to care for and relatively pest resistant. They can thrive in most growing conditions in the Greenville area.<\/p> 1. Butterfly milkweed (asclepias tuberosa)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"red](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_43670156015_57ec548c74_c.jpg\")
2. Florida flame azaleas (rhododendron austrinum)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"vibrant](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_rhododendron_austrinum_2zz.jpg\")
3. Cardinal flower (lobelia cardinalis)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"vibrant](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_3839857177_ac2893f80a_c.jpg\")
4. Southern magnolia (magnolia grandiflora)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"pure](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_28581765901_0187df1670_c.jpg\")
5. Eastern red cedar (juniperus virginiana)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"small,](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_49276275162_ea1e5ce327_c.jpg\")
6. American beautyberry (callicarpa americana)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"American](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_36153680774_8b3fb3fafa_c.jpg\")
7. Carolina jessamine (gelsemium sempervirens)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"bright](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_49687552016_7cc70965a5_c.jpg\")
8. Eastern purple coneflower (echinacea purpurea)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"eye-level](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_28197801226_176c020ab0_c.jpg\")
9. Late purple aster (symphyotrichum patens)<\/em><\/h2>
![\"light](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_3301175717_a46ff625d4_c.jpg\")
10. Eastern redbud (cercis canadensis) <\/em><\/h2>
![\"pink](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_40713284263_2a1f34385f_c_1.jpg\")
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_5889690334_72f2ace7c9_c.jpg\")