Plant This, Not That: A Southeastern Native Gardening Guide
A detailed guide to swapping invasive ornamentals for sustainable, beautiful Southeastern native plants.
Plant This, Not That: A Guide to Southeastern Native Gardening
Gardening in the Southeastern United States is an opportunity to celebrate biodiversity, save water, and support local wildlife. Yet, many gardens are filled with familiar non-native plants that can disrupt natural habitats. This comprehensive guide highlights why native landscaping matters, provides practical “plant this, not that” swaps for some of the Southeast’s most commonly used non-natives, and offers tips for designing beautiful, low-maintenance gardens using plants adapted to the climate of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond.
Why Native Southeast Plants Matter
Native plants form the backbone of healthy regional ecosystems. Because they evolved alongside native pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects, they supply vital food, shelter, and breeding sites. In contrast, non-native species—many of which were introduced for landscaping—often lack the relationships and adaptations that sustain complex food webs. Some introduced ornamentals, like privet and nandina, can escape cultivation, become invasive, and displace entire plant and animal communities.
Choosing native species offers important benefits:
- Wildlife support: Native plants provide nectar, berries, seeds, and foliage suited to birds, butterflies, bees, and other fauna.
- Less maintenance: They’re well-suited to the Southeast’s climate—reducing water, fertilizer, and pesticide needs.
- Habitat restoration: Every native plant helps rebuild regional biodiversity lost to habitat fragmentation and invasive species.
- Sustainable beauty: Native gardens offer year-round flowers, vibrant foliage, and dynamic natural interest.
The Problem with Popular Non-Natives
While many imported ornamentals are popular for their showy flowers or evergreen leaves, these features often come at environmental cost:
- Chinese Privet: Heavily used as a hedge, but forms monocultures, pushing out native undergrowth.
- Nandina: Berries are toxic to birds, and this plant can aggressively colonize natural areas.
- Bradford Pear: Widely planted for its spring blooms and fast growth, but it invades wild spaces and outcompetes native trees.
- English Ivy: Spreads quickly, suppressing woodland groundcover and climbing trees, where it disrupts ecosystems.
- Japanese Honeysuckle: Highly fragrant, but runs rampant, shading out native vines and shrubs.
- Crape Myrtle: Beautiful but ecologically sterile, providing little benefit for native insects or birds.
This guide offers native Southeast alternatives for these and other commonly used non-natives.
Plant This, Not That: Smart Native Alternatives
Transform your landscape by choosing regionally native species that match or surpass the visual appeal of common non-natives—while benefiting local ecosystems.
| Common Non-Native | Best Native Alternative | Features & Wildlife Value |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) | American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) | Beautyberry’s vivid purple berries feed birds, Wax Myrtle berries attract warblers, and both offer great screening. |
| Nandina (Nandina domestica) | Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) Sweetspire (Itea virginica) | Showy spring or summer flowers, vibrant fall foliage, supports pollinators, not toxic to birds. |
| Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) | Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) | Striking blossoms, native tree structure, food for native bees and caterpillars. |
| English Ivy (Hedera helix) | Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) | Groundcovers that suppress weeds, support pollinators and resist drought once established. |
| Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) | Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) | Native vines with abundant nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies, non-invasive. |
| Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) | American Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) | Showy blooms, excellent habitat value for birds and insects. |
| Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) | Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) | Spectacular fall foliage, pollinator-friendly flowers, and wildlife value. |
Spotlight on Top Southeastern Native Plants
Below, we highlight a selection of iconic Southeast natives, spanning trees, shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and grasses, including their ecological benefits and how to use them in your garden:
Trees
- Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora): Evergreen, large fragrant flowers, and provides shade and structure for landscapes. Critical habitat for songbirds and pollinators.
- Live Oak (Quercus virginiana): Adaptable and grand, supporting hundreds of butterfly and moth species as a larval host and offering vital shelter for birds.
- Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum): Iconic wetland tree, known for its dramatic ”knees” and golden fall color. Excellent for rain gardens and sites with periodic flooding.
- Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Small understory tree, profuse pink blooms in spring, heart-shaped foliage, supports early native bees.
- American Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus): White, feathery spring flowers, small stature. Attracts butterflies and birds alike.
What others are reading
Shrubs
- American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana): Arching, open shrub with bold purple berries in clusters. Fall food for songbirds. Deciduous, drought-tolerant.
- Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera): Fast-growing evergreen; female plants produce blue-gray berries that feed birds in winter.
- Sweetspire (Itea virginica): Fragrant, white bottlebrush blooms in spring to early summer; dramatic red fall foliage. Works in sun or shade, tolerates wet soils.
- Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): Large panicles of creamy flowers, deeply lobed leaves, and stunning autumnal red.
- Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens): Versatile evergreen vine with bright yellow, trumpet-shaped blooms, great for arbors or groundcover. Deer-resistant (toxic if eaten).
Perennials and Wildflowers
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Showy yellow daisies from summer to fall. Draws bees, butterflies, and songbirds.
- Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Iconic pink-purple blossoms beloved by pollinators; seeds consumed by finches.
- Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella): Vibrant, drought-tolerant, and blooms for months; tolerates poor soils.
- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Late-season yellow blooms, critical for migrating butterflies and bees.
- Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): Monarch host plant, pink flowers, and suited to moist soils.
Groundcovers and Grasses
- Green-and-Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum): Spreading perennial for part to full shade, yellow star-shaped flowers most of the year.
- Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa): Low-growing, feathery foliage, and pink fuzzy flowers, excellent for pollinators and erosion control.
- Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora): Semi-evergreen, vigorous mat, white/purple flowers, suitable for foot traffic and pollinators.
- Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata): Iconic native grass for sandy settings, stabilizes dunes, and provides winter interest.
- Purpletop (Tridens flavus): Upright grass with purplish plumes, attractive to both wildlife and ornamental gardeners.
Designing a Native Southeast Garden
Thoughtful native gardens balance year-round beauty, wildlife benefits, and ease of care. Consider these practical steps:
- Mix plant heights: Layer canopy trees, understory shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers to mimic natural ecosystems.
- Choose for bloom succession: Combine species that flower from early spring to late fall for continual interest and pollinator support.
- Cluster plants: Grouping 3–7 of one species makes it easier for pollinators to find them and creates striking drifts of color.
- Limit lawn area: Replace turf with mixed plantings; this saves water and reduces chemical inputs.
- Site-sensitive design: Match site moisture, sun, and soil with compatible native species for best results.
Tips for a Successful Transition to Native Plantings
- Remove invasives gradually: Eliminate established invasive plants in stages, replacing with natives that fill similar roles (hedging, screening, groundcover, etc.).
- Source plants responsibly: Buy from reputable native nurseries—avoid wild-dug specimens from sensitive wild areas.
- Embrace a natural aesthetic: Native gardens may appear wilder than mowed landscapes, but this supports more diverse life and often means less work for you.
- Mulch for success: Use organic mulch to suppress weeds during establishment and retain soil moisture.
- Patience pays off: Native plants often focus on root growth early—gardens fill out beautifully over seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why not just remove non-natives and plant more familiar ornamentals?
A: Non-native ornamentals rarely support the local insect and bird life that evolved with native plants. Some even outcompete and harm native habitats.
Q: Are native plants harder to grow or less attractive than exotics?
A: No. Native plants are adapted to local rainfall, soils, and temperatures—meaning less watering, less fertilizer, and fewer pests. Many offer beautiful flowers, berries, and fall foliage.
Q: Will native plants make my garden look messy?
A: Well-designed native gardens are as visually appealing as any traditional landscape. Strategic grouping, mix of colors, and seasonal interest keep your landscape vibrant and structured.
Q: How will these plants help pollinators?
A: Many Southeast native species provide vital nectar, pollen, and larval food for butterflies, native bees, and moths. Some—like oaks and milkweeds—host dozens of caterpillar species.
Q: Can I find all these natives at big box stores?
A: Many top native plants are now available at specialty nurseries and even some mainstream retailers. Ask for native forms, as some alternatives are “nativars” (cultivars bred from natives).
Resources for Southeast Native Plant Gardeners
- Consult regional native plant societies for plant lists and identification help.
- Visit local extension services for guides on site selection and native plant care.
- Check web resources and local gardens for real-world native landscape examples.
Every yard or balcony can be a haven for wildlife and a celebration of the Southeast’s natural beauty. By making thoughtful plant choices, you become a steward of your land and an ambassador for a richer, healthier future.
References
- https://www.gardenia.net/native-plants/southeast
- https://www.brownswoodnursery.com/the-gardeners-corner/15-native-plants-for-lowcountry-gardens
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLscdnBPsUU
- https://homegrownnationalpark.org/keystone-plants/
- https://theplantnative.com/faqs/best-native-plants-for-sunny-southern-gardens/
- https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org
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