21 Best Perennials For NC Gardens: Picks By Zone

These hardy plants bloom for months while inviting butterflies and bees into your garden.

By Shinta

Created on Aug 29, 2025

These hardy plants bloom for months while inviting butterflies and bees into your garden.

21 Best Perennials for Stunning North Carolina Gardens

North Carolina, with its moderate climate, four distinct seasons, and reliable rainfall, provides gardeners with abundant opportunities to grow a dazzling array of perennial plants. Perennialsâplants that return year after yearâoffer long-lasting color, structure, and interest for both beginner and seasoned gardeners. Whether youâre gardening in the coastal plain, Piedmont, or mountain regions, there are perennials to match your environment and design preferences.

Why Plant Perennials in North Carolina?

Adaptability: Most perennials thrive across North Carolinaâs USDA zones (typically 6bâ8b).
Low Maintenance: Once established, perennials need less attention and fewer annual plantings.
Wildlife Support: Many attract pollinators and beneficial insects, improving ecological health.
Year-Round Interest: With strategic selection, you can ensure blooms, texture, and color for every season.

This curated list of 21 top perennials for North Carolina features plants loved by local experts, highlighting care tips, bloom periods, and landscaping uses. Use this guide to select robust, beautiful plants that will thrive in your garden for years.

Understanding North Carolinaâs Growing Zones

Before choosing perennials, identify your regionâs USDA Hardiness Zone. North Carolina spans zones 6b (colder mountain regions) to 8b (warmer coastal areas). Knowing your zone will help you match plants to your average winter lows, ensuring greater perennial success. Soil type, sunlight, and moisture levels should also be considered, as many plants have specific requirements for optimal growth.

Top 21 Popular Perennials for North Carolina Gardens

Echinacea (Coneflower)
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
Coreopsis
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Salvia
Phlox
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Hosta
Hemerocallis (Daylily)
Iris
Liriope (Monkey Grass)
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Aster
Chrysanthemum
Dianthus
Asclepias (Milkweed)
Baptisia (False Indigo)
Paeonia (Peony)
Ferns
Solidago (Goldenrod)

Echinacea (Coneflower)

Echinacea is a quintessential North Carolina perennial, valued for its resilience, tolerance of poor soils, and long-lasting summer blooms. Purple and pink coneflowers attract bees and butterflies, while seed heads feed birds in autumn.

Sun: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Well-drained; drought tolerant
Height: 2â4 feet
Notable varieties: âMagnusâ, âPowWow Wild Berryâ, native E. purpurea

Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)

Rudbeckia offers cheerful golden-yellow daisies with dark centers from mid-summer to fall. Extremely hardy, this deer-resistant perennial naturalizes easily and provides reliable color every year.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Adaptable; prefers moist but can handle drought once established
Height: 1â3 feet

Coreopsis

Also known as tickseed, coreopsis produces waves of yellow or pink blooms and adapts readily to differing soils. Excellent for mass plantings, borders, or pollinator gardens, coreopsis encourages butterflies and has a long bloom period.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; fairly tolerant of poor soils
Height: 1â2 feet

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

Gaillardia is a sun-loving native with fiery red and yellow blooms lasting all summer. These undemanding flowers thrive in hot, dry sites and require minimal care.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; drought tolerant
Height: 12â18 inches

Salvia

Perennial Salvias bring striking purple or blue spikes, attracting pollinators and hummingbirds. Some varieties are aromatic and deter deer or rabbits. Cut back after the first flush for more blooms through fall.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-draining, average to dry
Height: 1â3 feet

Phlox

Phlox selections range from low-growing, spring-blooming Phlox subulata (creeping phlox) to tall, summer-blooming Phlox paniculata (garden phlox) with vibrant flower clusters. Both types thrive in North Carolina, offering brilliant color and fragrance.

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Height: 6â48 inches, depending on species

Monarda (Bee Balm)

Bee balm displays frilly, vibrant red, pink, or purple blooms. Aromatic leaves deter pests, and the nectar-rich flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Plant in masses for a bold effect.

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Height: 2â4 feet

Hosta

Hostas are shade garden staples, prized for their lush foliage varying from chartreuse to blue-green to variegated. Summer lily-like blooms on tall spikes add extra interest. Hostas grow well in the Piedmont and mountain regions.

Sun: Shade to part sun
Soil: Moist, rich
Height: 10â36 inches

Hemerocallis (Daylily)

Daylilies are nearly indestructible perennials with graceful, arching leaves and bursts of color in mid-summer. Each flower lasts a day, but new buds open daily over weeks. Available in a wide range of colors and forms.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; tolerant of many types
Height: 1â3 feet

Iris

Iris varieties, from bearded to Siberian, offer showstopping blooms in spring and early summer. Their sword-like foliage persists through the season, adding vertical structure to borders.

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Height: 1â3 feet

Liriope (Monkey Grass)

Liriope functions as a low-maintenance ground cover or border. Grass-like clumps develop violet flower spikes in late summer and fall, followed by attractive berries. Thrives in both sun and shade and tolerates drought once established.

Sun: Full sun to deep shade
Soil: Average, well-drained
Height: 8â18 inches

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum varieties, particularly Autumn Joy and creeping forms, are almost foolproof. Their succulent Leaves endure drought and poor soils, while late summer blooms provide vital nectar for pollinators.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky
Height: 4â24 inches

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Valued for their colorful foliage, heucheras come in shades of burgundy, lime green, and silver. Use them for shade borders, rock gardens, or containers. Tiny bell-shaped blooms on slender stems appear in late spring.

Sun: Part shade to shade (sun-tolerant varieties exist)
Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained
Height: 8â18 inches

Aster

Asters provide a late-season splash of purple, pink, or white blooms, pollinator magnetism, and adaptability to varied soils. They extend the gardenâs color deep into fall, attracting butterflies and bees when few others bloom.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained to average
Height: 1â3 feet

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are classic autumn perennials with abundant, showy, and often aromatic blooms in myriad shadesâwhite, yellow, red, bronze, pink, and purple. Though often sold as annuals, theyâre perennial in North Carolinaâs climate. Maintain neatness and extend flowering by pinching back dead blooms and unruly stems. Mums are generally deer and rabbit resistant.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained
Height: 1â3 feet

Dianthus

Dianthus encompasses beloved pinks, carnations, and sweet Williams. Blue-grey foliage and spicy-scented spring flowers in shades of pink, red, and white make this a favorite for rock gardens and borders.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, alkaline
Height: 6â18 inches

Asclepias (Milkweed)

Milkweed is crucial for Monarch butterfly larvae and is gaining popularity as a must-have native perennial. Clusters of orange or pink blooms appear in summer, and the plants tolerate drought and poor soils well.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Average to dry
Height: 2â5 feet

Baptisia (False Indigo)

This bushy native offers spires of blue, yellow, or white pea-shaped flowers in spring. Baptisia fixes nitrogen in soils, tolerates drought, and delivers ornamental seedpods in fall and winter, providing multi-season interest.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Height: 3â4 feet

Paeonia (Peony)

Peonies boast classic, lush blooms each spring and offer decades of garden beauty with little maintenance. Their bold blossoms are fragrant and long-lived as cut flowers. Make sure to plant the roots shallowly, as too-deep planting inhibits blooming.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
Height: 2â3 feet

Ferns

Native and ornamental ferns create lush texture in shaded beds. Choose species suited for North Carolina, such as Christmas fern or Ostrich fern, for reliable, shade-loving foliage.

Sun: Shade to part shade
Soil: Moist, rich
Height: 1â3 feet

Solidago (Goldenrod)

Goldenrod offers golden clustered blooms in late summer and fall. Contrary to common belief, it does not cause hay fever. This tough native attracts a wide variety of pollinators and adds a vivid burst of yellow as other flowers fade.

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained to average
Height: 2â4 feet

Tips for Growing and Maintaining Perennials in North Carolina

Site Selection: Match the perennialâs needs for sun, shade, and soil to your planting site.
Planting Time: Early spring or fall is ideal, allowing roots to establish before temperature extremes.
Mulching: Apply mulch to conserve moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce weeds, but keep it away from direct stem contact.
Watering: Provide consistent moisture during establishment. Most mature perennials tolerate dry spells but benefit from supplemental watering during droughts.
Deadheading: Remove spent blooms and trim back messy growth to encourage reblooming and maintain neatnessâespecially important for mums and coneflowers.
Dividing Plants: Every few years, dig and divide crowded clumps to revitalize growth and propagate new plants for your landscape or to share.
Disease and Pests: Choose disease-resistant varieties and maintain good airflow. Many listed perennials are deer and rabbit resistant.

The Value of Native and Pollinator-Friendly Perennials

Native perennials such as milkweed, coneflower, bee balm, and goldenrod support North Carolinaâs unique ecosystems. Incorporating native plants helps conserve water, reduce chemical needs, and boost biodiversity. Select a mix of natives and adapted species to provide continuous resources for pollinators and beneficial wildlife throughout the growing season.

Table: Quick Guide to North Carolinaâs Top Perennials

Plant Name	Sunlight	Soil Preference	Bloom Season	Wildlife Benefits
Echinacea	Full	Well-drained	Summer	Pollinators, birds
Black-eyed Susan	Full	Moist/Average	SummerâFall	Bees, butterflies
Coreopsis	Full	Well-drained	Summer	Butterflies
Gaillardia	Full	Well-drained	SummerâFall	Bees
Salvia	Full	Dry/Average	Late springâFall	Hummingbirds
Phlox	Full/Part	Moist	SpringâSummer	Butterflies
Daylily	Full	Average	Summer	Low
Hosta	Shade/Part	Moist/Rich	Summer	Low
Goldenrod	Full	Average	Late summer	Pollinators
Milkweed	Full	Dry/Average	Summer	Monarchs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When is the best time to plant perennials in North Carolina?

A: Early spring or fall is ideal for establishing perennials, as milder temperatures and rainfall allow roots to develop before heat or freeze stress.

Q: How do I know which perennials will survive winter in my area?

A: Check your USDA Hardiness Zone and select plants rated for your zone or colder. This ensures the best overwintering success for your perennials.

Q: Do perennials need to be pruned or divided?

A: Pruning helps tidy plants and sometimes encourages further bloom, especially for mums. Many perennials benefit from dividing every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.

Q: Which perennials are most deer-resistant?

A: Salvias, mums, coneflowers, and ferns are generally ignored by deer due to their textures or aromatic foliage.

Q: Are all perennials good for pollinators?

A: While many perennials attract pollinators, natives such as milkweed, bee balm, and goldenrod are especially valuable for supporting butterflies and bees.

Bring Lasting Beauty to Your North Carolina Garden

With mindful selection from these 21 top-performing perennials, you can create a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape that enchants through every season. Whether your focus is on color, pollinators, or textural foliage, these plants are tried-and-true favorites for North Carolinaâs diverse climate. Remember to group plants by sun and moisture needs, mulch appropriately, and take advantage of the many resources, including the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, to plan and maintain your garden for years of perennial success.

References

Author

Shinta

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

Read full bio of Shinta