Native plants · North Carolina
Native plants of Buncombe County
665 plant species are recorded as native to North Carolina in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in Buncombe County by USDA PLANTS. 248 of them have growing records you can filter by light, moisture, height and estimated cold hardiness. 2 more species are listed as both native and introduced and kept in a separate section.
County summary · USDA PLANTS and Kew WCVP
Buncombe County, North Carolina
- Native species
- 665 Typical North Carolina county: 498 (median of 100 counties)
- Garden-ready natives
- 248 Typical North Carolina county: 208
- Share by type (all 665 native species)
-
Percent of the 665 native species in each growth type
Wildflowers make up the largest share of the native list (57%), followed by grasses and grass-like plants (16%).
The native plant list
Garden-ready natives 248
Native species with PLANTS growing records (height, light, moisture, minimum temperature). “—” means PLANTS has no value.
| Plant | Type | Height | Light | Water use | Hardy to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| alternateleaf dogwood Cornus alternifolia | Tree | 25 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| American basswood Tilia americana | Tree | 100 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| American beech Fagus grandifolia | Tree | 80 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| American bellflower Campanulastrum americanum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 12b |
| American bittersweet Celastrus scandens | Vine | 15 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| American bur-reed Sparganium americanum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| American chestnut Castanea dentata | Tree | 115 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American hazelnut Corylus americana | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American holly Ilex opaca | Tree | 40 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| American hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana | Tree | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American mountain ash Sorbus americana | Tree | 40 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| American plum Prunus americana | Tree | 24 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| American pokeweed Phytolacca americana | Wildflower (forb) | 7.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American red raspberry Rubus idaeus | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | — | Zone 1a |
| American sycamore Platanus occidentalis | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| American water-willow Justicia americana | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| autumn bluegrass Poa autumnalis | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 6b |
| beaked hazelnut Corylus cornuta | Tree | 15 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| big bluestem Andropogon gerardii | Grass or grass-like | 6 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 2b |
| bigleaf aster Eurybia macrophylla | Wildflower (forb) | 4.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis | Tree | 75 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 2b |
| black cherry Prunus serotina | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | — | Zone 9b |
| black huckleberry Gaylussacia baccata | Shrub | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| black locust Robinia pseudoacacia | Tree | 60 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| black raspberry Rubus occidentalis | Shrub | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| blackhaw Viburnum prunifolium | Tree | 16 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| blackjack oak Quercus marilandica | Tree | 25 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| blue cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| bluebead Clintonia borealis | Wildflower (forb) | 1.1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| blunt spikerush Eleocharis obtusa | Grass or grass-like | 1.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 11a |
| bog rush Juncus biflorus | Grass or grass-like | 3.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| boxelder Acer negundo | Tree | 60 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| bristly buttercup Ranunculus hispidus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| bristly dewberry Rubus hispidus | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| broadleaf arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| broadleaf cattail Typha latifolia | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| broom sedge Carex scoparia | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| broomsedge bluestem Andropogon virginicus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| bursting-heart Euonymus americanus | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| bushy St. Johnswort Hypericum densiflorum | Shrub | 6.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 8a |
| butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| calico aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| Canadian horseweed Conyza canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 12b |
| Canadian lousewort Pedicularis canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 1.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| Canadian milkvetch Astragalus canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 6 in | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| cardinalflower Lobelia cardinalis | Wildflower (forb) | 5.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| Carolina elephantsfoot Elephantopus carolinianus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.7 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6a |
| Carolina hemlock Tsuga caroliniana | Tree | 65 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7b |
| Carolina rose Rosa carolina | Shrub | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| cat greenbrier Smilax glauca | Vine | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 6a |
| chestnut oak Quercus montana | Tree | 73 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| chokecherry Prunus virginiana | Tree | 25 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| cinnamon fern Osmunda cinnamomea | Fern | 4.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| climbing rose Rosa setigera | Vine | 16 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| cockspur hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli | Tree | 30 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| common blue violet Viola sororia | Wildflower (forb) | 4 in | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| common blue wood aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| common buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis | Tree | 15 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| common cowparsnip Heracleum maximum | Wildflower (forb) | 8 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| common evening primrose Oenothera biennis | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| common goldstar Hypoxis hirsuta | Wildflower (forb) | 10 in | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| common hackberry Celtis occidentalis | Tree | 60 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 2b |
| common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| common persimmon Diospyros virginiana | Tree | 55 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| common rush Juncus effusus | Grass or grass-like | 6.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| common selfheal Prunella vulgaris | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| common sneezeweed Helenium autumnale | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| common sweetleaf Symplocos tinctoria | Tree | 20 ft | Shade-tolerant | — | Zone 5a |
| crimsoneyed rosemallow Hibiscus moscheutos | Wildflower (forb) | 6.6 ft | Sun | High | Zone 6a |
| cucumber tree Magnolia acuminata | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5b |
| cutleaf coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata | Wildflower (forb) | 8.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3b |
| deerberry Vaccinium stamineum | Shrub | 16 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 5a |
| deertongue Dichanthelium clandestinum | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| devil's darning needles Clematis virginiana | Vine | 15 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| devil's walkingstick Aralia spinosa | Tree | 20 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4b |
| drooping woodreed Cinna latifolia | Grass or grass-like | 4.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| dwarf St. Johnswort Hypericum mutilum | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| eastern gamagrass Tripsacum dactyloides | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun | High | Zone 5a |
| eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis | Tree | 105 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| eastern narrowleaf sedge Carex amphibola | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7a |
| eastern redbud Cercis canadensis | Tree | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| eastern redcedar Juniperus virginiana | Tree | 50 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| eastern rough sedge Carex scabrata | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| eastern white pine Pinus strobus | Tree | 150 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| fall panicgrass Panicum dichotomiflorum | Grass or grass-like | 3.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| field paspalum Paspalum laeve | Grass or grass-like | 2.9 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 6a |
| flattened oatgrass Danthonia compressa | Grass or grass-like | 2.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| flowering dogwood Cornus florida | Tree | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| fowl mannagrass Glyceria striata | Grass or grass-like | 5.7 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| fox sedge Carex vulpinoidea | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| Frank's sedge Carex frankii | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| fringed sedge Carex crinita | Grass or grass-like | 5.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| giant cane Arundinaria gigantea | Shrub | 25 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea | Wildflower (forb) | 8.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| golden ragwort Packera aurea | Wildflower (forb) | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3a |
| golden tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12b |
| grassleaf rush Juncus marginatus | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| gray goldenrod Solidago nemoralis | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| graybark grape Vitis cinerea | Vine | 50 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 6b |
| great laurel Rhododendron maximum | Tree | 25 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 6a |
| greater bladder sedge Carex intumescens | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| greater straw sedge Carex normalis | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| hairy lespedeza Lespedeza hirta | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| hairy white oldfield aster Symphyotrichum pilosum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| harvestlice Agrimonia parviflora | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| hobblebush Viburnum lantanoides | Shrub | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| hop sedge Carex lupulina | Grass or grass-like | 4.3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana | Tree | 45 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3b |
| horseflyweed Baptisia tinctoria | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 7b |
| Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans | Grass or grass-like | 6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| Indianhemp Apocynum cannabinum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| interrupted fern Osmunda claytoniana | Fern | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| Jack in the pulpit Arisaema triphyllum | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus | Wildflower (forb) | 9.8 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| jewelweed Impatiens capensis | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 10b |
| lanceleaf loosestrife Lysimachia lanceolata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| late purple aster Symphyotrichum patens | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| leafy pondweed Potamogeton foliosus | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| littleleaf buttercup Ranunculus abortivus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.8 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| maleberry Lyonia ligustrina | Shrub | 9 ft | Shade-tolerant | — | Zone 5a |
| mapleleaf viburnum Viburnum acerifolium | Shrub | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| marsh seedbox Ludwigia palustris | Wildflower (forb) | 2 in | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| Mexican muhly Muhlenbergia mexicana | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| mockernut hickory Carya tomentosa | Tree | 85 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| moss phlox Phlox subulata | Wildflower (forb) | 6 in | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| mountain false indigo Amorpha glabra | Shrub | 16 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 7a |
| mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia | Tree | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 5a |
| mountain maple Acer spicatum | Tree | 25 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| narrowleaf blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 7a |
| narrowleaf evening primrose Oenothera fruticosa | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| nerveless woodland sedge Carex leptonervia | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus | Shrub | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| New York fern Thelypteris noveboracensis | Fern | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| New York ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis | Wildflower (forb) | 6.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| nimblewill Muhlenbergia schreberi | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| nodding fescue Festuca subverticillata | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| northern maidenhair Adiantum pedatum | Fern | 1.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| northern red oak Quercus rubra | Tree | 81 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| northern spicebush Lindera benzoin | Tree | 12 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| Nuttall's reedgrass Calamagrostis coarctata | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| orangegrass Hypericum gentianoides | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 12a |
| oval-leaf sedge Carex cephalophora | Grass or grass-like | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4a |
| pale touch-me-not Impatiens pallida | Wildflower (forb) | 8.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 10b |
| panicledleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium paniculatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 6a |
| partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7a |
| perplexed ticktrefoil Desmodium perplexum | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Philadelphia fleabane Erigeron philadelphicus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.8 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| pin cherry Prunus pensylvanica | Tree | 30 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| pitch pine Pinus rigida | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3a |
| possumhaw Viburnum nudum | Tree | 15 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| post oak Quercus stellata | Tree | 60 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| prairie fleabane Erigeron strigosus | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| prairie willow Salix humilis | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| prickly bog sedge Carex atlantica | Grass or grass-like | 1.8 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5b |
| pride of Ohio Dodecatheon meadia | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| purple lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis | Grass or grass-like | 11 in | Sun | Low | Zone 3a |
| purpleflowering raspberry Rubus odoratus | Shrub | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| purplehead sneezeweed Helenium flexuosum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| purpleleaf willowherb Epilobium coloratum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| purplestem aster Symphyotrichum puniceum | Wildflower (forb) | 8.1 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| purpletop tridens Tridens flavus | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 5a |
| rattlesnake fern Botrychium virginianum | Fern | 1.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| red chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia | Shrub | 5 ft | Sun | High | Zone 5b |
| red elderberry Sambucus racemosa | Tree | 18 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| red maple Acer rubrum | Tree | 68 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 2b |
| red mulberry Morus rubra | Tree | 70 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| red spruce Picea rubens | Tree | 110 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| ridged yellow flax Linum striatum | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| river birch Betula nigra | Tree | 70 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| roundhead lespedeza Lespedeza capitata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| roundleaf greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia | Vine | 1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| roundleaf serviceberry Amelanchier sanguinea | Tree | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| sassafras Sassafras albidum | Tree | 75 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| saw greenbrier Smilax bona-nox | Vine | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5b |
| sawtooth blackberry Rubus argutus | Shrub | 8.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6a |
| scarlet Indian paintbrush Castilleja coccinea | Wildflower (forb) | 1.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| scarlet oak Quercus coccinea | Tree | 70 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| shallow sedge Carex lurida | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| shingle oak Quercus imbricaria | Tree | 45 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| shortleaf pine Pinus echinata | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| shrubby St. Johnswort Hypericum prolificum | Shrub | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| Shumard's oak Quercus shumardii | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| silky willow Salix sericea | Tree | 12 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| silver maple Acer saccharinum | Tree | 90 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 2b |
| small enchanter's nightshade Circaea alpina | Wildflower (forb) | 11 in | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| smooth azalea Rhododendron arborescens | Shrub | 18 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 6a |
| smooth phlox Phlox glaberrima | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| smooth sumac Rhus glabra | Tree | 12 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum | Tree | 35 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 6a |
| southern arrowwood Viburnum recognitum | Tree | 9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| southern red oak Quercus falcata | Tree | 75 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 6a |
| splitbeard bluestem Andropogon ternarius | Grass or grass-like | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 5b |
| spotted St. Johnswort Hypericum punctatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa | Shrub | 4 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| stiff marsh bedstraw Galium tinctorium | Wildflower (forb) | 10 in | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| strawcolored flatsedge Cyperus strigosus | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| striped maple Acer pensylvanicum | Tree | 35 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 2b |
| sugarcane plumegrass Saccharum giganteum | Grass or grass-like | 9.8 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| summer grape Vitis aestivalis | Vine | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| swamp azalea Rhododendron viscosum | Shrub | 16 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| swamp doghobble Eubotrys racemosus | Shrub | 13 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| swamp rose Rosa palustris | Shrub | 8.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| sweet birch Betula lenta | Tree | 60 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| sweet fern Comptonia peregrina | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3b |
| sweet woodreed Cinna arundinacea | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 5a |
| switchgrass Panicum virgatum | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| Table Mountain pine Pinus pungens | Tree | 50 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 5b |
| tall hairy agrimony Agrimonia gryposepala | Wildflower (forb) | 5.9 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| tapertip rush Juncus acuminatus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| tenangle pipewort Eriocaulon decangulare | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6b |
| three-way sedge Dulichium arundinaceum | Grass or grass-like | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| trumpetweed Eutrochium fistulosum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| tufted bulrush Trichophorum cespitosum | Grass or grass-like | 1.3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera | Tree | 120 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| upland bentgrass Agrostis perennans | Grass or grass-like | 3.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| variable panicgrass Dichanthelium commutatum | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4b |
| Virginia pine Pinus virginiana | Tree | 70 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 5a |
| Virginia sweetspire Itea virginica | Shrub | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| Virginia water horehound Lycopus virginicus | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| Virginia wildrye Elymus virginicus | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| Washington hawthorn Crataegus phaenopyrum | Tree | 30 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| waterthread pondweed Potamogeton diversifolius | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| wavy hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa | Grass or grass-like | 2.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| white avens Geum canadense | Wildflower (forb) | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| white edge sedge Carex debilis | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 6a |
| white fringetree Chionanthus virginicus | Tree | 25 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| white meadowsweet Spiraea alba | Shrub | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| white oak Quercus alba | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| whitegrass Leersia virginica | Grass or grass-like | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| wild sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| wild sweetwilliam Phlox maculata | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| winged sumac Rhus copallinum | Tree | 8 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| woodland rush Juncus subcaudatus | Grass or grass-like | 2.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 6b |
| woolgrass Scirpus cyperinus | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| woolly rosette grass Dichanthelium scabriusculum | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 7a |
| wrinkleleaf goldenrod Solidago rugosa | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| yellow birch Betula alleghaniensis | Tree | 75 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 2b |
| yellow buckeye Aesculus flava | Tree | 65 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| yellow flatsedge Cyperus flavescens | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 11b |
| yellow fumewort Corydalis flavula | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5b |
| yellow marsh marigold Caltha palustris | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
No garden-ready natives match these filters. Try clearing one.
Other native species recorded here 417
PLANTS has no growing records for these, so light, moisture, height and zone filters cannot include them. Many are wild species seldom sold by nurseries.
Hidden while “Garden-ready only” is on.
- agueweed Gentianella quinquefolia
- Allegheny hawkweed Hieracium paniculatum
- Allegheny monkeyflower Mimulus ringens
- Allegheny stonecrop Hylotelephium telephioides
- American alumroot Heuchera americana
- American bluehearts Buchnera americana
- American cancer-root Conopholis americana
- American climbing fern Lygodium palmatum
- American hogpeanut Amphicarpaea bracteata
- American lopseed Phryma leptostachya
- American senna Senna hebecarpa
- American white waterlily Nymphaea odorata
- anisescented goldenrod Solidago odora
- Appalachian clubmoss Huperzia appalachiana
- Appalachian gooseberry Ribes rotundifolium
- arrowfeather threeawn Aristida purpurascens
- arrowleaf violet Viola sagittata
- Atlantic goldenrod Solidago arguta
- Atlantic pigeonwings Clitoria mariana
- autumn coralroot Corallorhiza odontorhiza
- bastard toadflax Comandra umbellata
- bay forget-me-not Myosotis laxa
- beaked cornsalad Valerianella radiata
- beaked panicgrass Panicum anceps
- bearded shorthusk Brachyelytrum erectum
- bigfruit hawthorn Crataegus macrosperma
- birdfoot violet Viola pedata
- black baneberry Actaea racemosa
- black highbush blueberry Vaccinium fuscatum
- blackseed plantain Plantago rugelii
- blackseed speargrass Piptochaetium avenaceum
- blisterwort Ranunculus recurvatus
- bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
- Blue Ridge blueberry Vaccinium pallidum
- bluejacket Tradescantia ohiensis
- bluntleaf waterleaf Hydrophyllum canadense
- bluntlobe cliff fern Woodsia obtusa
- bluntlobe grapefern Botrychium oneidense
- Bosc's panicgrass Dichanthelium boscii
- Bowman's root Gillenia trifoliata
- bride's feathers Aruncus dioicus
- bristly greenbrier Smilax tamnoides
- bristly locust Robinia hispida
- broad beechfern Phegopteris hexagonoptera
- brown widelip orchid Liparis liliifolia
- browneyed Susan Rudbeckia triloba
- brownish beaksedge Rhynchospora capitellata
- brownish sedge Carex brunnescens
- buffalo clover Trifolium reflexum
- buffalobur nightshade Solanum rostratum
- button eryngo Eryngium yuccifolium
- buttonbush dodder Cuscuta cephalanthi
- Canada lily Lilium canadense
- Canada mayflower Maianthemum canadense
- Canadian blacksnakeroot Sanicula canadensis
- Canadian honewort Cryptotaenia canadensis
- Canadian licorice-root Ligusticum canadense
- Canadian wildginger Asarum canadense
- Canadian woodnettle Laportea canadensis
- Carolina bugbane Trautvetteria caroliniensis
- Carolina geranium Geranium carolinianum
- Carolina horsenettle Solanum carolinense
- Carolina leaf-flower Phyllanthus caroliniensis
- Carolina lily Lilium michauxii
- Carolina springbeauty Claytonia caroliniana
- Carolina vetch Vicia caroliniana
- Carolina wild petunia Ruellia caroliniensis
- carpenter's square Scrophularia marilandica
- Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- churchmouse threeawn Aristida dichotoma
- clammy locust Robinia viscosa
- clasping milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulis
- clasping Venus' looking-glass Triodanis perfoliata
- Clayton's sweetroot Osmorhiza claytonii
- climbing milkvine Matelea obliqua
- clustered mountainmint Pycnanthemum muticum
- common boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
- common cinquefoil Potentilla simplex
- compact dodder Cuscuta compacta
- cornel-leaf whitetop Doellingeria infirma
- creeping lespedeza Lespedeza repens
- creeping phlox Phlox stolonifera
- crinkleroot Cardamine diphylla
- crippled cranefly Tipularia discolor
- Culver's root Veronicastrum virginicum
- curlytop knotweed Polygonum lapathifolium
- Curtiss' milkwort Polygala curtissii
- cutleaf toothwort Cardamine concatenata
- cypress panicgrass Dichanthelium dichotomum
- deeproot clubmoss Lycopodium tristachyum
- densetuft hairsedge Bulbostylis capillaris
- Dillenius' ticktrefoil Desmodium glabellum
- dogtooth violet Erythronium americanum
- dotted hawthorn Crataegus punctata
- downy danthonia Danthonia sericea
- downy lobelia Lobelia puberula
- downy rattlesnake plantain Goodyera pubescens
- downy yellow false foxglove Aureolaria virginica
- drumheads Polygala cruciata
- dutchman's breeches Dicentra cucullaria
- dwarf chinquapin oak Quercus prinoides
- dwarf crested iris Iris cristata
- dwarf hawthorn Crataegus uniflora
- dwarf larkspur Delphinium tricorne
- dwarf violet iris Iris verna
- early bluegrass Poa cuspidata
- early meadow-rue Thalictrum dioicum
- early St. Johnswort Hypericum nudiflorum
- earlyleaf brome Bromus latiglumis
- eastern blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium atlanticum
- eastern bluestar Amsonia tabernaemontana
- eastern bottlebrush grass Elymus hystrix
- eastern featherbells Stenanthium gramineum
- eastern gray beardtongue Penstemon canescens
- eastern hayscented fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula
- eastern prickly gooseberry Ribes cynosbati
- eastern silver aster Symphyotrichum concolor
- eastern star sedge Carex radiata
- eastern sweetshrub Calycanthus floridus
- eastern waterleaf Hydrophyllum virginianum
- ebony spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron
- Elliott's bluestem Andropogon gyrans
- fall phlox Phlox paniculata
- false Indian plantain Hasteola suaveolens
- fan clubmoss Lycopodium digitatum
- feathery false lily of the valley Maianthemum racemosum
- fernleaf phacelia Phacelia bipinnatifida
- fewleaf sunflower Helianthus occidentalis
- field pansy Viola bicolor
- fire pink Silene virginica
- fiveangled dodder Cuscuta pentagona
- flame azalea Rhododendron calendulaceum
- flat-top goldentop Euthamia graminifolia
- flattened pipewort Eriocaulon compressum
- flowering spurge Euphorbia corollata
- flypoison Amianthium muscitoxicum
- fourleaf milkweed Asclepias quadrifolia
- fragrant bedstraw Galium triflorum
- fringed loosestrife Lysimachia ciliata
- Gattinger's panicgrass Panicum gattingeri
- gaywings Polygala paucifolia
- Goldie's woodfern Dryopteris goldieana
- great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
- Great Plains flatsedge Cyperus lupulinus
- great yellow woodsorrel Oxalis grandis
- greater purple fringed orchid Platanthera grandiflora
- greater tickseed Coreopsis major
- green adder's-mouth orchid Malaxis unifolia
- green false hellebore Veratrum viride
- grove bluegrass Poa alsodes
- hairy alumroot Heuchera villosa
- hairy angelica Angelica venenosa
- hairy bedstraw Galium pilosum
- hairy lipfern Cheilanthes lanosa
- hairy pagoda-plant Blephilia hirsuta
- hairy skullcap Scutellaria elliptica
- hairy small-leaf ticktrefoil Desmodium ciliare
- hairy sunflower Helianthus hirsutus
- hairy wildrye Elymus villosus
- hairy woodrush Luzula acuminata
- hairyjoint meadowparsnip Thaspium barbinode
- halberdleaf yellow violet Viola hastata
- handsome Harry Rhexia virginica
- harvestbells Gentiana saponaria
- heartleaf foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- heartleaf four o'clock Mirabilis nyctaginea
- hedgehog woodrush Luzula echinata
- highland doghobble Leucothoe fontanesiana
- hirsute sedge Carex complanata
- hoary mountainmint Pycnanthemum incanum
- hoary skullcap Scutellaria incana
- hoary ticktrefoil Desmodium canescens
- hornleaf riverweed Podostemum ceratophyllum
- Illinois pinweed Lechea racemulosa
- Indian cucumber Medeola virginiana
- Indian-tobacco Lobelia inflata
- intermediate woodfern Dryopteris intermedia
- jumpseed Polygonum virginianum
- juniper leaf Polypremum procumbens
- king of the meadow Thalictrum pubescens
- lace grass Eragrostis capillaris
- lanceleaf wild licorice Galium lanceolatum
- large whorled pogonia Isotria verticillata
- largebract ticktrefoil Desmodium cuspidatum
- largebracted plantain Plantago aristata
- largeflower bellwort Uvularia grandiflora
- largeleaf waterleaf Hydrophyllum macrophyllum
- leafy bulrush Scirpus polyphyllus
- lesser Canadian St. Johnswort Hypericum canadense
- lesser purple fringed orchid Platanthera psycodes
- lesser rattlesnake plantain Goodyera repens
- lesser snakeroot Ageratina aromatica
- lesser yellow lady's slipper Cypripedium parviflorum
- limber honeysuckle Lonicera dioica
- longbract frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis
- longbranch frostweed Helianthemum canadense
- low spearwort Ranunculus pusillus
- low spikesedge Kyllinga pumila
- lowland bladderfern Cystopteris protrusa
- lyrate rockcress Arabis lyrata
- maidenhair spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes
- man of the earth Ipomoea pandurata
- marginal woodfern Dryopteris marginalis
- Maryland goldenaster Chrysopsis mariana
- Maryland meadowbeauty Rhexia mariana
- Maryland sanicle Sanicula marilandica
- mayapple Podophyllum peltatum
- meadow zizia Zizia aptera
- moccasin flower Cypripedium acaule
- mountain holly Ilex montana
- mountain silverbell Halesia tetraptera
- mountain spleenwort Asplenium montanum
- mountain woodfern Dryopteris campyloptera
- mountain woodsorrel Oxalis montana
- nakedflower ticktrefoil Desmodium nudiflorum
- narrowleaf cowwheat Melampyrum lineare
- narrowleaf mountainmint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
- neckweed Veronica peregrina
- needletip blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium mucronatum
- nits and lice Hypericum drummondii
- nodding chickweed Cerastium nutans
- nodding onion Allium cernuum
- nodding sedge Carex gynandra
- northern dewberry Rubus flagellaris
- northern selaginella Selaginella rupestris
- Norwegian cinquefoil Potentilla norvegica
- oak mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum
- obedient plant Physostegia virginiana
- oneflowered broomrape Orobanche uniflora
- oneseed bur cucumber Sicyos angulatus
- openflower rosette grass Dichanthelium laxiflorum
- painted trillium Trillium undulatum
- palegreen orchid Platanthera flava
- paleleaf woodland sunflower Helianthus strumosus
- palespike lobelia Lobelia spicata
- partridgeberry Mitchella repens
- Pennsylvania pellitory Parietaria pensylvanica
- Pennsylvania sedge Carex pensylvanica
- perfoliate bellwort Uvularia perfoliata
- Philadelphia panicgrass Panicum philadelphicum
- pinesap Monotropa hypopitys
- pipevine Aristolochia macrophylla
- pleatleaf knotweed Polygonum tenue
- pointedleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium glutinosum
- poison sumac Toxicodendron vernix
- poke milkweed Asclepias exaltata
- poorjoe Diodia teres
- poverty oatgrass Danthonia spicata
- prostrate ticktrefoil Desmodium rotundifolium
- purple cliffbrake Pellaea atropurpurea
- purple false foxglove Agalinis purpurea
- purple fringeless orchid Platanthera peramoena
- purple giant hyssop Agastache scrophulariifolia
- purple meadowparsnip Thaspium trifoliatum
- purple milkweed Asclepias purpurascens
- purple passionflower Passiflora incarnata
- purple pitcherplant Sarracenia purpurea
- queen of the prairie Filipendula rubra
- queendevil Hieracium gronovii
- ramp Allium tricoccum
- rare clubmoss Lycopodium obscurum
- rattlesnakeweed Hieracium venosum
- red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- red hickory Carya ovalis
- red trillium Trillium erectum
- redring milkweed Asclepias variegata
- ribbed sedge Carex virescens
- rice button aster Symphyotrichum dumosum
- richweed Collinsonia canadensis
- richwoods sedge Carex oligocarpa
- robin's plantain Erigeron pulchellus
- rock harlequin Corydalis sempervirens
- rock polypody Polypodium virginianum
- rosepink Sabatia angularis
- rosy sedge Carex rosea
- rough flatsedge Cyperus retrofractus
- roundleaf sundew Drosera rotundifolia
- roundleaf thoroughwort Eupatorium rotundifolium
- roundleaf yellow violet Viola rotundifolia
- roundseed panicgrass Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon
- rue anemone Thalictrum thalictroides
- running clubmoss Lycopodium clavatum
- sand bittercress Cardamine parviflora
- sand violet Viola affinis
- scaly blazing star Liatris squarrosa
- scarlet beebalm Monarda didyma
- scentless mock orange Philadelphus inodorus
- seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia
- Seneca snakeroot Polygala senega
- sensitive partridge pea Chamaecrista nictitans
- shaggy hedgehyssop Gratiola pilosa
- shining clubmoss Huperzia lucidula
- shiny wedgescale Sphenopholis nitida
- Short's hedgehyssop Gratiola viscidula
- showy goldenrod Solidago erecta
- showy goldenrod Solidago speciosa
- showy orchid Galearis spectabilis
- showy skullcap Scutellaria serrata
- shrubby fivefingers Sibbaldiopsis tridentata
- sicklepod Arabis canadensis
- sidebeak pencilflower Stylosanthes biflora
- silver false spleenwort Deparia acrostichoides
- singlehead pussytoes Antennaria solitaria
- skunk currant Ribes glandulosum
- slender beaksedge Rhynchospora gracilenta
- slender bunchflower Veratrum hybridum
- slender crabgrass Digitaria filiformis
- slender lespedeza Lespedeza virginica
- slender looseflower sedge Carex gracilescens
- slender waternymph Najas gracillima
- slender woodland sedge Carex digitalis
- slender yellow woodsorrel Oxalis dillenii
- slender yelloweyed grass Xyris torta
- slenderleaf false foxglove Agalinis tenuifolia
- slimflower muhly Muhlenbergia tenuiflora
- slimspike threeawn Aristida longespica
- small green wood orchid Platanthera clavellata
- small woodland sunflower Helianthus microcephalus
- Small's ragwort Packera anonyma
- smallflower phacelia Phacelia dubia
- smooth blackberry Rubus canadensis
- smooth carrionflower Smilax herbacea
- smooth forked nailwort Paronychia canadensis
- smooth oxeye Heliopsis helianthoides
- smooth rockcress Arabis laevigata
- smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil Desmodium marilandicum
- smoothsheath sedge Carex laevivaginata
- soft agrimony Agrimonia pubescens
- southeastern wildrye Elymus glabriflorus
- southern blue monkshood Aconitum uncinatum
- southern crab apple Malus angustifolia
- Spanish needles Bidens bipinnata
- spotted geranium Geranium maculatum
- spotted sandmat Chamaesyce maculata
- spotted water hemlock Cicuta maculata
- spreading dogbane Apocynum androsaemifolium
- spring coralroot Corallorhiza wisteriana
- St. Andrew's cross Hypericum hypericoides
- star chickweed Stellaria pubera
- star tickseed Coreopsis pubescens
- starved panicgrass Dichanthelium depauperatum
- stiff cowbane Oxypolis rigidior
- stiff ticktrefoil Desmodium obtusum
- stout goldenrod Solidago squarrosa
- striped cream violet Viola striata
- striped prince's pine Chimaphila maculata
- summer coralroot Corallorhiza maculata
- summer sedge Carex aestivalis
- swamp lousewort Pedicularis lanceolata
- swamp thistle Cirsium muticum
- Swan's sedge Carex swanii
- sweet white violet Viola blanda
- tall blue lettuce Lactuca biennis
- tall lespedeza Lespedeza stuevei
- tall thimbleweed Anemone virginiana
- tall thistle Cirsium altissimum
- tall tickseed Coreopsis tripteris
- tenlobe false foxglove Agalinis obtusifolia
- thickleaf phlox Phlox carolina
- thin paspalum Paspalum setaceum
- toothed whitetop aster Sericocarpus asteroides
- trailing arbutus Epigaea repens
- trailing lespedeza Lespedeza procumbens
- turk's-cap lily Lilium superbum
- turkey corn Dicentra eximia
- twistedstalk Streptopus lanceolatus
- twoflower dwarfdandelion Krigia biflora
- twoflower melicgrass Melica mutica
- twoleaf miterwort Mitella diphylla
- upland boneset Eupatorium sessilifolium
- vasevine Clematis viorna
- Venus' pride Houstonia purpurea
- violet lespedeza Lespedeza violacea
- violet woodsorrel Oxalis violacea
- Virginia buttonweed Diodia virginiana
- Virginia pennywort Obolaria virginica
- Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum
- Virginia plantain Plantago virginica
- Virginia springbeauty Claytonia virginica
- Virginia strawberry Fragaria virginiana
- Virginia tephrosia Tephrosia virginiana
- Virginia winged rockcress Sibara virginica
- walking fern Asplenium rhizophyllum
- wavyleaf aster Symphyotrichum undulatum
- weakstalk bulrush Schoenoplectiella purshiana
- white blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium albidum
- white colicroot Aletris farinosa
- white goldenrod Solidago bicolor
- white snakeroot Ageratina altissima
- white thoroughwort Eupatorium album
- white trillium Trillium grandiflorum
- white turtlehead Chelone glabra
- white vervain Verbena urticifolia
- white wood aster Eurybia divaricata
- whitemouth dayflower Commelina erecta
- whorled milkweed Asclepias verticillata
- whorled milkwort Polygala ambigua
- whorled milkwort Polygala verticillata
- whorled mountainmint Pycnanthemum verticillatum
- whorled rosinweed Silphium trifoliatum
- whorled wood aster Oclemena acuminata
- whorled yellow loosestrife Lysimachia quadrifolia
- wideflower phlox Phlox latifolia
- widowsfrill Silene stellata
- wild comfrey Cynoglossum virginianum
- wild hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens
- wild quinine Parthenium integrifolium
- wingstem Verbesina alternifolia
- witchgrass Panicum capillare
- wood anemone Anemone quinquefolia
- woodland stonecrop Sedum ternatum
- yellow fairybells Prosartes lanuginosa
- yellow fringed orchid Platanthera ciliaris
- yellow loosestrife Lysimachia ×producta
- yellow pimpernel Taenidia integerrima
- yellowroot Xanthorhiza simplicissima
- zigzag spiderwort Tradescantia subaspera
Also listed as native and introduced here 2
PLANTS labels these species both native and introduced in this state: some forms are native and others were brought in from elsewhere. Most gardeners should choose plants from the main list.
- hedge false bindweedCalystegia sepium
- Kentucky bluegrassPoa pratensis
Compared with North Carolina
The typical county is the median of the 100 North Carolina counties with PLANTS county records; the statewide figure counts every species native anywhere in the state. More species is not better or worse: counties differ in size, habitat and how thoroughly they have been surveyed.
| Measure | Buncombe County | Typical county | Statewide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native species | 665 | 498 | 1,920 |
| Garden-ready natives | 248 | 208 | 654 |
| Tree | 82 | — | 198 |
| Shrub | 46 | — | 107 |
| Wildflower (forb) | 376 | — | 996 |
| Grass or grass-like | 106 | — | 453 |
| Vine | 24 | — | 80 |
| Fern | 31 | — | 86 |
Neighboring counties
Counties that share a ZIP code with Buncombe County.
- Henderson County, NC 239 garden-ready
- Madison County, NC 234 garden-ready
- McDowell County, NC 171 garden-ready
- Rutherford County, NC 103 garden-ready
Source & data date
- Source
- USDA NRCS PLANTS Database: county distribution records, native status and plant characteristics. CC0 (public domain dedication, per the data.gov catalog record).
- Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): native or introduced status by state. CC BY 3.0.
- USGS US-RIIS (ver. 2.0): species listed as introduced are excluded. CC0.
- Citation
- USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov, 11/04/2026). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
- Govaerts R. (ed.) (2026). WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Data file dated 2026-06-04, http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ (retrieved 2026-11-04). Paper: Govaerts R. et al. (2021) The World Checklist of Vascular Plants, a continuously updated resource for exploring global plant diversity. Scientific Data 8, 215.
- Data date
- Retrieved from PLANTS on November 4, 2026; WCVP data file dated June 4, 2026.
- Zones
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) ZIP table: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 3, 2026. Plant zones on this site are our estimate, not the official map.
- Scope
- Buncombe County (county FIPS 37021), North Carolina. 665 native species from PLANTS county distribution records; garden-ready = species with a PLANTS characteristics record.
- Method
- A species is listed when it is recorded as native to the state in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in the county by USDA PLANTS. Species PLANTS labels both native and introduced are listed separately. Full method · All sources