To create a beautiful flower garden in North Carolina, it’s important to choose plants well-suited to the state’s climate. Selecting the right flowers ensures a colorful display throughout the growing season. Consider factors like sunlight, soil type, and water needs when planning your garden. Your local garden center or agricultural extension office can provide guidance on which varieties thrive in your specific area. Here are 15 of the best flowers to grow in North Carolina’s diverse regions.
Black-Eyed Susans
Dark-Eyed Susans are a popular for summer gardens since they bloom from June to September. They require six hours a day or more of direct sunlight to grow. Although they can withstand a wide range of soil types, these plants require well-drained soil. They are valuable for pollinator gardens since they are perennials in hardiness zones 3 through 9, returning each year to add color and draw butterflies and bees. It is necessary to water regularly, particularly during dry spells.
Coreopsis
A prolonged show of color is provided by coreopsis, which typically blooms from late spring to early October. It needs at least six hours of direct sunshine per day to grow. It does best in full sun. The plant is a wonderful addition to any garden that aims to promote local wildlife because it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Coreopsis requires little watering, making it a relatively low-maintenance plant even though it demands well-drained soil.
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed blooms from early summer to early fall and is well-known for drawing pollinators like bees and butterflies. This perennial needs well-drained soil and does best in direct sunlight. It may be used in a variety of regions because its hardiness zones span from 3 to 9. Because it is drought-tolerant, it requires very little care, which makes it a great option for gardeners looking for low-maintenance plants that support a healthy ecology.
Lantana
Lantana flowers provide a long-lasting display of colors, including red, orange, yellow, white, and purple, and they bloom from late spring to October. It needs direct sunshine to develop as well it can and produce lots of flowers. Once planted, lantana can withstand periods of dryness and requires well-draining soil. Because it draws pollinators like bees and butterflies, this plant is a good addition to any garden that aims to assist nearby ecosystems.
Phlox
Phlox has a lengthy flowering season, with blooms appearing from late spring to early autumn. Its varied color palette—which includes pink, white, red, and purple—offers a wide range of aesthetic appeal. Phlox needs full sun for the majority of the day in order to flourish. These plants are also good additions to any garden that aims to benefit nearby ecosystems because they are known to draw pollinators like bees and butterflies. Additionally, phlox plants exhibit some resilience to deer and rabbit damage.
Bee Balm
Usually blooming for up to eight weeks, bee balm blooms from mid-summer to early fall. The plant is adaptable to many garden areas because it can grow in both full sun and partial shade. Bee Balm is rather easy to maintain, though it prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is a beneficial addition to any pollinator garden because of its reputation for attracting bees and butterflies.
Daylilies
Perennial daylilies are prized for their wide spectrum of colors, which include pink, red, orange, and yellow tones. They can handle little shade, but full sun is ideal for them to grow. After they are established, these plants need very little care and are considered low-maintenance. They also exhibit strong resistance to rabbits and deer, which makes them a sensible option for gardens that frequently receive wildlife visitors. In addition, daylilies draw pollinators such as butterflies and bees, which enhances the environment in gardens.
Eastern Red Columbine
The perennial Eastern Red Columbine is well-known for its early bloom, which usually occurs in the spring and lasts for many weeks. This flower can be used in a variety of garden settings because it grows well in partial to full sunshine. It can handle modest watering requirements, but it prefers well-drained soil. It is a useful addition to gardens that are wildlife-friendly since pollinators like bees and butterflies are drawn to its tubular blossoms.
Yarrow
The perennial yarrow comes in a variety of colors, such as white, yellow, pink, and red. It can be used for xeriscaping because it likes well-drained soil and grows well in direct sunlight. Once established, yarrow requires little care and is drought-tolerant, meaning less regular watering is required. It also draws pollinators, such as butterflies and bees, which livens up the garden. Yarrow gives landscapes months of color from late spring through September when it blooms.
Rudbeckia
Black-eyed Susan, also known as rudbeckia, usually blooms from mid-summer to early fall. This perennial needs at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to flourish. It prefers full sun. It requires moderate amounts of water and prefers soil that drains well, keeping the soil damp but not soggy. Rudbeckia is also a great addition to any garden that aims to promote nearby wildlife because it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Azaleas
Azaleas usually bloom in the spring and are available in pink, white, and purple hues. Their ideal growing conditions are acidic, well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 to 6. Azaleas have different needs for sunlight; although they need some shade, they can withstand a variety of lighting conditions. Regular watering and mulching are essential for effective maintenance because they require constant hydration, particularly in dry weather. If given the right care, azaleas are often perennial plants that can live for many years.
Camellias
Perennial shrubs called camellias are prized for their wide range of flowering seasons. Depending on the species, blooms can occur anywhere from late fall to early spring. They bring variety to any garden because they come in a range of colors, such as pink, red, white, and yellow. These plants need moderate shade to prevent burning and do best in acidic, well-drained soils. The plant needs little maintenance other than routine irrigation and the occasional pruning to eliminate dead growth and give it structure.
Crape Myrtles
Crape myrtles need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to grow to their maximum potential. While they are quite tolerant of many soil types, they do demand well-drained soil. These perennial plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9. They provide a prolonged floral display from mid-summer into fall, with a variety of colors ranging from white to deep crimson and purple. They can also be clipped to shape and require very little care.
Hydrangeas
Perennial hydrangeas are prized for their wide range of colors, which include blue, pink, white, and purple. These hues are frequently influenced by the pH of the soil; flowers grown in acidic soils will be blue, while those grown in alkaline soils would be pink. Depending on the variety, hydrangeas can grow in full to partial sunshine. They also need regular irrigation to keep the soil constantly moist. Since they are often planted in hardiness zones 3 through 7, they can withstand a variety of weather conditions.
Zinnias
Zinnias bloom from spring until the first frost and are prized for their wide range of colors. They are perfect for sunny gardens since they flourish in direct sunshine. Zinnias are low-maintenance plants that just need minimal watering and can withstand droughts. Additionally, they are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season. These flowers are a great addition to pollinator-friendly gardens since they are well-liked by pollinators, drawing butterflies and bees.