Native Plants

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Thursday - May 17, 2007

From: Matthews, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Small native evergreen shrubs for North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in zone 7 and need miniature shrub to go in flower bed situated in full sun. I love gardenias but afraid the intensity of the sun might be too much.

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants has these suggestions for small evergreen shrubs that are native to North Carolina. Gardenias are not recommended since they are not native to North America.

Chamaedaphne calyculata (leatherleaf) Full sun.

Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry) Part shade.

Leucothoe axillaris (coastal doghobble) Part shade.

Leiophyllum buxifolium (sandmyrtle) Part shade.

Leucothoe fontanesiana (highland doghobble) Part shade.

Morella pumila (dwarf wax-myrtle) or Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) Full sun or part shade.