Native Plants

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Tuesday - January 08, 2008

From: Charleston, SC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Shade-loving native plants for South Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am looking to incorporate a native plants section in my backyard. Shade seems to be a limiting factor in some parts, especially where I would look to create a natural hedge bordering my neighbor's yard. Any ideas for plantings?

ANSWER:

You can find a list of native plants for South Carolina on our Recommended Species page. You can narrow your list for South Carolina by selecting the plants' characteristics or growing conditions, e.g., select "Shrubs" under Habits and "Part shade" and "Shade" under Light requirement. This will give you a list of shrubs that are native to South Carolina that will grow well in shade and/or part shade. These should be good choices for making a natural hedge. Mr. Smarty Plants has a few suggestions from that list:

EVERGREENS

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)

Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel)

Rhododendron maximum (great laurel)

DECIDUOUS

Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)

Euonymus americanus (bursting-heart)

Hydrangea arborescens (wild hydrangea)

Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort)

Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush)

Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark)

Rhododendron calendulaceum (flame azalea)