Native Perennials
These native perennials will return to bloom each year. Many are found on the ECU Outer Banks Campus, and they can also be utilized for your own landscaping needs and will bring pollinators to your garden and yard. Hover over each photo to see the common name, or click to view full screen and learn more about each one.
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma- Scarlet Bee Balm: This popular perennial produces clusters of bright red flowers that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Growing to about 2 -3 feet tall and blooms from May to October. It prefers moist, rich soils and full to partial sun. It colonizes by rhizomes.
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta- Black-eyed Susan: This popular Rudbeckia is easily grown in average to moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Considered a biennial or short-lived perennial, these plants will sometimes self-sow in the garden. The bright yellow flowers (with dark brown centers) attract butterflies.
Blazing Star
Liatris spicata- Blazing Star: Beautiful purple spikes of flowers from mid-summer to fall attract bees and butterflies. Prefers average to moist, rich soils in full to part sun.
Blue False Indigo
Baptisia australis- Blue False Indigo: Great perennial for sunny locations; has nice long-lasting blue flowers that attract pollinators. The fall seed pods are attractive, as well. Easy to grow, but does not transplant well. Grows to around 3 feet tall.
Blue Flag Iris
Iris virginiana- Blue Flag Iris: A beautiful, native, clump-forming, aquatic plant, Blue Flag Iris produces blue/violet flowers in spring and summer on 2 – 3 foot plants. The blooms attract bees and butterflies.
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum- Boneset: Native to moist areas of the Eastern United States, this common perennial produces clusters of white flowers in summer and early fall. The flowers attract many species of insects and the plant itself is the host plant for several moth species. Growing to about 3 feet in height, this is a must-have for pollinator gardens!
Brown-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia triloba- Brown-eyed Susan: Although only a short-lived perennial, Brown-eyed Susan is easily grown from seed, often self-sowing. It is covered with yellow flowers with brown centers from July through October, attracting butterflies.
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis- Cardinal Flower: Great native plant for moist soils and full sun to light shade. The abundance of red flowers in summer really attract our ruby-throated hummingbirds. Short-lived perennial that will often self-sow.
Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens- Carolina Jessamine: Common, evergreen vine that produces fragrant, yellow flowers in abundance from late winter into spring. Flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Grows to 20 feet in average to moist soils in sunny or partly shady locations.
Carolina Wild Petunia
Ruellia caroliniensis- Carolina Wild Petunia: This native, low-growing perennial produces blue-purple flowers in spring and summer. It grows best in dry to moist soils in full sun to part shade. Good pollinator plant and a host plant for some butterflies.
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum- Cinnamon Fern: Although this 2 – 5 foot fern is best in moist shade, it will tolerate almost full sun in moist soils. The name comes from the attractive fertile fronds that look somewhat like long cinnamon sticks.
Climbing Aster
Amplelaster carolinianus- Climbing Aster: More of a “scrambler” than a climber, this “aster” has pinkish flowers in late fall when color is often scarce in the garden. Good for late-season pollinators. Prefers moist to average soil and full sun. Also known as Carolina Aster.
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca-
Common Milkweed: At three feet, Common Milkweed is taller than most milkweeds. This one has pink flower clusters that attract lots of butterflies. Give it plenty of space to grow because it doesn’t stay put. Average soils and full to partial sun recommended.
Coral Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens- Coral Honeysuckle: Great native vine with tubular red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Grows well, but is not invasive. Prefers full sun to part shade and is tolerant of poor, sandy soils.
Cross Vine
Bignonia capreolata- Cross Vine: This aggressive vine produces two-toned, fragrant, red and yellow tubular flowers that provide nectar for hummingbirds. Give them lots of room, they can grow up to 50 feet high in full sun or partial shade!
Cutleaf Coneflower
Rudbeckia laciniata- Cutleaf Coneflower: Cutleaf Coneflower is a perennial Rudbeckia taller than most, reaching heights of up 6 feet. Easily grown in moist soil in full sun to partial shade. Blooms in summer and early fall, attracting a good variety of pollinators. Cutleaf Coneflower spreads rapidly through underground stems.
Dotted Horsemint
Monarda punctata- Dotted Horsemint: This aromatic perennial is very easy to grow in full sun and dry, sandy to average soils. It produces tubular flowers that are pale yellow with purple spots. The bracts are white or pale purple. A must for the pollinator garden, horsemint attracts lots of insects. Will self-seed.
Duck Potato
Sagittaria latifolia- Duck Potato: A native, aquatic perennial that sports white flowers in summer. Grows best in sun or partial shade; reaches a height (above water surface) of about 2 – 3 feet. The tubers are an important food source for waterfowl.
False Aster
Boltonia asteroides- False Aster: Easily grown white blooming “aster,” Boltonia prefers full sun and average to slightly moist soils. Late summer flowers can sometimes be pink or purplish. Grows to 5 feet in height. Attracts butterflies.
Goldenrod
Solidago, spp.- Goldenrod: There are many species of goldenrod and they are all great, must-have plants for the flower or pollinator garden. In sunny areas, they are tolerant of poor conditions, produce pretty yellow flowers and attract and feed many varieties of pollinators. The Seaside Goldenrod is particularly important for Monarch butterflies during migration.
Green and Gold
Chrysogonum virginianum-Green and Gold: This native, shade-loving, evergreen ground cover produces bright yellow flowers in spring. It prefers well-drained soils. Grows to only 6 inches tall.
Hairy Groundsel
Packera tomentosa- Hairy Groundsel: Also called Wooly Ragwort, this low-growing, native perennial has silvery foliage and produces yellow “asters” in late spring to early summer. Easily grown in average to dry, sandy soils in sun. Will self-sow.
Horseflyweed
Baptisia tinctoria- Horseflyweed: Attractive, 2 – 3 foot, shrubby-looking Baptisia with lots of long-lasting yellow flowers. Easily grown in dry, sandy soils in partial to full sun.
Joe-Pye Weed
Eupatorium purpurea- Joe-Pye Weed: Easily grown in moist soils in sunny spots, Joe-Pye Weed (several species) are tall perennials good for the back of a perennial border. They produce pink to purple flowers in late summer and early fall that attract lots of butterflies and other insects.
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium- Little Bluestem: This native grass is easy to grow in full sun, reaching a height of about 2 feet. During the growing season, the plant is a nice blue-green color, then it turns reddish in late summer and finally a warm brown for the winter.
Lizard Tail
Saururus cernuus- Lizard’s Tail: This native perennial is found in shallow wet areas, growing to about 2 feet in height. It forms colonies by its underground runners. The interesting, drooping “lizard-tail” white spikes of flowers can be seen from summer into fall. It will grow in sun or shade.
Lyreleaf Sage
Salvia lyrata- Lyreleaf Sage: Named for the shape of the basal leaves, Lyreleaf Sage is the only Salvia native to North Carolina. Very easy to grow in full sun or part shade, the tubular, light blue to violet flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Grow them in average to moist soil and watch them self-sow.
Marsh Eryngo
Eryngium aquaticum- Marsh Eryngo: This interesting, spiky perennial is best in moist to wet habitats, where the silver-blue flowers attract a variety of pollinators. Grows best in full sun where it reaches about 3 feet in height.
Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa-
Milkweed: This is the milkweed or “butterfly weed” that is a favorite host plant for Monarch butterfly larvae. The bright orange flowers attract pollinators. Grow in average to dry soils in full sun. Grows to about 2 feet tall.
Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris- Muhly Grass: Clump-forming, warm season, native grass noted for it’s attractive form and foliage and especially its clouds of pinkish-purple fall flowers. Prefers full sun and dry to average, well-drained soils. Performs best if cut back fairly hard in late winter.
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana- Obedient Plant: This rhizomatous perennial is easily grown in average to moist, well-drained soil in full or almost full sun. Pinkish flowers display from late spring until almost fall, attracting hummingbirds. Obedient plant grows to about 3 feet tall and spreads rapidly, so give it plenty of room.
Partridge Berry
Mitchella repens- Partridge Berry: This small, attractive, evergreen groundcover has fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by pairs of red berries in fall. Great for woodland areas.
Passionflower
Passifora incarnata- Passion Flower: This fast-growing perennial vine blooms in summer with exotic purple and white flowers. Afterwards, edible fruits called maypops appear and mature to a yellowish color in fall. Passion flower vines should be grown in average, slightly moist, well-drained soil in full to partial sun.
Pickerel Weed
Pontedaria cordata- Pickerel Weed: Blue spikes of flowers adorn these fast-growing aquatic plants from May or June until early fall. They attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. If you have a pond or water-feature in your yard, you owe it to yourself to try this plant!
Pink Ladies
Oenethera speciosa= Pink Ladies: This perennial produces pink flowers from late spring into mid summer on two foot plants. The flowers attract lots of pollinators. Performs best in partial sun and dry to average soil. Tolerates drought. Spreads by rhizomes.
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea- Purple Coneflower: This popular perennial has pinkish or purple flowers in spring and summer that attract butterflies. Prefers full or part sun and dry, well-drained soils.
Purple Sneezeweed
Helenium flexuosum- Purple Sneezeweed: Attractive herbaceous perennial known for its bright yellow flowers with purplish centers. Blooms in summer, attracting lots of bees, wasps, flies and butterflies. Performs best in full sun and moist soil.
Rattlesnake Master
Eryngium yuccafolium- Rattlesnake Master: Rattlesnake Master is a spiky perennial that performs well in dry, sunny locations. The interesting creamy-white flower heads resemble small thistles and attract pollinators. Grows to about 4 feet in height, with foliage resembling narrow yucca leaves.
River Oats
Chasmanthium latifolium-River Oats: Clump-forming native ornamental grass with drooping seed heads. Easy to grow, spreads readily. Grows best in partial shade in moist soils and up to 3 feet tall.
Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis- Royal Fern: This gorgeous native fern is most at home in light shade and rich, acidic, moist habitats. It is fairly tolerant of sun if kept moist. Grows to 3 feet tall. Will tolerate heavy shade and wet soil.
Saltmarsh Mallow
Kosteletzkya virginiana- Saltmarsh Mallow: Tall (to six feet) native plant good for moist soils and full sun. Beautiful hibiscus-like pink flowers in summer and early fall attract butterflies.
Scarlet Rosemallow
Hibiscus coccineus- Scarlet Rosemallow: This tall (4-6’) perennial is best grown in moist, sunny habitats, although it will tolerate ordinary garden conditions. Huge, bright red flowers are produced in summer, attracting bees and butterflies. Also known as Red Star Hibiscus.
Skullcap
Scutellaria incana- Skullcap: Easy to grow in dry to average soil and full to part sun, skullcap produces tubular blue flowers in summer into early fall, attracting pollinators. This native grows to about 2 – 3 feet in height.
Slender Goldentop
Euthamia caroliniana- Slender Goldentop: Growing in moist to average soils, this member of the Aster family produces clusters of bee-attracting yellow flowers in late summer and fall. Grows to almost 2 feet in height.
Splitbeard
Andropogon ternarius-
Splitbeard: Ribbon-like new growth starts out blue-green, turns purplish in late summer and then finally brown, adorned with nice-looking, fluffy white seed heads in fall. This easy to grow native grass reaches about 3 feet in height. About the only maintenance that can be done is pruning it back in late winter.
Sundrops
Oenethera fruticosa- Sundrops: Native perennial that produces bright yellow flowers in spring and summer. Grows best in moist, well-drained or dry soil and full to partial sun. Somewhat drought tolerant once established. Grows to height of two feet.
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata- Swamp Milkweed: This is the milkweed for moist to wet habitats. The clusters of pink flowers really attract the butterflies! Also a host plant for Monarch larvae. Grows best in full sun.
Swamp Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius- Swamp Sunflower: This tall perennial, also called Narrowleaf Sunflower, is easily grown in average to moist soils in sunny locations. It grows quite tall (to over 6 feet) but can be cut back in late spring to reduce the ultimate height. Self sows. This a late bloomer, with bright yellow flowers from about September until frost. Birds like to eats the winter seeds.
Tall Phlox
Phlox paniculata- Tall Phlox: Also known as garden phlox, these popular perennials are best grown in fairly fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Gorgeous clusters of pink to purple flowers are produced in summer, attracting butterflies. Many cultivars are available, extending the variety of available color.
Tickseed
Coreopsis lanceolata- Tickseed: Easy to grow in ordinary soils and full to part sun, this perennial blooms heavily in late spring and then sporadically into mid-summer. Grows to about 3 feet and is tolerant of dry and poor soils. Although not usually long-lived, it freely self-seeds. Attracts butterflies and bees.
Trumpet Creeper
Campsis radicans- Trumpet Creeper: Aggressive native vine produces loads of long, tubular orange, red or yellow flowers in summer that attract hummingbirds. Will grow to 40 feet in sun or partial shade.
Wild Ageratum
Conoclinum coelestinum- Wild Ageratum: Also called Blue Mistflower, this is a plant of moist soils and full to part sun. The clusters of blue flowers in summer and fall attract butterflies. Grows to about 3 feet high. Give this one plenty of room as it will spread by rhizomes.
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa- Wild Bergamot: This fragrant native bee balm has pale pink flowers that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Grows to about 3 feet in height and blooms from about June until fall. Spreads by rhizomes. Prefers dry soils and full sun.
Wooly Golden Aster
Chrysopsis gossypina- Wooly Golden Aster: Attractive, silver-leaved, short-lived perennial with yellow “daisies” in late summer and fall. Thrives on neglect, tolerant of dry, sandy soils in full sun. Grows to only one foot high.
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