Georgia Native Plants

Georgia native plants are those that occur naturally in the state. They are well adapted to the Georgia climate and soil types and can provide various benefits for your landscape. Native plants are an essential part of the ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife. They also require less water and maintenance than non-native species, making them a more sustainable choice for your landscape.

If you're interested in adding native Georgia plants to your landscape, check out our collections of native plants that will thrive in Georgia. By choosing Georgia native plants, you'll be helping to preserve the state's natural heritage.

Georgia is on the monarch butterfly's migration route, and those monarch butterflies need a diversity of native plants to survive, including milkweed–a species they rely on for multiple stages of their  lives. However, milkweed is often mowed down when development projects begin. Buying native Georgia plants can help monarch butterflies by providing them with the milkweed they need. 

Georgia native plants are typically well-suited to the state's climate and soils and provide valuable habitats for local wildlife. In addition to supporting monarch butterflies, native Georgia plants can help to attract other pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds. By choosing Native Georgia plants for your pollinator garden, you can do your part to help these important insects and other wildlife thrive.

With such a diverse range of flora, it's no wonder that Georgia's planting zones fall from 6a to 9a. The bottom half of the state is warmer, meaning that Georgia gardeners have a wide range of options when choosing plants.

However, it is important to know what growing zone you live in before you select any plants. That's why our ZIP code native plant finder is such a valuable resource. With a few clicks, you can find out which Georgia native plants are well-suited to your growing zone.

So whether your garden is full sun or part shade, an understanding of plants and sunlight combined with our native plant finder can help you find the perfect plants for your garden.

Georgia boasts a diverse range of native plants, from the Carolina rose shrub to the snowy milkweed. Georgia's climate and topography create perfect conditions for a wide array of flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and trees to thrive. Yet, starting a garden in Georgia can be challenging for newcomers due to the state's humid weather, high rainfall, and nutrient-deficient soils. Georgia's red Piedmont clay is tough to work with, as it holds too much water in rainy winters. However, with research and careful planning, anyone can create a beautiful garden in Georgia. By choosing native plants well-suited to the state's climate and soils, you can create a healthy and vibrant garden that will thrive for years to come.

Georgia is home to a wide variety of plant life. However, Georgia's native plants are under threat from invasive species. Invasive plants can outcompete native vegetation, spread diseases, and negatively alter habitat gardens. This, in turn, can affect the wildlife that depends on Georgia's native plants and lead to both ecological and economic impacts.

One of the most common invasive plants in Georgia is cogongrass. Also known as the seventh worst weed in the world, cogongrass blooms from April to June. Georgia's native plants are no match for this invader, which can quickly take over habitat and crowd out native vegetation. If you suspect you have cogongrass on your property, it's important to remove it immediately.

Fortunately, there are also many ways to help protect Georgia's native plants. You can buy Georgia-native plants for your home or business landscape, participate in volunteer opportunities to help remove invasive species, and spread the word about the importance of protecting Georgia's natural heritage.

Georgia is blessed with an abundance of native plants. These plants occur naturally in the state and have evolved adaptions to thrive in the local climate and soils. When you choose to landscape your yard with native Georgia plants, you are doing your part to conserve water and soil, provide refuge for wildlife, and create a low-maintenance landscape that is beautiful and unique. Read on to learn more about the benefits of planting Georgia native plants.

Save water and help the soil

One of the most important benefits of planting native Georgia plants is that once they are established in your landscape, they will require minimal supplemental watering from you. This not only conserves our most precious natural resource, but it also saves you money on your water bill. In addition, native plants have deeper root systems that help prevent erosion and protect the soil. 

Aid local wildlife

Planting a native Georgia landscape provides food and shelter for our state’s treasured wildlife. Birds, bees, butterflies, fireflies, and other insects are attracted to the flowers and fruits of native plants, and small mammals and reptiles use them for shelter from predators and the elements. By creating a refuge for wildlife in your backyard, you are playing an essential role in conservation efforts. 

Embrace versatility

Georgia native plants come in all shapes and sizes, so there is sure to be a perfect plant for every spot in your landscape. Whether you have a sunny spot or a shady one, a dry spot or a wet one, there is a native plant that will thrive there. And because they are so well-adapted to our climate, they require very little care once they are established. 

Spend less

Landscaping with native Georgia plants can save you money in several ways. As we mentioned, they require minimal supplemental watering once established, so you will see a reduction in your water bill. They also don’t need any fertilizer, which means another savings for you. And because they require so little care, you will also save money on landscaping services.

Learning how to plant native plantsin your garden has never been easier. So next time you’re thinking about adding plants to your garden, think native. Your yard—and the wildlife in your state—will thank you for it.

Georgia is home to 11 different species of hummingbirds, two of which are regularly seen in yards and gardens across the state. These creatures play an important role in our ecosystem by pollinating flowers and eating insects, and they can be a delight to watch as they zip around in search of food.

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the species of hummingbird that spends the most time in Georgia, making it an important player in the state's ecosystem. These birds have long, skinny beaks perfectly adapted for sipping nectar from flowers. Some native Georgia plants have specially adapted flowers that make it easy for these hummingbirds to access the nectar. 

In addition to providing an essential service for Georgia's native plants, hummingbirds are also great to have around your house because they eat a lot of small insects. So if you're looking for a way to help Georgia's native plants and have some natural insect control  in your backyard, consider attracting hummingbirds to your garden!