North Carolina Native Plants

Many of the native plants in North Carolina are under threat from plant species that were introduced in the past. Those non-native plants haven't evolved to suit the local climate, soil, or animal life. As such, they don’t provide the resources, like food, that local wildlife need, and can have an overall negative effect on our local biodiversity.

While North Carolina is one of the single most ecologically diverse states in the southeast, the fact is that more than 400 native plant species in the state are at risk. You can find out which NC native plant species are most at risk on this list provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Native plants have evolved as part of their local ecosystem, and as a result, they support a highly complex network of biological diversity. By planting native plants in your garden, you're helping to fight back against the degradation of our natural spaces. Those native plants don’t just attract bees and other pollinators; they require fewer resources while providing food and shelter for a huge range of animal species.

When you use native plants that have evolved in North Carolina, you will be helping to sustain native insects, birds, fireflies, butterflies, mammals, and reptiles. These wonderful species lie at the heart of a healthy, ecologically diverse natural environment. Even if you have a small outdoor space, one or two native plants can make a noticeable difference in the world around you.

Most wild plants need pollinators, such as bees, to transfer pollen so they can reproduce. Bees, in particular, are going through widespread declines., and by planting native plants, you can ensure these unsung heroes of our local ecosystems can thrive.

In addition to bees, beetles, butterflies, and moths are also pollinators that serve as vital parts of our local ecosystems. When it comes to native bees, these aren’t the honey bees you might imagine (honey bees aren’t native to North America). Instead, it’s the 4000 species of bees that are native to North America that we need to be worried about.

By planting native plants in your North Carolina garden, you help to provide food, create habitats, and many other important resources to some of the most imperlied insects and other animals in the state.

North Carolina is home to a diversity of native plants, many of which are threatened by non-native invasive species. While not all non-native plants are invasive (and some may even be beneficial), the invasive ones are those that can cause harm to the environment, humans, or animals. North Carolina's warm climate and ample rainfall make it an ideal home for many non-native invasive plants.

While some invasives, such as kudzu and Japanese honeysuckle, were introduced intentionally for their ornamental or utility value, others, such as privet and Chinese tallow tree, escaped from plant nurseries or were unintentionally introduced through international trade. Regardless of how they arrived in North Carolina, these plants have thrived in our state and now threaten the survival of our native plant species.

Non-native invasives can outcompete native plants for resources like water and sunlight. They can also change the physical structure of the landscape, altering soil composition and discouraging the growth of native plants. They can also serve as hosts for destructive insect pests and diseases that can spread to native plants.

To protect North Carolina's unique natural heritage, you should remove non-native invasive plants from your property and replace them with natives. We sell North Carolina native plants in easy-to-use collections, so it’s never been easier to find the perfect plant for your landscape. Together, we can help to protect North Carolina's native plant species from the threat of invasive species.

A lawn might look neat, tidy, and symmetrical, but they’re also ecological dead zones that provide nothing to the wildlife around us. A lawn is simply a desert for local pollinators. The plants we choose to replace lawns (or add to them if you're not quite ready to give your lawn up) matter. By growing plants native to North Carolina, and embracing the anti-lawn movement, we can more easily landscape our gardens with life-giving resources.

Those native plants will create a more healthy ecosystem. When we get rid of native plants and replace them with a lawn, we make it much harder for the plants, insects, and other wildlife that provide so much value to thrive. When you buy native plants for North Carolina, you’re planting with a purpose, helping the planet and our local biodiversity.