Landscaping with Native Species Part 2: Which Native Plants Should I Use?

This is a two-part blog discussing landscaping with native species. Part 2 discusses various native plant species to potentially use in your landscaping. Part 1 covered why you should use native plants in your landscaping and their benefits.

Earlier this month I covered all the benefits of landscaping with native plants and their importance. Now, I want to share a variety of different native plants you can potentially use in your landscaping and resources to find other native plant options.

Luckily, North Carolina has no shortage of gorgeous and beneficial plants. Discover some amazing native plants in my latest blog.

Native Plants Galore!

Whether you are looking for a low shrub or wildflowers, below is a variety of options of native plants. There is a mix of colors and maintenance needs.

Before I share these beautiful native plants, I recommend you look at this hardiness zone map. It lists all the hardiness zones in the continental United States. The Piedmont Triad, North Carolina is in zone 7. Zones are determined by average annual extreme minimum temperature. For a more in-depth look at zones and to search your zip code, visit the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

1. Low Shrubs

Snowhill Hydrangea (Hydrangea aborescens)

Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Optimal Growing Conditions: Partial sun to shade and neutral to acidic soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris)

Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Optimal Growing Conditions: Full to partial sun and moist, wet soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

2. Mid-size Shrubs

Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

Hardiness Zones: 5-8

Optimal Growing Conditions: Full to partial sun and moist, wet soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

Sweet Azalea (Rhododendron arborescens)

Hardiness Zones: 5-8

Optimal Growing Conditions: Full sun to shade and moist, wet soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

Pinkshell Azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi)

Hardiness Zones: 5-7

Optimal Growing Conditions: Partial sun and dry, moist soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

3. Large shurbs

Mock Orange (Philadelphus inodorus)

Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Optimal Growing Conditions: Full to partial sun and dry, moist soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

Mountain Winterberry (Ilex montana)

Hardiness Zones: 3-9

Optimal Growing Conditions: Full to partial sun and moist soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

4. Wildflowers

Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Optimal Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, wet soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)

Hardiness Zones: 3-11

Optimal Growing Conditions: Partial sun to partial shade and moist soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)

Hardiness Zones: 3-9

Optimal Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade and moist soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

Great Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)

Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Optimal Growing Conditions: Partial sun to partial shade and moist, wet soil.

Click here for more information on this plant. 

Native Plant Resources

Looking for other colors, plant maintenance, or more options for native plants? Don’t worry, click here for a great list of recommended native species for North Carolina.

Also, as azaleas are such a popular – and gorgeous – landscaping plant choice, the Carolina Native Nursery provides this wonderful list of native azaleas.

Choose Native Plants for Your Landscaping!

If you want to make a difference in our local environment, then landscaping with native species is a wonderful start. Our local pollinators and other native plants will thank you! Get started today on your dream landscaping for your yard. Call Hawkins Landscape Architecture today at 336-848-7164!

At Hawkins Landscape Architecture, I will work closely with you to select plants you love and are able to maintain. Be sure to like my Instagram page for photos and inspiration on all things plants and outdoor living!

Landscaping with Native Species Part 1: Why Select Native Plants for Your Landscaping?

This is a two-part blog discussing landscaping with native species. Part 1 covers why you should use native plants in your landscaping.

Last month, I discussed why pollinator gardens are so important and some various plants to fill those gardens. This month, I want to share about landscaping with native species. For part one, I’ll share the benefits of using native plants in your landscaping.

While beauty is a key factor in landscaping, selecting plants that fit your surroundings, will thrive in your yard, and give back to your local area are equally important. One way to achieve all those factors is by utilizing native plant species. Before diving into the different types of native species in my next blog, I first want to discuss the importance of landscaping with native species.

Why Landscaping with Native Plants?

Exotic plants might seem tempting but after considering the maintenance and life span those plants have here, choosing native plants is a smarter choice.

The fauna in North Carolina depends on the local flora as part of our delicate ecosystem. Remember those pollinators we discussed last month; they need native plants as part of their pollination process! Many non-native plants become invasive and take over the native plants. This hurts the balance of our local plant and animal life!

Benefits of Landscaping with Native Plants

In addition to helping our pollinator and animal friends, there are other advantages to landscaping with native plants. Some benefits include:

·       Used to withstanding local elements – from sunny to rainy days

·       Easier maintenance

·       Provide plenty of beauty

·       Numerous choices

Since these plants are used to our local climate it makes sense they will be the easiest to adapt to our landscaping needs!

Create Your Dream Backyard and Help Our Local Ecosystem with Native Species Landscaping!

If you are ready to make a difference in our local environment, then landscaping with native species is a great start. It might seem like a small thing, but our local pollinators and other plants know it is huge! Don’t wait any longer to create your dream backyard. Call Hawkins Landscape Architecture today at 336-848-7164 to get started! At Hawkins Landscape Architecture, I always work closely with every client to ensure they have plants they will enjoy and are able to maintain. All while helping our local environment!

Head over and like my Instagram page for photos and inspiration on all things outdoor living and landscaping!

Don’t miss next week’s part two blog on potential native species plants to include in your landscaping!

Porches are all the RAGE!

Porches! This year has been the year of home renovations, many including screened or grilling porches. This porch is off of a stately home on High Rock Lake. The porch serves as a covered area for outdoor dining and entertaining off of the new pool! The design not only included the porch with grilling/dining area and custom fireplace, but also a new shotcrete pool with infinity edge and spa. Other porches I have designed this year have many other types of amenities:

*Fireplaces and other Fire Features

*Built In Kitchens- these kitchens can include more than just a grill, how about a pizza oven, Green Egg, kegorator, or a built in bar?

*’EZ Screen folding doors, that can allow the porch to either be open air, or open entirely to allow the fresh air and dining alfresco:)

*Built in Hot Tubs

*Built in Showers

The sky is the limit when designing these wonderful home renovations. Most homeowners can expect a return of 84% on their investment when they add a porch to their home- so a great value for the money! Using my 3D imaging technology, customers are able to see the finished porch before construction:) See more projects such as this on my Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/3dlandscapearchitect/