The Best Flowers to Plant in North Carolina: 22 Flowers for a Gorgeous Bloom

If you’re a resident of North Carolina and planning to start your gardening journey in this beautiful state, you’re in for a treat. Known for its diverse climate, North Carolina offers vibrant flower options that thrive in its distinct seasons. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate your choices. We’ve hand-selected a variety of flowers that thrive in different parts of North Carolina, each promising to add beauty to your garden, from the first buds of spring through the last warm days of fall. Let’s go over the best flowers to plant in North Carolina so that you can show off your garden to your friends and family!

1. White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)

The white snakeroot is a herbaceous perennial plant that naturally forms groups and spreads out. During the summer and fall months, this plant flaunts its bright white flowers arranged in a flat, fluffy cluster atop sturdy stems that grow upright and branch out. The blossoms, known for their longevity, are quite popular among bees, butterflies, and moths seeking nectar.

This plant thrives in partially shaded areas and prefers humus-rich, moist, and alkaline soil conditions. However, it’s important to handle this plant with care as it’s poisonous to animals and humans!

2. Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)

The blue star has been recognized by the American Horticultural Society as one of the 75 top plants for American gardens. This extraordinary perennial catches the eye with its early-season blue flowers, appealing greenery during the summer, robust growth, and golden hues in the fall.

It grows with ease in a variety of conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. Its preferred soil is average, moderately moist, and well-draining. The blue star particularly thrives in damp, loamy soils, but be careful not to overwater it. Once it’s settled, it can tolerate periods of drought. Be mindful, though, the milky sap this plant produces can irritate the skin upon contact.

3. Canadian Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

The Canadian columbine is a native plant to the woodland and rocky slopes in eastern North America. It’s an award-winning flower that is recognized for its drooping, long-spurred blossoms that measure between 1-2 inches in width. The flowers exhibit a striking color combination of scarlet sepals, soft yellow petals, and dense yellow stamens.

When it comes to growing conditions, this plant does well in a range of sunlight exposure from full sun to partial shade. It likes soils that are average in nature, moderately moist, and have good drainage. Take note, however, that the sap of this plant may cause skin irritation upon contact.

4. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

The swamp milkweed is a bunch-forming perennial, treasured for its clusters of sweet-smelling, lilac-pink blossoms. These flowers bloom non-stop for several weeks, from summer to fall. An essential fact to note is that the survival of monarch butterflies, whose numbers have taken a drastic 90% dip over the past two decades in North America, heavily depends on milkweed plants.

This plant flourishes in areas with full sunlight exposure and prefers medium to wet soil conditions. However, it can also tolerate ordinary soils that drain well. Knowing that this plant is poisonous and can harm dogs, cats, and horses is crucial.

5. Bushy Aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum)

The bushy aster is a relatively compact and stout perennial that provides a vibrant burst of color in the garden during the latter part of the growing season, thanks to its profusion of star-shaped flowers. This North American native is not only easy to cultivate and has a long life, but it also brings a delightful splash of color during fall and serves as a rich nectar source for butterflies!

In terms of growth conditions, it does well in full sun to partial shade and likes soil that’s average, ranging from dry to moderately moist, with good drainage.

6. White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba)

The white wild indigo is a majestic perennial wildflower. Originating from the southeastern region of the United States, it showcases tall spikes of pea-like white flowers in the spring and summer that bear a resemblance to Lupines.

In terms of growing conditions, it does best in full sun, with soil that ranges from dry to moderately moist and drains well. While it can tolerate some shade, it truly thrives in full sunlight. It is also capable of withstanding poor soil conditions and drought. Remember, this plant can be deadly to cows and may cause irritation to humans if consumed.

7. American Bellflower (Campanula americana)

The American bellflower, originating from North America, is an upright plant that can either be annual or biennial. It boasts tall stems adorned with rugged, toothed, lance-shaped green foliage. During the summer, the upper part of these stems becomes embellished with attention-grabbing, flat, star-like lavender-blue flowers, each about an inch across.

This flowering plant flourishes in full sun to part shade with soil that’s rich, consistently moist, and well-drained. 

8. Lobed Tickseed (Coreopsis auriculata)

The lobed tickseed is a beloved garden bloom in the Southeast, known for its compact size, ability to spread via stolons, and herbaceous perennial nature. From early spring till summer, it presents a generous display of golden-yellow flowers, each around 2 inches across, that rise high above the foliage. These flowers not only attract butterflies but also provide seeds for songbirds.

This plant loves to be under full sun and appreciates medium moisture, well-drained soil conditions. The plant can handle humid and slightly dry environments, though it’s not as resilient to drought as some other Coreopsis species.

9. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

The purple coneflower is a much-loved perennial known for its abundant large, daisy-like purple flowers, each spanning about 5 inches. These striking flowers appear throughout the summer and last for a considerable period. The eye-catching blossoms grow on sturdy, upright stems that are adorned with rough, lance-shaped dark green leaves.

In terms of growing conditions, it flourishes in full sun, with soil that ranges from dry to moderately moist and drains well. This plant is also tolerant of drought, heat, and humidity.

10. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

The sneezeweed is a vertically growing, clump-forming perennial that adds color to gardens during early summer to fall, a time when most other perennials start to lose their luster. The flowers, which are about 1 to 2 inches across, come in clusters and boast bright yellow to dark red, wedge-like petals encircling a noticeable central disk. This disk, covered in golden pollen, draws in butterflies. 

Sneezeweed thrives in full sun with average soils that are medium to wet.

11. Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

The hardy hibiscus is a strong and energetic plant. It’s a tall perennial with a woody base, similar to a shrub, and it showcases massive flowers that resemble hollyhocks. These blossoms can reach up to 10 inches across and have spreading petals, typically in hues of white, rose, or pink. Occasionally, these petals feature a strikingly contrasting red or burgundy center.

This plant thrives best in full sun with soils that are moist but well-drained. It can handle a bit of light shade, but for the most robust flower production and disease resistance, full sun is preferred.

12. Dwarf Violet Iris (Iris verna)

The dwarf violet iris is a low-lying perennial that is highly aromatic. Come early spring, countless small flowers in a soft lilac-blue hue bloom. These flowers, which measure 1-2 inches across, feature a golden yellow center and grow on short stalks that sprout before the leaves. Depending on the specific type, you can find this flower native to all parts of North Carolina.

In terms of cultivation, it grows effortlessly in soils that are average, range from dry to moist, neutral to slightly acidic, and are well-drained. While it can handle full sun, it benefits from some afternoon shade.

13. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

Known for its striking vertical flower spikes that stand out against a backdrop of lush, grass-like foliage, the gayfeather, or blazing star, is a perennial plant that is highly prized for its decorative appeal. Interestingly, the button-shaped flowers, which come in shades of purple, rosy red, or white, bloom from top to bottom over a span of more than four weeks, giving the appearance of blazing stars.

Blazing star thrives best in full sun and prefers soils that are moderately rich, moist, and well-drained.

14. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

The cardinal flower is an exceptional performer, ideal for brightening up your garden in the late summer. This popular perennial stands upright, forming clumps, and boasts an abundance of flower spikes filled with dazzling cardinal red, two-lipped flowers. These flowers, measuring about 2 inches long, bloom from the middle of summer through the early fall.

The cardinal flower does best in rich soils and can thrive in full sun to partial shade. It benefits from a bit of shade during the hot afternoon sun and prefers plenty of moisture.

15. Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)

The great blue lobelia, a native of North America, is a popular upright perennial that is perfect for late summer gardens. This plant is known for its long-lasting spikes of bright blue flowers that sit atop finely-toothed, lance-shaped leaves. 

As a clump-forming lobelia, it performs best in rich, humusy, medium to wet soils under full sun to partial shade conditions. It benefits from some shade during the hot afternoon sun and enjoys a lot of moisture.

16. Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Adored for its vibrant blooms and refreshing minty scent, scarlet bee balm is a perennial that forms clumps and features two-lipped, scarlet-red flowers. These flowers, which are clustered in dense, round terminal heads around 3 to 4 inches across, bloom for roughly eight weeks. Scarlet bee balm draws in a host of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

This plant thrives best under full sun in moderately rich, humus-heavy, moist, yet well-draining soil. It benefits from some shade during the hot afternoon in areas with warmer summers.

17. Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana)

Downy skullcap, a bushy perennial that grows from rhizomes, is known for its open racemes of small, two-lipped, lavender-blue flowers that bloom from the middle to late summer. Its moniker, downy skullcap, stems from the soft, fine hairs that cover the rounded flowers.

This plant thrives in partial shade or full sun in dry to medium, well-drained soils. It can tolerate clay soils and dry conditions and becomes drought-resistant once established.

18. Fire Pink (Silene virginica)

Resembling glowing coals, the fire pink is a remarkable clump-forming perennial known for its lance-shaped, opposite leaves and striking clusters of bright red flowers. These flowers, each about 2 inches across, bloom abundantly from mid-spring to summer, with each blossom featuring five slender petals split at the tip.

Fire pink thrives in partial shade and prefers moderately fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Optimal drainage is crucial for this plant, and it favors sandy or gravelly soils.

19. Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)

The blue wood aster is a robust perennial plant featuring branching, upward-arching stems topped with bountiful clusters of daisy-like blossoms in the later summer and fall months. These flowers, typically under 1 inch across, bloom for weeks, presenting golden-yellow cores surrounded by narrow petals ranging from deep to light blue.

This plant flourishes in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade and prefers moderately fertile, dry to moist, well-drained soils.

20. New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis)

The New York ironweed is a hardy flower that is perfect for North Carolina gardens. It is a towering, clump-forming perennial that boasts loosely clustered, small, intense pink-purple flowers with fine petals. These clusters, about 3 to 4 inches across, bloom in the later part of summer and early fall.

This plant thrives in full sun and prefers wet to medium soils. It tolerates various soil types, including clay, but favors slightly acidic, rich, moist soils. It can also flourish in dry or regular soil conditions.

21. Atamasco-Lily (Zephyranthes atamasco)

The atamasco-lily is a perennial plant that grows from a bulb and features large, white flowers that face upwards, resembling a lily. Unusually, some may even bloom pink. The flowers have bright yellow stamens and six lobes that connect at the base to form a funnel. 

The atamasco lily flourishes in full sun to partial shade and prefers humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It can handle seasonal flooding. For optimal flowering, it prefers 1 to 2 hours of direct sunlight or 3 or more hours of dappled light daily.

22. Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)

Resembling a strawberry plant but staying low to the ground, the barren strawberry is a maintenance-free, evergreen perennial. It dazzles with a multitude of small, bright yellow flowers featuring five petals and a center filled with golden stamens from the middle of spring to early summer. Following the flowering period, it produces a small yield of tiny berries, which are not fit for consumption.

This plant thrives in a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade and prefers slightly acidic, humus-rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil. As a woodland groundcover, it manages quite well in dry situations.

Summary of the Best Flowers to Plant in North Carolina