The Carolinas, with their temperate climate and rich soil, offer an ideal environment for a diverse array of plants and shrubs to thrive year-round. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out with landscaping, cultivating a vibrant yard that will endure throughout the seasons can be a rewarding experience.
To help you get started, here are six hardy plants and shrubs that will flourish throughout the year in the Carolinas.
1. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Known for its stunning, fragrant blooms and glossy green foliage, the Southern Magnolia is a beloved staple in Carolina landscapes. This evergreen tree thrives in the region’s mild winters and hot summers, providing year-round beauty and shade.
Its large, white flowers bloom from late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators and adding a touch of elegance to any garden. They can be used as standalone statement trees or planted in groups as privacy screens.
2. Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Crepe Myrtles are prized for their colorful blossoms and full blooms, making them a popular choice for Carolina gardens. These deciduous shrubs or small trees bloom from summer to fall, offering a burst of vibrant hues ranging from deep purples to bright pinks and whites.
With proper care and pruning, Crepe Myrtles can thrive in a variety of soil types and sun exposures, bringing beauty to your outdoor space. Choosing from a range of varieties and sizes allows you to select a shrub or tree that best suits your yard or landscape needs.
3. Carolina Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Carolina Jasmine, also known as Carolina Jessamine, is a vigorous vine native to the southeastern United States. This evergreen plant features glossy, dark green leaves and produces an abundance of fragrant yellow flowers from late winter to early spring, adding a cheerful splash of color to any landscape.
Carolina Jasmine is highly adaptable and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade, making it an excellent choice for trellises, fences, or as a ground cover.
4. Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’)
For year-round interest and low maintenance, consider adding Dwarf Yaupon Holly to your yard. This compact evergreen shrub boasts small, glossy leaves and produces bright red berries that persist through the winter months, providing food for birds and adding festive color to the landscape.
Dwarf Yaupon Holly is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and thrives in a variety of soil conditions, making it a versatile and reliable choice for yards and gardens in the Carolinas.
5. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
With its graceful form and delicate pink flowers, the Eastern Redbud is a charming addition to any yard. This deciduous tree blooms in early spring before the leaves emerge, creating a captivating display of color against the backdrop of emerging foliage.
Eastern Redbuds prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making them well-suited for Carolina’s woodland gardens and understory plantings. The trees can grow quite large, however, so be choiceful in their placement near structures.
6. Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
Carolina Cherry Laurel is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree prized for its glossy foliage, fragrant white flowers, and black berries. This hardy plant thrives in the Carolinas’ moderate climates and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and environmental conditions.
Carolina Cherry Laurel can be used as a hedge, screen, or specimen plant, providing year-round beauty and privacy to your outdoor space.
Selecting Hardy Plants for Your Carolina Landscape
North and South Carolina offer a favorable climate for a diverse selection of plants, trees and shrubs to thrive year-round. By incorporating these resilient species into your landscaping, you can create a vibrant and colorful yard that will bring beauty to your outdoor spaces throughout the seasons.
Whether you prefer the fragrant blooms of the Southern Magnolia or the delicate blossoms of the Eastern Redbud, there’s a plant for every preference and purpose to create a stunning backdrop for your home and your enjoyment.
When considering your landscape design plans for either your residential or commercial space in the coming year, we invite you to work with our outdoor living consultants at G&G Landscape Solutions.
Contact us today for a FREE 20-minute consultation.
Our expert landscape designers are dedicated to bringing your landscape vision to life from initial installation to ongoing maintenance of your elevated outdoor environment.
G&G Landscape Solutions, a proudly locally owned and full-service enterprise, is committed to delivering a premium custom outdoor space for every customer. With over 30 years of dedicated service in the Charlotte metro area, G&G Landscape Solutions guides you seamlessly through the entire process and beyond. Our offerings include design services, expert installation of landscapes and hardscapes, and ongoing maintenance. We also offer commercial maintenance and construction services. Rest assured, as a licensed and insured provider, G&G Landscape Solutions is ready to transform your outdoor space into your dream space. We are committed to delivering a finished product that meets and exceeds your expectations.
