Native Plants in Georgia
The native plants that belong in Georgia gardens — grouped by sun, soil, and wildlife value.
47 native plants suit Georgia's ecoregions and USDA zones 6–9. Below they're grouped by how you'd use them — full sun, shade, wet soil and rain gardens, dry, drought-prone ground, deer-resistant picks, groundcovers, pollinators, birds and hummingbirds — with a species table and when to plant.
Data updated: August 2026Sources & method · Corrections
When to plant natives in Georgia
Plant after your last spring frost — roughly February 20 in the milder south to April 21 in the colder north. Fall is often even better for perennials and shrubs — the soil is still warm and roots settle before winter, ahead of the first frost around October 17 in the north to December 5 in the south.
For full sun
- Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Scarlet Beebalm Monarda didyma
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Wild Lupine Lupinus perennis
- Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata
- Common Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
- Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
- Short-Toothed Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum muticum
- Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium
- Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana
- Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
For shade
- Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
- Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica
- Woodland Phlox Phlox divaricata
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
- Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- Spicebush Lindera benzoin
- Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens
- Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia
- Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida
- Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
For wet soil & rain gardens
- Scarlet Beebalm Monarda didyma
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata
- Common Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
- Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
- Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana
- Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica
- Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
- Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- Spicebush Lindera benzoin
- American Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
For dry, drought-prone spots
- Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Wild Lupine Lupinus perennis
- Short-Toothed Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum muticum
- Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis
- Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans
- Pink Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris
Deer-resistant
- Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Wild Lupine Lupinus perennis
- Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata
- Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
- Short-Toothed Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum muticum
- Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium
- Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
- Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
- Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides
Groundcovers
- Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
- Woodland Phlox Phlox divaricata
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
- Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata
- Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis
- Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica
- Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
For pollinators
- Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Scarlet Beebalm Monarda didyma
- Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Wild Lupine Lupinus perennis
- Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata
- Common Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
- Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
- Short-Toothed Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum muticum
- Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium
- Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana
- Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
For birds
- Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis
- Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans
- Pink Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris
- Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
- Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
- Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana
For hummingbirds
- Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
- Scarlet Beebalm Monarda didyma
- Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana
- Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica
- Woodland Phlox Phlox divaricata
- Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
- New Jersey Tea Ceanothus americanus
- Trumpet Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens
- Crossvine Bignonia capreolata
Identify Georgia wildflowers by color
| Bloom color | Native wildflowers (typical U.S. bloom) |
|---|---|
| Blue | Wild Lupine — Blue-violet (Apr–Jun), Virginia Bluebells — Sky blue (Mar–May), Woodland Phlox — Lavender-blue (Apr–May) |
| Gold | Black-Eyed Susan — Golden yellow (Jun–Sep), Golden Alexanders — Chartreuse-gold (Apr–Jun), Lanceleaf Coreopsis — Bright gold (May–Jul) |
| Magenta | Purple Coneflower — Rosy purple (Jun–Sep), Dense Blazing Star — Magenta (Jul–Aug) |
| Orange | Butterfly Weed — Vivid orange (Jun–Aug) |
| Pink | Obedient Plant — Pink (Aug–Sep), Wild Geranium — Lavender-pink (Apr–Jun), Creeping Phlox — Pink to lavender (Apr–May) |
| Purple | Wild Bergamot — Lavender (Jun–Aug) |
| Red | Scarlet Beebalm — Scarlet red (Jul–Aug), Wild Columbine — Red & yellow (Apr–Jun), Cardinal Flower — Electric scarlet (Jul–Sep), Wild Ginger — Hidden maroon (Apr–May) |
| Silver | Short-Toothed Mountain Mint — Silvery bracts (Jul–Sep) |
| White | Common Boneset — Foamy white (Aug–Sep), Rattlesnake Master — Greenish-white (Jun–Aug), Foamflower — Foamy white (Apr–May) |
Bloom months are a typical window across the species' U.S. range, not a local calendar — the same plant opens weeks later in the north and at altitude than it does in the south. Use it for ordering the season, and let the plants in front of you set the dates.
All 47 native plants for Georgia
| Plant | Type | Sun | Soil moisture | Height | Typical bloom (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 2–4 ft | Jun–Sep |
| Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 1.5–3 ft | Jun–Sep |
| Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry | 1.5–2.5 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 2–4 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Scarlet Beebalm Monarda didyma | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 2.5–4 ft | Jul–Aug |
| Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Shade | Dry / Medium | 1–2.5 ft | Apr–Jun |
| Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Full sun | Wet / Medium | 2–4 ft | Jul–Sep |
| Wild Lupine Lupinus perennis | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 1–2 ft | Apr–Jun |
| Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Medium / Wet | 2–4 ft | Jul–Aug |
| Common Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 3–5 ft | Aug–Sep |
| Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 1.5–2.5 ft | Apr–Jun |
| Short-Toothed Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum muticum | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Dry | 2–3 ft | Jul–Sep |
| Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 3–5 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 2–4 ft | Aug–Sep |
| Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Shade | Medium | 1.5–2 ft | Apr–Jun |
| Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica | Spring ephemeral | Part sun / Shade | Medium / Wet | 1–2 ft | Mar–May |
| Woodland Phlox Phlox divaricata | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Shade | Medium | 10–15 in | Apr–May |
| Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Shade | Medium | 6–12 in | Apr–May |
| Wild Ginger Asarum canadense | Groundcover | Shade / Part sun | Medium | 4–8 in | Apr–May |
| Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides | Fern | Shade / Part sun | Medium / Dry | 1–2 ft | — |
| Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum | Fern | Part sun / Shade | Wet / Medium | 2–4 ft | — |
| Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica | Sedge | Shade / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 6–12 in | — |
| Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata | Groundcover | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 4–8 in | Apr–May |
| Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 2–4 ft | — |
| Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium / Wet | 4–7 ft | — |
| Switchgrass Panicum virgatum | Ornamental grass | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium / Wet | 3–6 ft | — |
| Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 2–3 ft | — |
| Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 4–7 ft | — |
| Pink Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 2–3 ft | Sep–Oct |
| Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 1.5–2 ft | May–Jul |
| Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 5–10 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium / Wet | 5–10 ft | May–Jun |
| Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun / Shade | Medium / Wet | 6–10 ft | May–Jun |
| American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 4–7 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Spicebush Lindera benzoin | Shrub | Part sun / Shade | Medium / Wet | 6–12 ft | Mar–Apr |
| American Elderberry Sambucus canadensis | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 6–12 ft | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey Tea Ceanothus americanus | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 2–3.5 ft | May–Jul |
| Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens | Shrub | Part sun / Shade | Medium | 3–5 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia | Shrub | Part sun / Shade | Medium | 4–8 ft | May–Jul |
| Inkberry Holly Ilex glabra | Evergreen shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 4–8 ft | May–Jun |
| Winterberry Ilex verticillata | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 5–10 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis | Small tree | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Dry | 20–30 ft | Mar–Apr |
| Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida | Small tree | Part sun / Shade | Medium | 15–25 ft | Apr–May |
| Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 2–6 ft | Mar–Apr |
| Trumpet Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens | Vine | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 8–15 ft | Apr–Sep |
| Crossvine Bignonia capreolata | Vine | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Dry | 25–50 ft | Apr–May |
| Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Vine | Full sun / Part sun / Shade | Dry / Medium | 30–50 ft | Jun |
Bloom months are a typical window across the species' U.S. range, not a local calendar — the same plant opens weeks later in the north and at altitude than it does in the south. Use it for ordering the season, and let the plants in front of you set the dates.
Confirm any plant is native to your county with your state Native Plant Society before planting.
The Georgia natives worth asking for
The natives worth asking for in Georgia — with the botanical name to say at the counter, so you get the plant that feeds something.
The complete Native Plants of Georgia
The native plants that belong in your yard — what to plant for pollinators, by zone, with bloom timing and a species table.
Want it on paper? See the printable Native Plants of Georgia.