Select Perennial Flowers for North Carolina

Name Bloom Season Sun Exposure Soil Requirements Height (inches) Hardiness Zone Flower Color Propagation
Ageratum, Hardy Eupatorium coelestinum Late summer to frost Sun to partial shade Moist; tolerates poor drainage 12 to 36 6 to 10 Blue, violet, white Division in spring
Alumroot, 'Palace Purple' Heuchera 'Palace Purple' Foliage: spring to fall Sun to partial shade Well drained 12 to 24 4 to 8 Purple (foliage) Division; seeds
Anemone, Japanese Anemone x hybrida Late summer to fall Partial shade Well drained 24 to 48 4 to 8 Pink, white Division in spring; root cuttings in winter
Artemisia Artemisia absinthium Late summer Sun Dry 24 to 36 3 to 9 Yellow Seeds; division
Aster Aster spp. Late summer, fall Sun Well drained 12 to 48 5 to 8 Blue, pink, violet, white Spring or fall division; cuttings
Astilbe Astilbe x arendsii Early to mid summer Sun to partial shade Moist; fertile 24 to 48 4 to 9 Pink, red, white Spring or fall division; seeds
Baby's breath Gypsophila paniculata Summer Sun Well drained; alkaline 18 to 36 3 to 8 Pink, rose, white Seeds; grafting
Balloon flower Platycodon grandiflorus Late spring to summer Sun to partial shade Well drained, slightly acidic 12 to 36 3 to 8 Blue, white Seeds; division in spring
Bearded tongue Penstemon spp. Late spring to summer Sun Well drained 18 to 36 5 to 8 Orange, pink, red, rose, violet, white Seeds sown late summer; cuttings in summer; division
Bear's breeches Acanthus spinosus Midsummer Partial shade Well drained 36 to 48 7 to 10 Purple and white Root cuttings in spring
Bee-balm Monarda didyma Summer Sun to partial shade Moist 24 to 48 4 to 9 Pink, red, rose, violet, white Division in spring; cuttings; seeds
Begonia, Hardy Begonia grandis Summer to fall Partial shade Rich; moist 24 6 to 9 Pink Bulbils formed in leaf axils; seeds
Bellflower Campanula spp. Summer Sun Well drained 9 to 60 3 to 7 Blue, lavender white Seeds
Bergenia Bergenia cordifolia Early spring Partial shade Rich; moist 12 to 18 3 to 8 Deep pink Seeds; division in spring
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia fulgida var. Sullivantii Late summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 18 to 30 3 to 9 Gold with black center Division in spring or fall; seeds
Blanket flower Gaillardia x grandiflora Summer, long flowering Sun Dry; sandy; well drained 12 to 36 2 to 10 Red and yellow Seeds, division in spring
Bleeding heart Dicentra spectabilis Spring Partial shade Rich; moist; well drained 14 to 24 2 to 9 Rose pink, white Seeds sown late summer; division in fall or spring
Bleeding heart, Fringed Dicentra eximia Early summer Partial shade to shade Rich; moist; well drained 12 to 18 3 to 9 Deep pink Seed sown late summer; division in spring
Blue wild indigo Baptisia australis Spring Sun to partial shade Well drained 36 to 48 3 to 9 Blue Seeds sown when fresh in mid-summer
Butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa Spring, summer Sun Dry; well drained 24 to 36 4 to 9 Orange, red, yellow Seeds
Candytuft Iberis sempervirens Spring Sun Well drained; alkaline 9 to 18 3 to 9 White Cuttings in midsummer; seeds
Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis Late summer Partial shade Moist; high in organic matter 36 to 48 3 to 9 Cardinal red Remove offshoots in late summer; seeds; cuttings
Chrysanthemum Deudranthuna x grandiflora Fall Sun Well drained 12 to 36 5 to 9 Lavender, orange, red yellow, white Division in spring
Columbine Aquilegia canadensis Spring Partial shade Moist; well drained 12 to 24 3 to 8 Red and yellow Seeds
Coneflower, Purple Echinacea purpurea Summer Sun to partial shade Well drained; drought tolerant 24 to 36 3 to 8 Rose pink or white with gold centers Division in spring; root cuttings
Coral bells Heuchera sanguinea Late spring Partial shade Well drained; high organic matter 12 to 18 3 to 8 Deep pink, red Division
Coreopsis, Lanceleaf Coreopsis lanceolata Late spring Sun to partial shade Well drained to dry 12 to 24 3 to 8 Gold, yellow Seeds; division in spring or fall
Coreopsis, Threadleaf Coreopsis verticillata Summer Sun to partial shade Well drained; dry 9 to 18 3 to 9 Yellow, gold Division in spring or fall; seeds
Daisy, English Bellis perennis Spring Sun to partial shade Cool; moist; fertile 3 to 6 4 to 10 Pink, red, white Seeds; division in spring
Daisy, Shasta Leucanthemun x superbum Spring, summer Sun Well drained 12 to 36 4 to 9 White, yellow centers Division in fall
Evening primrose Oenothera speciosa Summer Sun Well drained; infertile 12 to 24 5 to 8 Pink, white Seeds; division
Flax, Perennial Linum perenne Spring, summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 12 to 18 4 to 9 Blue, white Seed; cuttings in summer
Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia Spring Partial shade to shade Moist; cool 6 to 12 3 to 8 White Division in spring; seeds sown spring
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Late spring Partial shade Moist; well drained 24 to 60 4 to 9 Purple, white Seeds sown in late summer
Foxtail lily Eremurus spp. Summer Sun Rich, well drained 24 to 60 5 to 8 Bronze, pink, white, yellow Division in fall every 3 to 4 years
Gas plant Dictamnus albus Early summer Sun Well drained 36 to 48 3 to 8 White Seeds
Gaura, White Gaura lindheimeri Summer to fall Sun to partial shade Rich; well drained 24 to 48 5 to 9 White fading to light pink Seeds; division seldom necessary
Geranium, Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum Spring, summer Sun to partial shade Moist; drought tolerant 9 to 12 3 to 8 Magenta Division in spring or fall; cuttings; seeds
Gerbera daisy Gerbera jamesonii Early summer to frost Sun Well drained 12 to 18 8 Peach, pink, red, yellow Seeds; division in spring
Geum Geum spp. Late spring to early summer Partial shade Well drained 9 to 18 5 to 7 Orange, scarlet, yellow Annual division in late summer; seeds
Globe thistle Echinops ritro Summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 24 to 48 3 to 8 Deep blue Division or root cuttings in spring
Goat's beard Aruncus dioicus Late spring Partial shade Moist; rich 48 to 60 3 to 7 Creamy white Seeds; division in spring
Goldenrod Solidago spp., S. hybrids Late summer to fall Sun Well drained; high organic matter 18 to 72 2 to 8 Gold, yellow Division in spring; cuttings of cultivars
Green and gold Chrysogonum virginianum Spring, sporadically in summer Partial shade to shade Moist; well drained 6 to 9 5 to 9 Gold Division in spring
Heliopsis Heliopsis helianthoides Summer Sun Well drained 48 to 60 3 to 9 Orange, yellow Division; seeds
Hibiscus, Red Hibiscus coccineus Mid to late summer Sun Moist; tolerates poor drainage 6 to 8 5 to 9 Deep red Division; seeds
Hollyhocks Alcea rosea Spring to fall Sun Well drained 24 to 60 5 to 9 Apricot,pink, purple, white yellow Seeds sown during winter
Hosta Hosta spp. Summer Partial shade Rich; well drained; high in organic matter 18 to 24 3 to 8 Lilac, white Division early in spring as leaves emerge
Hyacinth bletilla Bletilla striata Spring Partial shade Moist; rich 8 to 12 5 to 9 Deep rose, white Division in fall
Ice plant Delosperma cooperi Summer Sun Dry; sandy or rocky 3 to 6 6 to 9 Purplish pink Seeds
Iris Iris cristata Spring Partial shade Well drained 6 3 to 9 Lilac Division in fall; seeds
Iris, Japanese roof Iris tectorum Summer Sun to partial shade Acidic; moist; high in organic matter 12 to 18 4 to 9 Lilac Division in spring or fall
Jacob's ladder Polemonium reptans Late spring to early summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 18 to 36 3 to 7 Blue, white Seeds; cuttings; division in late summer
Lamb's-ears Stachys byzantina Early summer Sun Well drained 12 to 15 4 to 8 Purplish pink Division in early spring; seeds
Lantana Lantana camara Summer to fall Sun Well drained; tolerates drought 6 to 12 8 to 10 Orange, pink, yellow Cuttings
Larkspur Delphinium spp. Spring Sun Well drained 12 to 24 5 to 9 Blue Seeds
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Summer Sun Well drained; alkaline 24 to 36 5 to 9 Lavender Stem cuttings in summer; seeds; division
Leadwort Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Late summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 8 to 12 5 to 9 Blue Cuttings; spring division; seeds
Lenten rose Helleborus orientalis Early spring Partial shade to shade Rich; moist; well drained 12 to 18 4 to 9 Rose, white Division in spring; seeds
Leopard's bane Doronicum spp. Spring Partial shade Cool; moist soil 12 to 24 4 to 7 Yellow Seeds; division in spring
Ligularia Ligularia stenocephala Summer Partial shade Moist; high in organic matter 48 to 60 5 to 7 Yellow Division
Loosestrife, Gooseneck Lysimachia clethroides Summer Sun to partial shade Moist; well drained 24 to 36 3 to 8 White Division; seeds
Loosestrife, Yellow Lysimachia punctata Summer Sun Moist 18 to 30 4 to 8 Yellow Cuttings; seeds
Lungwort Pulmonaria saccharata Spring Partial shade to shade Cool; moist, high in organic matter 9 to 18 3 to 8 Pink turning blue, white Division in fall; seeds sown early spring
Maltese cross Lychnis chalcedonica Late spring to early summer Sun to partial shade Moist; well drained; fertile 18 to 24 6 to 8 Scarlet Division spring or fall; seeds
Monkshood Aconitum spp. Mid to late summer Sun to partial shade Moist; well drained 36 to 48 3 to 7 Blue to violet Division in fall
Mullein Verbascum spp. Late spring Sun to partial shade Well drained 24 to 48 6 to 8 Rose pink, purple, white, yellow Root cuttings in late winter; seeds
Obedient plant Physostegia virginiana Late summer to early fall Sun to partial shade Well drained; moderately fertile 36 to 48 2 to 9 Pink Division in spring; seeds
Pearly everlasting Anaphilis spp. Late summer Sun Well drained 12 3 to 8 Grayish white Seeds; division in fall or spring
Phlox, Garden Phlox paniculata Summer Sun to partial shade Moist; well drained 24 to 36 4 to 8 Blue, magenta, pink, white Division in fall
Phlox, Creeping Phlox subulata Spring Sun Well drained 6 to 9 2 to 9 Blue, pink, red, rose, violet, white Division after flowering; cuttings
Pincushion flower Scabiosa caucasica Early summer Sun to partial shade Well drained; near neutral in pH 18 to 24 3 to 7 Blue, deep blue, lavender,white Seeds sown in spring or summer
Pinks Dianthus spp. Late spring to early summer Sun Well drained; alkaline 6 to 24 4 to 9 Pink, rose, white Seeds; cuttings; division in spring
Poppy, Oriental Papaver orientalis Spring to early summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 18 to 24 2 to 7 Orange, pink, white, yellow Seed; root cuttings
Primrose Primula x polyantha Spring Partial shade Cool; moist; high organic matter 6 to 12 3 to 8 Blue, red, violet, yellow Division in spring; seeds
Primrose, Cowslip Primula veris Spring Partial shade Moist; well drained; acidic 12 5 to 8 Yellow Division in spring; seeds
Pyrethrum Pyrethrum roseum = C. coccineum Early summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 12 to 24 3 to 7 Pink, red with yellow center, white Division early spring or fall; seeds
Red hot poker Kniphofia uvaria Summer Sun Well drained 36 to 60 5 to 9 Red, yellow Division in spring, seeds
Red valerian Centranthus ruber Spring Sun Well drained; alkaline 36 5 to 8 Pink, red,white Seeds, division in fall or spring
Rose campion Lychnis coronaria Spring Sun to partial shade Well drained 24 to 36 4 to 8 Magenta, red, white Seeds
Rose mallow Hibiscus moscheutos Summer to frost Sun to partial shade Moist; high in organic matter 18 to 24 4 to 9 Pink, red, white Seeds; division in spring or fall
Sage, Hybrid Salvia x superba Summer Sun Moist; well drained 24 to 36 3 to 10 Violet blue Stem cuttings; division
Sage, Mealy-cup Salvia farinacea Summer Sun Well drained; moist 24 to 36 8b to 10 Blue, white Softwood cuttings in summer; seeds; division not advised
Sage, Sky-blue Salvia uliginosa Summer Sun Moist; boggy to well drained 48 to 60 6 to 10 Sky blue Division of offshoots, cuttings
Sage, Russian Perovskia atriplicifolia Mid to late summer Sun Well drained 36 to 60 3 to 9 Light blue Tip cuttings in summer; seed
Sage, Velvet Salvia leucantha Summer, fall Sun Well drained 36 7b to 10 Magenta and white Softwood cuttings in summer
Sea holly Eryngium spp. Summer Sun Dry; sandy 24 to 36 2 to 8 Blue Separate plantlets from base of mother plant
Sea lavender Limonium latifolium Summer Sun Well drained; slightly acidic 36 3 to 9 Blue Seeds in late fall
Sea thrift Armeria maritima Spring, summer Sun Sandy; well drained 6 to 12 4 to 8 Pink Seeds; clump division
Sneezeweed Helenium autumnale Summer to fall Sun Moist; well drained 24 to 60 3 to 8 Orange, reddish brown, yellow Division in fall
Soapwort Saponaria officinalis Summer Sun Moist; well drained 12 to 30 2 to 8 Pink, red, white Division of stolons in spring or fall; seeds; cuttings
Solomon's seal Polygonatum biflorum Late spring Partial shade to shade Cool; moist; well drained 24 to 36 3 to 9 Yellowish green maturing to cream Division of rhizome in spring, seeds
Spiderwort Tradescantia x andersoniana Late spring to summer Sun to partial shade Moist to boggy 18 to 24 3 to 9 Pink, purple, violet, white Division in spring or fall every 3 to 4 years; seeds sown spring
Spurge Euphorbia spp. Spring Partial shade Moist to dry 12 to 18 4 to 8 Yellow bracts (true flowers not showy) Division; cuttings in summer
Statice Limonium spp. Summer Sun Well drained; slightly acidic 12 to 18 4 to 9 Pink, red, white, yellow Seeds
Stokes' aster Stokesia laevis Early summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 12 to 24 5 to 9 Lavender blue Division in spring; cuttings in spring; seeds
Stonecrop Sedum spp. Summer Sun to partial shade Well drained to moist 3 to 12 3 to 8 Yellow Tip cuttings taken in spring and summer
Sundrops Oenothera fruticosa Summer Sun Well drained to dry 6 to 12 4 to 8 Yellow Division in summer; seeds
Sunflower Helianthus spp. Late summer and fall Sun to partial shade Moist; some species tolerate poor drainage 60 to 84 6 to 9 Yellow Division; cuttings; seeds
Turk's turban Malvaviscus arboreus Summer to fall Sun to partial shade Well drained 36 to 48 8 to 10 Red Cuttings; division; seeds
Verbena, Brazilian Verbena bonariensis Summer to frost Sun Well drained 36 to 48 7 to 9 Violet Root cuttings in spring; seeds
Verbena, Clump Verbena canadensis Late spring to fall Sun Well drained 8 to 18 6 to 10 Pink, purple, red, white Root cuttings in spring; seeds
Verbena, Rigid Verbena rigida Summer Sun Well drained 12 to 24 8 to 10 Violet Root cuttings in spring; seeds
Veronica Veronica spp. Late spring to early summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 12 to 24 4 to 8 Bluish, pink, violet, white Division fall or spring; cuttings in summer; seeds
Violet Viola spp. Spring Sun to partial shade Moist; well drained 4 to 8 4 to 9 Blue, violet, white Offsets; division; seed
Yarrow Achillea spp. Late spring to summer Sun to partial shade Well drained 24 to 36 3 to 9 Cerise red, gold, pink, white Seeds; division in spring or fall