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False indigo
White, blue and yellow are the most common colors of false indigo, but plant breeders are creating new hybrids in a variety of shades.
Photo by S. Cory Tanner
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Indian pink
Tubular red flowers bloom profusely in early summer on plants that grow between 1 and 2 feet tall.
Photo by S. Cory Tanner
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American beautyberry
The main appeal of this native shrub is its fall fruiting display.
Photo by S. Cory Tanner
It’s so easy to overlook what is right under our noses. South Carolina has terrific native plants, many of which are highly sought after in other parts of the world. But here, they are often passed over in favor of the more exotic.
With the trend toward more sustainable landscaping, native plants are gaining popularity. They are, after all, adapted to our regional growing conditions. Here are three lesser-known S.C. natives that do well in gardens across the state.
Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) is an eye-catching woodland wildflower. Its 2-inch-long, tubular, red flowers bloom profusely in early summer on plants that grow between 1 and 2 feet tall. A clump-forming perennial, it grows in full sun but will benefit from afternoon shade in hotter locales. It grows surprisingly well in average soils, as long as they are well drained, but enrich the soil with organic matter (compost) for this plant to really shine.
Once established, Indian pink is quite drought tolerant and has no serious pest or disease problems. Plant Indian pink en masse near the front of a perennial border for the best visual effect. A large grouping of these native blooms creates a striking display that attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds.
False indigo (Baptisia spp.) is a perennial with several species that are native to South Carolina and differ by flower color. White, blue and yellow false indigos are the most common, but plant breeders have recently created hybrids in more varied colors. The seedpods that remain on some varieties after the pea-like blooms have dropped add interest in the garden throughout the season.
Not only do false indigos have an attractive form, blue-green foliage and impressive flower spikes, they are incredibly tough and long-lived. They prefer deep, rich soils but tolerate very poor soils as well. They’re drought tolerant but resent being transplanted, so leave them be once they’ve put down roots. Full sun is needed for best performance, although white false indigo has moderate shade tolerance. Few pests bother these plants, but voles enjoy munching on their roots (as I know from personal experience).
If a shrub is what you are looking for, give American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) a try. Beautyberry plants are mounding, with arching stems, and somewhat irregular in outline. They fit perfectly into a naturalistic landscape.
The main appeal of this native is its fall fruiting display. Large clusters of violet berries, each a little larger than a BB, completely encircle the stems, standing out in stark contrast to the medium-green foliage. Berries typically remain until well after the leaves turn yellow and drop in the fall. Birds will eat the berries in late fall and winter.
Beautyberries are deciduous shrubs, perfect for woodland edges or mass plantings in a large space. They do best in shaded areas that get partial sun and in moist, well-drained soil. They grow to about 8 feet tall and 8 feet wide. If spaced adequately when planting, they’ll need minimal maintenance pruning. If pruning is needed, wait until late winter to avoid pruning off attractive flowers or berries.
So, where can you find these and other native plants? Start with your local garden centers. You might be surprised at how many natives they sell. If they don’t offer these plants, ask whether they would stock them. You can also check with your regional chapter of the South Carolina Native Plant Society or Clemson Extension’s Carolina Yards Plant Database to discover other native plants for your garden.
Local native plant organizations, Master Gardener associations and botanical gardens often host plant sales where you can find rare or unusual native plants. Finally, nurseries that specialize in native plants, including a few in South Carolina, may sell plants via mail order or online.
S. Cory Tanner is an area horticulture agent for Clemson Extension based in Greenville County. Email him here.
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