North Carolina

Native plants in Durham

307 plants native to this area with Sow catalog pages.

63 of them need no watering beyond Durham’s own rainfall

Yard rebates in Durham

Programs open to anyone in North Carolina pay residents for yard projects. 1 ask for a plan or plant list before they approve a project.

OpenPlan required
NCDA Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP)
NC Dept of Agriculture, Division of Soil and Water Conservation (CCAP)
Up to 75% of approved costs; FY2027 plan caps allocation at $50,000 per project (county page still cites $35,000); repair contracts capped at $5,000
Up to $50,000 per household

Every North Carolina program

Showing 307 plants

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Trees75

Canopy and structure

Red Maple

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Photo: caymanmatt · CC BY 4.0

Redbud

Redbud

Cercis canadensis

No watering needed Photo: John Thomlinson · CC BY 4.0

River Birch

River Birch

Betula nigra

Photo: wcmorton · CC0 1.0

Tulip Poplar

Tulip Poplar

Liriodendron tulipifera

Photo: Daniel Atha · CC0 1.0

Sweetgum

Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

Photo: andrew2285 · CC0 1.0

Flowering Dogwood

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Photo: Maura · CC BY 4.0

Red Oak

Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Photo: Peter · CC BY 4.0

Eastern Redcedar

Eastern Redcedar

Juniperus virginiana

No watering needed Photo: Jonathan Layman · CC BY 4.0

Black Tupelo

Black Tupelo

Nyssa sylvatica

Photo: Navin Sasikumar · CC BY 4.0

Serviceberry

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Photo: geosesarma · CC BY 4.0

Southern Live Oak

Southern Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

No watering needed Photo: Alexander Williams · CC0 1.0

Sweetbay Magnolia

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

Photo: Matt Berger · CC BY 4.0

White Fringetree

White Fringetree

Chionanthus virginicus

Photo: Sydney Olsen · CC BY 4.0

Common Witch Hazel

Common Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Photo: Ian Wolfe · CC0 1.0

Wax Myrtle

Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera

Photo: Lauren McLaurin · CC BY 4.0

Serviceberry

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Photo: Étienne Léveillé-Bourret · CC BY 4.0

Shumard Oak

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

No watering needed Photo: lanechaffin · CC0 1.0

Sourwood

Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum

Photo: Emily Summerbell · CC BY 4.0

Carolina Cherry-laurel

Carolina Cherry-laurel

Prunus caroliniana

No watering needed Photo: samlutfy · CC BY 4.0

Pin Oak

Pin Oak

Quercus palustris

Photo: Amelia Tauber · CC BY 4.0

Eastern White Pine

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

Photo: TEAMVALOR786 Succulents and cacti, The future of nature is in your hands · CC BY 4.0

Swamp White Oak

Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

Photo: Steven Joyner · CC BY 4.0

White Oak

White Oak

Quercus alba

Photo: sblumen · CC BY 4.0

Boxelder

Boxelder

Acer negundo

Photo: Ryan Sorrells · CC BY 4.0

Eastern Hemlock

Eastern Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

Photo: Nick Kleinschmidt · CC BY 4.0

Pawpaw

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

Photo: Farren Dell Rossman · CC BY 4.0

Common Hackberry

Common Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

Photo: Dávid Horváth · CC BY 4.0

Scarlet Oak

Scarlet Oak

Quercus coccinea

Photo: Andrew Conboy · CC BY 4.0

American Hornbeam

American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

Photo: Bonnie Isaac · CC0 1.0

American Linden

American Linden

Tilia americana

Photo: Tom Scavo · CC BY 4.0

Spicebush

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Photo: Ryan F. Mandelbaum · CC BY 4.0

American Sycamore

American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Photo: ashleyrsteel · CC BY 4.0

Shrubs62

Backbone planting

Smooth Hydrangea

Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Photo: Emily Summerbell · CC BY 4.0

Creeping Phlox Moss Phlox

Creeping Phlox Moss Phlox

Phlox subulata

No watering needed Photo: Ben Cloutier · CC BY 4.0

Ninebark

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Photo: jyoung2399 · CC BY 4.0

Hardy Hibiscus

Hardy Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos

Photo: botanygirl · CC BY 4.0

Summersweet

Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia

Photo: Sandy Wolkenberg · CC BY 4.0

Buttonbush

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Photo: Gregory Bennett · CC0 1.0

Arrowwood Viburnum

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum

Photo: Bonnie Isaac · CC0 1.0

Winterberry

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

Photo: Adam Kranz · CC0 1.0

American Elderberry

American Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Photo: Melanie Gaddy · CC0 1.0

Serviceberry

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Photo: geosesarma · CC BY 4.0

Sweetbay Magnolia

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

Photo: Matt Berger · CC BY 4.0

White Fringetree

White Fringetree

Chionanthus virginicus

Photo: Sydney Olsen · CC BY 4.0

Cutleaf Coneflower

Cutleaf Coneflower

Rudbeckia laciniata

Photo: Ian Wolfe · CC0 1.0

Common Witch Hazel

Common Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Photo: Ian Wolfe · CC0 1.0

Wax Myrtle

Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera

Photo: Lauren McLaurin · CC BY 4.0

Carolina Allspice

Carolina Allspice

Calycanthus floridus

Photo: Allan Harris · CC0 1.0

Serviceberry

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Photo: Étienne Léveillé-Bourret · CC BY 4.0

Smooth Witherod

Smooth Witherod

Viburnum nudum

Photo: Scott Ward · CC BY 4.0

Beautyberry

Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

No watering needed Photo: Leila Dasher · CC BY 4.0

Carolina Cherry-laurel

Carolina Cherry-laurel

Prunus caroliniana

No watering needed Photo: samlutfy · CC BY 4.0

Fragrant Sumac

Fragrant Sumac

Rhus aromatica

No watering needed Photo: Susan Berry · CC0 1.0

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia

Photo: Dalton Watt · CC BY 4.0

Highbush Blueberry

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Photo: Daniel Atha · CC0 1.0

Pawpaw

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

Photo: Farren Dell Rossman · CC BY 4.0

Spicebush

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Photo: Ryan F. Mandelbaum · CC BY 4.0

New Jersey Tea

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Photo: Dan Wilder · CC0 1.0

Wintergreen

Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

Photo: Brandon Corder · CC BY 4.0

American Hazelnut

American Hazelnut

Corylus americana

Photo: Mark Richman · CC BY 4.0

Spotted Beebalm Monarda punctata

Spotted Beebalm Monarda punctata

Monarda punctata

No watering needed Photo: Reid Hardin · CC BY 4.0

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia humifusa

No watering needed Photo: Lexi Destria · CC BY 4.0

American Holly

American Holly

Ilex opaca

Photo: Shannon · CC0 1.0

Red Buckeye

Red Buckeye

Aesculus pavia

Photo: Jeff Clark · CC BY 4.0

Grasses28

Movement and texture

Big Bluestem

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardi

No watering needed

Northern Sea Oats

Northern Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium

No watering needed Photo: Gold eagle Kroll · CC BY 4.0

Pink Muhly Grass

Pink Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

No watering needed Photo: Brandon Corder · CC BY 4.0

Indiangrass

Indiangrass

Sorghastrum nutans

No watering needed Photo: Alan Weakley · CC0 1.0

Purple Love Grass

Purple Love Grass

Eragrostis spectabilis

No watering needed Photo: Reuven Martin · CC0 1.0

Switchgrass

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

No watering needed Photo: Erin Snyder · CC BY 4.0

Gray Sedge

Gray Sedge

Carex grayi

Photo: A. G. · CC0 1.0

Creeping Sedge

Creeping Sedge

Carex laxiculmis

Photo: Marc-Aurèle Vallée · CC0 1.0

Splitbeard Bluestem

Splitbeard Bluestem

Andropogon ternarius

No watering needed

Blue Wood Sedge

Blue Wood Sedge

Carex flaccosperma

Photo: Will McFarland · CC BY 4.0

Soft Rush

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Photo: GBIF contributor · CC BY 4.0

Bottlebrush Grass

Bottlebrush Grass

Elymus hystrix

Photo: Skyler Principe · CC BY 4.0

Path Rush

Path Rush

Juncus tenuis

Photo: Stephen James McWilliam · CC0 1.0

Tussock Sedge

Tussock Sedge

Carex stricta

Photo: Frog The Kermit · CC BY 4.0

Virginia Wild Rye

Virginia Wild Rye

Elymus virginicus

Photo: Jason Leduc · CC0 1.0

Eastern Gamagrass

Eastern Gamagrass

Tripsacum dactyloides

No watering needed Photo: Rich Sommer · CC BY 4.0

Fringed Sedge

Fringed Sedge

Carex crinita

Photo: Trix Niernberger · CC0 1.0

Whitetinge Sedge

Whitetinge Sedge

Carex albicans

Photo: hr_dragonfly · CC BY 4.0

Texas Sedge

Texas Sedge

Carex texensis

No watering needed Photo: Senna Bryce Robeson · CC BY 4.0

Poverty Oatgrass

Poverty Oatgrass

Danthonia spicata

Photo: botanygirl · CC BY 4.0

Giant Cane

Giant Cane

Arundinaria gigantea

Photo: Shelby Lyn Sanders · CC BY 4.0

Fox Sedge

Fox Sedge

Carex vulpinoidea

Photo: Brandon Corder · CC BY 4.0

Creek Sedge

Creek Sedge

Carex amphibola

Photo: Bonnie Semmling · CC BY 4.0

Bushy Bluestem

Bushy Bluestem

Andropogon glomeratus

No watering needed

Eastern Woodland Sedge

Eastern Woodland Sedge

Carex blanda

Photo: Matt Felperin · CC BY 4.0

Broomsedge Bluestem

Broomsedge Bluestem

Andropogon virginicus

No watering needed Photo: Annika Lindqvist · CC BY 4.0

Woolgrass

Woolgrass

Scirpus cyperinus

Photo: Alan Weakley · CC0 1.0

Bottlebrush Sedge

Bottlebrush Sedge

Carex lurida

Photo: Steven Lamonde · CC BY 4.0

Perennials144

Seasonal colour

Orange Coneflower

Orange Coneflower

Rudbeckia fulgida

Photo: Kristály Cravens-Liszak · CC BY 4.0

Creeping Phlox Moss Phlox

Creeping Phlox Moss Phlox

Phlox subulata

No watering needed Photo: Ben Cloutier · CC BY 4.0

Blazing Star Gayfeather

Blazing Star Gayfeather

Liatris spicata

Photo: worldbird · CC BY 4.0

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

No watering needed Photo: k2018lena · CC0 1.0

Garden Phlox

Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Photo: Andy Wilson · CC0 1.0

Swamp Milkweed

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Photo: Mike Gooley · CC0 1.0

Threadleaf Coreopsis

Threadleaf Coreopsis

Coreopsis verticillata

Photo: Mark Richman · CC BY 4.0

Foxglove Beardtongue

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

Photo: Bob Schwartz · CC BY 4.0

Bee Balm Oswego Tea

Bee Balm Oswego Tea

Monarda didyma

Photo: LJ Moore-McClelland · CC BY 4.0

Obedient Plant

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Photo: Andrew St. Paul · CC BY 4.0

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

No watering needed Photo: Sam Kieschnick · CC BY 4.0

Hardy Hibiscus

Hardy Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos

Photo: botanygirl · CC BY 4.0

Lanceleaf Tickseed

Lanceleaf Tickseed

Coreopsis lanceolata

Photo: Silvia Cova · CC0 1.0

Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

No watering needed Photo: Tom Pollard · CC BY 4.0

Eastern Red Columbine

Eastern Red Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Photo: Craig Hensley · CC BY 4.0

Common Sneezeweed

Common Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

Photo: Thomas Koffel · CC BY 4.0

Great Blue Lobelia

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Photo: Andrew Conboy · CC BY 4.0

Foamflower

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia

Photo: Paul Bade · CC BY 4.0

Strawberry

Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

No watering needed Photo: myarobilliard · CC0 1.0

Woodland Phlox

Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Photo: Jacqueline Raiford · CC BY 4.0

Bluestar

Bluestar

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Photo: Leila Dasher · CC BY 4.0

Cutleaf Coneflower

Cutleaf Coneflower

Rudbeckia laciniata

Photo: Ian Wolfe · CC0 1.0

Wild Geranium

Wild Geranium

Geranium maculatum

Photo: sophia_herrmeyer · CC BY 4.0

Virginia Iris

Virginia Iris

Iris virginica

Photo: mfeaver · CC BY 4.0

Rattlesnake master

Rattlesnake master

Eryngium yuccifolium

Photo: Alex Heyman · CC0 1.0

Common Milkweed

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

No watering needed Photo: Dilrukshan Priyantha Wijesinghe · CC BY 4.0

Coral Bells

Coral Bells

Heuchera americana

Photo: Alaina Krakowiak · CC BY 4.0

Sweet Joe-Pye Weed

Sweet Joe-Pye Weed

Eutrochium purpureum

Photo: Jason Swanson · CC0 1.0

Golden Alexanders

Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

Photo: Sandy Wolkenberg · CC BY 4.0

Blue Mistflower

Blue Mistflower

Conoclinium coelestinum

Photo: Schyler Brown · CC0 1.0

Clustered Mountain Mint

Clustered Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

Photo: Rachel Sewell · CC BY 4.0

Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod

Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod

Solidago rugosa

Photo: Becky Dill · CC0 1.0

Vines19

Verticals and screens

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Photo: Carrie Seltzer · CC BY 4.0

American Wisteria

American Wisteria

Wisteria frutescens

Photo: Will McFarland · CC BY 4.0

Crossvine

Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

Photo: natgrace18 · CC0 1.0

Carolina Jessamine

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Photo: novvictan · CC BY 4.0

Virgin's Bower

Virgin's Bower

Clematis virginiana

Photo: Roy Boyle · CC0 1.0

Trumpet Creeper

Trumpet Creeper

Campsis radicans

No watering needed Photo: Bryant Brumbill-Corral · CC BY 4.0

Virginia Creeper

Virginia Creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Photo: Tyler Cannon · CC BY 4.0

Purple Passionflower

Purple Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Photo: snail_hiker · CC BY 4.0

Muscadine

Muscadine

Vitis rotundifolia

Photo: Jill DeVito, PhD · CC0 1.0

Swamp Leather Flower

Swamp Leather Flower

Clematis crispa

Photo: Terry Woodward · CC BY 4.0

Leather Flower

Leather Flower

Clematis viorna

Photo: Terri Koontz · CC0 1.0

Wild Potato Vine

Wild Potato Vine

Ipomoea pandurata

Photo: Becky Dill · CC0 1.0

Heartleaf Peppervine

Heartleaf Peppervine

Ampelopsis cordata

No watering needed Photo: Tommy · CC0 1.0

Summer Grape

Summer Grape

Vitis aestivalis

Photo: Lauren McLaurin · CC BY 4.0

Frost Grape

Frost Grape

Vitis vulpina

No watering needed Photo: Adrian Gonzalez · CC BY 4.0

Common Greenbrier

Common Greenbrier

Smilax rotundifolia

Photo: Luke · CC BY 4.0

Hedge Bindweed

Hedge Bindweed

Calystegia sepium

No watering needed Photo: Arnim Littek · CC BY 4.0

Eastern Poison Ivy

Eastern Poison Ivy

Toxicodendron radicans

Photo: Ryan · CC0 1.0

Saw greenbrier

Saw greenbrier

Smilax bona-nox

No watering needed Photo: Conway Hawn · CC0 1.0

Ferns13

Shade and damp

Succulents3

Dry and architectural

Adam's Needle

Adam's Needle

Yucca filamentosa

Photo: Tom Field · CC BY 4.0

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia humifusa

No watering needed Photo: Lexi Destria · CC BY 4.0

Whorled Stonecrop

Whorled Stonecrop

Sedum ternatum

Photo: botanygirl · CC BY 4.0

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