New to Gardening in the Union County Area?
If you are new to the area or new to gardening, we've created some plant lists to help you succeed! View the lists below and have them available when you go to the nursery. Enter specific plant names into the Plant Tool Box for more information.
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No Fail Perennials, great for Union County NC
Perennials live for more than one season and may return for decades. They may spread, self-seed and/or multiply. Each plant lists one of the common names and the botanical name. The notation spp. indicates there are multiple species available.
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Yarrow Achillea spp.
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Bugle Weed Ajuga reptans
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Milkweed Asclepias incarnata, Asclepias tuberosa
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Beautyberry Callicarpa americana
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Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea
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Lantana, Lantana camara
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Blazing star, Liatris spicata
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Muhly grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris
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Panic grass, Panicum virgatum
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Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis
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Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia spp.
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Goldenrod, Solidago spp.
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Aster, Symphyotrichum spp.
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Tall Verbena, Verbena bonariensis
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Ironweed, Vernonia spp.
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Violet, Viola spp.
Invasive Plants
Do NOT Plant These

No Fail Annuals, great for Union County NC
Annuals live for one season but may self-seed. Each plant lists one of the common names and the botanical name. The notation spp. indicates there are multiple species available.
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Borage, Borago officinalis
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Cosmos, Cosmos spp.
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Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta
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Red Sage, Salvia coccinea
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Marigold, Tagetes erecta
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Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia rotundifolia
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Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
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Zinnia spp.

Plants for Erosion Control, great for Union County NC
Each plant lists one of the common names and the botanical name. The notation spp. indicates there are multiple species available.
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Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata, Asclepias tuberosa
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Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana
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Daylily, Hemerocallis spp.
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Mountain Hydrangea, Hydrangea arborescens
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Miscanthus, Miscanthus spp.
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Muhly grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris
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Panic grass, Panicum virgatum

Plants for Full/Hellstrip Sun, great for Union County NC
Each plant lists one of the common names and the botanical name. The notation spp. indicates there are multiple species available. A hellstrip is an area that gets full sun and the harsh afternoon sun that is so tough on plants in our location. Especially when there is hardscape like concrete or brick nearby.
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Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea
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Globe Amaranth, Gomphrena globose
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Daylily, Hemerocallis spp.
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Lantana, Lantana camara
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Blazing star, Liatris spicata
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Muhly grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris
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Panic grass, Panicum virgatum
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Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis
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Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia spp.
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Red Sage, Salvia coccinea
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Stoke’s Aster, Stokesia laevis
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Goldenrod, Solidago spp.
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Marigold, Tagetes erecta
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Zinnia spp.

Plants for Deep Shade, great for Union County NC
Deep shade is considered less than 2 hours of sun per day. Each plant lists one of the common names and the botanical name. The notation spp. indicates there are multiple species available.
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Bugle Weed, Ajuga reptans
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Barrenroot, Epimedium x rubrum, Epimedium x versicolor
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White Wood Aster, Eurybia divaricata
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Fern variety, Dryopteris spp.
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Hellebore, Helleborus orientalis
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Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’, Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ BE AWARE Deer will eat this like candy
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Bigleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla
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American Holly, Ilex opaca
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Winterberry Holly, Ilex verticillata
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Anise tree, Illicium floridanum
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Hardy Anise Shrub, Illicium parviflorum
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Solomon’s Seal, Polygonatum odoratum
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Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum, Viburnum rufidulum

Plants for Wet Areas, great for Union County NC
Each plant lists one of the common names and the botanical name. The notation spp. indicates there are multiple species available.
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Bugle Weed, Ajuga reptans
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Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata
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Fern, Dryoteris celsa, Dryopteris intermedia
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Scarlet Rose Mallow, Hibiscus coccineus
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Blazing star, Liatris spicata
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Panic grass, Panicum virgatum
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Ironweed, Vernonia noveboracensis
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Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum
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Violet, Viola odorata
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Golden Alexander, Zizia aurea