Choosing the right plants for your Greensboro, NC garden is crucial for creating a thriving, low-maintenance landscape. Our Zone 7b climate offers incredible variety, but selecting plants suited to local conditions makes all the difference between a garden that struggles and one that flourishes.
This guide covers the best plant selections for Greensboro gardens, from native species that require minimal care to stunning ornamentals that add year-round beauty.
Native Plants: The Smart Choice for Greensboro
Native plants have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in our specific climate, soil, and rainfall patterns. They offer numerous advantages:
- Lower water requirements once established
- Natural pest and disease resistance
- Support for local wildlife and pollinators
- Minimal fertilizer needs
- Adapted to our clay soil and humidity
Top Native Trees for Greensboro
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- Height: 20-30 feet
- Stunning pink-purple spring blooms before leaves emerge
- Heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall
- Tolerates part shade and clay soil
- Attracts pollinators early in the season
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
- Height: 15-30 feet
- North Carolina’s state flower
- White or pink spring flowers
- Red berries feed birds in fall
- Brilliant red-purple fall foliage
- Prefers part shade to full shade
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Height: 40-60 feet
- Fast-growing shade tree
- Spectacular red fall color
- Tolerates wet and clay soils
- Provides spring flowers for early pollinators
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
- Height: 60-80 feet
- Iconic evergreen with glossy leaves
- Large, fragrant white flowers in summer
- Creates dense shade
- Thrives in full sun to part shade
Best Native Shrubs
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
- Height: 4-8 feet
- Large white flower clusters in summer
- Oak-shaped leaves turn burgundy in fall
- Excellent for shade gardens
- Tolerates drought once established
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
- Height: 3-6 feet
- Vibrant purple berries in fall
- Attracts birds and wildlife
- Tolerates part shade
- Easy to grow and maintain
Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Fragrant white flower spikes in late spring
- Brilliant red fall color
- Tolerates wet soil and shade
- Spreads to form colonies
Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra)
- Height: 5-8 feet
- Evergreen foliage year-round
- Black berries for birds
- Tolerates wet and dry conditions
- Great for hedges and foundation plantings
Outstanding Native Perennials
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Bright yellow flowers with dark centers
- Blooms summer through fall
- Self-seeds readily
- Drought tolerant once established
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Purple-pink flowers with orange centers
- Blooms mid-summer to fall
- Attracts butterflies and goldfinches
- Excellent cut flower
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Red, pink, or purple tubular flowers
- Hummingbird magnet
- Fragrant foliage
- Spreads to form colonies
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Red and yellow nodding flowers
- Blooms in spring
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Self-seeds in shade gardens
Drought-Tolerant Plants for Hot Summers
Greensboro summers can bring hot, dry periods. These plants handle drought conditions with ease:
Sedum (Stonecrop)
- Low-growing succulent groundcover
- Thrives in poor, dry soil
- Varieties include autumn joy, dragon’s blood
- Pink, red, or yellow flowers
- Evergreen or semi-evergreen
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Silvery foliage, purple-blue flowers
- Blooms summer through fall
- Fragrant when brushed
- Deer resistant
Lantana
- Height: 1-3 feet (annual in our zone)
- Multi-colored flower clusters
- Blooms continuously all summer
- Attracts butterflies
- Thrives in heat and humidity
Ornamental Grasses
- Muhly Grass – Pink plumes in fall
- Fountain Grass – Arching foliage, burgundy blooms
- Switch Grass – Native, turns gold in fall
- Little Bluestem – Blue-green foliage, copper in winter
Lavender (Lavandula)
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Fragrant purple flower spikes
- Gray-green aromatic foliage
- Requires excellent drainage
- Harvest for sachets and cooking
Shade Plants for Greensboro Gardens
Many Greensboro yards have mature trees creating shaded areas. These plants thrive without full sun:
Hostas
- Hundreds of varieties in all sizes
- Foliage in shades of green, blue, yellow, variegated
- Lavender or white summer flowers
- Slug-resistant varieties available
- Deer can be an issue
Native Ferns
- Christmas Fern – Evergreen, 1-2 feet
- Lady Fern – Lacy foliage, 2-3 feet
- Cinnamon Fern – Large, 3-5 feet
- Autumn Fern – Copper new growth
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
- Height: 8-18 inches
- Colorful foliage: purple, orange, lime, silver
- Delicate flower spikes in spring
- Evergreen in mild winters
- Excellent edging plant
Astilbe
- Height: 1-4 feet depending on variety
- Feathery flower plumes in pink, red, white
- Blooms in summer
- Fern-like foliage
- Prefers consistent moisture
Hellebores (Lenten Rose)
- Height: 12-18 inches
- Blooms late winter to early spring
- Evergreen foliage
- Flowers in white, pink, purple, green
- Deer and rabbit resistant
Best Flowering Shrubs
Azaleas
- Classic southern landscape plant
- Bloom in spring (March-April)
- Colors: pink, red, white, purple
- Prefer acidic soil and part shade
- Evergreen or deciduous varieties
Hydrangeas
- Bigleaf Hydrangea – Blue or pink depending on soil pH
- Panicle Hydrangea – White cones turning pink
- Smooth Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ – Large white snowballs
- All bloom summer, flowers dry well
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
- Height: Varies from 3-25 feet
- Long summer bloom period
- Colors: white, pink, red, purple
- Attractive peeling bark in winter
- Drought tolerant once established
Evergreens for Year-Round Structure
Boxwood (Buxus)
- Classic hedge and foundation plant
- Dense, fine-textured foliage
- Tolerates shearing for formal shapes
- Slow-growing
Holly (Ilex)
- Many varieties available
- Red berries (on female plants with male pollinator nearby)
- Evergreen foliage
- Excellent wildlife value
Camellia
- Blooms late fall through early spring
- Flowers in pink, red, white
- Glossy evergreen leaves
- Prefers shade and acidic soil
Planting Tips for Success
- Plant in fall (September-October) for best establishment
- Amend clay soil with compost before planting
- Water deeply 2-3 times per week for first season
- Mulch 2-3 inches around plants (not touching stems)
- Right plant, right place – Match sun and moisture requirements
- Space properly – Consider mature size
Conclusion
Greensboro’s Zone 7b climate offers wonderful opportunities for diverse, beautiful gardens. By choosing plants suited to our local conditions—especially native species and drought-tolerant varieties—you’ll create a low-maintenance landscape that thrives year-round.
Whether you’re looking for shade-loving perennials, drought-resistant ornamentals, or native trees and shrubs, Greensboro gardeners have an incredible palette to work with. Start with plants proven to succeed in our area, and you’ll enjoy a beautiful, sustainable garden for years to come.