South Carolina Native Plants by Layer
Published:
59 native species are verified for South Carolina across the three planting layers, and this page ranks them by the wildlife they support. South Carolina sits in the Eastern Temperate Forests ecoregion, so every count below is the figure published for Eastern Temperate Forests rather than a national average. The idea is not to remove your lawn. It is that a canopy tree, a shrub layer along a border and a flowering ground layer do the ecological work a garden can actually do, while the turf stays turf.
Canopy for South Carolina
The tree layer. This is where most of the caterpillars that birds feed their nestlings are produced, which is why a single tree choice outweighs everything else in the yard.
32 verified canopy options for South Carolina. white oak leads on published wildlife value.
White Oak
Quercus alba- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus alba alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 100.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Darlington Oak
Quercus hemisphaerica- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus hemisphaerica alone.
USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Laurel Oak
Quercus laurifolia- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus laurifolia alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use medium, mature height 70.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Blackjack Oak
Quercus marilandica- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus marilandica alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 25.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.
Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus rubra alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 81.0 ft, blooms mid spring, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Post Oak
Quercus stellata- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus stellata alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 60.0 ft, blooms early spring, slow growth.
Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Black Oak
Quercus velutina- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus velutina alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms early spring, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
American Plum
Prunus americana- The genus Prunus hosts 340 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus americana alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 24.0 ft, blooms mid spring, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: None.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
24 further verified canopy species for South Carolina are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.
Understory for South Carolina
Shrubs and small trees beneath the canopy. This layer carries the shoulder-season fruit and cover, and it is the easiest layer to add along an existing fence line or bed edge.
11 verified understory options for South Carolina. coastal plain willow leads on published wildlife value.
Coastal Plain Willow
Salix caroliniana- The genus Salix hosts 289 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix caroliniana alone.
- 14 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 33.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Prairie Willow
Salix humilis- The genus Salix hosts 289 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix humilis alone.
- 14 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 10.0 ft, blooms spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Black Willow
Salix nigra- The genus Salix hosts 289 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix nigra alone.
- 14 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 100.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Farkleberry
Vaccinium arboreum- The genus Vaccinium hosts 217 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Vaccinium arboreum alone.
- 14 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Vaccinium. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use medium, mature height 28.0 ft, blooms late summer, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum- The genus Vaccinium hosts 217 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Vaccinium corymbosum alone.
- 14 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Vaccinium. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use medium, mature height 12.0 ft, blooms early summer, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Black Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium fuscatum- The genus Vaccinium hosts 217 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Vaccinium fuscatum alone.
- 14 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Vaccinium. Genus-level figure.
USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Blue Ridge Blueberry
Vaccinium pallidum- The genus Vaccinium hosts 217 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Vaccinium pallidum alone.
- 14 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Vaccinium. Genus-level figure.
USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Deerberry
Vaccinium stamineum- The genus Vaccinium hosts 217 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Vaccinium stamineum alone.
- 14 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Vaccinium. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use low, mature height 16.0 ft, blooms late summer, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
3 further verified understory species for South Carolina are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.
Ground layer for South Carolina
Flowering perennials at ground level. This is the layer that keeps pollen and nectar available from spring through fall, and it is what specialist bees depend on.
16 verified ground layer options for South Carolina. Canada goldenrod leads on published wildlife value.
Canada Goldenrod
Solidago altissima- The genus Solidago hosts 104 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago altissima alone.
- 42 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 5.0 ft, blooms late spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - HI, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Atlantic Goldenrod
Solidago arguta- The genus Solidago hosts 104 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago arguta alone.
- 42 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Canada Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis- The genus Solidago hosts 104 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago canadensis alone.
- 42 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 3.5 ft, blooms late summer, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - HI, Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Giant Goldenrod
Solidago gigantea- The genus Solidago hosts 104 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago gigantea alone.
- 42 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 8.2 ft, blooms indeterminate, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Gray Goldenrod
Solidago nemoralis- The genus Solidago hosts 104 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago nemoralis alone.
- 42 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 2.0 ft, blooms summer, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Anisescented Goldenrod
Solidago odora- The genus Solidago hosts 104 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago odora alone.
- 42 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Twistleaf Goldenrod
Solidago tortifolia- The genus Solidago hosts 104 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago tortifolia alone.
- 42 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Common Blue Wood Aster
Symphyotrichum cordifolium- The genus Symphyotrichum hosts 100 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Symphyotrichum cordifolium alone.
- 33 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Symphyotrichum. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 5.0 ft, blooms summer, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
8 further verified ground layer species for South Carolina are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.
South Carolina natives for a watering restriction
26 of the 59 verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium. That matters in South Carolina because a drought tolerant native border is the constructive answer to a watering restriction: once established it holds up on local rainfall, while a cool season lawn browns out and stays brown. If restrictions are in force where you are, the South Carolina water restrictions tracker has the current stage, and the South Carolina xeriscape guide covers the wider low water approach for the parts of the yard you are converting.
White Oak
Quercus alba- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus alba alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 100.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Blackjack Oak
Quercus marilandica- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus marilandica alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 25.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.
Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Post Oak
Quercus stellata- The genus Quercus hosts 436 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus stellata alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 60.0 ft, blooms early spring, slow growth.
Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina- The genus Prunus hosts 340 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus serotina alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms late spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in South Carolina.
How to read these numbers
Every caterpillar and specialist bee figure on this page is published by plant genus, not by species. When the page says the genus Quercus hosts a given number of caterpillar species, that is the claim the research supports; attaching the same number to one particular oak would not be. The counts come from the National Wildlife Federation keystone plant sheets, which draw on Dr Doug Tallamy's work at the University of Delaware for Lepidoptera and Jarrod Fowler's work for specialist bees. Nativity, distribution and every growing condition come from the USDA PLANTS Database. Where USDA publishes no value, this page shows none rather than an estimate. The full sourcing, the selection criteria, and the honest case against treating yard scale planting as restoration are all on the methodology page.
For the lawn itself, seasonal timing and grass selection for this state are in the South Carolina lawn care guide, and if you are converting an area rather than edging it, the lawn alternatives guide covers ground layer substitutes in more depth.
Common questions
What should I plant first in South Carolina?
The canopy layer. white oak is the highest value verified option, because the genus Quercus carries 436 caterpillar species in the Eastern Temperate Forests keystone list. That is a genus level figure. One tree does more ecological work than any other single choice in a yard.
How many native plants are verified for South Carolina?
59 species across the three layers: 32 canopy, 11 understory and 16 ground layer. Each is recorded in South Carolina by the USDA PLANTS Database and classified native to this region. Anything USDA flags as introduced here is excluded.
Which South Carolina natives handle a watering ban?
26 of the verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium, including white oak, blackjack oak, post oak. Where USDA publishes no drought value for a species, none is shown rather than an estimate.
Do I need to remove my South Carolina lawn to plant natives?
No. The edges, borders and tree layer carry nearly all of the ecological value available to an ordinary yard, and none of that requires changing how the turf itself is used. Adding one canopy tree and one planted border is the realistic version of this for most homeowners.
Sources: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database for nativity, distribution and growing characteristics, read 2026-08-18. National Wildlife Federation Keystone Native Plants for genus level caterpillar and specialist bee counts.