I would like to know what are some good plants to plant in north carolina?

Question

I would like color and to attract hummingbirds and other birds
and butterflies.
Please. I have a small front yard, it needs color.

Answer 1

Lucky you to live in a state with a botanical garden of such amazing repute. I have always wanted to see The North Carolina Botanical Garden but I have never been in the state. However they have lists of plants. The Garden Club of North Carolina & the botanical garden cosponsor North Carolina Wildflower of the Year program. Plants like butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa that gets 1½-3' tall. It may develop as a single central stem, particularly when young, or branch outward to form a small bush in appearance. They are lovely and attractive to more than monarchs. Milkweed is a highly sought nectar source. Aside from attracting Monarch butterflies for egg-laying, milkweed entices swallowtails, painted ladies, American ladies, red admirals, fritillaries, and hairstreaks for nectaring. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird also seeks nectar from the flowers.
http://ncbg.unc.edu/plants-and-gardening/

* A guide to some great plants for attracting butterflies in Central North Carolina.
http://www.carolinanature.com/plants4leps.html
* Florida Butterfly Gardening with native plants includes information on butterfly habitat necessities.
http://www.nsis.org/butterfly/butterfly.html
* Smithsonian Institute's excellent website on butterfly gardening.
http://www.gardens.si.edu/horticulture/gardens/nmnh/butterfly.html


This forum is for those in both North and South Carolina to discuss the various aspects of gardening there.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/carolgard/


This forum is for the discussion of hummingbirds, those birds belonging to the family Trochilidae, and the plants that attract them.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/hummingbird/

Answer 2

The butterfly bush or buddlelia is a natural by its name. It can be pruned to any size and is available in several colors. One plant I have luck with in NC is lantana. I have a bush which attracts hummingbirds but it can also grow in pots and handing baskets. Several colors are available.

Plants just for the color in your climate are the "wave" petunias. and other summer annuals. For winter blooms you might check out sasanquas and for spring azaleas. Geraniums usually do well in early and late summer and not so well in the heat of mid summer. Then in the fall mums are waiting to be planted

Pansies are ideally planted in the fall and can bloom during the winter if there is a spell of warmer weather and then take off in spring. Pansies are in full bloom now everywhere and in every color. Good luck. North Carolina has a great climate without too many extremes. Just water well in dry weather.

Answer 3

NC plants can change from 10 blocks away from where you are---find your zone and try driving around and looking at plantings in your area to decide what you like, you can photo and go to a nursery in your city.
Red flowers for the hummers, butterfly bush for the butterflies, iris, all azaleas, rhododendron's, rose of sharon, gerbur daisies, pg hydrangeas, lace wing hydrangeas , regular ones, pinkster and flame azaleas, they are natural and lose leaves in the winter. Just left NC.