Landscape design in North Carolina requires some balancing acts, especially while considering the current state of the weather. Our climate is often defined by long stretches of summer heat and humidity, punctuated by the occasional winter plunge (which we are experiencing now!) and the surprise late freeze. Selecting plants that are built for exactly this type of weather range, especially natives and well-adapted staples, is a good place to start when planning a landscape.
This list does not fully encompass all of the available options, but many of these plants are resilient and fare well when it comes to unexpected and prolonged weather changes, regardless of whether it’s heat, drought, or winter freeze.
Shrubs: great structure with seasonal interest
1) Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
When looking for a shrub that basically never complains, yaupon is a top contender. It’s evergreen, handles NC heat like a champ, and tolerates cold snaps well across most of the state. Use it for foundation planting, hedges, or small tree forms. Many cultivars exist – from neat dwarfs to taller screens – and it takes pruning calmly if you like a more formal look.
2) Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
A native shrub that features spring flowers and excellent fall color. Sweetspire tolerates humidity, adapts to sun or part shade, and is especially valuable in yards that can get periodically wet. It’s a strong choice near downspouts, rain garden edges, or low spots where more sensitive plants may have more difficulty adapting.
3) Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
For fast privacy and a “coastal tough” attitude, wax myrtle is hard to beat. It’s evergreen, grows quickly, tolerates heat, and holds up well in wind and sandy soils. In the Coastal Plain, it’s an absolute must-have; in colder pockets and higher elevations, consider placement thoughtfully to avoid the coldest exposures.
4) Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Unlike bigleaf hydrangeas that can struggle with bud damage after freezes, oakleaf is a native that’s better adapted to the Southeast. It thrives in humidity, provides bold foliage, big flower clusters, and strong fall color. Give it morning sun and afternoon shade for the easiest performance, especially in hotter parts of the Piedmont.
Evergreens: year-round backbone plants
1) Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
A true native survivor. Red cedar handles drought, heat, thin soil, and winter cold with very little help. It’s great for rural-style screening or wildlife-friendly landscapes. It can be a bit messy near patios due to natural shedding, but for tough sites it’s one of the most resilient options.
2) Distylium (Distylium spp.)
Distylium has become a go-to “low drama” evergreen shrub in the Southeast. It tolerates heat and sun, keeps a clean shape, and rarely needs heavy pruning. It’s especially useful when you want a modern-looking foundation shrub that doesn’t constantly get affected by weather swings.
3) ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae (Thuja ‘Green Giant’)
When you want privacy faster than a fence, this is the classic pick. ‘Green Giant’ grows quickly and forms a dense evergreen screen. It does best with good drainage and enough room – crowding it leads to thinning and stress. In very exposed windy spots, consistent watering during establishment makes a big difference.
4) Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Few trees give the same “instant Southern landscape” feel. Southern magnolia is evergreen, heat-loving, and surprisingly cold-tough in many NC areas if you choose a suitable cultivar and avoid the harshest mountain sites. It’s excellent as a statement tree or as a glossy-leaved backdrop behind flowering beds.
Perennials: long-blooming plants that thrive in heat
1) Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflower thrives in summer heat and doesn’t fold when rain disappears for a couple of weeks. It blooms for a long stretch, supports pollinators, and looks good in both structured beds and wilder meadow-style plantings. Leave seed heads in fall if you enjoy birds in winter.
2) Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
This is one of those plants that makes North Carolina summers look like they’re supposed to be bright. Rudbeckia handles heat and humidity well, blooms strongly, and mixes easily with grasses and other perennials. It’s also a great “bridge plant” for newer gardeners because it’s forgiving.
3) Blazing Star (Liatris)
Liatris sends up vertical purple spikes that add structure to a border – and it loves summer. It’s hardy, heat-tolerant, and excellent for butterflies. It also works beautifully in more modern planting designs because the form is clean and architectural.
4) Sedum / Stonecrop (Hylotelephium, Sedum spp.)
For hot, dry edges and low-maintenance beds, sedum is a star. Fleshy leaves hold water, and the plant looks good even when everything else is drooping. Many varieties bloom late summer into fall, giving you color when other perennials are winding down.
Ornamental Grasses: movement, texture, and toughness
1) Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Muhly is famous for its airy pink “cloud” of blooms in fall. It’s exceptionally heat-tolerant, thrives in sandy or well-drained soils, and stays neat through much of winter. Plant it in drifts for the most dramatic effect.
2) Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
A native grass that’s both elegant and rugged. Switchgrass stands upright, tolerates a range of soils (including occasional wetness), and adds winter structure. It’s excellent for balancing flowering perennials and creating a “designed meadow” look.
3) Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
This native thrives where many plants fail – thin soils, intense sun, and drought. It turns gorgeous tones in fall and holds its form into winter. If you’re trying to build a landscape that needs less irrigation, this is a smart pick.
4) Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
A classic ornamental grass for a reason: it’s adaptable, graceful, and very heat tolerant. It provides soft plumes and a rounded shape that works in both formal and informal designs. Give it sun and decent drainage, and it’s generally easy.
Even “tough” plants need help while establishing. For the first growing season, water deeply (not daily sprinkling), mulch consistently, and avoid planting in the peak of summer if possible. Once roots are set, these plants are much more capable of riding out both July heat and winter cold snaps.