NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Find the right plant for the right place. This database from NC State Extension includes almost 5,000 plants that grow in North Carolina and can help you find the perfect additions to your beach landscaping. 

Beach Plants

Below is an abbreviated list of recommended (mostly native) plants for coastal North Carolina from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. We've planted many of these plants in Harbor Way Gardens at the entrance to Wrightsville Beach - come visit us anytime. The National Garden Club recommends planting for wildlife and planting native species and edibles.

herbs

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Gaillardia (Club Flower) "Blanket Flower"
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Seaside Goldenrod
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Horsemint/Spotted Beebalm
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Sea Lavender

trees

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Southern Live Oak
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Wild Olive, Devilwood
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Sabal Palm
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Eastern Red Cedar

shrubs

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Curlyleaf Yucca
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Yaupon Holly
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Coastal Sweet-Pepperbusch
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Dwarf Palmetto

flowering plants

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Daylily
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Roses
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Azalea

grasses / graminoids

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Seaside Little Bluestem
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American Beachgrass
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Purple hairgrass
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Sea Oats

vines

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Crossvine
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Yellow Jasmin
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Virginia Creeper
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Muscadine