Using native plants in the landscape of your home is ecologically sound and environmentally friendly. Native plants are drought, heat, insect and disease resistant making them easy to maintain. The use of native plants is one of the first tenants of various environmentally friendly landscape management programs such as Xeriscaping and Integrated Pest Management.

Native plants use less water and need little or no insecticides and fungicides when planted properly. Choosing native plants instead of exotic plants from other countries of the world helps protect our woodlands from invasive plants such as English Ivy, Oriental Bittersweet, Chinese privet, Japanese honeysuckle and kudzu.

There are many native plant types. Trees, shrubs, and vines can be used in combination to create wonderful spring, summer and even winter interest. Using native ferns, annuals, perennials and grasses is a good idea too.

Native grasses have a place in the landscape as a massing plant. Planted in great sweeps or groups native grasses can control erosion while being aesthetically pleasing. Below is a list of native grasses compiled by NC State Extension Agent Steve Pettis from various sources:

Andropogon gerardiiBig bluestem

Andropogon glomeratus Bushy Bluestem

Andropogon ternarius Splitbeard bluestem

Andropogon virginicusBroomsedge

Aristida stricta  Wiregrass

Arundinaria giganteaRiver cane/switch cane

Carex pensylvanicaPennsylvania sedge

Carex plantagineaPlantain-leaved sedge

Chasmanthium latifoliumRiver Oats

Danthonia spicataPoverty Oatgrass

Danthonia compressaOat grass

Deschampsia flexuosaCrinkled Hairgrass

Elymus hystrixBottle brush

Eragrostis spectabilisPurple Love Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris Pink Muhly Grass

Panicum virgatumSwitch-grass

Schizachyrium scopariumLittle bluestem

Sorghastrum nutansIndian grass

Tripsacum dactyloidesEastern gammagrass

For a more extensive list, visit the NC Native Plant Society's list of native grasses.