Blog / Popular Plants, Bushes, and Trees for Raleigh Landscaping

When it comes to landscape design in Raleigh, do you know what plants, bushes, and trees thrive? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Many people waste their time planting items that are just not going to grow well no matter what they do. The result? A poor-looking yard that has cost you a lot of money.

At Redwood Land Design, we want the outside of your home to look amazing. As you plan your landscape design, consider these 10 plants, bushes, and trees that will flourish in Raleigh and add beauty to the outside of your home.

10 Plants, Trees, and Bushes that Thrive in Raleigh

When you’re making choices for your landscaping, you want to choose plants, trees, and bushes that are native to Raleigh. They not only grow well but require less care and maintenance.

  1. Butterfly Weed

The Butterfly Weed thrives in dry soils and is a drought-tolerant flower. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant. Although it is resistant to many pests, it is prime to rust and leaf spots. You’ll find that the flowers bloom throughout summer.

  1. Carolina Phlox

The Carolina Phlox is a native perennial that grows well in full sun to partial shade. It also grows in moist soils. You’ll see vibrant colors from this plant from spring through summer. Sometimes it even reblooms in the fall. Colors range from lavender to white or pink.

  1. Flowering Dogwood

If you’re in Raleigh, your landscape needs to include the flowering dogwood because it showcases North Carolina’s state flower. With gorgeous white petals, this tree typically reaches a height of 15 to 20 feet. Some trees grow as high as 40 feet!

If you’re adding this to your Raleigh landscaping, the flowering dogwood does best in moist organically rich, well-drained, acidic soils. It also likes partial shade. The tree’s red fruits mature in late summer through early fall. While humans can’t eat them, birds do love them!

  1. Southern Magnolia

The Southern Magnolia is a beautiful addition to any Raleigh landscape. This tree has broad, dark green shiny leaves and large, fragrant flowers. The white flowers are abundant from spring through summer. In the fall, the tree produces cone-shaped fruits with red seeds.

If you want to add the Southern Magnolia to the outside of your home, be sure it has plenty of room to grow. It can get as tall as 80 feet high and 40 feet wide. It likes moist, well-drained soil. The Southern Magnolia does not do well in extreme droughts.

  1. Oak Tree

Raleigh is the City of Oaks, so it makes sense that this would be a great addition to your landscape. Oak trees are great for shade and have plenty of acorns that can help to support many species of animals. Some popular oak trees in Raleigh include the Willow Oak and the Pin Oak.

  1. Redbud Tree

Redbud trees are a good investment for your landscape as they can live 20 years or more. They are small, colorful trees that bloom early in the spring. They make for great additions to the middle layers of any home landscape design.

  1. River Birch Tree

The River Birch Tree is a favorite in Raleigh due to its reddish-brown papery bark. It’s also heat tolerant and easy to transplant. The River Birch produces slim, cylindrical light green flowers that bloom in early spring. This tree thrives in moist, wet soil. Be aware that if you have a well-drained yard, the tree’s leaves may get yellow during any summer droughts.

  1. Emerald Arborvitae

If you’re looking for a privacy line around your home, the thick emerald arborvitae is a good choice. This hedge can grow as tall as 15 feet and usually grows about 1-2 feet annually. The emerald arborvitae is a great landscaping investment as it can live for up to 25 years. It grows crisp and clean, requiring little trimming or maintenance.

  1. Spartan Juniper

The spartan juniper is another good choice if you want natural fencing that will thrive in Raleigh. The shrub sprouts dense branches and dark green leaves. The great thing is that this color remains all year long. Since they are narrower than other evergreens, you’ll only need to leave about four feet between each shrub. The spartan juniper grows about four feet per year and reaches its full maturity height of 15 feet in just a few years.

  1. Green Giant Arborvitae

If you’re looking to add a large shrub to your landscape design, the green giant arborvitae is a solid choice. Every year, this tree grows about three feet to reach a maximum height of 30-40 feet. You’ll want to plant them about 14 feet apart. Since they grow fast, the gaps will fill in quickly, so there’s no need to worry.

Are You Looking for Landscape Design Services in Raleigh?

If you want your landscape design to look professional and beautiful, call the experts at Redwood Land Design. We specialize in landscape design and installation, and hardscaping services. We can recommend plants, trees, and bushes that will thrive in your yard. With over 10 years of experience in horticulture and landscape design, let us transform the outside of your home. Call us today at 919-817-0087 or contact us online for a consultation!