Native Shrubs for Mississippi Landscapes

Filed Under:

Publication Number: P2334

There are 30 shrub species native to Mississippi that can be successfully used in home landscapes. The following descriptions of each species include:

Native habitats
Flowering, fruit, leaf, and form characteristics
Wildlife values

Each listing also contains cultural tips and effective landscape uses. While many of these plants tolerate conditions not found in their native environments, it is always preferable to choose plants that are best suited to the site. Wholesale nurseries in your area may produce some of these plants; ask the manager about availability.

Tag Alder

Alnus serrulata (Ait.) Willd.

Family: Betulaceae

This tall, deciduous shrub can reach 15 feet in height. Tag alder is commonly found in wet, acidic soils of branch bottoms and flatwoods. Leaves are round in shape and have fine-toothed edges. This alder produces long, thin “catkin” (resembles a cat’s tail) flowers in late fall. (The flowers are conspicuously showy.) This shrub has a twisting, crooked trunk and makes an excellent specimen shrub. Several species of birds eat the seeds while deer and beaver feed on stems and leaves.

Sunlight: Sun to shade

Soil type: Wet or moist

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Medium

Flowering: Spring flowers

Red Buckeye

Aesculus pavia L.

Family: Hippocastanaceae

Red buckeye shrubs with bundles of small red flowers.

Although red buckeye forms a tree in more northern regions, it grows as a small, deciduous (seasonal shedding of leaves) shrub in most of the South. Rarely exceeding 10 feet in height, red buckeye is found on well-drained slopes of creek banks and rivers. Flower spikes that are large, showy, red, and a favorite food source for hummingbirds appear on the ends of branches in March and April. Buckeye forms a broad, mounding shrub and will develop large colonies from root suckers. It often loses leaves in midsummer because of leaf anthracnose (a fungal disease), but the plant is not injured. Red buckeye has handsome palmate (broad, flat, and lobed) compound leaves that turn yellow in the fall. For a natural look, plant the buckeye in shrub masses underneath trees that form a canopy.

Sunlight: Part sun to shade

Soil type: Dry to moist

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Medium

Flowering: Spring flowers

Groundsel Bush

Baccharis halimifolia L.

Family: Asteraceae

Groundsel bush is a finely branched, semi-evergreen shrub that reaches 12 feet in height and is about 6 feet wide. It multiplies in wet marshes, fields, and swamp areas. This shrub has a loose, irregular form similar to wax myrtle. It blooms in early fall with numerous billowy, white flowers that cover the plant. These flowers are a favorite nectar source for many butterfly species. Tolerant of both salt and freshwater areas, this shrub readily adapts to any sunny site.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Wet or dry

Shrub type: Semi-evergreen

Wildlife value: High

Flowering: Fall flowers

American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana L.

Family: Verbenaceae

Vibrant purple berries on a branch with green leaves.

This fast-growing, deciduous shrub can reach up to 8 feet in height and almost 6 feet in width. Beautyberry has a broad, coarse leaf texture and turns bright yellow in fall. Commonly found at woodland edges and along fencerows, it is tolerant of poor soils. Small, rosy flowers appear along the branches in May and form showy, bright-purple fruits in late summer. These fruits are eaten by many species of birds and mammals. Beautyberry has a broad, mounding form in full sunlight and is effective in shrub masses or as a specimen plant.

Sunlight: Sun to part shade

Soil type: Dry to moist

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: High

Flowering: Showy fall fruit

Sweetshrub

Calycanthus floridus L.

Family: Calycanthaceae

Sweetshrub is a medium-sized, upright, deciduous shrub that can reach 8 feet in height and 4 feet in width. It is occasionally found on drier soil types in fertile woodlands and along sandy streams and hillsides. This shrub has an attractive oval leaf with very prominent veins. In the fall, it turns bright yellow. Sweetshrub has a sweetly fragrant, reddish-brown flower in late spring. Few insects or diseases are found on this shrub species. It is effective in masses and in hedgerows in natural settings.

Sunlight: Sun to part shade

Soil type: Dry to moist

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Spring flower

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis Linnaeus

Family: Rubiaceae

Spheres with thin spikes surrundd by green leaves.

Buttonbush is a deciduous shrub that grows to 10 feet in height. It is found in wet soils near swamps, ponds, and lakes. This shrub has an interesting open, sprawling form and can occur in colonies. An unusual white, globe-shaped flower, which is visited by bees and butterflies, is produced throughout the summer. In the fall, the flower forms a round seed head that is eaten by several bird species. This shrub is suitable for shallow water areas at the edges of ponds.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Wet or dry

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: High

Flowering: Summer flowers

Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus Linnaeus

Family: Oleaceae

A small tree with green leaves and white flowers

Fringe tree is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree that grows 20 feet high and 12 feet wide. It is found in upland pine forests in well-drained soil. It has a rounded, “shrubby” form and often has multiple trunks. Fringe tree blooms in spring, with white, fringe-like petals that have a slight fragrance. Small, blue fruits are produced in late summer and consumed by numerous birds and wildlife. The large, oval leaves have a yellow autumn color. Fringe tree is an excellent specimen tree for the home landscape.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Dry to moist

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: High

Flowering: Spring flowers

Buckwheat Tree

Cliftonia monophylla Gaertner

Family: Cyrillaceae

Buckwheat tree is a large, evergreen shrub that can reach 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It is found in the moist, acidic soils of swamps, bogs, and wet pinelands. Buckwheat has an upright, oval form with multiple trunks. White flower clusters appear at the ends of branches in winter and persist well into spring. Yellow “buckwheat” fruits appear in summer and are somewhat prominent.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Wet or dry

Shrub type: Evergreen

Wildlife value: Medium

Flowering: Winter flowers

Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia Linnaeus

Family: Clethraceae

A red-stemmed plant with seeds protruding from the top.

Summersweet is a deciduous shrub that averages 6 feet in height and 4 feet in width. It is found in moist, acidic soils of wet pine savannas, bogs, and swamps. The attractive, dark-green leaves are toothed and turn yellow in the fall. Fragrant, white bloom-spikes appear in early summer for several weeks. Summersweet has an upright form with medium-textured foliage and is excellent for use in natural settings.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Wet or dry

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Medium

Flowering: Summer flowers

Dwarf Huckleberry

Gaylussacia dumosa (Andrz.) T & G

Family: Ericaceae

Dwarf huckleberry is a deciduous shrub that averages 4 feet in height and 4 feet in width. It is found in a variety of woodlands with acidic soils, including pine savannas and bogs. This huckleberry has an upright-to-mounding form and is often sculptural. The small, fine-textured leaves turn a brilliant red in autumn. Small, pink flowers bloom in spring and produce small, edible huckleberry fruits in early summer. These fruits are eaten by a variety of birds and other wildlife.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Dry to wet

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: High

Fruit: Summer fruits

Witch Alder

Fothergilla major (Sims) Lodd.

Family: Hamamelidaceae

A grean leavy plant.

Witch alder is a deciduous shrub that reaches 8 feet in height and 5 feet in width. It is occasionally found in well-drained, acidic soils of dry woods. Witch alder has an upright form and is an effective understory shrub in natural settings. The large-toothed leaves have a red or orange fall color. Creamy-white bottlebrush flowers have a sweet fragrance and appear in early spring.

Sunlight: Part shade to shade

Soil type: Dry to moist

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Spring flowers

Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana L.

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Witch hazel is a large, deciduous shrub or a small tree that may reach 15 feet tall. It is found in a variety of rich woodlands and along stream banks. The large, scalloped leaves are attractive in summer and produce a yellow autumn color. The shrub has strap-like, yellow flower petals that are fragrant and bloom from fall into winter. Witch hazel has a spreading, sculptural form and is effective in the landscape as an understory specimen plant.

Sunlight: Sun or shade

Soil type: Dry to moist

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Winter flowers

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia Bartram

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Reddish- purple leaves.

An excellent deciduous shrub with many ornamental qualities, oakleaf hydrangea grows to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. This species is found in fertile, well-drained woodlands of the state. The leaves are large and oak-like, turning a rich purple in the fall. Oakleaf hydrangea produces large, creamy-white flower heads in late spring. It is an excellent specimen plant for shady areas under trees in well-drained soil conditions.

Sunlight: Part shade to shade

Soil type: Well-drained, fertile

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Spring flowers

Bigleaf Gallberry Holly

Ilex coriacea (Pursh) Chapman

Family: Aquifoliaceae

A large, evergreen shrub that can reach 15 feet in height, bigleaf gallberry holly is native to wetland soils of pine flatwoods, swamp edges, and bogs. This holly tends to be upright in form with multiple stems. It makes an excellent hedge or barrier plant. Large, shiny, black fruits are produced in fall and winter. These holly fruits are eaten by a number of birds and small mammals. It is a good, tough holly that is tolerant of many extreme environments.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Wet or dry

Shrub type: Evergreen

Wildlife value: High

Fruit: Winter fruits

Leucothoe

Leucothoe axillaris (Lam.) D. Don

Family: Ericaceae

Leucothoe is a small, evergreen shrub that grows to 3 feet in height and width. It is a low-spreading shrub with arching and loosely formed stems. It grows in wet, acidic soils near swamps, bogs, and creek beds. Small, white, fragrant blooms cluster along the flower stem from late winter to mid-spring. This evergreen shrub can get leaf spot. It is best suited to coastal areas.

Sunlight: Part sun to shade

Soil type: Dry or wet

Shrub type: Evergreen

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Spring flowers

Winterberry Holly

Ilex verticillata (L.) Gray

Family: Aquifoliaceae

A tall shrub with small green leaves.

Winterberry holly is a deciduous shrub that can grow 10 feet high and 6 feet wide. It has an open, wide-spreading form with upright branches. This holly is found in wet woods, bogs, and along the sides of streams. Female plants produce large, red fruit in winter that persist well through cold weather. Nearby male plants are required for fruit set. It is an excellent specimen plant for courtyards and gardens.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Wet or dry

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: High

Fruit: Winter fruits

Star Anise

Illicium floridanum Ell.

Family: Illicaceae

Star anise is an evergreen shrub that can grow 8 feet high and 6 feet wide. It usually grows in dense thickets along stream banks and moist woods. Star anise has an upright, oval form with deep-green leaves of coarse texture. The leaves are heavily scented and noticeable when encountered. Deep-maroon, starry flowers cover the plant in early spring. Star anise is a good landscape plant for soils that are shaded, have good drainage, or maintain moisture.

Sunlight: Shade to part shade

Soil type: Dry to moist

Shrub type: Evergreen

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Spring flowers

Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica L.

Family: Iteaceae

A medium sized shrub with green leaves.

A deciduous shrub that grows 5 feet high and 3 feet wide, sweetspire is found along stream edges and swamps. It has an upright-to-spreading form with multiple stems. The medium-textured leaves turn a deep wine-red in autumn. Fragrant, white flower clusters appear at the ends of branches in April and May. This shrub is tolerant of many different garden conditions. Several cultivars are available.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Dry or wet

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Medium

Flowering: Spring flowers

Snowbell

Styrax americanus Lam.

Family: Styracaceae

A little-known deciduous shrub, snowbell grows to 10 feet high and 6 feet wide. It is found in wet soils of bottomland hardwood forests and along stream edges. It has numerous small, white flowers that bloom from April through May. It typically has an upright, oval form.

Sunlight: Sun to part sun

Soil type: Wet or moist

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Medium

Flowering: Spring flowers

Yellow Native Azalea

Rhododendron austrinum (Sm.) Rehd.

Family: Ericaceae

This magnificent deciduous shrub grows 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Native to rich, well-drained woodlands along streams and rivers, it performs best in morning sun or filtered light. Rich yellow or orange, fragrant blossoms appear for three weeks in April and May. Yellow native azalea is sensitive to wet or poorly drained soil types, but it has few other problems. Many cultivars are available that exhibit different flower forms and colors.

Sunlight: Part sun to shade

Soil type: Dry to moist soils

Shrub type: Deciduous

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Spring flowers

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia L.

Family: Ericaceae

Several pink blooms with red stems surrounded by green leaves.

Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub that often reaches 10 feet in height and width. It grows on the slopes of rivers and creek banks across the eastern United States. Mountain laurel has an open, broad-spreading form with multiple branches. The foliage is dark-green, medium-textured, and slow-growing. Exquisite white or pink, wheel-shaped flowers cover the plant in spring. Mature plants exhibit an attractive, reddish-brown, peeling bark.

Sunlight: Shade to part shade

Soil type: Dry to moist

Shrub type: Evergreen

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Spring flowers

Lyonia

Lyonia lucida (Lam.) Koch

Family: Ericaceae

This evergreen shrub averages 3 feet in height and spread. Found growing along well-drained, sandy woodlands and streams, it is widely tolerant of many growing conditions. Small, nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers cluster along the stems in late spring. Lyonia has a low, mounding form with arching branches. Caterpillars are associated with lyonia but do not cause major injury. This shrub performs at its best in the coastal areas of the state.

Sunlight: Part sun to shade

Soil type: Dry or moist

Shrub type: Evergreen

Wildlife value: Low

Flowering: Spring flowers

American Sweet Olive