Western North Carolina (WNC) is a gardener’s paradise, but it takes some time to get to know the diverse landscape. Asheville boasts a variety of rich and natural flora that inspires gardeners of all levels. With its temperate climate and ample rainfall, WNC offers an ideal environment for a wide assortment of outdoor plants to flourish. 

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice with a green thumb, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that can add beauty and vibrancy to your outdoor spaces. In this article, we’ll explore 20 of the easiest outdoor plants to keep alive in Asheville along with their companion plants and potential benefits.

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Gardening in Asheville: 20 Hardy Outdoor Plants That Thrive Here

With its favorable climate and diverse landscape, Asheville provides an ideal environment for a wide variety of outdoor plants to thrive. From vibrant perennials like coneflowers and black-eyed susans to lush foliage plants like hostas and ferns, there’s something for every gardener to enjoy. 

By choosing low-maintenance plants that are well-suited to the local climate, gardeners can create beautiful and vibrant outdoor spaces with minimal effort. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your gardening tools, and get ready to enjoy the beauty of nature right in your own backyard.

1. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)

Daylilies come in a wide range of colors, making them versatile and popular choices for gardens. Some of the different color varieties include yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, white, cream, and multicolored. The best time to plant daylilies is either in the spring or fall.

Their companions include coneflowers and black-eyed susans. Daylilies are not only hardy and low-maintenance but also produce beautiful blooms that can be enjoyed throughout the summer. Some varieties are edible, adding both color and flavor to freshly made salads. 

2. Hostas (Hosta spp.)

Hostas are another great option for easy, low-maintenance gardening. They do well around ferns and astilbes and provide lush foliage and ground cover in shaded areas. Hostas help to suppress weeds and create a uniform and tidy appearance in garden landscapes.

They are well-suited to different terrains and elements, making them a popular choice for gardeners looking to add beauty and greenery to their outdoor spaces.

3. Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.)

Coneflowers – more popularly known as echinacea – are native to WNC. Echinacea loves to be near black-eyed susans and daylilies and is a huge attractor of the pollinators we depend on. In addition to their vibrant blooms, coneflowers have medicinal properties that are known for their immune-boosting qualities.

Not only do they add a pop of color to any garden, but they’re also good for our health and the environment!

4. Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susans are drought-tolerant and attract butterflies and bees, making them a great choice for most Asheville gardens. They require minimal maintenance and provide long-lasting blooms for sustainable enjoyment.

As mentioned before, black-eyed susans love to be planted near coneflowers (echinacea) and daylilies, and they are also typically planted in the spring or fall. 

5. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Not only does lavender smell good, but it’s also an easy plant to keep around! Prized for its aromatic foliage and delicate purple blooms, lavender has numerous medicinal and culinary uses, including stress relief and cooking.

Lavender does best around rosemary and sage, so consider starting a small herb garden at home if you don’t have one already! 

6. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedem is a beautiful drought-tolerant plant that requires minimal care. Its succulent leaves adds texture and interest to any garden and attracts both butterflies and bees. While sedem typically prefers full sun, it can also do well in partial shade, making it a versatile ornamental plant. Other ornamental grasses and stonecrop are great companion plants to sedem. 

7. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed for their uncanny resemblance to ticks, is prized for its cheerful yellow blooms and ability to thrive in sunny locations. It attracts pollinators and is drought-tolerant, making it a perfect plant for the busy gardener who forgets to water on a regular basis. A companion to verbena plants, coreopsis adds a vibrant touch to any Asheville garden. 

8. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian sage is a hardy perennial with aromatic foliage and tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers. Its drought-tolerant and pollinator-attracting qualities make it a popular plant for “lazy gardeners.” Russian sage has different medical uses and can also be used for stunning dried floral arrangements.

Getting along well with other herbs and various ornamental plants, Russian sage is a great option for gardeners of any level. 

9. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)

Astilbe is a beautiful plant with feathery plumes of flowers, which come in a variety of colors. It thrives in shaded areas and adds texture and interest to the garden. Best planted in the spring or fall near hostas and ferns, astilbe is a great easy-to-keep-alive plant for beginner Asheville gardeners. 

10. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

Bee Balm, also known as bergamot, is a striking plant that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its fragrant blooms. It has medicinal properties that can be used to make herbal tea, tinctures, and salves. Bee balm does well when planted with liatris or agastache and should be planted in the spring or fall. 

11. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)

Japanese forest grass is renowned for its cascading leaves which add texture and movement to the garden. It thrives in shaded areas and requires minimal care, making it a favorite for gardeners looking for easy-to-grow plants. Best planted around hostas and ferns, Japanese forest grass is another great option for Asheville gardeners. 

12. Ferns (Polypodiopsida)

Ferns are adored for their lush, feathery vegetation and ability to thrive in shaded areas. They add a touch of elegance to outdoor spaces and require minimal maintenance and care to keep alive. The best time to plant ferns is in spring or fall and they tend to thrive near different varieties of hostas and astilbes. 

13. Lantana (Lantana spp.)

Lantana is a hardy perennial known for its colorful clusters of flowers that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. It’s drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun. Lantana blooms in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, and pink, adding vibrant hues to any garden landscape.

Despite its beauty, it’s essential to note that all parts of the lantana plant are toxic if ingested and can cause gastrointestinal issues if consumed by humans or pets. However, with proper care and caution, lantana can be a stunning addition to gardens in Asheville, with companion plants like verbena and black-eyed susans.

14. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow, similar looking to baby’s breath, is appreciated for its feathery foliage and flat-topped clusters of flowers. It attracts butterflies and bees and has medicinal applications such as immune-boosting properties. Best planted in spring or fall, yarrow does well when planted near lavender and Russian sage. 

15. Verbena (Verbena spp.)

Verbena, a beautiful flowering species that comes in both perennial and annual varieties, is known for its long-lasting blooms and ability to attract butterflies to the garden. It’s drought-tolerant – meaning you aren’t married to the hose – and adds color and vibrancy to any landscape. Plant verbena near coreopsis to help it thrive!

16. Liatris (Liatris spp.)

Liatris, also known as blazing star, attracts bees and butterflies with its spiky blooms. It’s drought-tolerant and adds vertical interest to gardens for enhanced pollination. Best planted near bee balm or black-eyed susans, liatris is a great plant for Asheville gardeners of any level. 

17. Echinops (Echinops spp.)

Also known as globe thistle, echinops adds architectural interest to the garden with its round, spiky blooms. It attracts bees and butterflies and is drought-tolerant, meaning it can withstand a little bit of neglect from the busy or overwhelmed gardener. Echinops like both sedem and ornamental grasses and prefer full sun. 

18. Agastache (Agastache spp.)

Agastache, also known as hyssop, is prized for its fragrant foliage and tubular flowers. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and has medicinal applications with its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Agastache loves to be planted near bee balm and Russian sage and should be cultivated in spring or fall. 

19. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)

Also known as beardtongue, penstemon is visually intriguing with tall spikes of tubular flowers that attract both bees and butterflies. Also drought-tolerant, penstemon does well near liatris and echinacea and is a great choice for any Asheville garden. 

20. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping jenny is prized for its trailing foliage, which adds texture and interest to containers and hanging baskets. Requiring minimal care and watering, creeping jenny thrives near sedem and ornamental grasses.

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