Native Plants You’ll See Everywhere in Louisiana

From delicate flowers to robust evergreens and cypress trees, a wide variety of plants love Louisiana’s climate. Here are five native plants you will see across the state.

1. Louisiana Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

This delicate lavender wildflower can be seen all over the state, including at North Toledo Bend State Park. The Louisiana Phlox grows well in partially shaded to sunny areas and blooms in the spring. This plant can be commonly seen within rocky areas and are commonly used as ground cover around Louisiana homes. The oblong leaves turn a deep burgundy during fall and winter seasons.

2. Hybrid Louisiana Iris (Iris ser. Hexagonae)

This beautiful annual blooms between March and May and enjoys boggy sites with standing water, like Chemin-a-Haut State Park. The Louisiana iris can do well in just about any soil condition but needs to be well-watered if not in a wet region. The plant’s hybrid nature lends it a range of colors including white, orange, purple and burgundy.

3. Silverbell Tree (Halesia diptera)

Native to the Northshore, this tree blooms white, bell-shaped flowers that dangle from its delicate stems. The Silverbell Tree can be seen in areas of partial to full shade and along riverbanks or wet swampy areas, and blooms appear in spring. The tree can grow to become 20-30 feet tall at maturity and the leaves of this beauty turn yellow in fall as well.

4. Gulf Coast Yucca (Yucca Louisianensis)

This grassy native perennial is a staple in the warm Louisiana environment. The Gulf Coast Yucca is a reliable and tough plant that can withstand the humidity of the Bayou State, including the Lafayette Area. Clumps of this plant produce white flowers that sit on tall spikes each summer. The Gulf Coast Yucca can grow up to 8 feet tall and features leaves that mainly grow from the base of the plant.

5. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

This stately tree can be found within the swamps of southern Louisiana. This tree excels in poorly-drained areas and can be seen within swampy areas like Sam Houston Jones State Park. The Bald Cypress is a staple in the Bayou environment and is a slow growing tree. Most Bald Cypress trees grow to heights of 120 feet and have a trunk diameter of 3-6 feet. The stoutest known Bald Cypress is in the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge near Baton Rouge with a diameter of 17 feet.

For more information about native plants, gardening, and lawn care in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the rest of Louisiana, visit LawnStarter.com.