North Carolina has a rich history of ornamental plant development, shaped by its diverse growing conditions, strong academic institutions, botanical gardens, and horticultural innovators. From plants discovered as chance mutations to hybrids developed through university research, several widely used ornamentals have strong North Carolina connections. Many of these plants have gone on to become valuable landscape plants far beyond the state.
One of the best-known plants associated with North Carolina is Duke Gardens plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Duke Gardens’). This cultivar was discovered at Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham in 1958 as a natural branch mutation, or “sport,” on a ‘Fastigiata’ plum yew. Unlike true yews (Taxus), plum yews are well suited to the heat and humidity of the Southeast. ‘Duke Gardens’ is valued for its dense, dark green foliage and graceful, spreading habit, making it useful for foundation plantings, borders, hedges, and shaded landscapes.
North Carolina State University has also contributed significantly to ornamental plant development. One notable example is Calycanthus × raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’, a hybrid created by Richard Hartlage while he was a student at NC State. The cross combined Calycanthus floridus, the native Carolina allspice, with Sinocalycanthus chinensis, producing a shrub with large, wine-colored flowers and strong ornamental appeal. The hybrid was later named in honor of J. C. Raulston, the influential NC State horticulturist and founder of the JC Raulston Arboretum. NC State has continued to play a role in Calycanthus breeding through the work of Dr. Tom Ranney, who developed additional hybrids including ‘Aphrodite’ and ‘Venus’.
Another plant with a direct North Carolina connection is Baptisia ‘Carolina Moonlight’. This yellow-flowering false indigo was discovered as a chance seedling at the North Carolina Botanical Garden and introduced in 2002. Its blue-green foliage, tall yellow flower spikes, drought tolerance, and long-lived nature have made it a valuable perennial for modern landscapes. It is a good example of how a plant discovered in a North Carolina garden can find a place in landscapes well beyond the region.
North Carolina’s contribution to ornamental horticulture is not limited to plants developed through formal breeding programs. Botanical gardens, universities, nurseries, and individual horticulturists have all played a role in identifying, selecting, testing, and promoting plants that perform well in the Southeast.
Together, these plants represent a small part of North Carolina’s horticultural legacy. They reflect a long tradition of combining botanical knowledge, experimentation, and an understanding of regional growing conditions to create landscapes that are both beautiful and resilient. That tradition continues today, influencing the plants we grow and the landscapes we create across the country.
