Thanks to the mild climate, plentiful sunshine, and abundant rainfall, Louisiana has its share of beautiful native plants. Because these species have evolved to the local environment, including the unpredictable extremes of temperatures and rainfall, they require less maintenance and are likely to thrive over the short and long term.

	Cowcumber or Big Leaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) - Spectacular native understory tree for well drained locations.		Native Azalea (Rhododendron canescens) - fragrant blooms in early Spring.		Native Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum hybrid) - fantastic blooms in early Spring, intoxicatingly fragrant.
	Star Hibiscus (Hibiscus cocci) - Excellent for wetland soils, summer bloomer.		Gordonia - Endangered species, native to St. Tammany Parish, friend to hummingbirds		French Mulberry (Callicarpa americana) - Fantastic purple seeds, bird food favorite.
	Rattlebox - Tolerant of poor soils.		Passion Flower - Beautiful native vine.		Butterfly Weed - Self explanatory perennial.