Flyweed: A Fragrant Native Treasure for Southeastern Gardens
Meet flyweed (Bejaria racemosa), also known as tarflower—a charming native shrub that’s been quietly beautifying the Southeast for centuries. This delightful evergreen deserves more attention from gardeners looking to add native flair to their landscapes while supporting local ecosystems.
What Makes Flyweed Special?
Flyweed is a perennial shrub that typically grows 13-16 feet tall with multiple stems arising from the ground. Its glossy evergreen foliage provides year-round structure, while clusters of fragrant white to pale pink flowers create a stunning spring and early summer display. The sweet fragrance alone makes this plant a garden standout!
Where Flyweed Calls Home
This native beauty naturally grows throughout the southeastern United States, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. You’ll find it thriving in coastal plains, scrublands, and sandy areas where many other plants struggle.
A Word About Conservation
Here’s something important to know: flyweed has a conservation status that suggests it’s becoming less common in the wild. If you’re interested in growing this lovely native, please source your plants from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate their stock responsibly. Never collect plants from wild populations—let’s keep this treasure thriving for future generations!
Perfect for Your Garden Because…
Flyweed brings several wonderful qualities to southeastern gardens:
- Gorgeous, fragrant flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators
- Evergreen foliage provides year-round interest
- Extremely drought tolerant once established
- Low maintenance requirements
- Supports native ecosystems and wildlife
- Unique addition that most neighbors won’t have
Where to Use Flyweed in Your Landscape
This versatile shrub works beautifully in:
- Native plant gardens as a specimen or backdrop plant
- Coastal landscapes where salt tolerance matters
- Xerophytic gardens designed for water conservation
- Wildlife and pollinator gardens
- Naturalized areas where you want low-maintenance beauty
Growing Conditions That Make Flyweed Happy
Flyweed is surprisingly easy to please once you understand its preferences:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, acidic, sandy soils (just like its native habitat)
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but appreciates regular water during establishment
- Climate: USDA hardiness zones 8-10
- Wetland tolerance: Can handle both wet and dry conditions, making it quite adaptable
Planting and Care Tips for Success
Getting started with flyweed is straightforward:
- Best planting time: Spring or fall when temperatures are moderate
- Site preparation: Ensure excellent drainage—this plant hates wet feet in heavy soils
- Spacing: Give it room to spread, typically 6-8 feet from other large shrubs
- Watering: Water regularly the first year, then back off as the plant establishes
- Pruning: Minimal pruning needed—just remove dead or damaged branches
- Fertilizer: Generally unnecessary in appropriate soils; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers
The Bottom Line
Flyweed offers southeastern gardeners a chance to grow something truly special—a fragrant, beautiful native that supports local wildlife while requiring minimal care. Its rarity makes it even more precious, so by choosing responsibly sourced plants, you’re not just enhancing your garden but also participating in conservation efforts.
If you’re looking for a unique native shrub that delivers fragrance, beauty, and ecological benefits, flyweed deserves serious consideration. Your local pollinators will thank you, and you’ll enjoy years of low-maintenance beauty from this southeastern treasure.
