I like the native phloxes but have more of the P. divaricata than P. stolonifera...just because it was more available initially. However, I occasionally volunteer at a long-established wildflower garden, and this past spring we were directed to pull out most of the P. stonlonifera as some thought it was "taking over." I don't see that yet, but my area does not get much water, so I think Phloxes are under control.Both did ok in the drought. Cullina says P. stolonifera can get a mosaic virus.The smoke trees, Carolina silverbell, Symphoricarpos, different blueberries all did fine in the drought, but I wonder about the native azaleas. I have not had good luck with the larger, purchased plants, due to lack of water. In non-natives, check out autumn ferns, those epimediums you mentioned, rohdea japonica and, of course, hellebores.

Mapleleaf viburnum likes dry shade, that might be one to consider too. It has lovely fall color.

I just got P. stolonifera this year -- have had P. divarcata for years, and it's carefree and seeds in.

Thanks for the ideas. I couldn't think of viburnum for some reason (brain freeze), but that's another I plan to put in. Mapleleaf viburnum might be just the ticket. Does it have berries the birds like?

I also love red bud tree, so I might prune the purple smoke tree low as a bush so it won't compete with the similar red bud.

Yes, many birds like the berries. When happy it spreads by stolons but is not an invasive plant.

I grow it, but interesting enough, I planted it in two places: in a woodland situation by a spring-fed stream and in a dry shade bed. It eventually died in the latter bed, but has naturalized quite well in the former. Bloom time: according to my records, it blooms in April, the same time that the bleeding hearts do.

Yes, I have seen some variability in drought tolerance in mapleleaf viburnum too. It's growing atop Laurel Hill in Chapel Hill (NC Botanical Garden) and that seems to have ironclad constitution, no matter the drought. It's sold at the Garden. The mapleleaf vib. growing in my FIL's yard seems to like more moisture.

There are what I believe to be pinxterflower azaleas growing on Laurel Hill too that are old; pinxterflower and Alabama azalea may be the best bets for native azaleas in dry locations. Perhaps Cumberland azalea too.

Carolina rose and American beautyberry are 2 others to consider. They grew very well in my parents yard and they live on top of a hill in the shade. Blueberries grow in conditions wet to dry, and sparkleberry is often found on wooded hilltops. There's some of that atop Laurel Hill too.

I was referring to Phlox stolonifera in my post (not maple-leaf viburnum). I should have known better not to define the subject. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks for the azalea recommendations. I have sparkleberry bushes in the side yard.

I am allergic to roses, plus I doubt I get enough sun, assuming that Carolina rose is a typical rose?

Carolina rose oftens grows at the edge of woods. If there's sufficient sun for azaleas there'd been enough sun for Carolina rose. It's pretty disease resistant. A once-bloomer, and fragrant -- strong scent of rose and lemon. In dry locations it stays low -- 1-2' in height -- but still suckers.

My phlox stolonifera spreads very nicely and needs no supplemental watering in light shade. For me it carpets, but doesn't seem to choke out other plants. I have had it for about 3 or 4 years now. In more sun or other more favorable conditions I suppose it could get aggressive, but I haven't seen that yet. -Ais.

Thanks, aisgecko! Sounds ideal.

The Carolina rose sounds interesting. I just don't know that much about my allergy. My mom always told me she was allergic to roses, and the ONE time I tried to sniff a rose, it bopped me in the upper lip, which then swelled to twice it's normal size. I really, really am interested in the type of rose that does well in coastal situations. I can't remember what it's called, but I think my MIL would be really impressed if I put some of those in for her in Wilmington.

Are you thinking of R. rugosa?

"Are you thinking of R. rugosa?"

That sounds familiar. Thanks.

It's the rose that grows all over the beaches up north, but also does well here. I have some rugosas in my garden (R. rugosa alba and Purple Pavement, as well as some seedlings) and I have been very pleased and even surprised by their performance.