Native Plants for Home Landscaping in USDA Zone 4
With many homeowners still struggling to remove the Japanese import buckthorn (Rhamnus) from their property, the idea of planting non-invasive, native plants is very appealing. Natives are also adapted to Minnesota’s often-difficult climate and soil conditions. This is not an exhaustive list, but these plants are readily available and suitable in home landscapes.
CONIFERS
Picea glauca (White Spruce)
Tsuga canadensis (Canadian Hemlock)
Abies balsamea (Balsam Fir)
Pinus strobus (White Pine)
Juniperus virginiana (Juniper)
Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae)
DECIDUOUS TREES
Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)
Betula nigra (River Birch)
Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch)
Carpinus caroliniana (Blue Beech)
Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry)
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honeylocust)
Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky Coffeetree)
Populus tremuloides (Quaking Poplar)
Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak)
Quercus ellipsoidalis (Pin Oak)
Quercus macrocarpa (Burr Oak)
Quercus rubra (Red Oak)
Tilia americana (Basswood)
SHRUBS
Amelanchier (Serviceberry)
Cornus (Dogwood)
Diervilla (Bush Honeysuckle)
Physocarpus (Ninebark)
Rhus glabra (Sumac)
Salix discolor (Pussy Willow)
Symphoricarpos (Snowberry)
Viburnum lentago (Nannyberry Viburnum)
Viburnum trilobum (Highbush Cranberry)
PERENNIALS
Actaea (Bugbane)
Achillea (Yarrow)
Anemone
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Asclepias (Butterfly Weed)
Asarum (Wild Ginger)
Aster
Baptisia (False Indigo)
Coreopsis
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed)
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Helianthus (Perennial Sunflower)
Liatris (Blazing Star)
Lilium (Lily)
Lobelia (Cardinal Flower)
Lupinus (Lupine)
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Oenothera (Evening Primrose, Sundrops)
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Phlox
Polemonium (Jacob’s Ladder)
Polygonatum (Solomon’s Seal)
Solidago (Goldenrod)
Veronicastrum (Culver’s Root)
Viola
FERNS
Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich)
Osmunda claytoniana (Interrupted)
GRASSES
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparius (Little Bluestem)
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Being a native plant does not mean that these plants will do well in every location in a yard. Some are sun lovers, while others prefer shade. Some like a wetter location and others will do poorly in wet soil. And don’t forget that many non-native plants have been here for a very long time and have adapted to Minnesota’s climate and soil, thriving in landscapes throughout USDA Zone 4.
Prepared by Barbara Whipple, Dundee Nursery
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