Nestled between the rugged Sierra Nevada and the vast Great Basin, Northern Nevada showcases an array of flora perfectly adapted to its diverse climate and soils. From vibrant wildflowers like Eaton’s firecracker to majestic white alders, Northern Nevada native plants for your landscape are a testament to nature’s ingenuity.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, incorporating South Dakota’s native plants can transform your yard, support local wildlife, and foster sustainability. By exploring the state’s botanical treasures, you can create a thriving, low-maintenance landscape that beautifully showcases the natural splendor of the Silver State.
Northern Nevada native flowers
Northern Nevada is not just a land of rugged beauty and sweeping desert landscapes; it’s also home to a stunning array of native flowers that can transform your garden into a vibrant haven. Picture your yard awash in the bright yellows of sunflowers or the crimson hues of Eaton’s firecracker. These native blooms are not just eye-catching; they thrive in Northern Nevada.
Learn how to create a butterfly garden with native flowers to add beauty and support local ecosystems in your Northern Nevada yard.
Common sunflower
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are annual plants known for their large, bright yellow flowers and tall stature, often reaching 8 feet or more. Blooming in summer and fall with reddish-brown centers and yellow petals, they thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. These visually striking flowers attract pollinators and provide edible seeds for both humans and wildlife.
Eaton’s firecracker
Eaton’s firecracker (Penstemon eatonii), also known as firecracker beardtongue, is a drought-tolerant perennial reaching up to 5 feet. It prefers sun but tolerates shade, blooming crimson tubular flowers on purple stalks from spring to fall. Thriving in dry, gravelly soil, it attracts hummingbirds and resists rabbits, making it a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape addition.
Tufted evening primrose
The tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa), a low-growing perennial native, produces fragrant white flowers from April to August. This hardy plant thrives in dry, sunny conditions, forming a rosette of narrow leaves that spreads up to 3 feet wide while reaching only 8 inches in height. Its evening-blooming flowers attract pollinators and add a touch of nocturnal beauty to your landscape.
Northern Nevada native shrubs
In Northern Nevada, native shrubs thrive where the high desert meets the mountains, adding year-round interest to your landscape. From the early spring blooms of the desert peach to the bumble bee-friendly Woods’ rose, native shrubs are key to sustainable landscaping. The natural beauty of the Silver State can come to life through these low-maintenance, eco-friendly plants.
Creeping snowberry
Creeping snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis) is a low-growing, about 1 1/2 feet tall, deciduous shrub ideal for ground cover in Northern Nevada landscapes. It features small, white to pink flowers that bloom from April to July, followed by white berries that persist into the winter. This plant thrives in well-drained soil and partial to full sun.
Creeping snowberry provides excellent habitat for wildlife, including birds that feed on its berries. It is also drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. Learn more about creating a waterwise yard with our xeriscaping guide for your lawn and garden.
Desert peach
The desert peach (Prunus andersonii) is a deciduous shrub in the rose family, typically 3 to 6 feet tall, with short, stiff branches. Its best features are its beautiful pink flowers that bloom from March to June in clusters, followed by brownish heart-shaped fruits. The fruit of the desert peach is considered a delicacy.
This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soils. The desert peach is also drought-tolerant and provides valuable habitat and food for local wildlife.
Woods’ rose
Woods’ rose (Rosa woodsii) is a hardy, deciduous shrub that typically grows 4 feet tall. It features beautiful white or pink flowers that bloom May to July, followed by red hips that persist into the winter. This plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Woods’ rose is drought-tolerant and provides an excellent habitat for wildlife, including bumble bees, birds, and small mammals that feed on its hips. However, it does have thorns.
Northern Nevada native trees
Northern Nevada’s native trees are diverse and resilient. From the Sierra Nevada’s eastern slopes to the Great Basin, these trees offer sustainable, low-maintenance solutions for adding shade, structure, or seasonal color to your landscape. Notable species like the California buckeye and white alder can transform your outdoor space into a verdant oasis.
Trees provide shade, enhance your yard’s appearance, benefit animals, improve air quality, and increase your home’s value. Check out our guide on how to transplant a tree to find out more before adding a tree to your Silver State yard.
California buckeye
According to the Lahontan Audubon Society, the California buckeye (Aesculus californica) is native to Northern Nevada. This deciduous tree is known for its silver bark and showy white to pale pink flowers that bloom from May to July. Growing 10 to 40 feet tall, it thrives in poor, dry soils and can tolerate drought, entering summer dormancy during extreme dryness. Its large fruits are toxic.
Saskatoon service-berry
A deciduous shrub or small tree, the Saskatoon service-berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) may grow up to 18 feet high. It features clusters of fragrant white flowers that bloom in spring, followed by sweet, edible purple-black berries that attract birds and other wildlife. As summer turns to fall, the leaves turn yellow to reddish.
Serviceberry thrives in well-drained soil, tolerates full sun to part shade, and is drought-tolerant once established.
White alder
The white alder (Alnus rhombifolia) is a deciduous tree that typically grows up to 75 feet tall. It is known for its smooth, gray bark and dense, rounded canopy. This deciduous tree is resistant to disease and temperature extremes. It thrives in moist to wet soils and partial shade. The white alder also improves soil health through nitrogen fixation.
Northern Nevada native grasses
In Northern Nevada, native grasses enhance the landscape, adding texture, movement, and wild beauty. Perfectly adapted to this region, grasses like bluebunch fescue, deergrass, and purple threeawn thrive with minimal water and maintenance. These grasses bring a touch of the local wilderness into your backyard.
Bluebunch fescue
Northern Nevada is home to bluebunch fescue (Festuca idahoensis), also known as Idaho fescue or bunchgrass fescue. This perennial cool-season bunchgrass is recognized for its fine-textured, blue-green foliage. It grows in clumps that can reach up to 2 1/2 feet in height and prefers rocky soils and full sun.
Bluebunch fescue grass can prevent soil erosion, and its delicate, arching leaves add a graceful element to any landscape.
Deergrass
Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) is a perennial bunchgrass native to Northern Nevada. It grows in dense clumps, reaching 3 by 4 feet, with narrow, arching leaves that create a graceful, fountain-like appearance. This grass is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun and seasonally wet to dry soils.
Deergrass is excellent for erosion control and provides food and habitat for birds and other wildlife, but is highly deer-resistant.
Purple threeawn
Northern Nevada is home to purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea), a perennial bunchgrass. It grows 12 to 20 inches tall and features narrow, purple-tinged leaves and distinctive, three-awned seed heads that add unique texture to the landscape. This grass is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in dry, rocky soils with full sun exposure.
Purple threeawn is excellent for erosion control and provides habitat and nesting materials for local wildlife.
What to read next
For those interested in Northern Nevada’s native plants and sustainable landscaping, we offer guides on planting zones, ideal grasses, and lawn maintenance. Explore these to enhance your Northern Nevada landscape:
- Nevada Planting Zones
- The Best Grass for Northern Nevada
- The Best Grass for Nevada Lawns
- Lawn Watering Days in Reno
FAQ: Northern Nevada native plants
How do I choose the best native plants for my Nevada landscape?
Consider your particular location (Northern or Southern Nevada), the local climate, the quality of the soil, and the particular requirements of your garden when selecting native plants for your Nevada landscape.
For more advice, look up native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses that grow well in your region. You can also speak with local landscaping professionals or consult your county’s Cooperative Extension resources. (Find the county office nearest you to speak with an Extension agent.)
Why should I use native Northern Nevada plants in my landscape?
There are several compelling reasons you should grow native plants in your Northern Nevada landscape, including:
- Drought tolerance and reduced water consumption
- Adaptability to high desert climate extremes
- Lower maintenance requirements
- Support for local pollinators and wildlife
- Preservation of Northern Nevada’s unique ecological heritage
Heidi Kratsch, professor and state specialist at the University of Nevada, Reno, agrees:
“Planting a diversity of native plants in your yard is critical to attracting … pollinators and other native wildlife, with the goal of providing habitat and respite for [their] continued survival… Native plants can also help us to conserve water at a time when temperatures are rising and water is becoming more and more valuable.”
Where can I buy native plants in Northern Nevada?
Native plants can be purchased from local nurseries, garden centers, and online retailers specializing in native species. The State Conservation Nurseries Program also offers information on plant sales and native plant nurseries. It’s important to ensure that the plants or seeds you buy are sourced responsibly to avoid introducing invasive species.
When to call a pro
If you’re unsure about selecting or maintaining native plants in your garden, it’s a good idea to consult a professional landscaper. These experts can provide valuable advice and guidance on the best native plants for your specific region and how to care for them throughout the year.
For personalized assistance, you can contact Lawn Love to find local lawn care pros who specialize in native plant landscaping near you. Get the best lawn care service in Reno, Sparks, and other northern Nevada cities.
Main Image Credit: David Baron | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.0
