Creating a landscape with Nevada native plants reduces water usage, requires less maintenance, and supports local wildlife. This guide introduces native plants for your Nevada landscape, including trees like Utah juniper and desert plants like purple sage.
Transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, sustainable, and resilient refuge showcasing Nevada’s natural beauty.
For native Nevada plants specific to your region, check out our guides:
Nevada native trees
Trees are essential for any landscape, offering shade, structure, and habitats for wildlife. Native Nevada trees like Utah juniper, Rocky Mountain maple, and Western redbud are perfect for local landscapes due to their climate and soil adaptability.
Planting trees enhances your yard’s appearance, increases home value, provides shade, supports wildlife, and improves air quality. Check out our guide on how to transplant a tree to learn how to add one to your yard.
Utah Juniper
Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) is a native evergreen with a bushy crown and deep roots. Typically under 30 feet tall, it can live up to 650 years. This resilient tree features scale-like leaves, gray-reddish bark, and berry-like cones that provide food for wildlife. Birds often use it for nesting. Utah juniper thrives in gravelly loam soils.
Rocky Mountain maple
The Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum) is a versatile, shade-tolerant tree adaptable to various soils. It boasts colorful fall foliage, spring flowers, and winged seeds. Typically 5 to 7 feet tall (though it may grow up to 25 feet), this low-maintenance tree thrives in understory settings. Its adaptability and appeal to wildlife make it a favorite among homeowners.
Western redbud
The western redbud (Cercis orbiculata) boasts vibrant pink spring flowers and yellow fall leaves. Also called California redbud, it grows 10 to 15 feet tall, attracting pollinators and birds. This low-maintenance, cold-hardy tree sports rounded or heart-shaped leaves and thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. It is ideal for borders or front yards.
Nevada native shrubs
From Las Vegas to Mountain City, native shrubs are a fantastic choice for any Nevada landscape. They add structure, year-round interest, and essential habitats for local wildlife. Picture your yard with vibrant red-osier dogwoods, fragrant grape soda lupines, and edible blue elderberry shrubs.
Red-osier dogwood
The red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a medium-sized shrub renowned for its vibrant red stems and white spring flowers. Reaching heights of 6 to 12 feet, it blooms from June to August, producing berries that attract wildlife. This adaptable shrub thrives in various light and moisture conditions. For optimal growth, mulch around the trunk.
Grape soda lupine
Grape soda lupine (Lupinus excubitus var. excubitus) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub named for its grape soda scent. It produces abundant purple flowers from May to July, adding vibrant color to landscapes. Thriving in well-draining soils with full to partial sun, it’s drought-tolerant and can withstand temperatures down to 15 Fahrenheit.
Blue elderberry
This deciduous shrub has dark green serrated leaves that turn yellow as fall approaches. Blue elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea) grows 5 to 10 feet high. It produces flat clusters of tiny white flowers and dark blue berries. It grows rapidly in semi-moist, sunny or partly shaded areas and will regrow even if cut or burned. The growth dies back in winter and should be pruned in spring.
Nevada native desert plants
Desert plants are perfectly suited to flourish in Nevada’s rugged, arid environments. With their own adaptations, plants like purple sage, common yarrow, and desert globemallow thrive under extreme heat, minimal rainfall, and poor soil conditions. By incorporating these native desert plants into your landscape, you can elevate its natural beauty that mirrors Nevada’s wild charm.
Native plants can liven up small spaces and save water. Read our guide on drought-resistant landscaping ideas for Las Vegas for more info.
Purple sage
Purple sage (Salvia dorrii) is a hardy desert plant ideal for xeriscaping. It thrives in well-drained soil with dry summers. Native to areas east of the Sierra Nevada and in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, it grows in dry, rocky terrain. Known for its aromatic leaves and purple flowers that attract pollinators, this drought-tolerant plant requires minimal care once established.
Common yarrow
An enchanting nectar-rich plant, common yarrow’s (Achillea millefolium) white blossoms attract pollinators. Thriving in full sun, it adapts to various Nevada soils and requires minimal water once established. This drought-tolerant plant blooms in spring and summer and has low maintenance needs. While versatile for crafts and dried arrangements, it is toxic to pets.
Desert globemallow
Desert globemallows (Sphaeralcea ambigua) feature cup-shaped flowers in orange, pink, white, or purple hues. These hardy plants bloom from early spring to late fall, providing long-lasting color. With fuzzy stems and compact growth up to 3 feet tall, globemallows can self-seed in favorable conditions, creating colorful landscape carpets.
Nevada native flowers
Native flowers add a burst of color and ecological perks to your Nevada landscape. Think sticky purple geraniums, Rocky Mountain penstemon, and desert marigolds — these tough, low-maintenance beauties are perfect for local yards. Bringing these native blooms into your garden is a win-win for your outdoor space and Nevada’s ecosystem.
Butterfly gardens are a fantastic way to support local ecosystems. Learn how to create a butterfly garden with native flowers.
Sticky purple geranium
This sticky-stemmed wild geranium (Geranium viscosissimum) is an excellent low-maintenance landscaping choice. It attracts pollinators, deters pests, and enhances soil health.
A drought-tolerant perennial, sticky purple geranium features pinkish-lavender to purple-magenta flowers, blooming April to September. Growing up to 3 feet tall, it adapts to various sun conditions but prefers moist soil.
Rocky Mountain penstemon
Rocky Mountain beardtongue (Penstemon strictus) is a pollinator-friendly perennial boasting vibrant blue-purple blooms. While it can tolerate heavy soils, it thrives in dry, well-drained conditions. This hardy plant grows up to 3 feet tall and is well-suited for Northern Nevada gardens. It flourishes in partial shade with minimal water.
Desert marigold
Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) is a hardy perennial with silver foliage and bright yellow blooms from spring to fall. Sun-loving and drought-resistant, it grows 6 to 18 inches tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. This butterfly-attracting plant thrives in full to partial sun and is sensitive to overwatering. Prune in late winter for best results.
Planning to convert your garden into a water-wise landscape? Check out our xeriscaping guide for your lawn and garden.
Nevada native grasses
Whether you’re in the bustling suburbs of Las Vegas or the serene expanses of the Great Basin, these native grasses will thrive in and enhance your outdoor space. Native grasses like blue grama, buffalograss, Indian ricegrass, and Great Basin rye are the unsung heroes of any Nevada landscape. They provide essential ground cover, reduce erosion, and support local ecosystems.
Blue grama
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a fast-growing, low-maintenance grass with blue-green foliage and cream to purple-red flowerheads. It thrives in full sun with minimal water. The grass turns tan in winter, may reseed, and attracts birds. Cut to 2 to 3 inches in late winter for fresh growth in spring. It prefers well-drained soils, including sand, clay, loam, and rocky.
Buffalograss
Native to Nevada, buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) is renowned for its low water and fertilizer requirements and strong resistance to drought. It grows best in direct sunlight and is not very wear-tolerant. Buffalograss tolerates little shade, severe drought, and foot activity. It spreads by stolons.
Weed care is necessary, especially as it is becoming established, although minimal fertilizer and mowing are needed in mature lawns. Native clay soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 work best for it.
For more information on turfgrass options, peruse this article: “The Best Grass for Nevada Lawns.” The information here will help you create a beautiful and sustainable Nevada landscape.
Indian ricegrass
This perennial bunchgrass has green leaves and white seed heads. Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) grows well in sandy areas, providing food in dry areas. Its deep roots help keep the soil in place and prevent erosion. It has low water needs and thrives in sunny areas and dry, sandy, or rocky soils. It’s also good to use for a natural, beach-like look.
Great Basin rye
Great Basin wild rye (Leymus cinereus), a native bunch grass, grows up to 6 feet tall in the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada. Its green blades and blue-green flowers make it visually striking. This drought- and fire-resistant plant quickly replaces damaged foliage, providing valuable forage and cover for wildlife such as mule deer, pronghorns, and various bird species.
Nevada native ground covers
Native Nevada ground covers are ideal for a low-maintenance, resilient landscape and can serve as excellent grass alternatives for traditional lawns. Ground covers like creeping barberry and dwarf yarrow thrive in Nevada’s climate and soil, adding beauty and resilience to your yard. Imagine your landscape flourishing with the rugged charm of Nevada itself.
Creeping barberry
Creeping barberry (Mahonia repens) is a low-growing evergreen with yellow flowers and purple fruit. Ideal groundcover for shaded areas in eastern Nevada, it grows 1 to 3 feet tall and prefers rich soil, but dislikes heat and drying winds. It also attracts pollinators and birds with its blooms and berries.
Dwarf yarrow
Featuring compact growth and fern-like foliage, dwarf yarrow (Achillea millefolium ‘Rosea’) is a drought-tolerant perennial. Its pink flowers bloom from June to September, making it ideal for rock gardens or borders. This versatile plant attracts butterflies, resists deer and rabbits, and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Dwarf yarrow enhances Nevada landscapes with its beauty and practicality.
FAQ
What are the benefits of using native Nevada plants in my landscape?
There are numerous reasons to grow native plants in your Nevada landscape, including:
- Reduced water usage
- Lower maintenance requirements
- Increased support for local wildlife
How do I choose the right native plants for my Nevada landscape?
When choosing native plants for your Nevada landscape, consider your specific region (Northern or Southern Nevada), the local climate, soil conditions, and the specific needs of your garden. Research native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses that thrive in your area and consult local landscaping experts or resources for additional guidance.
Check out our guide on Nevada planting zones for more information.
Where can I buy native Nevada plants?
Homeowners in Nevada can find native plants through the State Conservation Nurseries Program. This includes sources for plants native or adapted to the Mojave Desert, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada regions.
- Las Vegas Tree Nursery
- Washoe State Tree Nursery
- Nevada Seedbank
- Elko Tree Sales
- Custom Growing Services
Remember, it’s important to buy native plants from reputable suppliers rather than trying to collect seeds or plants from the wild.
According to Heidi Kratsch, professor and state specialist at the University of Nevada, Reno, ”It is illegal to collect native plants or their seeds from native areas without a permit, so I encourage gardeners to contact their local nurseries to find out what is available. If local access is not available, there are online sources to purchase native plants.”
When to call a pro
While creating a landscape with native Nevada plants can be a rewarding DIY project, there are times when calling a professional is advisable. Think about asking an expert if you are unsure about picking plants, need help with design, have difficult soil, or want to make sure you water and care for your plants correctly.
Whether you’re in Northern or Southern Nevada, contact Lawn Love for lawn care pros near you to help you create your dream landscape.
Main Photo Credit: Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. John Anderson | Adobe Stock Free | License
