Creating a beautiful and well-nurtured garden in North Dakota starts with choosing the right native plants for your landscape, like the hardy red osier dogwood and the vibrant wood lily. With the state’s cold winters and warm summers, figuring out which plants will thrive can be a bit of a puzzle.
Read on to discover some of the best native plants for your North Dakota landscape so you can make your garden flourish no matter where you live in the Peace Garden State.
North Dakota native trees
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Bur oaks are native, long-lived trees well adapted to North Dakota’s climate. They boast strong, robust branches that create a broad canopy and offer a lovely splash of golden brown color in the fall. They are perfect for spacious landscapes, and their deep taproot makes them a sturdy choice for windbreaks and soil stabilization on large properties.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Fertile loam, well-drained, most soils
Fragrance: No noticeable scent
Water needs: Moderate
Mature height: Above 45 feet
Potential hazards: Acorns contain tannins that may lead to stomach problems if eaten in excessive amounts by people.
Maintenance: Low. Oaks need little pruning when the site is carefully selected for mature size. Prune to ensure air circulation, maintain shape, and remove dead or damaged branches.
Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
Paper birch can be found in the Pembina George woodlands, as well as the hills of Killdeer and Turtle Mountains. Its striking white bark, which flakes off in delicate, papery layers, unveils a warm, orange-brown underneath. It is a great choice for adding both charm and shade to your landscape. Many people opt to grow them in clumps to create a visually stunning effect.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-7
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Well-drained, moist soils
Fragrance: No noticeable scent
Water needs: Moderate to high
Mature height: 25 to 45 feet
Potential hazards: No known hazards.
Maintenance: Low. Little pruning is needed, but if necessary, prune during the dormant season to avoid sap loss.
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Quaking aspen, also known as trembling aspen, is the most widely distributed tree in North America, renowned for its adaptability. Native to North Dakota, aspen clumps expand each year by producing suckers, forming clones. These deciduous trees are an excellent choice for quick-growing ornamental or shade trees. Their striking fall colors and unique leaf movement add dynamic beauty to any garden.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 1-6
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, moist soils
Fragrance: No noticeable scent
Water needs: Moderate
Mature height: More than 45 feet
Potential hazards: Pollen can cause allergy for people with respiratory conditions.
Maintenance: Low. Ensure regular watering during dry spells and occasional pruning to maintain health and shape.
North Dakota native shrubs
Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Creeping juniper is a popular ground cover native to western North Dakota, as well as Canada, Alaska, and parts of the northern United States. You can often find it in various rugged terrains, such as rocky outcrops, coastal cliffs, stony hillsides, prairies, and sand dunes, as it thrives in both rocky and sandy soils.
This plant is an excellent option for rock gardens and one of the best ideas for xeriscaping due to its low water and maintenance needs.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained sandy or rocky soils, but adapts to a variety of soil types as long as they’re well drained
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Woody, clean
Water needs: Low
Mature height: Less than 4 feet
Potential hazards: Its berries may be mildly toxic to humans if ingested.
Maintenance: Low. Pruning is generally unnecessary but can be done to control spread or shape the plant, preferably in late winter or early spring.
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
False indigo, a native legume to North Dakota and the Great Plains, is celebrated for its vibrant presence in gardens. Cultivated since 1724, it thrives in moist soils. Resembling a subshrub, it adds depth and texture to any landscape. It may experience cycles of dieback and regrowth, especially during dry spells.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Sun: Full sun, light shade
Soil: Moist soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Sweet, honey-like
Bloom time: June-August
Water needs: Moderate
Mature height: 4 to 12 feet
Potential hazards: It may contain alkaloids that can be poisonous to livestock.
Maintenance: Low. Prune in winter to late spring for compactness.
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Red osier dogwood is a medium to large shrub with a spreading, multi-stemmed growth habit. Its branches fan out from the base, with the bottom ones growing horizontally and naturally layering on the ground, giving it a full and bushy appearance. The shrub is known for its striking dark, blood-red bark, which provides vibrant winter color. It’s perfect for adding texture to your yard. Plant this deciduous shrub along streams or in rain gardens.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-7
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Well-drained moist soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Aromatic
Bloom time: May to June
Water needs: Moderate to high
Mature height: Greater than 7 feet
Potential hazards: No known hazards
Maintenance: Low. While pruning is not necessary, cutting older stems flush to the ground every two to three years in early spring enhances the shrub’s appearance and winter stem color.
North Dakota native wildflowers
Wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum)
Wood lily, a perennial wildflower native to much of North America, is found throughout the Midwest and East Coast. It thrives in diverse habitats ranging from dry woods to meadows and prairies. Its striking orange-red blooms herald the arrival of early to mid-summer. It adds a touch of natural beauty to native pollinator gardens or butterfly gardens when planted in small groups.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Sandy to loamy, moist and well drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: No noticeable scent
Bloom time: May to June
Water needs: Average
Mature height: 1 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic to cats
Maintenance: Low
Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
Blanketflower, a member of the sunflower family, graces gardens with its vibrant daisy-like flowers. It has a bright orange-red disk in the center and inch-long petals that are yellow at the tips and dark red at the base. Its flowers are a magnet for pollinators like bees and butterflies, while the seed heads attract birds. Its ability to tolerate drought and sandy soils makes it ideal for sunny garden beds, rock gardens, and grass-dominant yards.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Dry to moderately moist, well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: No noticeable scent
Bloom time: June to August
Water needs: Low to moderate
Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: No known hazards
Maintenance: Low. To encourage a fall bloom, trim back if flowering diminishes during the heat of summer.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susans have a brown or green center topped by bright yellow or orange petals. They start blooming in midsummer and can continue into mid-fall if you keep them deadheaded. These flowers flourish on banks, slopes, and naturalized areas. They are a perfect addition to your butterfly gardens, coastal gardens, and landscapes with native plants, especially if planted in small clusters along borders.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Dry to moist, well-drained soils
Duration: Biennial to short-lived perennial
Fragrance: Mildly sweet
Bloom time: June to September
Water needs: Low to moderate
Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: Not toxic, but skin contact may cause irritation.
Maintenance: Low. To encourage extended blooming, remove and discard spent flowers.
North Dakota native grasses
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
Blue grama is a perennial warm-season grass native to the central region of North America. It’s easily identified by its distinctive seed heads, which resemble human eyebrows. The bright green to blue-gray leaves and charming summer flower heads make it a visually appealing choice for various garden settings. During fall, you’ll see the grass transform into stunning shades of red, brown, and orange.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-10
Sun: Full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight each day)
Soil: Average dry to medium dry well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: No noticeable scent
Bloom time: July to October
Water needs: Low
Mature height: 1 to 2 feet
Potential hazards: No known hazards
Maintenance: Low. Cut back foliage to the ground in late winter.
Green needlegrass (Nassella viridula)
Green needlegrass is a native cool-season bunchgrass known for its fibrous roots, which can extend over 10 feet in ideal conditions. It is highly resistant to disease and predominantly found in the Northern Great Plains but extends down to Arizona.
This grass thrives in medium and fine-textured soils and is a great addition to landscapes due to its resilience and attractive texture. It grows well with other grasses like western wheatgrass and blue grama.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-6
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: No noticeable scent
Bloom time: Early June
Water needs: Low
Mature height: Up to 3 feet
Potential hazards: No known hazards
Maintenance: Low
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass is a tall, rhizomatous, perennial grass that often grows in large clumps. Primarily found in the tallgrass prairie of southeastern North Dakota, it thrives on sites with good moisture.
Its tall, dense growth provides excellent cover for wildlife, especially nesting birds. The grass remains upright through winter, offering winter cover as well. Ideal for naturalized areas and meadows, switchgrass also adds texture and contrast to gardens and landscapes.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Dry to poorly drained soils, ranging from sandy to clay loam
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: No known scent
Bloom time: July
Water needs: Moderate
Mature height: 3 to 5 feet
Potential hazards: May become weedy if not properly managed
Maintenance: Low. To keep weeds in check while establishing switchgrass, mow it in May to 4 inches or to 6 inches in June or July.
For a quick guide on the best grass types for your landscape, check out our article: “The Best Grass Seed for North Dakota Lawns.”
North Dakota native vines
Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana)
Virgin’s Bower is a vigorous climber that uses its clinging leaf stalks to ascend supports. It thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil and is one of the few vines that will flower in the shade.
Ideal for pollinator and shade gardens, as well as landscapes with native plants, this low-maintenance vine can climb up trellises or fences effortlessly. It is also ideal for creating natural screens or enhancing your garden. Note, however, that without support, it may spread across the ground and overshadow nearby shrubs in your landscape.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Medium to wet, well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Sweet
Bloom time: July to September
Water needs: Moderate
Mature height: 15 to 20 feet
Potential hazards: Flowers, leaves, and sap may be moderately toxic to humans and animals.
Maintenance: Low, but needs pruning to prevent it from covering nearby plants.
American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
American bittersweet is a fast-growing twining vine known for its vivid red berries and golden foliage in the autumn, making it a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts and decorators alike.
This vine gracefully wraps around structures and trees, and if left without support, it can spread along the ground, creating a shrub-like effect. You can plant American bittersweet on a sturdy trellis to create a natural screen or allow it to sprawl as a ground cover.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Sun: Full sun, dappled sunlight
Soil: Moist, well-drained sandy soil, but can grow in other soil types as long as not too wet
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: No noticeable scent
Bloom time: May to June
Water needs: Low to moderate
Mature height: 20 to 25 feet
Potential hazards: May cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures if eaten by humans, as all parts can be toxic
Maintenance: Moderate. If trimming is necessary, prune in late winter or early spring.
Pro Tip: Choosing plants tailored to North Dakota planting zones — whether trees, shrubs, flowers, or grasses — ensures they flourish. Make sure to check your local planting zone for a thriving, beautiful garden.
FAQ about North Dakota native plants
Where can I buy North Dakota native plants?
You can check these trusted suppliers for a diverse range of North Dakota native plants, including those highlighted in our list:
What are some edible North Dakota native plants?
North Dakota is home to several native plants that are not only beautiful but also edible. Here are some you can consider adding to your landscape:
- Bur oak: The acorns, once tannins are removed, can be ground into meal or flour.
- Juneberry: Can be eaten fresh, dried, or used in baked goods.
- Paper birch: The sap can be tapped in the spring and boiled into syrup, similar to maple syrup.
- Silver buffaloberry: Often used to make syrup, jelly, and wine.
- Yarrow: While not a commonly consumed food, the leaves and flowers are edible and can be used for potential health benefits.
Call a pro
While native plants are easier to care for compared to their non-native counterparts, they still need proper TLC to thrive.
Why not hire a North Dakota lawn care expert to handle the work? We can connect you with a lawn care pro in Fargo or in other cities in North Dakota, so you can sit back, relax, and watch your garden flourish without lifting a finger.
Main Image Credit: R.A. Nonenmarcher | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
