- Grasses<\/a><\/li>
- Trees<\/a><\/li>
- Shrubs<\/a><\/li>
- Flowers<\/a><\/li>
- Groundcovers<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Grasses<\/span><\/h2>
These high-performing grasses require little to no care even during drought.<\/p>
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/52308944578_9172c949a2_c-1.jpg\")
Joshua Mayer<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> With its silvery-blue stems and leaves, little bluestem adds a nice and subtle shine to your yard. It is drought-resistant once established and easy to care for throughout its life. Good tolerance to dry conditions comes from little bluestem<\/a>\u2019s deep and extensive root system that allows it to soak up water from deeper levels and do well on poor sites. <\/p>
The grass bears small, fluffy, silver or white seed heads that are of great value to small birds in winter. Flowers bloom from late summer to early fall, adding interest to your landscape as most garden plants are beginning to fade. <\/p>
You can also utilize little bluestem for erosion control. Another plus for this Minnesota native is that it attracts songbirds, bees, and butterflies to your landscape. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun and part shade<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Well-drained soil. Sandy, sandy loam, clay loam, clay, limestone-based<\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low <\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>3 to 9<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>1 to 3 feet <\/li> <\/ul>
Switchgrass (Panicum virhatum)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Switchgrass.jpg\")
Matt Lavin<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Also known as the tall panic grass, switchgrass is a resilient summer perennial that\u2019s adapted to a variety of Minnesota soils. Its tall, upright stems and narrow, blue-green leaves that turn golden in the fall make it a popular ornamental grass for Minnesota homeowners. <\/p>
Switchgrass<\/a> produces open panicles of small flowers from late summer to fall, bringing a nice purple hue to your yard. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun and partial shade<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Moist but well-drained soil. Clay, clay loam, loam <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>5 to 9<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>3 to 7 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/52281964899_5c177172f1_c-1.jpg\")
Pam Morgan<\/a> | Flickr | CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This low-maintenance grass is a popular Minnesota prairie plant and flaunts its low, fountain-like appearance in landscapes all across the state. It has long, narrow, beautiful green leaves forming attractive round tufts, tan flowers, and a delicious coriander or buttered popcorn-like fragrance. <\/p>
Developing a deep root system, prairie dropseed<\/a> not only does well in drought but also prevents soil erosion by improving soil structure. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Moist but well-drained soil. Chalk, clay, loam <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>3 to 9 <\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>2 to 3 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Trees<\/span><\/h2>
Trees make up a very significant part of a landscape. These trees stand up well to drought in Minnesota.<\/p>
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) <\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"Bur](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51278966190_9c80f7087a_c-1.jpg\")
James St. John<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Tolerant of a variety of soil types, including dry, clay, and compacted soil, bur oak<\/a> is a magnificent shade tree that forms a wide canopy. It produces acorns that make a food source for wildlife, attracting birds and cute little mammals to your landscape. <\/p>
It\u2019s a deciduous tree with leathery, dark green leaves that turn into beautiful hues of yellow and golden brown in the fall. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Well-drained. Chalk, sand, clay, loam <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>3 to 9 <\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>60 to 80 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"White](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/blossoms-737061_1280-1.jpg\")
Hans<\/a> | Pixabay | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> A long-living and fast-growing tree, honeylocust<\/a> gets its name from its nectar-rich flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Later in the summer, these flowers expose long, twisted, reddish brown seed pods that contain a honey-like, sweet pulp.<\/p>
It\u2019s tolerant of wind, heat, drought, and salt, and grows up to be a huge, wide tree. The best part? You won\u2019t need routine pruning, only remove the damaged, diseased, or crossing shoots. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Moist but well-drained. Chalk, sand, clay, loam <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>3 to 8<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>60 to 80 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"Hackberry](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/30615779208_d6fff77656_c-1.jpg\")
Andrey Zharkikh<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Also known as common hackberry, this medium to large deciduous tree is tough, sturdy, and grows into an attractive pyramidal shape. Its open, spreading crown widens as it ages while the ascending, arching branches are covered with glossy to dull green leaves. <\/p>
You will see greenish flowers appear in clusters during spring that offer nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Common hackberry<\/a> makes a tough shade tree but may be susceptible to ice damage. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Organically rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Chalk, sand, loam <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>2 to 9 <\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>40 to 60 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Serviceberry (Amelanchier)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"White](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/18690600941_8f4a70500f_c.jpg\")
R. D. Barry<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This is a small deciduous tree or shrub that\u2019s famous for its stunning seasonal changes. Prized for its star-shaped white spring flowers, edible purple fruit, and beautiful autumn foliage, serviceberry is a delight for the eyes. <\/p>
Serviceberry<\/a> fits really well into landscapes as specimen plants, in shrub borders, in small groupings, or even as informal hedges or screens. Its wood is known for strength and is traditionally used in tool-making too. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Moist but well-drained soil. Clay, sand, loam <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>2 to 9 <\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>3 to 30 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Shrubs<\/span><\/h2>
These shrubs tolerate drought well and naturally occur in Minnesota.<\/p>
Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) <\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"white](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Physocarpus-opulifolius-1.jpg\")
Eric Hunt<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This fast-growing, spreading, upright, deciduous shrub develops an exquisite fountain shape and bears a profuse creamy-white flower with a delicate pink tinge here and there. After clusters of flowers in the spring come drooping clusters of red fruit in the fall.<\/p>
The blooms attract pollinators and insects in the season but you don\u2019t need to worry about insects or disease with Ninebark<\/a>, it resists both. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun and part shade<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Moist but well-drained soil. Clay, sand, loam <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>2 to 8 <\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>5 se 8 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) <\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/10029864016_8403f20fa8_c-1.jpg\")
Alvin Kho<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Also called the Velvet sumac for its velvety reddish-brown branchlets and spectacular fall foliage and showy fruit, Staghorn sumac<\/a> is a great addition to any landscape. Not only for the looks, but it\u2019s a beacon for a variety of birds including Blue Jay, Northern Mockingbird, and American Goldfinch. <\/p>
It\u2019s generally pest- and disease-free, fast-growing, and shows excellent drought tolerance. Note that sumac may spread aggressively by root suckers to form extensive thickets. However, the shrub is very effective for erosion control on slopes or in drifts and colonies. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Moist but well-drained soil. Clay, sand, loam, sand <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>3 to 8 <\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>15 to 25 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Flowers<\/span><\/h2>
Who says a low-maintenance garden can’t have some colorful flowers? These flowers do fine with minimal water.<\/p>
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) <\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"Several](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2682011655_830dc4254e_c-1.jpg\")
normanack<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Popular for its showy, long-lasting, daisy-like, purple flowers, this outstanding herbaceous perennial is an easy-care addition to any kind of landscape. The nectar-rich flowers sit atop erect, strong stems clad with coarse, dark-green, lance-shaped leaves and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.<\/p>
Echinacea purpurea<\/a> also shows impressive tolerance to heat, drought, humidity, and poor soils. Its flowers are used for herbal teas and are reported to strengthen the immune system. <\/p>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun <\/li>
- Preferred soil conditions: <\/strong>Well-drained soil. Clay, sand, loam <\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Hardiness zone: <\/strong>3 to 8 <\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>2 to 5 feet<\/li> <\/ul>
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) <\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"grouping](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_2704732633_7200e5a974_c.jpg\")
Jim, the Photographe<\/a>r | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> - Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun <\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun and part shade<\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun and partial shade<\/li>
- Sun exposure: <\/strong>Full sun and part shade<\/li>
- Trees<\/a><\/li>