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Native Plant List for North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Minnesota

Last updated: September 5, 2026

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This is a "starter" list of native plants for North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Minnesota. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.

North Dakota, South Dakota & Western Minnesota Trees

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Box Elder Acer negundo F W 30–75 ft Can spread very quickly. Often has several trunks.
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum P-S W-A 60–120 ft Great fall color. Shade-tol. Source of sap for syrup.
Paper Birch Betula papyrifera F W-A 50–75 ft White bark can peel off in sheets when mature.
Hackberry Celtis occidentalis F W-A 60–100 ft Unique stucco-like bark. Excellent for wildlife.
Red-osier Dogwood Cornus sericea F-P W 3–19 ft Small white flowers & fruit. Survives extreme cold.
Downy Hawthorn Crataegus mollis F-P W-D 35–50 ft White flowrs, red edible fruit. Thorny branches.
Fleshy Hawthorn Crataegus succulenta F-P A-W 13-26 ft Most wide-ranging US hawthorn; thorny thicket shrub, red fleshy fruit
Black Ash Fraxinus nigra F-P W 40-60 ft Swamp tree; Critically Endangered due to emerald ash borer
Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica F W-D 50–75 ft Gold-yellow in early autumn. Food for wildlife.
Black Walnut Juglans nigra F W-A 100–125 ft Deciduous. Edible nuts.
Ironwood Ostrya virginiana P-S A-D 30–50 ft Understory hardwood tree. Seed for wildlife.
Eastern Cottonwood Populus deltoides F W 100 ft Silvery white bark. Leaves are food for caterpillars.
Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides F W-A 35–50 ft Leaves "quake"/tremble in wind. Yellow in fall.
Wild Plum Prunus americana F-P A-D 20–35 ft Edible red plums. White flowrs w/unpleasant odor.
Mexican Plum Prunus mexicana F-P A-D 15-25 ft Fragrant early white bloom; exfoliating bark; plums feed wildlife
Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa F W-D 80–100 ft Fast-growing. Large acorns. Long-lived.
Basswood Tilia americana P W-A 60–125 ft Grey bark, reddish twigs. Great for wildlife.
Slippery Elm Ulmus rubra F-P A 40-60 ft Fast shade tree; mucilaginous inner bark; some Dutch elm disease risk
Nannyberry Viburnum lentago F-P W-A 18 ft Cream/white flowers, multi-colored fruit, fall colr.

North Dakota, South Dakota & Western Minnesota Shrubs

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Leadplant Amorpha canescens F A-D 12–36 in Purple flowers, deciduous, blooms June-July.
Kinnikinnik Arctostaphylos uva-ursi F-P A-D 4–6 ft White-pink flowers April-May, evergreen, red berries.
Shadscale Atriplex confertifolia F A-D 1-3 ft Spiny gray shrub; extreme drought/salt tolerance, winter browse
Bog Birch Betula pumila F-P W 2-10 ft Wetland obligate shrub; calcareous fens & bogs; not for dry sites
Gray Dogwood Cornus racemosa F-P W-D 12–16 ft White flowers May-June, deciduous.
Red-osier Dogwood Cornus sericea F-P W 6–12 ft White flwrs May-June, white berries, fall colr, red twigs.
American Hazelnut Corylus americana P A-D 6–12 ft Deciduous. Fall color.
Juniper Juniperus communis F A-D 3–6 ft Evergreen. Tolerates poor soil. Berry-like cones.
Creeping Juniper Juniperus horizontalis F-S A-D 12–36 in Evergreen. Good ground cover.
Mountain Ninebark Physocarpus monogynus P A-D 2–4 ft Rocky-slope shrub with shreddy bark; part sun to part shade
Potentilla Potentilla fruticosa F W-D 3–4 ft Yellow flowers June-September. Deciduous.
Chokecherry Prunus virginiana F-S A-D 30–50 ft White flowers April-May, deciduous, dark-purple fruit.
Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra S D 10–20 ft Deciduous, fall color, persistent berries.
Wax currant Ribes cereum F-P A-D 2–6 ft Spineless, very drought-tolerant; pink flowers, orange-red berries
Early Wild Rose Rosa blanda S D 2–5 ft Pink flowers June-Augus, deciduous.
Black Raspberry Rubus occidentalis F-P A 3-6 ft Fast-spreading edge bramble; cut spent canes after fruiting
Pussy Willow Salix discolor F W-A 15–30 ft Deciduous. Furry catkins.
Elderberry Sambucus canadensis F-S W-D 10–12 ft White flowers June-July, deciduous, blue-black berries.
Three-Toothed Cinquefoil Sibbaldiopsis tridentata F-P A-D 2-6 in Evergreen mat for rocky, lean soil; rare/high-elev only south of VA
Meadow Sweet Spiraea alba F W 3–6 ft White flowers June-August, deciduous, fall color.
Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus S A-D 2–5 ft Deciduous, white berries.
Nannyberry Viburnum lentago P D 20–25 ft White flwrs May, deciduous, persistent berries, fall colr.
High-bush Cranberry Viburnum trilobum S A 6–15 ft White flwrs May-June, deciduous, red berries, fall colr.

North Dakota, South Dakota & Western Minnesota Flowering Perennials

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Prairie Sand Verbena Abronia fragrans F D 8–40 in Fragrant evening white blooms; deep taproot, sandy soil
Columbian Monkshood Aconitum columbianum F-P W-A 2–6 ft Highly toxic (aconitine), all parts; wet meadows/stream banks only
Red Baneberry Actaea rubra P-S A 12–24 in White flowers Apr-June, white berries.
Lavender Hyssop / Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum F-P D-A 2-4 ft Fragrant, long-blooming prairie native; superb bee and butterfly plant
White Snakeroot Ageratina altissima P-S A-W 1-4 ft Toxic woodland perennial; part shade, moist soil; spreads by rhizome
Wild Garlic Allium canadense F A 8–18 in Pink-lavender flowers May-June. Native SD/MN; ND status differs among sources—verify locally.
Nodding Wild Onion Allium cernuum F-P A-D 8–20 in Dry soil; nodding white-pink summer flowers; deer resistant
Canada Anemone Anemone canadensis F-P A 12–24 in White flowers Apr-June.
Thimbleweed Anemone cylindrica F-P A-D 12–24 in Pale flowers in summer; distinctive elongated woolly seedheads.
Field Pussytoes Antennaria neglecta F-P D-A 2–12 in Drought-tolerant mat-forming groundcover; host plant for American lady
Rosy Pussytoes Antennaria rosea F A-D 2-4 in (stems to 12 in) Mat-forming silver groundcover; rose-pink blooms; host plant
Pussytoes Antennaria spp. F D 2–12 in White flowers May. Good groundcover.
Mountain Death Camas Anticlea elegans F-P A-D 1-2.5 ft HIGHLY TOXIC bulb/foliage; do not confuse with edible Camassia
Columbine Aquilegia canadensis P-S A 12–24 in Red & yellow flowers May-June.
Wild Sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis P-S A 1-2 ft Rhizomatous woodland ground cover; white umbels, dark berries
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum P A 12–24 in Green flowers May-June, red berries.
Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata F-P W-A 2–4 ft Reddish-purple flowers June-Aug.
Showy Milkweed Asclepias speciosa F-P A-D 2-4 ft Monarch host plant; toxic sap; spreads by rhizome
Whorled Milkweed Asclepias verticillata F A-D 12–36 in White flowers July.
Heath Aster Aster ericoides F A-D 12–36 in White flowers Sept-Oct.
Smooth Aster Aster laevis F A 24–36 in Lavender flowers Aug-Oct.
New England Aster Aster novae-angliae F-P W-A up to 6 ft Lavender-pink flowers Aug-frost.
Sego lily Calochortus nuttallii F D 6–18 in Utah's state flower; bulb goes dormant through dry summers
Harebell Campanula rotundifolia P A-D 4–15 in Lavender flowers June-Sept.
Downy Paintbrush Castilleja sessiliflora F D 4–16 in Pale pink/cream bracts; hemiparasitic, needs a host grass/shrub nearby
Water Hemlock Cicuta maculata F-P W 3-6 ft Extremely toxic; wetlands/ditches only, not for gardens
Prairie Larkspur Delphinium virescens F A-D 1–4 ft White w/purple flowers June-July.
Tick-trefoil Desmodium canadense F-P A 2–6 ft Pink flowers June-Sept.
Hoary Tansyaster Dieteria canescens F D 0.5-2 ft Bushy gray-hairy wildflower; purple fall rays, very drought tolerant
Fireweed Epilobium angustifolium F A 3–6 ft Pink-lavender flowers June-Aug.
White Trout Lily Erythronium albidum P-S A 4–10 in Spring ephemeral; slow to establish, never dig from the wild
Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum F-S W-A 3–6 ft White flowers June-Aug.
Grass-leaved Goldenrod Euthamia graminifolia F W-A 1–4 ft Yellow flowers July-Sept.
Wild Strawberry Fragaria virginiana F-P A-D 3–6 ft White flowers May, ground cover, edible fruit.
Sweet-scented Bedstraw Galium triflorum P-S A 6-24 in trailing groundcover Fragrant shade groundcover for rich, consistently moist soil
Bottle Gentian Gentiana andrewsii F-S A 12–24 in Purple flowers Aug-frost.
Northern Gentian Gentianella amarella F-P W-A 4–16 in Fringed purple autumn flowers; wet mountain meadows & fens
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum S-P A 12–36 in Pink flowers April-July.
Richardson's Geranium Geranium richardsonii P A 1–3 ft White purple-veined flowers; aspen groves & moist mountain meadows
Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum F-P W-D 6–18 in Red flwrs April-May. Pink seed plumes. Ground cover.
Dakota Mock Vervain Glandularia bipinnatifida F-P D-A 6–12 in Great Plains native; long-blooming; pink-purple mat
Common Sneezeweed Helenium autumnale F W 2–5 ft Yellow flowers Aug-Sept.
Western Sunflower Helianthus occidentalis F-P A-D 2–4 ft Naked flower stalk above basal rosette; dry sun, not aggressive
Stiff Sunflower Helianthus rigidus F D 3–6 ft Yellow flowers July-Sept.
Ox-eye Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides F A 3–4 ft Yellow flowers June-Aug.
Cow parsnip Heracleum maximum F-P A-W 4-8 ft Striking wildflower; sap is phototoxic, causes skin burns in sun
hairy golden aster Heterotheca villosa F D 6 in–2 ft Long-blooming yellow native; very drought tolerant
Alumroot Heuchera richardsonii F-P A 12–24 in White flowers April-June.
Virginia Waterleaf Hydrophyllum virginianum S-P A 12 in Lavender flowers May-June. Ground cover.
Western Blue Flag Iris missouriensis F-P W-A 10-28 in Blue-violet wet-meadow iris; toxic, deer-resistant, alkaline-tolerant
Tall Blue Lettuce Lactuca biennis F-P A-W 3–8 ft Biennial; milky sap can irritate skin
Wood Nettle Laportea canadensis P-S A-W 1-5 ft Stinging hairs; moist shade; red admiral butterfly host
Rough Blazing Star Liatrus aspera F A-D 1–4 ft Purple flowers Aug-Sept.
Wood Lily Lilium philadelphicum P A-D 24–36 in Orange flowers July-Aug.
Twinflower Linnaea borealis P-S A-W 2-4 in Evergreen groundcover for cool, acidic, shaded sites; slow to spread
Stiffstem Flax Linum rigidum F D 6–20 in Sparse dryland annual, red-eyed yellow flowers, self-seeds
Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica P A-D 24–36 in Blue-lavender flower July-Oct.
Lacy Tansyaster Machaeranthera pinnatifida F D 6-18 in Spiny lacy leaves; long-blooming yellow daisies; poor rocky soil
Starry False Lily Maianthemum stellatum P-S A-D 8-18 in Rhizomatous woodland groundcover; starry flowers; berries inedible
American Wild Mint Mentha arvensis F-P W-A 6in-2ft Native wetland mint; spreads by rhizome; flowers at leaf joints
White Four O'Clock Mirabilis albida F-P D 1-2.5 ft Prairie taproot perennial, evening pink blooms; very drought tolerant
Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa F-P W-D 2–5 ft Lavender flowers July-Aug.
Indian Pipe Monotropa uniflora S A-W 3-10 in Non-photosynthetic; parasitizes fungi; never dig or transplant
Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis F A-D 2–4 ft Yellow flowers July-frost. Biennial.
Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens F D 1–3 ft Full sun, dry soil; moths pollinate; spreads by rhizomes
Yellow wood sorrel Oxalis stricta F-S W-A 4-12 in Weedy native groundcover; oxalate leaves, not for eating
Purple Prairie Clover Peatlostemum purpureum F A 12–24 in Purple flowers July-Aug.
Large-flow. Penstemon Penstemon grandiflorus F D 24–36 in Pink-lavender flowers May-June.
White Prairie Clover Petalostemum candidum F A 12–24 in White flowers July-Aug.
Praire Phlox Phlox pilosa F A-D 12–24 in Pink-lavender flowers May-July.
Solomon's Seal Polygonatum biflorum S A 1–4 ft White flowers May-June.
Graceful Cinquefoil Potentilla gracilis F-P D 1-2 ft Deep-rooted meadow wildflower; silvery leaf undersides; deer resistant
Wild Crocus Pulsatilla nuttalliana F-P D 3–18 in (flowering to fruiting) Early spring lavender flowers; fruiting stalks elongate. Not a true crocus.
Mountain Mint Pycnanthem. virginianum F-P W-A 24–36 in White flowers July-Aug.
Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera F D 12–36 in Red-yellow flowers June-Aug.
Gray-headed Coneflower Ratibida pinnata F-P A-D 3-5 ft Long-blooming prairie perennial with drooping yellow rays, anise scent
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta F-P W-D 12–24 in Yellow flowers June-Aug.
Rosinweed Silphium integrifolium F A 2–4 ft Yellow flowers July-Sept.
Cup Plant Silphium perfoliatum F A 3–5 ft Yellow flowers July-Sept.
Tall Goldenrod Solidago altissima F-P A-D 3–7 ft Spreads by rhizome; vital late-season pollinator nectar source
Canada Goldenrod Solidago canadensis F-P A 2-5 ft Fast-spreading fall bloomer, superb for pollinators; needs room
Gray Goldenrod Solidago nemoralis F A-D 6–24 in Yellow flowers Aug-Oct.
Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida F A-D 1–4 ft Yellow flowers July-Oct.
Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium F D-A 1-2.5 ft Dry/rocky sites; cultivar 'October Skies' widely sold
Tall Meadow Rue Thalictrum dasycarpum S-P A 3–5 ft White flowers June-July.
Meadow Death Camas Toxicoscordion venenosum F-P A-D 8–28 in HIGHLY TOXIC if eaten; toxic native wildflower, not for food gardens
Bracted Spiderwort Tradescantia bracteata F-P A-D 10–18 in Blue 3-petal flowers close by midday; blooms June-July
American Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis P-S A-W 3–7 ft Stings on contact, wear gloves; native butterfly host plant
Merrybells Uvularia sessilifolia S-P W-A 10–15 in Cream flowers April-May.
Blue Verbena Verbena hastata F-P A 2–5 ft Purple flowers June-Sept.
Ironweed Vernonia fasciculata F A 3–6 ft Purple flowers July-Sept.
Culver's Root Veronicastrum virginicum F-P A 2–6 ft White flowers July-Sept.
Common Blue Violet Viola papilionacea S-P A 4–8 in Purple flowers April-June, groundcover.
Heart-Leaved G.A. Zizia aptera F-P A-D 12–36 in Yellow flowers May-June.
Golden Alexanders (GA) Zizia aurea F-P W-A 12–36 in Yellow flowers May-June.

North Dakota, South Dakota & Western Minnesota Perennial Ferns

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina F-S W-D 24 in Hardy and adaptible.
Scouring Rush Equisetum hyemale F-P W-A 2-5 ft Evergreen, jointed stems; spreads by rhizome; toxic to livestock
Oak Fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris P-S W-A 6-14 in Spreading colony fern for cool, moist deep shade
Sword Fern Polystichum munitum P-S A-W 2-4 ft Evergreen shade fern; deer resistant, tolerant of dry summers
Ostrich Fern Pteretis nodulosa S-P W-A 2–6 ft Popular ornamental. Edible fiddleheads.
Marsh Fern Thelypteris palustris F-P W 1-2.5 ft Spreads by rhizome; wetland fern, tolerates more sun than most ferns
Rocky Mountain woodsia Woodsia scopulina F-P D 4–12 in Native rock-crevice fern; dry, sharply drained sites; slow-growing

North Dakota, South Dakota & Western Minnesota Vines

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
American Groundnut (Potato Bean) Apios americana F-P W-A 6-10 ft (vine) Twining vine, fragrant maroon flowers, edible tubers; moist soil
American Bittersweet Celastrus scandens F-S A-D to 30 ft Deciduous. Orange fruit.
Virgin's Bower Clematis virginiana P-F W-D 12–15 ft White flowers July-Sept, deciduous, silvery achenes.
Wild Cucumber Echinocystis lobata F-P A-W 15-25 ft (annual vine) Fast annual vine; spiny inedible fruit; reseeds readily
Climbing False Buckwheat Fallopia scandens F-P A-W 10-20 ft (vine) Fast twining native vine; fall/winter bird seed; give it room
Hops Humulus lupulus F-P A-W 15-25 ft (vine) Twining perennial vine; toxic to dogs; female plants produce hop cones
Limber Honeysuckle Lonicera dioica F-P A-D 3-10 ft vine Non-invasive native vine; berries for birds only; hummingbirds
Moonseed Menispermum canadense P-F A-W Climbs 15-20 ft Twining native vine; poisonous fruit resembles wild grapes
Thicket Creeper Parthenocissus vitacea F-P A-D 20-35 ft climbing vine Fast vine; toxic berries; often confused with Virginia Creeper
Northern Dewberry Rubus flagellaris F-P D-A 6-12 in (trails 3-8 ft) Trailing bramble, roots at tips; prickly stems; spreads readily
Riverbank Grape Vitis riparia F-P W-A 20-50 ft (climbing vine) Vigorous riverbank vine; cold-hardy parent of hybrid wine grapes

North Dakota, South Dakota & Western Minnesota Grasses & Grass-like Plants

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Western Wheatgrass Agropyron smithii F A-D 12–30 in Good erosn contrl & reclamation. Elk, deer, cattle food.
Big Bluestem andropogon gerardii F A 3–8 ft Fall color. Blue stem base. Food for horses, cattle.
Sand Bluestem Andropogon hallii F D-A 3-7 ft Rhizomatous dune grass; blue summer stems, bronze fall color
Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula F D 12–36 in Fall color. Unique flowers June-Sept.
California Brome Grass Bromus carinatus F-P A-D 1.5-5 ft Fast-establishing native bunchgrass; good for erosion control
Arctic Brome Bromus kalmii F-P A-D 1.3-4 ft Conservative native grass of calcareous prairies, fens & open woods
Mountain Brome Bromus marginatus F-P A-D 2-4 ft Fast short-lived bunchgrass for erosion control and meadow mixes
Bluejoint Grass Calamagrostis canadensis F W-A 12–36 in Blue to red-purple nodes. Food & cover for wildlife.
Lake sedge Carex lacustris F-P W 2–4 ft Spreading wetland sedge for shoreline stabilization, standing water
Field Sedge Carex praegracilis F-P A-D 8-20 in Spreads by rhizome; tolerates clay, compaction, and alkaline soils
Awl-fruited Sedge Carex stipata F W 24–36 in Green to black spike-like flowers. Good erosn contrl.
Fox sedge Carex vulpinoidea F-P A-W 1–3 ft Sunny wet meadow sedge; bristly brown spikes; rain gardens, pond edges
Common Spikerush Eleocharis palustris F-P W 8–32 in Rhizomatous wetland sedge; stabilizes pond/stream margins
Canada Wild Rye Elymus canadensis F-S A-D 2–4 ft Clump-forming. Attractive well into winter.
Bottlebrush Grass Hystrix patula S-P A 36 in Distinctive bottlebrush spike persists into winter.
Baltic Rush Juncus balticus F W-A 1–3 ft Rhizomatous wetland rush; green stems; key fiber plant for basketry
June Grass Koeleria macrantha F D 12–24 in Long, fuzzy, spike-like, green-silver flowers.
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum F W-D 24–36 in Stiff, verticle form. Birds eat seeds. Yellow in fall.
Blowout Grass Redfieldia flexuosa F D 1.5-3 ft Rhizomatous dune-stabilizer; needs loose sand, full sun
Tumblegrass Schedonnardus paniculatus F A-D 6-20 in Tough Plains/SW grass for restoration on disturbed soils
Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium F A-D 12–36 in Beautiful seasonal color changes. Showy into winter.
Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans F A 3–8 ft Can look silver/gold in sun. Good grazing & ornamntl.
Prairie Cordgrass Spartina pectinata F W-A 5–6 ft Good erosion control. Shelter for wildlife. Thatching.
N. Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis F A 24 in Delicate seedheads. Drought-resistnt. Great fall colrs.
Porcupine Grass Stipa spartea F A-D 2–4 ft Sharp, needle-like seeds.
Cattail Typha latifolia F W 4–8 ft Part can be edible. Flowers mid-late summer.
Sun Exposure Soil Moisture Drought Tolerance
F = Full Sun W = Wet E = Excellent
P = Part Sun A = Average G = Good
S = Shade D = Dry M = Moderate
P = Poor

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7 thoughts on “Native Plant List for North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Minnesota”

  1. Deer can definitely be a challenge, Sarah! Some native plants are naturally deer-resistant — things like lavender, sage, and most ferns tend to be left alone. You might also consider deer netting or repellent sprays for your favorites. Trial and error is part of the process, but there are plenty of beautiful options deer tend to avoid.

    Reply

    1. 4 hours of sun can work for some varieties! Look for ones labeled “partial shade tolerant.” -Plant Native Team

      Reply

  3. My neighbor has been doing this for years and her yard looks amazing. Time for me to give it a shot.

    Reply

  4. My neighbor has been doing this for years and her yard looks amazing. Time for me to give it a shot.

    Reply

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