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Native Plant List for Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota

Last updated: September 4, 2026

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This is a "starter" list of native plants for Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.

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Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota Trees

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Black maple Acer nigrum F-P A 60-80 ft Like Sugar Maple but tolerates alkaline, clay soils
Striped Maple Acer pensylvanicum P-S A-W 16-33 ft Shade-loving understory tree; striped bark, sex-changing flowers
Red Maple Acer rubrum F W-D 50–75 ft Buds and young twigs are red; great fall color
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum F-P A 50–75 ft Exellent fall color; beautiful large shade tree
Apple Serviceberry Amelanchier grandiflora F-P W-D 12–15 ft White, star-shaped flwrs (Apr-May); Green-red fall color
Mountain Paper Birch Betula cordifolia F-P A-W 40-60 ft Relative of Paper Birch; white peeling bark; cool, moist, high sites
River Birch Betula nigra F A-W 40–70 ft Modest yellow fall color; seed attracts birds
American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana P-S W-A 20–30 ft Good street tree; yellow, orange and scarlet fall color
Pignut Hickory Carya glabra P-S D 50–60 ft Golden yellow fall color; rapid growth rate
Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata F-P A 70–90 ft Yellow to gold brown fall color; squirrels eat nuts
Hackberry Celtis occidentalis F-P W-D 50–75 ft Mild yellow fall color; warty projections on trunk-winter
Pagoda Dogwood Cornus alternifolia P-S W-D 15–25 ft White flower clusters to black berries; maroon fall color
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida F-S D-A 25–30 ft White flowers in spring become bird-attracting berries
Grey Dogwood Cornus racemosa F-S W-D 8–15 ft 2" Hemispherical inflorescences for week in May/June
Dotted Hawthorn Crataegus punctata F-P A 15–30 ft Thorny, flat-topped crown; red fruit persists, feeds birds in winter
Fleshy Hawthorn Crataegus succulenta F-P A-W 13-26 ft Most wide-ranging US hawthorn; thorny thicket shrub, red fleshy fruit
Hawthorn Cratageus spp. F-S A 15–20 ft Beautiful pink flowers turn into dusky red berries in fall
Black Ash Fraxinus nigra F-P W 40-60 ft Swamp tree; Critically Endangered due to emerald ash borer
Butternut Juglans cinerea F A 40-60 ft Edible nuts; declining from butternut canker disease
Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana F-P A-D 40–50 ft Offers nesting and cover to birds
Tamarack Larix laricina F A-W 50–75 ft Decid. conifer; needles yellow before falling, pink flwrs
Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera F A 70–90 ft Tulip-like flowers of yellow, green, orange (May-June)
Sweet Crabapple Malus coronaria F-P A 15-30 ft Fragrant pink spring blooms; sour fruit feeds birds; forms thickets
White Spruce Picea glauca F-P A 40–60 ft Evergreen tree; tolerates somewhat wet or dry soil
Sycamore Platanus occidentalis F-P A-W 70–100 ft Leaves drop all summer; white mottled bark
Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides F-P A 20–30 ft Light-colored undersided leaves shimmer in wind
American Plum Prunus americana F-P W-D 12–20 ft White flowers in spring; 1" red or yellow fruit in summer
Mexican Plum Prunus mexicana F-P A-D 15-25 ft Fragrant early white bloom; exfoliating bark; plums feed wildlife
Black Cherry Prunus serotina F-P A-W 50–80 ft Prized hardwood; edible fruit; poisonous leaves, twigs
Common Chokecherry Prunus virginiana F-P A 20–30 ft White flowers become baredly edible fruit birds will eat
Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor P-S W 50–60 ft Yellow to red-purple fall color
Northern Pin Oak Quercus ellipsoidalis F D 50-70 ft Red fall color; dry sandy soil; avoid pruning in summer (oak wilt)
Shingle Oak Quercus imbricaria F A-W 50-65 ft Willow-like unlobed leaves; tolerates clay/wet soil; avoid spring cuts
Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa F W-D 60–75 ft Mild yellow-brown fall color
Chinkapin Oak Quercus muehlenbergii F-P A-D 40-60 ft Limestone-loving shade tree; sweet low-tannin acorns feed wildlife
Red Oak Quercus rubra F-P D-A 60–75 ft Russet to bright red fall color; grows rapidly
Shumard Oak Quercus shumardii F-P A 60-100 ft Fast-growing large shade tree, tolerant of alkaline soil
Black Willow Salix nigra F-P A-W 50 ft or more Host plant for butterflies
Showy Mountain Ash Sorbus decora F-P A 15–30 ft Cold-hardy small tree; winter berries bitter; not Europ. mountain ash
Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis F A-W 20–40 ft Evergreen heavily browsed by deer
Slippery Elm Ulmus rubra F-P A 40-60 ft Fast shade tree; mucilaginous inner bark; some Dutch elm disease risk
Nannyberry Viburnum Viburnum lentago F-P A-D 18 ft Creamy, white, flat-topped 5" dia. inflorescences in May

Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota Shrubs

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Downy Serviceberry Amelanchier arobrea F-P A-D 15–25 ft Yellow-orange-red fall color; white flowers in April
Roundleaf Serviceberry Amelanchier sanguinea F-P A-D 4-10 ft Thicket-forming shrub for dry, sandy or rocky soil; sweet edible fruit
Indigo Bush Amorpha fruticosa F A-D 6–15 ft Narrow 8-20" racemes of deep-purple gold stamen flwrs
Bog Birch Betula pumila F-P W 2-10 ft Wetland obligate shrub; calcareous fens & bogs; not for dry sites
New Jersey Tea Ceanothus americanus F-P A 36 in Short spikes of tiny, white flowers in June
Buttonbush Cephalanth. occidentalis F-P W-A 5–12 ft Spherical white blossom heads
Leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata F-P W 1-3 ft Evergreen bog shrub; acidic, saturated soil; early white flowers
Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum P-S A-W 6–15 ft Flat white flower head mid-spring; not fragrant
Roughleaf Dogwood Cornus drummondii F-S A-D 15–25 ft Beautiful flowers and fall color; attracts 40+ bird spec.
Hazelnut Corylus americana F-S A 12–15 ft Edible nuts; suckering
Swamp Loosestrife Decodon verticillatus F-P W 3-8 ft Wetland shrub for pond margins; tolerates standing water
Northern Bush Honeysuckle Diervilla lonicera F-P A-D 2-4 ft Suckering shrub for dry rocky sites; yellow flowers age red
Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens P-S A 4-6 in Fragrant evergreen groundcover; acidic soil; never dig from wild
Common Witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana P-S D-A 15–30 ft Fragrant, creamy to bright yellow flowers in fall
Beach Heather Hudsonia tomentosa F D 6-12 in Silvery dune mat; needs full sun, pure sand, excellent drainage
Kalm's St. John's Wort Hypericum kalmianum F D-A 24–36 in Yellow flowers Jul-Sep; doesn't respond well to pruning
Winterberry Ilex verticillata F W-A 6–12 ft Red berries feed birds through cold season; holly-like
Bog Laurel Kalmia polifolia F-P W 1-2 ft Low bog shrub; needs year-round saturated acidic peat
Spicebush Lindera benzoin P-S A 6–12 ft Tiny fragrant yellow flowers; berries for birds
Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius F-P A-D 5–10 ft Wild foliage green; purple forms are cultivars. Dry seed follicles, not berries; peeling bark.
Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa F-P A-W 12–36 in Bright yellow flowers June-August
Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica F-P D 2–6 ft Showy orange to reddish-purple fall color
Illinois Rose Rosa setigera F D 5–6 ft Soft pink flowers with yellow centers bloom in July
Northern Dewberry Rubus flagellaris F-P D-A 6-12 in (trails 3-8 ft) Trailing bramble, roots at tips; prickly stems; spreads readily
Black Raspberry Rubus occidentalis F-P A 3-6 ft Fast-spreading edge bramble; cut spent canes after fruiting
Shining Willow Salix lucida F A-W 20 ft Attractive glossy-leaved shrub with yellowish stems
Elderberry Sambucus canadensis F-S A-W 5–12 ft Showy white flowers in July; edible fruit in September
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
Meadowsweet Spiraea alba F A-W 4 ft White flowers in June, July
Stepplebush Spiraea tomentosa F-P A-W 2–4 ft Pink blooms July through September
Wolfberry Symphoric. occidentalis F-P A 36 in Flowers May-Jun; seeds ripen Sep-Nov; attracts wildlife
Snowberry Symphoricarpus albus F-S A 4–6 ft White to pink bell-shaped flwrs May-Jun; white berries
Poison Sumac Toxicodendron vernix F-P W 6-30 ft Severely allergenic wetland shrub; identification only, do not plant
Velvetleaf Blueberry Vaccinium myrtilloides F-P A-D 6–24 in Low colonial shrub; edible berries; needs acidic, well-drained soil
Arowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum F-P D-A 5–9 ft Flowers May-Jun; small blue-black berries in fall
Amer. Cranberrybush Viburnum trilobum F-P A-W 8–12 ft White flowers; edible bright-red bird-attracting fruit

Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota Flowering Perennials

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Doll's Eyes Actea pacypoda P-S A 12–30 in Sm. white flwrs Apr-May; Poison white berries Aug-Sep
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
Nodding Wild Onion Allium cernuum F-P A-D 8–20 in Dry soil; nodding white-pink summer flowers; deer resistant
Prairie Coreopsis Anacis palmata (syn. Coreopsis palmata) F-P D 18–30 in Soft yellow daisy-like flowers late spring to mid-summer
Canada Anemone Anemone canadensis F-P A 12–18 in Strong growing plant produces single white blooms
Wood Anemone Anemone quinquefolia P-S A 4–8 in Spring-ephemeral groundcover; toxic sap, disappears by early summer
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
Mountain Death Camas Anticlea elegans F-P A-D 1-2.5 ft HIGHLY TOXIC bulb/foliage; do not confuse with edible Camassia
Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis P-S A-D 12–30 in Unique red and yellow flowers attract hummingbirds
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-S A 12 in or more Spathe appears Apr-May; Red berries late summer, fall
Wild Ginger Asarum canadense P-S A 6 in Evergreen groundcover with heart-shaped glossy leaves
Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata F-P A-W 3–4 ft Clusters of upturned pink flowers draw butterflies
Showy Milkweed Asclepias speciosa F-P A-D 2-4 ft Monarch host plant; toxic sap; spreads by rhizome
Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa F D 12–24 in Clusters of brilliant orange flowers June-August
Heath Aster Aster ericoides F A-D 12–36 in Explodes into profusion of tiny white flowers in fall
Smooth Aster Aster laevis F A-D 2–4 ft Blue flowers appear in unbridled profusion in autumn
New England Aster Aster novae-angliae F A 3–7 ft Bright lavender flowers with yellow centers late sum-fall
Arrow-leaved Aster Aster sagittifolius F-P A-D 3–5 ft Flowers range from pale blue to lavender to white (fall)
American Sea Rocket Cakile edentula F D 6-18 in Annual beach dune pioneer; salt-tolerant; not native on Pacific coast
Wild Calla Calla palustris P-S W 6-12 in Bog/pond-margin arum; needs saturated soil or shallow water
Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris F W 12–24 in 1-1.5" bright yellow flowers in spring and summer
Harebell Campanula rotundifolia F-P A-D 12–24 in Deep blue bell-shaped flowers June-July
Creeping Sedge Carex laxiculmis P-S A-D 0.3–1.5 ft Evergreen dry-shade sedge; slow clumping groundcover, deer resistant
Seersucker Sedge Carex plantaginea P-S A 8–12 in Puckered-leaf shade sedge; rich moist soil, slow clump, deer resistant
Turtlehead Chelone glabra F-P A 12–36 in White to pink 1-1.5" flowers summer into fall
Rose Turtlehead Chelone obliqua F-P A-W 2-3 ft Late-summer hooded pink flowers; bumblebee favorite for moist soil
Water Hemlock Cicuta maculata F-P W 3-6 ft Extremely toxic; wetlands/ditches only, not for gardens
Prairie Larkspur Delphinium virescens F-P D 2–4 ft Interesting white flowers June-July
Showy Tick-trefoil Desmodium canadense F A-D 2–5 ft Branches with bright pink/purple pea-like flowers (sum)
Squirrel Corn Dicentra canadensis P-S A 6–10 in Spring ephemeral woodland wildflower; toxic, deer resistant
Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria S A 12 in White and yellow flwrs resembling pantaloons (spring)
Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium F D 2–5 ft Yucca-like foliage; flowers in spherical thistle-like heads
White Trout Lily Erythronium albidum P-S A 4–10 in Spring ephemeral; slow to establish, never dig from the wild
Flowering Spurge Euphorbia corollata F-P D 36 in Bursts with sm. white flwrs with green-yellow centers
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed Eutrochium purpureum (syn. Eupatorium purpureum) F-P A 5–7 ft Green stems with purple nodes; pinkish-purple flower domes in summer.
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-P A-W 12–24 in Blue flowers in Aug-Oct with bottle-like appearance
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum F-S A 12–24 in 1" lavender-purple flowers in spring and summer
Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum F A-D 6 in Feathery pink seedheads are beautiful in the spring
Sneezeweed Helenium autumnale F A 3–5 ft Daisy-like flowers with red and yellow petals, late sum.
Woodland Sunflower Helianthus divaricatus F-P A-D 2½–6 ft Rhizomatous colonizer for dry shade; yellow blooms July–Sept
Western Sunflower Helianthus occidentalis F-P A-D 2–4 ft Naked flower stalk above basal rosette; dry sun, not aggressive
False Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides F A 4–5 ft Sunflower-like flowers bloom on much-branched plant
Cow parsnip Heracleum maximum F-P A-W 4-8 ft Striking wildflower; sap is phototoxic, causes skin burns in sun
Alumroot Heuchera americana P-S A-D 24 in Attractive light-green foliage with bronzy veining, edges
Dwarf Iris Iris lacustris P-S A 2-6 in Federally threatened; alkaline soil only; never wild-collect
Wild Blue Flag Iris versicolor F-P A 24–36 in 3-4" blue flowers with yellow and white markings
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 Liatris aspera F A-D 2–5 ft Bright pink-purple stalks of interesting flwrs (Aug-Sep)
Marsh Blazing Star Liatris spicata F A 36 in Tall purple spikes bloom after 2-3 years
Twinflower Linnaea borealis P-S A-W 2-4 in Evergreen groundcover for cool, acidic, shaded sites; slow to spread
Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis F-P W 3–5 ft Terminal clusters of 1.5" bright red flowers in fall
Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica P-S W 12–36 in Elongated cluster of pale-dark blue flwrs late sum-fall
Wild Lupine Lupinus perennis F-P D 24–36 in Spikes of lavender flowers in early summer
Lanceleaf Loosestrife Lysimachia lanceolata P-F A-W 1-2 ft Nodding yellow blooms on prairie perennial; needs consistent moisture
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
Winged Monkeyflower Mimulus alatus P-S W-A 1-3 ft Wet-soil wildflower; violet blooms July-Sept; shade to part shade
Monkey Flower Mimulus ringens F W 2–5 ft 1" violet flowers in summer and fall
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 A-D 2–5 ft Intricate lavender flowers attract butterflies (Jul-Sep)
Spotted Beebalm Monarda punctata F D 1-3 ft Thyme-scented; purple-spotted flowers draw wasps and bees
Indian Pipe Monotropa uniflora S A-W 3-10 in Non-photosynthetic; parasitizes fungi; never dig or transplant
Eastern Prickly-pear Opuntia humifusa F D 4–12 in (spreads 2–6 ft) Native cactus, yellow flowers, sharp glochids, sandy/rocky soil
Yellow wood sorrel Oxalis stricta F-S W-A 4-12 in Weedy native groundcover; oxalate leaves, not for eating
American Ginseng Panax quinquefolius P-S A 8-24 in Shade woodland herb; wild roots scarce/protected, buy nursery stock
Wild Quinine Parthenium integrifolium F-P A-D 2-4 ft Long-blooming white prairie forb; handle foliage with gloves
Foxglove Penstemon digitalis F-P A 24–36 in Long-blooming pure white flowers June into midsummer
Sand Phlox Phlox bifida F-P A-D 4–12 in Mat-forming; deeply notched lavender flowers; needs sharp drainage
Sweet William Phlox divaricata F-P A 10–20 in 1.5" rosy-lavender to soft pale flowers cover in spring
Spotted Phlox Phlox maculata F-P A-W 2-3 ft Fragrant pink wet-meadow perennial; blooms June-Aug
Pokeweed Phytolacca americana F-P A 4-10 ft Poisonous perennial; exceptional fall bird food; self-sows
Graceful Cinquefoil Potentilla gracilis F-P D 1-2 ft Deep-rooted meadow wildflower; silvery leaf undersides; deer resistant
Common Cinquefoil Potentilla simplex F-P A-D 4-10 in Mat-forming groundcover; tolerates mowing, poor soil; deer resistant
Rabbit Tobacco Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium F-P A-D 1-3 ft Annual/biennial; dry poor soils; cream everlasting flowers fall
Gray-headed Coneflower Ratibida pinnata F-P A-D 3-5 ft Long-blooming prairie perennial with drooping yellow rays, anise scent
Cloudberry Rubus chamaemorus F-P W 4-10 in Acidic bog only; rare outside AK; dioecious, needs both sexes to fruit
Orange Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida F-P A-W 18-36 in Long-blooming rhizomatous native; good pollinator & finch food plant
Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta F A-D 24–36 in 2-4" flwr heads with 10-20 yellow petals in sum and fall
Sweet Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia subtomentosa F-P A-W 3-6 ft Fragrant foliage, long bloom; prefers consistently moist soil
Wild Petunia Ruellia humilis F-P D-A 6-18 in Low bushy prairie/glade native; drought-tolerant, butterfly host plant
Purple Pitcher Plant Sarracenia purpurea F-P W 4-12 in (rosette) Carnivorous bog obligate; needs sphagnum/peat & rainwater
Compass Plant Silphium laciniatum F A 5–9 ft Sunflower-like flowers; basal leaves orient north-south
Cup Plant Silphium perfoliatum F-P A-W 3–5 ft Sunflower-like flowers; pairs of cup-forming leaves
Prairie Dock Silphium terebinthinaceum F A 4-10 ft Giant basal leaves; bare flower stalk; deep taproot, drought-tough
False Spikenard Smilacina racemosa F-P A 12–36 in Plumes of white flowers in late spring; bright red berries
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
Zigzag Goldenrod Solidago flexicaulis P-S A 1–3 ft Shade-loving goldenrod with zigzag stem; blooms late summer-fall
Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida F D 2½–4 ft Loved by birds, butterflies; Yellow flat-topped flowers
Showy Goldenrod Solidago speciosa F A-D 12–36 in Foot-long wands of blazing yellow in early autumn
Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium F D-A 1-2.5 ft Dry/rocky sites; cultivar 'October Skies' widely sold
Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus P-S W-A 1–2 ft Deep-shade wetland forb; thermogenic spring bloom; toxic raw
Lake Huron Tansy Tanacetum bipinnatum F D 8–16 in Rare Great Lakes dune/Maine riverbank endemic; threatened/endangered
Bracted Spiderwort Tradescantia bracteata F-P A-D 10–18 in Blue 3-petal flowers close by midday; blooms June-July
Common Spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis F-P A-D 2–4 ft Deep-blue flowers bloom late spring and early summer
Virginia Spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana F-P A-W 1-2 ft Grass-like clumps; purple flowers close by afternoon
Trillium Trillium grandiflorum S A 6–24 in 2-3.5" white-pink flwr on erect stalk with 3 broad petals
American Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis P-S A-W 3–7 ft Stings on contact, wear gloves; native butterfly host plant
Blue Vervain Verbena hastata F-P A-W ½ in Small blue flwrs crowded into terminal spikes (Jun-Oct)
Hoary Vervain Verbena stricta F D 36 in Green pipe cleaner-like flwr spikes with ring of lav flwrs
Wingstem Verbesina alternifolia F-P A-W 3-8 ft Spreads by rhizome in moist soil; late-summer yellow blooms
Culver's Root Veronicast. virginicum F-S A 3–6 ft White spire-like flwrstalks above green leaves (Jul-Aug)
Common Blue Violet Viola sororia F-S A-W 3-8 in Spreads by rhizome; fritillary butterfly host
Barren Strawberry Waldsteinia fragarioides P-S A 3-6 in Evergreen woodland groundcover; yellow flowers; fruit not edible
Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea F-S A-W 12–24 in Bright yellow color can brighten shady spot

Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota Perennial Ferns

Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moisture Height Comments
Maindenhair Fern Adiantum pendatum S A 18–36 in Airy, fan-shaped blue-green fronds on del. black stems
Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina S A-W 18–24 in Delicate, lacy arching fronds; dk-red stems at maturity
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
Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis F-P A-W 12–24 in Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock
Interrupted Fern Osmunda claytoniana S W-D 3–4 ft When fertile, middle shrivels for 2-6" (fertile part)
Cinnamon Fern Osmunda connamomea F-P A-W 2–4 ft Circ. clust. of arching fronds; reddish-colored when fert.
Royal Fern Osmunda regalis P A-W 2–6 ft Bi-pinnate blade; pinnae resemble locust tree leaves
Purple Cliffbrake Pellaea atropurpurea F-P D 4-12 in Evergreen rock fern; needs limestone crevices, not garden soil
Marsh Fern Thelypteris palustris F-P W 1-2.5 ft Spreads by rhizome; wetland fern, tolerates more sun than most ferns
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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5 thoughts on “Native Plant List for Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota”

  1. nice that michigan, wisconsin and eastern minnesota are grouped into one starter list, our conditions overlap more than people think.

    Reply

  2. a starter list is the right size for someone beginning small, and the nursery links for michigan and wisconsin help too.

    Reply

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