Native Plant List for Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota
Last updated: September 4, 2026
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.
See Also:
- Michigan Native Plants for Landscaping with Pictures
- Native Pollinator Plants for Your Wisconsin Garden
Michigan, Wisconsin, & Eastern Minnesota Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Hawthorn | Cratageus spp. | F-S | A | 15–20 ft | Beautiful pink flowers turn into dusky red berries in fall |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Bur Oak | Quercus macrocarpa | F | W-D | 60–75 ft | Mild yellow-brown fall color |
| Red Oak | Quercus rubra | F-P | D-A | 60–75 ft | Russet to bright red fall color; grows rapidly |
| Black Willow | Salix nigra | F-P | A-W | 50 ft or more | Host plant for butterflies |
| Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis | F | A-W | 20–40 ft | Evergreen heavily browsed by deer |
| 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 |
| Indigo Bush | Amorpha fruticosa | F | A-D | 6–15 ft | Narrow 8-20" racemes of deep-purple gold stamen flwrs |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Common Witchhazel | Hamamelis virginiana | P-S | D-A | 15–30 ft | Fragrant, creamy to bright yellow flowers in fall |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Snowberry | Symphoricarpus albus | F-S | A | 4–6 ft | White to pink bell-shaped flwrs May-Jun; white berries |
| Wolfberry | Symphoric. occidentalis | F-P | A | 36 in | Flowers May-Jun; seeds ripen Sep-Nov; attracts wildlife |
| 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 |
| Canada Anemone | Anemone canadensis | F-P | A | 12–18 in | Strong growing plant produces single white blooms |
| Wild Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | P-S | A-D | 12–30 in | Unique red and yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| Turtlehead | Chelone glabra | F-P | A | 12–36 in | White to pink 1-1.5" flowers summer into fall |
| Prairie Coreopsis | Anacis palmata (syn. Coreopsis palmata) | F-P | D | 18–30 in | Soft yellow daisy-like flowers late spring to mid-summer |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Flowering Spurge | Euphorbia corollata | F-P | D | 36 in | Bursts with sm. white flwrs with green-yellow centers |
| 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. |
| False Sunflower | Heliopsis helianthoides | F | A | 4–5 ft | Sunflower-like flowers bloom on much-branched plant |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | P-S | A-D | 24 in | Attractive light-green foliage with bronzy veining, edges |
| Wild Blue Flag | Iris versicolor | F-P | A | 24–36 in | 3-4" blue flowers with yellow and white markings |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Monkey Flower | Mimulus ringens | F | W | 2–5 ft | 1" violet flowers in summer and fall |
| Wild Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa | F-P | A-D | 2–5 ft | Intricate lavender flowers attract butterflies (Jul-Sep) |
| Foxglove | Penstemon digitalis | F-P | A | 24–36 in | Long-blooming pure white flowers June into midsummer |
| Sweet William | Phlox divaricata | F-P | A | 10–20 in | 1.5" rosy-lavender to soft pale flowers cover in spring |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | F | A-D | 24–36 in | 2-4" flwr heads with 10-20 yellow petals in sum and fall |
| 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 |
| False Spikenard | Smilacina racemosa | F-P | A | 12–36 in | Plumes of white flowers in late spring; bright red berries |
| 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 |
| Common Spiderwort | Tradescantia ohiensis | F-P | A-D | 2–4 ft | Deep-blue flowers bloom late spring and early summer |
| Trillium | Trillium grandiflorum | S | A | 6–24 in | 2-3.5" white-pink flwr on erect stalk with 3 broad petals |
| 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 |
| Culver's Root | Veronicast. virginicum | F-S | A | 3–6 ft | White spire-like flwrstalks above green leaves (Jul-Aug) |
| 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 |
| Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis | F-P | A-W | 12–24 in | Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda connamomea | F-P | A-W | 2–4 ft | Circ. clust. of arching fronds; reddish-colored when fert. |
| Interrupted Fern | Osmunda claytoniana | S | W-D | 3–4 ft | When fertile, middle shrivels for 2-6" (fertile part) |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | P | A-W | 2–6 ft | Bi-pinnate blade; pinnae resemble locust tree leaves |
| 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 |
nice that michigan, wisconsin and eastern minnesota are grouped into one starter list, our conditions overlap more than people think.
We appreciate that, Carol! Happy gardening! 🌿 -Plant Native Team
a starter list is the right size for someone beginning small, and the nursery links for michigan and wisconsin help too.
Thanks Christine! Let us know how it goes. -Plant Native Team