Native Plants for Montana - What to Plant, and When

American Plum

Prunus americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a

Arrowleaf Ragwort

Senecio triangularis

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Aspen Fleabane

Erigeron speciosus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Bog Blueberry

Vaccinium uliginosum

Zones 2a–6b · native to 26 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a

Boxelder

Acer negundo

Zones 2a–9b · native to 48 states and provinces

Broom Snakeweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae

Zones 4a–9b · native to 21 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states and provinces

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a

Curlycup Gumweed

Grindelia squarrosa

Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Douglas Aster

Symphyotrichum subspicatum

Zones 5a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Geyer Willow

Salix geyeriana

Zones 3a–7b · native to 11 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Gray Alder

Alnus incana

Zones 3a–6b · native to 44 states and provinces

Hairy False Goldenaster

Heterotheca villosa

Zones 4a–9a · native to 20 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Jack Pine

Pinus banksiana

Zones 2a–6a · native to 25 states and provinces

Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta

Zones 4a–7b · native to 14 states and provinces

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Paper Birch

Betula papyrifera

Zones 2a–7a · native to 32 states and provinces

Pin Cherry

Prunus pensylvanica

Zones 2a–6b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a

Ponderosa Pine

Pinus ponderosa

Zones 3b–7b · native to 17 states and provinces

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides

Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces

Red Alder

Alnus rubra

Zones 6a–9b · native to 7 states and provinces

Rubber Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Sandbar Willow

Salix interior

Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 5a

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Water Birch

Betula occidentalis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces

Yellow Rabbitbrush

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

'Golden Jubilee' Agastache

Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee'

Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Agastache

Agastache foeniculum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany

Cercocarpus montanus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a

Alkali Sacaton

Sporobolus airoides

Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a

American Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Zones 2a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a

American Elm

Ulmus americana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces

American Spurred Gentian

Halenia deflexa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

American Vetch

Vicia americana

Zones 3a–9b · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Antelope Bitterbrush

Purshia tridentata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Balsamorhiza sagittata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5a

Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife

Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'

Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Big Bluestem 'Holy Smoke'

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Big Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata

Zones 4a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Bitterroot

Lewisia rediviva

Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5a

Blanketflower

Gaillardia aristata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms Sep – Jan in zone 5a

Blue Flax

Linum lewisii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Dec in zone 5a

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

Zones 3a–10b · native to 26 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Bluebunch Wheatgrass

Pseudoroegneria spicata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces

Bluejoint

Calamagrostis canadensis

Zones 2a–7b · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Bottle Gentian

Gentiana andrewsii

Zones 3a–7b · native to 27 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Broadleaf Cattail

Typha latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces

Broadleaf Lupine

Lupinus latifolius

Zones 5a–9a · native to 10 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 40 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a

Campfire Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'

Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5a

Canada Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 5a

Clove Currant

Ribes odoratum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Clustered Field Sedge

Carex praegracilis

Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Common Bladderwort

Utricularia macrorhiza

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

Common Butterwort

Pinguicula vulgaris

Zones 2a–7b · native to 24 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Common Camas

Camassia quamash

Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a

Common Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms May – Oct in zone 5a

Common Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 45 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Cowpen Daisy

Verbesina encelioides

Zones 5a–10b · native to 26 states

Blooms May – Oct in zone 5a

Creeping Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states and provinces

Creeping Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium var. repens

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – May in zone 5a

Dotted Blazing Star

Liatris punctata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Douglas Fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Zones 4a–7b · native to 15 states and provinces

Douglas Spirea

Spiraea douglasii

Zones 5a–8b · native to 8 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Dusky Penstemon

Penstemon whippleanus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Explorer's Gentian

Gentiana calycosa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

False Solomon's Seal

Maianthemum racemosum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Fireweed

Chamerion angustifolium

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Fourwing Saltbush

Atriplex canescens

Zones 4a–10a · native to 18 states and provinces

Goat's Beard

Aruncus dioicus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a

Golden Currant

Ribes aureum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Zones 3a–9a · native to 47 states and provinces

Harebell

Campanula rotundifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 5a

Idaho Fescue

Festuca idahoensis

Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Zones 4a–9a · native to 48 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5a

Indian Ricegrass

Achnatherum hymenoides

Zones 4a–9b · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a

Juniper Bush

Juniperus communis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces

Kinnikinnick

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Zones 2a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina

Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5a

Large Beardtongue

Penstemon grandiflorus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a

Leadplant

Amorpha canescens

Zones 2b–9b · native to 20 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Little Bluestem 'Blue Heaven'

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Lupin

Lupinus polyphyllus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 7 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a

Direct-sow ~4 wks before your last spring frost

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5a

Mat Rock Spiraea

Petrophytum caespitosum

Zones 4a–7b · native to 11 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

Miner's Lettuce

Claytonia perfoliata

Zones 6a–10b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5a

Mock Orange

Philadelphus lewisii

Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Moss Campion

Silene acaulis

Zones 1a–6b · native to 24 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Mountain Avens

Dryas octopetala

Zones 2a–6b · native to 9 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Mountain Coyote Mint

Monardella odoratissima

Zones 4a–8b · native to 10 states and provinces

Blooms May – Aug in zone 5a

Mountain Ninebark

Physocarpus monogynus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 8 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Mountain Snowberry

Symphoricarpos oreophilus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 11 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

Nannyberry

Viburnum lentago

Zones 2b–8a · native to 33 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Narrowleaf Coneflower

Echinacea angustifolia

Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 5a

Nodding Bur Marigold

Bidens cernua

Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Nootka Rose

Rosa nutkana

Zones 4a–9b · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 5a

Oceanspray

Holodiscus discolor

Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

Orange Honeysuckle

Lonicera ciliosa

Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5a

Oregon Grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a

Oregon Sunshine

Eriophyllum lanatum

Zones 5a–10b · native to 11 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Pacific Ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus

Zones 5a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a

Pearly Everlasting

Anaphalis margaritacea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Pleated Gentian

Gentiana affinis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 21 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Prairie Coneflower

Ratibida columnifera

Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a

Prairie Ironweed

Vernonia fasciculata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 19 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5a

Prairie Junegrass

Koeleria macrantha

Zones 3a–9b · native to 31 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Prairie Rose

Rosa arkansana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Purple Mountain Saxifrage

Saxifraga oppositifolia

Zones 1a–6b · native to 21 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a

Purple Prairie Clover

Dalea purpurea

Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Purple Three-awn

Aristida purpurea

Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a

Red Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

Zones 3a–7b · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a

Red Fescue

Festuca rubra

Zones 2a–8b · native to 26 states and provinces

Red-twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Zones 2a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a

River Beauty

Epilobium latifolium

Zones 1a–6b · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Rocky Mountain Columbine

Aquilegia caerulea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 5a

Saskatoon Serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a

Scarlet Gaura

Gaura coccinea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms May – Oct in zone 5a

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 5a

Showy Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium pulcherrimum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Showy Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 24 states and provinces

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 5a

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms May – Aug in zone 5a

Sideoats Grama

Bouteloua curtipendula

Zones 3a–10b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a

Silvery Lupine

Lupinus argenteus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces

Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 5a

Sky Pilot

Polemonium viscosum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Soapweed Yucca

Yucca glauca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Spotted Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a

Sulphur Buckwheat

Eriogonum umbellatum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 5a

Sweet Flag

Acorus americanus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces

Switchgrass 'Cheyenne Sky'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Tahoka Daisy

Machaeranthera tanacetifolia

Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms May – Aug in zone 5a

Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a

Twinberry Honeysuckle

Lonicera involucrata

Zones 3b–9a · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a

Twinflower

Linnaea borealis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

Utah Serviceberry

Amelanchier utahensis

Zones 4a–8a · native to 11 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a

Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 5a

Western Dog Violet

Viola adunca

Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – May in zone 5a

Western Hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla

Zones 6a–8b · native to 8 states and provinces

Western Sword Fern

Polystichum munitum

Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5a

Western Trillium

Trillium ovatum

Zones 5a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a

White Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album'

Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a

White Spruce

Picea glauca

Zones 2a–6b · native to 27 states and provinces

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 5a

Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 5a

Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost