Native Plants for North Dakota - What to Plant, and When
North Dakota spans one ecoregion:Great Plains
148 plants on this site are native to North Dakota, 24 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. North Dakota sits in the Great Plains ecoregion, and the plants here are the ones that evolved there. Hardiness zones in the state run 2b to 4b, which is why the list sorts by zone rather than by state.
Start with the keystones (an oak or native cherry if you have room, then goldenrods, asters and milkweeds), and plant in early fall or early spring, at least six weeks before a frost. Pick your zone above and each plant shows its own sowing and bloom window for where you garden.
American Plum
Prunus americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 4a
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4a
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 4a
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states and provinces
Calico Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4a
Curlycup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Giant Sunflower
Helianthus giganteus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Hairy False Goldenaster
Heterotheca villosa
Zones 4a–9a · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4a
Jack Pine
Pinus banksiana
Zones 2a–6a · native to 25 states and provinces
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
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 Apr – May in zone 4a
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa
Zones 3b–7b · native to 17 states and provinces
Prairie Willow
Salix humilis
Zones 2a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 4a
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 4a
Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Zones 3a–8a · native to 42 states and provinces
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4a
Water Birch
Betula occidentalis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
'Golden Jubilee' Agastache
Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee'
Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Agastache
Agastache foeniculum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
American Cranberrybush
Viburnum opulus var. americanum
Zones 2a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4a
American Elm
Ulmus americana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces
American Linden
Tilia americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 4a
American Vetch
Vicia americana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 4a
American White Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4a
Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'
Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Big Bluestem 'Holy Smoke'
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Zones 4a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Black Ash
Fraxinus nigra
Zones 2b–6b · native to 24 states and provinces
Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4a
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 4a
Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 4a
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 4a
Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Zones 3a–8a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4a
Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Jan in zone 4a
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Zones 3a–10b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4a
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
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 4a
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 4a
Bottle Gentian
Gentiana andrewsii
Zones 3a–7b · native to 27 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Broadleaf Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces
Bulblet Bladder Fern
Cystopteris bulbifera
Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 4a
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Campfire Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'
Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 4a
Canada Wild Rye
Elymus canadensis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 4a
Clustered Field Sedge
Carex praegracilis
Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4a
Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 4a
Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 4a
Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Zones 2a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 4a
Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Cream Wild Indigo
Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4a
Creeping Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states and provinces
Cup Plant
Silphium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Deceitful Pussytoes
Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 4a
Dotted Blazing Star
Liatris punctata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4a
False Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Field Thistle
Cirsium discolor
Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Fireweed
Chamerion angustifolium
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
Zones 4a–10a · native to 18 states and provinces
Fringed Gentian
Gentianopsis crinita
Zones 3a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 4a
Golden Alexander
Zizia aurea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4a
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4a
Gray Alder
Alnus incana
Zones 3a–6b · native to 44 states and provinces
Gray Dogwood
Cornus racemosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 4a
Gray-Headed Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Zones 4a–9a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 4a
Green Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Zones 3a–9a · native to 47 states and provinces
Hairy Sweet Cicely
Osmorhiza claytonii
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4a
Harebell
Campanula rotundifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 4a
Idaho Fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4a
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Zones 4a–9a · native to 48 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4a
Indian Ricegrass
Achnatherum hymenoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4a
Juniper Bush
Juniperus communis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces
Juniper Tree
Juniperus virginiana
Zones 2a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Zones 2a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4a
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 4a
Large Beardtongue
Penstemon grandiflorus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4a
Large-Flowered Bellwort
Uvularia grandiflora
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4a
Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
Zones 2b–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Limber Honeysuckle
Lonicera dioica
Zones 3b–8a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Little Bluestem 'Blue Heaven'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Low Serviceberry
Amelanchier humilis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 4a
Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4a
Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago
Zones 2b–8a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4a
Narrowleaf Coneflower
Echinacea angustifolia
Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Nov in zone 4a
Nodding Bur Marigold
Bidens cernua
Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 4a
Northern Bush Honeysuckle
Diervilla lonicera
Zones 3a–7b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Northern Prickly Ash
Zanthoxylum americanum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 4a
Pale Gentian
Gentiana alba
Zones 3a–8b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Zones 3a–8a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4a
Pleated Gentian
Gentiana affinis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Prairie Blazing Star
Liatris pycnostachya
Zones 3a–9a · native to 18 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 4a
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Prairie Dropseed 'Cloud'
Sporobolus heterolepis 'Cloud'
Zones 3a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 4a
Prairie Ironweed
Vernonia fasciculata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 19 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Prairie Junegrass
Koeleria macrantha
Zones 3a–9b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4a
Prairie Rose
Rosa arkansana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4a
Purple Three-awn
Aristida purpurea
Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4a
Red-twig Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Zones 2a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4a
Saskatoon Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 4a
Scarlet Gaura
Gaura coccinea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms May – Oct in zone 4a
Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 4a
Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 4a
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Dasiphora fruticosa
Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 4a
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Zones 3a–10b · native to 25 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Silvery Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 4a
Soapweed Yucca
Yucca glauca
Zones 3a–9a · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 4a
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4a
Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium maculatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 4a
Sweet Everlasting
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4a
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 Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Tall Thimbleweed
Anemone virginiana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 4a
Virgin's Bower Clematis
Clematis virginiana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 4a
Virginia Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4a
Western Dog Violet
Viola adunca
Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 4a
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4a
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4a
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Zones 3a–7b · native to 40 states and provinces
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 4a
Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost
Wood Lily
Lilium philadelphicum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4a
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4a
Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost
Common questions
- What plants are native to North Dakota?
- 'Golden Jubilee' Agastache, Agastache, Alkali Sacaton, American Cranberrybush, American Elm, American Linden, American Plum, American Vetch, and 140 more are native to North Dakota. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in North Dakota?
- Timing depends on your hardiness zone. Each plant on this page shows its sowing and bloom window relative to your zone's last spring and first fall frost, so the dates stay correct wherever in North Dakota you garden. As a rule, plant perennials and shrubs in early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost, or in spring once the soil drains.
- What hardiness zones does North Dakota cover?
- North Dakota runs from zone 2b to 4b. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in North Dakota?
- American Plum, Black Cherry, Boxelder, Broom Snakeweed, Bur Oak, Calico Aster, among others. Keystone plants host the most caterpillar species in their ecoregion, which is what feeds nesting birds; one oak or native cherry does more than a bed of showy non-natives. Use the Keystones only toggle to see all 24.
How this list is built
Native ranges follow the USDA PLANTS Database; hardiness ranges follow USDA Plant Hardiness Zones; pollinator value draws on the Xerces Society. Where a reference almanac would stop at “confirm with your local authority,” we go one step further - every plant here links to its full growing page with frost-relative tasks for your zone.
Nature timing varies year to year. To calibrate to your own yard, the Garden Digest builds a weekly task list around your plants and frost dates.
The month ahead in your zone, free in your inbox.
What to sow, plant and watch for, timed to your frost dates. Once a month.
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