Native Plants for Wyoming - What to Plant, and When
Wyoming spans 3 ecoregions:North American DesertsGreat PlainsNorthwestern Forested Mountains
153 plants on this site are native to Wyoming, 31 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. Wyoming spans 3 ecoregions (North American Deserts, Great Plains, Northwestern Forested Mountains), and the plants here are the ones that evolved in them. Hardiness zones in the state run 2b to 6a, 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 Apr – May in zone 4b

Arrowleaf Ragwort
Senecio triangularis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Aspen Fleabane
Erigeron speciosus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Bigtooth Maple
Acer grandidentatum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 8 states

Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4b

Bog Blueberry
Vaccinium uliginosum
Zones 2a–6b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4b

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 Aug – Oct in zone 4b

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 Apr – Jun in zone 4b

Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
Zones 4b–8a · native to 8 states

Cowpen Daisy
Verbesina encelioides
Zones 5a–10b · native to 26 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b

Curlycup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Douglas Aster
Symphyotrichum subspicatum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Gambel Oak
Quercus gambelii
Zones 4a–8a · native to 9 states

Geyer Willow
Salix geyeriana
Zones 3a–7b · native to 11 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4b

Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 4b

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 Jul – Sep in zone 4b

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 Aug – Nov in zone 4b

Pin Cherry
Prunus pensylvanica
Zones 2a–6b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4b

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

Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4b

Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 4b

Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Tahoka Daisy
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia
Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b

Velvety Goldenrod
Solidago velutina
Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

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 Aug – Oct in zone 4b

'Golden Jubilee' Agastache
Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee'
Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Agastache
Agastache foeniculum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4b

Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 4b

American Cranberrybush
Viburnum opulus var. americanum
Zones 2a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 4b

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 Jul – Sep in zone 4b

American Vetch
Vicia americana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Antelope Bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4b

Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 4b

Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'
Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Big Bluestem 'Holy Smoke'
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Zones 4a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4b

Bitterroot
Lewisia rediviva
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4b

Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Feb in zone 4b

Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Jan in zone 4b

Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Zones 3a–10b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 4b

Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

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 Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces

Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 4b

Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
Zones 8a–11b · native to 8 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Campfire Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'
Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Canada Wild Rye
Elymus canadensis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 4b

Clove Currant
Ribes odoratum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4b

Clustered Field Sedge
Carex praegracilis
Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4b

Common Bladderwort
Utricularia macrorhiza
Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 4b

Common Camas
Camassia quamash
Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4b

Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

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 Mar – Jun in zone 4b

Dotted Blazing Star
Liatris punctata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4b

Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Zones 4a–7b · native to 15 states and provinces

Dusky Penstemon
Penstemon whippleanus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Explorer's Gentian
Gentiana calycosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4b

Fireweed
Chamerion angustifolium
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
Zones 4a–10a · native to 18 states and provinces

Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4b

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 Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces
Blooms May – May in zone 4b

Idaho Fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 4b

Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Zones 4a–9a · native to 48 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 4b

Indian Ricegrass
Achnatherum hymenoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4b

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 May – Jun in zone 4b

Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states
Blooms May – Sep in zone 4b

Large Beardtongue
Penstemon grandiflorus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 4b

Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
Zones 2b–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 4b

Little Bluestem 'Blue Heaven'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 4b

Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 4b

Mat Rock Spiraea
Petrophytum caespitosum
Zones 4a–7b · native to 11 states
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 4b

Miner's Lettuce
Claytonia perfoliata
Zones 6a–10b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 4b

Mock Orange
Philadelphus lewisii
Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Moss Campion
Silene acaulis
Zones 1a–6b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Mountain Avens
Dryas octopetala
Zones 2a–6b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Mountain Coyote Mint
Monardella odoratissima
Zones 4a–8b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b

Mountain Ninebark
Physocarpus monogynus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 8 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Mountain Snowberry
Symphoricarpos oreophilus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 11 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago
Zones 2b–8a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4b

Narrowleaf Coneflower
Echinacea angustifolia
Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 4b

Nodding Bur Marigold
Bidens cernua
Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Nootka Rose
Rosa nutkana
Zones 4a–9b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 4b

Oregon Sunshine
Eriophyllum lanatum
Zones 5a–10b · native to 11 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b

Pacific Ninebark
Physocarpus capitatus
Zones 5a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4b

Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Pleated Gentian
Gentiana affinis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 4b

Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4b

Prairie Ironweed
Vernonia fasciculata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 19 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 4b

Prairie Junegrass
Koeleria macrantha
Zones 3a–9b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Prairie Rose
Rosa arkansana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Purple Mountain Saxifrage
Saxifraga oppositifolia
Zones 1a–6b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4b

Purple Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe involucrata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 13 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b

Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Purple Three-awn
Aristida purpurea
Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 4b

Red Elderberry
Sambucus racemosa
Zones 3a–7b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4b

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 May – Jul in zone 4b

River Beauty
Epilobium latifolium
Zones 1a–6b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Rocky Mountain Columbine
Aquilegia caerulea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 7 states
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 4b

Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Penstemon strictus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 5 states
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 4b

Saskatoon Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4b

Scarlet Gaura
Gaura coccinea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b

Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 4b

Showy Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium pulcherrimum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b

Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 4b

Shrubby Cinquefoil
Dasiphora fruticosa
Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b

Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Zones 3a–10b · native to 25 states
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 4b

Silvery Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 4b

Sky Pilot
Polemonium viscosum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Soapweed Yucca
Yucca glauca
Zones 3a–9a · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium maculatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 4b

Sulphur Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 4b

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 – Nov in zone 4b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4b

Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 4b

Tall Thimbleweed
Anemone virginiana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 4b

Tufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 4b

Twinberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata
Zones 3b–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 4b

Twinflower
Linnaea borealis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Utah Serviceberry
Amelanchier utahensis
Zones 4a–8a · native to 11 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 4b

Virginia Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 4b

Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 4b

Western Dog Violet
Viola adunca
Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 4b

Western Trillium
Trillium ovatum
Zones 5a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 4b

White Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album'
Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 4b

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 Jul – Sep in zone 4b

Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 4b
Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 4b
Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost
Common questions
- What plants are native to Wyoming?
- 'Golden Jubilee' Agastache, Agastache, Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany, Alkali Sacaton, American Cranberrybush, American Elm, American Plum, American Spurred Gentian, and 145 more are native to Wyoming. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in Wyoming?
- 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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming cover?
- Wyoming runs from zone 2b to 6a. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in Wyoming?
- American Plum, Arrowleaf Ragwort, Aspen Fleabane, Bigtooth Maple, Black Cherry, Bog Blueberry, 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 31.
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.
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What to sow, plant and watch for, timed to your frost dates. Once a month.
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