You love checking out the arts scene and getting a bite to eat over by Central and Lowry, but your most favorite pastime in all the City of Lakes is taking in the wildflower garden at Theodore Wirth Regional Park. Emulate those relaxing vibes by planting your own native garden at home. We’ve rounded up 9 of the best native plants for Minneapolis to start you off.

    In this article, we’ll cover:

    9 Best Native Plants for Minneapolis, MN

    1. Blazing Stars (Liatris)

    purple colored northern blazing star

    Photo Credit: Doug McGrady / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

    Sprouting from stems with spiral, narrow, green leaves that are larger at the base and smaller toward the top, these wildflowers give off disc-shaped blooms of pink, purple, or white that grow on a cylindrical ‘spike’, making them the perfect addition to butterfly gardens and drought-tolerant gardens. 

    With 40-plus species — including “Rough Blazing Star” (liatris aspera) and Meadow Blazing Star (liatris ligulistylis) — there’s sure to be a type fit for your landscape.

    Plant type: Bulb

    USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9

    Sun: Full sun or partial shade

    Soil: Moist clay, silt, or sandy soil that’s well-drained

    Duration: Perennial

    Bloom time: Summer

    Water needs:  Weekly for new plants; once established water as needed; drought-tolerant

    Mature height: 1 to 5 feet, depending on species

    Foliage: Narrow, green leaves with a spiral look; larger at stem’s bottom, smaller toward the top

    Maintenance: Low; drought-tolerant

    2. Prairie Onion (Allium stellatum)

    pink colored flowers of prairie onion

    Photo Credit: Justin Meissen / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

    Named for the oniony scent that comes from its grasslike leaves, the prairie onion is a totally edible plant that’s easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and resistant to deer and rabbits. Blooming from a solitary stem, the up to 2-inch round, umbrella-shaped cluster of lavender-pink or white flowers displays its beauty for three weeks, typically in July and August. Plant with low-growing selections, as prairie onions do not grow well with taller, more invasive species.

    Plant type: Bulb

    USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7

    Sun: Full sun or partial shade

    Soil: Well-drained; sandy, rocky, silt

    Duration: Perennial

    Fragrance: Oniony smell

    Bloom time: Summer

    Water needs: Occasionally, when soil is dry; otherwise, regular rain should be sufficient

    Mature height: 1 to 2 feet

    Foliage: Narrow and grasslike; emits the onion smell

    Maintenance: Low; drought-tolerant, resistant to deer and rabbits

    3. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

    close up photo of wild bergamot

    Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

    Considered fully established by year two of growth from seed, wild bergamot can be naturally found along roadsides, in meadows, and on prairies. It’s easy to grow and unbothered by invasive plants and poor soil conditions. Prized for its rounded clumps of tubular blooms that exhibit purple, pink, or white flowers from June to August, this plant will for sure bring all the bees (hummingbirds and butterflies) to the yard. 

    Plant type: Flower

    USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9

    Sun: Full sun or partial shade

    Soil: Shallow, rocky soil or clay that’s moist, well-drained, or dry-ish

    Duration: Perennial

    Fragrance: A blend of mint and oregano emitted from foliage

    Bloom time: Summer

    Water needs: Natural rainfall should be sufficient; withstands dry soil for a while

    Mature height: 2 to 4 feet

    Foliage: Green to grayish-silver with serrated edges; hairy underside, while top can be smooth or hairy; edible

    Potential hazards: Moderately flammable/risk of fire

    Maintenance: Low; drought-tolerant, deer- and rabbit-resistant

    4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

    beautiful black-eyed susan flowers with sunlight shining on them

    Photo Credit: Pxfuel

    Because they bloom throughout the spring and summer, black-eyed Susans are ideal for planting as pathway borders, in container gardens, or in butterfly gardens. Due to their coarse, hairy leaf texture, these plants are naturally deer-resistant. 

    Plant type: Flower

    USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

    Sun: Full sun

    Soil: Clay, sand, loam, acidic, moist, well-drained

    Duration: Depending on growing conditions can act as a biennial, annual, or short-lived perennial

    Fragrance: Sweet

    Bloom time: Spring, summer, early autumn

    Water needs: Medium. It has moderate drought tolerance

    Mature height: 1 to 3 feet.

    Maintenance: Low. Can self-seed freely. Black-eyed Susan can become aggressive if given too perfect an environment and insufficient competition.

    5. Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

    a beautiful photo of red columbine flower

    Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    Known for its red or yellow bell-shaped blossoms, this perennial flowers from May to July. While there’s no scent to this plant, its nectar attracts hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators. Ideal for rock gardens, shade gardens, and as an accent plant, red columbine is resistant to deer and most insects; however, leafminers may cause cosmetic damage and duskywing caterpillars can be found feeding on the blue-green leaves.

    Plant type: Flower

    USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8

    Sun: Full sun or partial shade

    Soil: Clay, silt, or sandy soil that’s well-drained, moist, dry-ish

    Duration: Perennial

    Bloom Time: Spring and summer

    Water needs: Weekly or whenever soil is completely dry

    Mature height: 1 to 3 feet

    Foliage: Blue-green leaves grow in groups of three

    Potential hazards: Moderately flammable/risk of fire

    Maintenance: Low; deadhead blooms as needed, cut back in late summer

    6. False Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)

    A lot of False Indigo plants together

    Photo Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    An ornamental shrub, false indigo works great as a privacy screen/windbreaker or border plant. Easy-to-grow from seed and deer-resistant — deer don’t like the velvety texture of the oblong leaves — this plant gives off purple, blue, or gold/yellow flowers from April to June and attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

    Plant type: Shrub

    USDA hardiness zone: 4 to 9

    Sun: Full sun or partial shade

    Soil: Clay, silt, high organic matter, or sandy soil; moist or somewhat wet to somewhat dry

    Duration: Perennial

    Fragrance: Light, vanilla scent

    Bloom Time: Spring and summer

    Water needs:  Water regularly

    Mature height: 4 to 15 feet

    Foliage: Oblong green or gray/silver leaves that are velvety to the touch

    Potential hazards: May contain alkaloids that are poisonous to animals

    Maintenance: Low; prune in late winter to early spring to maintain shape

    7. Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

    A light purple colored wild germanium plant

    Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Frequently chosen as a ground cover plant, wild geranium’s star-shaped blooms, which show themselves from May through June, mainly come in lavender, blue, red, and pink, fading to white at the base. Groundcover plants can take the place of traditional lawn grass, making for a low-maintenance yard that not only cuts the need for mowing but also helps control erosion and weeds. Wild geranium attracts pollinators, too, and you can even make tea from its flowers.

    Plant type: Flowering ground cover

    USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 11

    Sun: Full sun or partial shade

    Soil: Clay, silt, high organic matter, or sandy soil that’s well-drained, moist, or somewhat wet

    Duration: Perennial

    Bloom Time: Spring and summer

    Water needs:  Water regularly

    Mature height: 1 to 2 feet

    Foliage: Green, compound, hand-shaped leaves with serrated edges; hairy on both sides

    Maintenance: Low

    8. Blue Giant Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

    A light purple colored blue giant hyssop plant

    Photo Credit: Anna / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

    Long used as flavoring in salads and teas (plus, its seeds can be used to bake cakes, cookies, and muffins), blue giant hyssop heralds the arrival of summer with tall spikes that bear clusters of blue or purple blooms, punctuated by green-gray leaves with serrated edges. In addition to being cold-hardy, this perennial attracts pollinators but repels deer and rabbits.

    Plant type: Flowering herb

    USDA hardiness zone: 5 to 9

    Sun: Full sun or partial shade

    Soil: Silt, shallow rocky, or sandy soil that’s well-drained

    Duration: Perennial

    Fragrance: Yes; similar to anise or licorice

    Bloom Time: Summer through fall

    Water needs: Low/infrequent

    Mature height: 2 to 4 feet

    Foliage: Green with gray, hairy underside and serrated edges

    Maintenance: Low

    9. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

    A light purple pink colored england aster

    Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

    If you’re looking for an end-of-summer showstopper, New England aster is the one to pick. Blooming from August through October, this native wildflower can grow 6 feet tall and sprouts ostentatious, ray flowers outfitted with up to 100 individual purple or pink petals surrounding a yellow, button center. Perfect for rain gardens and butterfly gardens, New England aster also boasts oblong leaves that are rough to the touch on top with a soft underside of fine hairs.

    Plant type: Flower

    USDA hardiness zone: 4 to 8

    Sun: Full sun or partial shade

    Soil: Clay or high organic matter that’s well-drained

    Duration: Perennial

    Fragrance: Yes; of turpentine when crushed

    Bloom Time: Summer and fall

    Water needs:  Medium; water well in the absence of rain

    Mature height: 3 to 7 feet

    Foliage: Green oblong leaves; top layer rough to touch/underside is soft and covered in fine hairs

    Potential hazards: N/A; nontoxic

    Maintenance: Low once established; deer-resistant

    How to Choose Native Plants for Your Minneapolis Yard 

    Besides assessing your yard for sunlight, soil conditions, and existing plant life, you can find inspiration for specific types of native plants that’ll thrive in your yard by visiting local sites (like Wood Lake Nature Center and Nokomis Naturescape Garden), studying local planting books/magazines, and consulting with a nearby landscaping expert.

    Firmly situated in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b, Minneapolis can have extreme lows of -25 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months. Native plants are adapted to this type of climate; however, if you plan to include any non-native specimens in your garden, definitely double check the climate zones they can survive in before planting.

    FAQ About Native Minneapolis Plants

    When should I plant native flowers and shrubs in Minneapolis?

    Since our final frost typically isn’t until late May, it’s best to hold off on planting until June. Be sure to check the guidelines of the specific plants you’re looking to install in your landscape, though, too–– they’ll give a more precise timeline.

    What are the benefits of growing native plants?

    Choosing to cultivate a native plant garden (one that only grows plants that occur naturally in the geographic area) helps preserve biodiversity. A few other benefits:
    • Keeps plants thriving, as they’re already accustomed to area growing conditions
    • Conserves water because native plants can generally do well with local rainfall patterns
    • Deep roots prevent soil compaction/recycle stormwater runoff
    • Attracts pollinators — native bees, hummingbirds, etc. already know which local plants provide the food they need

    When should I water my native plants?

    Native plants are adapted to the rainfall of the region and are pretty low maintenance when it comes to watering. During a plant’s first growing season, water weekly; after that, area rainfall should be sufficient, as native plants are typically drought-tolerant.

    Where to Find Native Plants in Minneapolis 

    There are more than 2,100 plants native to Minnesota alone, and there’s a bevy of garden stores nearby that stay stocked with them — from goldenrod and honeysuckle to penstemon, sedges, spiderwort, and all the ones detailed above. Here are just a few spot to get your shopping started:

    Once you’ve purchased your haul, consult a local lawn care pro to keep your yard looking gorgeous. They’ll assist with mowing, edging, hedge trimming, leaf removal, and the like, so nothing will overshadow your native plant garden. Then, sit back and enjoy the beautiful colors, scents, and pollinating visitors.

    Main Image Credit: Black Eyed Susan / Garry Knight / Flickr / CC BY 2.0