Native range

Native plants of Minnesota

51 wild species and 18 plant groups in the BloomsEye library grow wild somewhere in Minnesota, read from Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS. The 113 garden forms of them are listed apart below, each naming its wild parent.

Showing 1 to 60 of 69 plants

How this list is made

Derived from each plant's native-range record, checked against Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS with every decision on a ledger; Minnesota is read off the record's own range, and the order is how many of the state's counties record each plant, as stored in the BloomsEye library, which was written with AI assistance. Of these 69 plants, 54 have been checked against outside sources (4 fully verified); the rest have not been checked yet, and each plant's own page says which. The cards are AI-generated illustrations.

Range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 4.0, adapted) and USDA PLANTS. How the native range is credited.

Eastern Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Part shadeZones 3–82 ftModerate
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Part shadeZones 3–88 inLow
False Sunflower
Heliopsis
Full sunZones 3–94 ftModerate
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftLow
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Full sunZones 4–95 ftLow
Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum
Full sunZones 3–71.5 ftLow
Foliage
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Part shadeZones 4–82.5 ftModerate
Anise Hyssop
Agastache
Full sunZones 5–93 ftLow
Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
Part shadeZones 5–93 ftModerate
Foliage
Wild Ginger
Asarum
Full shadeZones 4–86 inModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Full sunZones 3–84 ftModerate
Foliage
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Full sunZones 3–859 ftModerate
Foliage
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Part shadeZones 3–74 ftHigh
American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Full sunZones 3–98.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Northern Blue Flag Iris
Iris versicolor
Full sunZones 3–92.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Full sunZones 3–92 ftLow
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Part shadeZones 2–68 inModerate
Foliage
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum
Full shadeZones 3–81.5 ftHigh
Foliage
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Part shadeZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Foliage
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
Full sunZones 3–859 ftModerate
Foliage
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Full sunZones 3–949 ftModerate
Aromatic Aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Full sunZones 3–82 ftLow
Staghorn Sumac
Rhus typhina
Full sunZones 4–820 ftLow
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Full sunZones 3–96.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Foliage
Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Full sunZones 3–820 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Full sunZones 3–76.5 ftModerate
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Full sun6.5 ftModerate1.5 ft wide
Potentilla
Potentilla fruticosa
Full sunZones 2–73 ftLow
Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
Full sunZones 3–85 ftModerate
Foliage
Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Part shadeZones 3–94 ftHigh
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Full sunZones 5–98.5 ftModerate
Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Full sunZones 4–83.5 ftModerate
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Part shadeZones 3–81.5 ftModerate
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Part sunZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Full sunZones 4–812 inModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Palm Sedge
Carex muskingumensis
Part sunZones 4–92.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Full sunZones 3–949 ftModerate
Foliage
River Birch
Betula nigra
Full sunZones 4–949 ftHigh
Foliage
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Full shadeZones 3–91.5 ftModerate
Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata
Full sunZones 3–96 inLow
Foliage
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Part shadeZones 3–749 ftModerate
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Full sunZones 3–94.5 ftLow
Annual Phlox
Phlox drummondii
Full sunZones 2–1112 inModerate
Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Full sunZones 4–93.5 ftModerate
Lavender Annual Phlox
Phlox drummondii
Full sunZones 2–1112 inModerate
Peach Annual Phlox
Phlox drummondii
Full sunZones 2–1112 inModerate
Purple Annual Phlox
Phlox drummondii
Full sunZones 2–1112 inModerate
Queen of the Prairie
Filipendula rubra
Full sunZones 3–95 ftHigh
Red Annual Phlox
Phlox drummondii
Full sunZones 2–1112 inModerate
Shrubby St. John's Wort
Hypericum prolificum
Full sunZones 4–83 ftModerate
White Annual Phlox
Phlox drummondii
Full sunZones 2–1112 inModerate
Aster
Symphyotrichum
Full sunZones 3–83 ftModerate
Goldenrod
Solidago
Full sunZones 3–93 ftLow
Perennial Sunflower
Helianthus
Full sunZones 4–95 ftModerate
Serviceberry
Amelanchier
Part sunZones 4–820 ftModerate
Penstemon
Penstemon
Full sunZones 3–82.5 ftLow
Blazing Star
Liatris
Full sunZones 3–93 ftLow
Trillium
Trillium
Full shadeZones 4–812 inModerate
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia
Full sunZones 3–92.5 ftLow
Spiderwort
Tradescantia
Part sunZones 3–91.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats

Recorded across Minnesota

How many of the state's 87 counties record each wild species growing wild, from USDA PLANTS: a plant recorded in many counties is widespread in Minnesota; one recorded in few may be local, or simply under-recorded. A county's absence is not evidence a plant is absent. 42 of the wild species carry a county record here.

Garden forms of Minnesota natives

113 garden forms, each a named selection of a species that grows wild in Minnesota and each naming its wild parent. A garden form is not the wild plant, so it is listed here and never counted above.

  • Abbotswood

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Adams Elderberry

    Sambucus canadensis 'Adams' · Garden form of American Elderberry

  • Alma Pötschke

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Alma Pötschke' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Alpine Carpet Juniper

    Juniperus communis 'Mondap' · Garden form of Juniperus communis

  • Amazing Grace

    Phlox subulata 'Amazing Grace' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Amber Jubilee

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Jefam' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Aquavita Juniper

    Juniperus virginiana 'FARROWJVBF' · Garden form of Juniperus virginiana

  • Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood

    Cornus sericea 'Farrow' · Garden form of Cornus sericea

  • Arctic Fire Yellow Dogwood

    Cornus sericea 'SMNCSBD' · Garden form of Cornus sericea

  • Athena Gold False Sunflower

    Heliopsis helianthoides 'Inhelsogia' · Garden form of False Sunflower

  • Autumn Beauty

    Helianthus annuus 'Autumn Beauty' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Autumn Colors

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Autumn Colors' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Baby Joe Dwarf Joe Pye Weed

    Eutrochium purpureum 'Baby Joe' · Garden form of Eutrochium purpureum

  • Bailey Compact American Cranberrybush

    Viburnum opulus var. americanum 'Bailey Compact' · Garden form of Viburnum trilobum

  • Bar Harbor Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Berry Heavy

    Ilex verticillata 'Spravy' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Berry Poppins

    Ilex verticillata 'FarrowBPop' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Black Hills Spruce

    Picea glauca 'Densata' · Garden form of Picea laxa

  • Blackhawks Big Bluestem

    Andropogon gerardi 'Blackhawks' · Garden form of Andropogon gerardi

  • Blackjack Gold Black-Eyed Susan

    Rudbeckia triloba 'Blackjack Gold' · Garden form of Rudbeckia triloba

  • Blaze

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze' · Garden form of Little Bluestem

  • Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass

    Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' · Garden form of Bouteloua gracilis

  • Blue Chip Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Blue Moon Woodland Phlox

    Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon' · Garden form of Phlox divaricata

  • Blue Paradise

    Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Blue Rug Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Bright Eyes

    Phlox paniculata 'Bright Eyes' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Bubblegum Pink Garden Phlox

    Phlox paniculata 'Ditomfra' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Candy Stripe

    Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Cheer Drops Arborvitae

    Thuja occidentalis 'Smntdgt' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Cherry Berries Wintergreen

    Gaultheria procumbens 'Gaulsidh5' · Garden form of Gaultheria procumbens

  • Cherry Brandy

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Claire Grace

    Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace' · Garden form of Monarda fistulosa

  • Columnar White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Fastigiata' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • Coppertina

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Coral Flame

    Phlox paniculata 'Coral Flame' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Danica

    Thuja occidentalis 'Danica' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • David

    Phlox paniculata 'David' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • DeGroot's Spire

    Thuja occidentalis 'DeGroot's Spire' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Denver Daisy

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Denver Daisy' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Diabolo

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Drummond's Pink

    Phlox subulata 'Drummond's Pink' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Dwarf Alberta Spruce

    Picea glauca 'Conica' · Garden form of Picea laxa

  • Dwarf White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Nana' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • Emerald Blue

    Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Emerald Green

    Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Emerald Pink

    Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Fire Chief

    Thuja occidentalis 'Fire Chief' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Gentsch White

    Tsuga canadensis 'Gentsch White' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Giant Sunflower

    Helianthus annuus 'Mammoth Russian' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Golden Globe

    Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Globe' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Goldfinger

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Goldilocks

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac

    Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' · Garden form of Fragrant Sumac

  • Happy Face Yellow

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Happy Face Yellow' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Heavy Metal

    Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Holmstrup

    Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Indian Summer

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Jeana

    Phlox paniculata 'Jeana' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Jeddeloh Hemlock

    Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Laura

    Phlox paniculata 'Laura' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Lemon Queen

    Helianthus annuus 'Lemon Queen' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Lemony Lace Elderberry

    Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4' · Garden form of Sambucus racemosa

  • Little Devil

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Luminary Ultraviolet

    Phlox paniculata 'Ultraviolet' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Mammoth

    Helianthus annuus 'Mammoth' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Mango Tango

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Mango Tango' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • McKay's White

    Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Moulin Rouge

    Helianthus annuus 'Moulin Rouge' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • New England Aster 'Barr's Pink'

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Barr's Pink' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • New England Aster 'Harrington's Pink'

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Nicky

    Phlox paniculata 'Nicky' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Northwind

    Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Nugget

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Nugget' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • October Skies

    Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies' · Garden form of Aromatic Aster

  • Orange Perfection

    Phlox paniculata 'Orange Perfection' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Orange Whisper

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Orange Whisper' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Pink Beauty

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Pink Whisper

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Whisper' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Prairie Sun

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Prairie Sun' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Purple Beauty

    Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Purple Dome

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Purple Phlox

    Phlox paniculata 'Purple' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Raydon's Favorite

    Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' · Garden form of Aromatic Aster

  • Red Ace

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Red Sprite

    Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Red Wings

    Phlox subulata 'Red Wings' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Regent Serviceberry

    Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent' · Garden form of Amelanchier alnifolia

  • Rheingold

    Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Ring of Fire

    Helianthus annuus 'Ring of Fire' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Robert Poore

    Phlox paniculata 'Robert Poore' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Scarlet Flame

    Phlox subulata 'Scarlet Flame' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Shenandoah

    Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Snow Flurry

    Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry' · Garden form of Symphyotrichum ericoides

  • Soraya

    Helianthus annuus 'Soraya' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Starfire

    Phlox paniculata 'Starfire' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Strawberry Blonde

    Helianthus annuus 'Strawberry Blonde' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Sugar Shack Buttonbush

    Cephalanthus occidentalis 'SMCOSS' · Garden form of Buttonbush

  • Summer Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Tangerine

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Tangerine' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Techny

    Thuja occidentalis 'Techny' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Teddy Bear

    Helianthus annuus 'Teddy Bear' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Tiger Eyes Sumac

    Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' · Garden form of Staghorn Sumac

  • Tiny Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'SMNPOTW' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Toto Gold

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Toto Gold' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Twilight Zone

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone' · Garden form of Little Bluestem

  • Velvet Queen

    Helianthus annuus 'Velvet Queen' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Weeping Hemlock

    Tsuga canadensis 'Sargentii' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Weeping White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Pendula' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • White Delight

    Phlox subulata 'White Delight' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • White Flame

    Phlox paniculata 'White Flame' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Winter Gold

    Ilex verticillata 'Winter Gold' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Winter Red

    Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' · Garden form of Winterberry

Plant groups native to Minnesota

18 plant groups sold under one name whose wild species grow in Minnesota; the count beside each is how many of its wild species the record finds in the state.

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Native to your own county

This page is the whole state. In the free garden planner, enter your ZIP and Garden Check lists these same plants for your location, marks the ones recorded growing wild in your county, and places any of them in your plan; its Browse tab answers for any of the 65 states, provinces and territories with no account.

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