Native Minnesota Plants to Include in Your Garden This Summer

Minnesota summers are short, but they’re bursting with opportunities to make your garden thrive. Whether you’re planning a pollinator-friendly garden, tackling a full backyard remodel, or looking for low-maintenance landscape ideas, incorporating native plants is a smart, sustainable choice.

At Pierson Garden and Landscape, we help homeowners across the Twin Cities design gardens that are beautiful and built for the local climate. Native Minnesota plants require less watering, support native pollinators, and play a key role in erosion control and drainage solutions. Here’s how to make them a part of your summer landscape.

Why Choose Native Minnesota Plants?

Native plants are adapted to our region’s unique weather, soil conditions, and seasonal changes. That means:

• Less water and fertilizer are required

• Higher resistance to pests and disease

• Support for native pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds

• Help with erosion control and yard water drainage

For homeowners dealing with water pooling in the yard after heavy rain or sloped yard drainage issues, native landscaping can also be a natural part of your property drainage solutions.

Top Native Plants for Your Summer Garden

Here are some of our favorite Minnesota-native plants that thrive in backyard landscaping and flower garden designs:

1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• A pollinator favorite with bold purple blooms

• Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant

• Adds height and color to any native plant garden

2. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

• A fragrant perennial that attracts bees and butterflies

• Perfect for prairie restoration and native garden designs

• Performs well in both full sun and partial shade

3. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

• One of the best native grasses for erosion control

• Provides movement, texture, and rich fall color

• Excellent for landscape erosion control on slopes

4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Bright, sunny blooms from early summer to fall

• Low maintenance and ideal for a no-maintenance landscape

• Pairs beautifully with native shrubs for shade

5. Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)

• Thrives in moist soil—great for garden drainage solutions

• Can be part of rain gardens or near yard drainage systems

• Stunning violet blooms attract pollinators and add elegance

6. Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

• A graceful, fine-textured ornamental grass

• Excellent for landscape drainage and low-maintenance front yard landscaping

• Works well in luxury backyard designs and modern native landscapes

7. Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

• A hardy native shrub that thrives in wet soils

• Ideal for outdoor drainage solutions and sloped yard drainage

• Offers vibrant red stems in winter for year-round interest

Combining Native Plants with Drainage and Design

One of the benefits of working with a landscape architecture company like Pierson is our ability to merge natural beauty with function. We offer:

• Landscape drainage solutions using native grasses and garden beds to absorb excess water

• Backyard drainage solutions that are beautiful and practical

• Yard erosion control strategies using native groundcovers and shrubs

• Native shade gardens with MN native shade plants that thrive under tree canopies

Incorporating these native plants can also reduce the need for traditional irrigation systems and lawn drainage solutions, saving you time, water, and money.

Best Uses for Native Plants in Landscaping

Here are a few project ideas using native plants for your summer garden or yard renovation:

• Backyard Renovations: Create a stunning outdoor space with native plant beds, landscape lighting, and luxury landscape design touches.

• Native Pollinator Gardens: Support local ecosystems while enjoying a burst of color and life in your garden.

• Prairie Restoration: Reintroduce native prairie grasses to large or sloped areas to fight erosion and improve soil health.

• Rain Gardens: Integrate a garden drainage system with plants like Blue Flag Iris or Swamp Milkweed that soak up excess water.

If you’re searching for “backyard landscaping near me” or “best landscape design companies” in Minnesota, we’re proud to be a trusted partner for native landscaping solutions.

FAQ: Native Landscaping in Minnesota

Q: When is the best time to plant native plants in Minnesota?
A: Late spring to early summer is ideal for most native perennials and grasses. This allows roots to establish before the fall frost.

Q: Can native plants help with my yard drainage problems?
A: Yes! Native plants with deep root systems improve soil structure, absorb excess water, and are essential to any sustainable garden drainage system.

Q: Are native plants high maintenance?
A: No—most native plants are incredibly low maintenance once established, making them perfect for busy homeowners and no-maintenance landscape goals.

Start Your Native Garden with Pierson

Whether you’re envisioning a full native plant garden, addressing yard drainage solutions, or simply want to enhance your flower garden with pollinator-friendly blooms, Pierson Garden and Landscape is here to help.

Our landscaping services combine beauty with eco-conscious design—from luxury landscaping to sustainable outdoor drainage solutions. Contact us today to start planning your summer landscape with native Minnesota plants!