86977719 Best Plants for 30 Tough Sites

Te Best  Plants For 30 ough Sites Minnesota’s Master Gardeners share their 30 years o experience in teaching in Minnesota 

Best Plants or 30 ough ough Sites Introduction Tis bulletin is written in celebration o 30 years o Master Gardener teaching in Minnesota. Here are the BES plants or 30 tough garden sites: dry shade, slopes, lakeshores, all locations that call or tough, durable plants. Also included are hard-to-nd plant lists o special traits and useul characteristics: sel-seeding, ragrance, long-blooming, minimal litter trees. And who better to recommend these plants than the University  o Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardeners? Drawing on their 30 years o teaching and experience, Master Gardeners list here their selections or these tough sites.

 About the University University o  Minnesota Master Gardeners Te University o Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardeners are volunteers  who teach horticulture th roughout the state. More than 5,000 Master Gardeners have taken the training, started in 1977 by 

Inside you will nd answers to these tough questions:

Mike Zins, now retired U o M Extension

•  What ca n I plant under a black walnut?

Horticulturist. About 2,500 are currently 

•  What wil l grow in alka line soil?

active volunteers teaching in schools, nursing 

•  What is a good sma ll tree or a boulevard?

homes, community education programs,

•  What tree is g ood or my compacted soil?

community gardens, armers’ markets, at

•  What wil l grow in dry shade, under trees ?

county airs and the state air and answering  phone and email questions. Most counties in Minnesota have active Master Gardeners that extend the research-based gardening 

1977

2007

inormation rom the University o Minnesota  to the public. o contact a Master Ga rdener near you or to learn more about the program and how you can become a Master Gardener, see ww see  ww w.mg.umn.edu. For more gardening 

 30 Years of Master Gardener Teaching 

inormation see: www.extension.umn.edu.

Best Plants or 30 ough ough Sites Introduction Tis bulletin is written in celebration o 30 years o Master Gardener teaching in Minnesota. Here are the BES plants or 30 tough garden sites: dry shade, slopes, lakeshores, all locations that call or tough, durable plants. Also included are hard-to-nd plant lists o special traits and useul characteristics: sel-seeding, ragrance, long-blooming, minimal litter trees. And who better to recommend these plants than the University  o Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardeners? Drawing on their 30 years o teaching and experience, Master Gardeners list here their selections or these tough sites.

 About the University University o  Minnesota Master Gardeners Te University o Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardeners are volunteers  who teach horticulture th roughout the state. More than 5,000 Master Gardeners have taken the training, started in 1977 by 

Inside you will nd answers to these tough questions:

Mike Zins, now retired U o M Extension

•  What ca n I plant under a black walnut?

Horticulturist. About 2,500 are currently 

•  What wil l grow in alka line soil?

active volunteers teaching in schools, nursing 

•  What is a good sma ll tree or a boulevard?

homes, community education programs,

•  What tree is g ood or my compacted soil?

community gardens, armers’ markets, at

•  What wil l grow in dry shade, under trees ?

county airs and the state air and answering  phone and email questions. Most counties in Minnesota have active Master Gardeners that extend the research-based gardening 

1977

2007

inormation rom the University o Minnesota  to the public. o contact a Master Ga rdener near you or to learn more about the program and how you can become a Master Gardener, see ww see  ww w.mg.umn.edu. For more gardening 

 30 Years of Master Gardener Teaching 

inormation see: www.extension.umn.edu.

able o Contents

top: Home vegetable   gardens need ull sun and  well-drained soil. Specic  vegetable plants and herbs or  alkaline soils and near black  walnut trees are listed in this   publication. middle: Crimson Pigmy 

barberry, background, tolerates alkaline soil, is deer resistant and can be pruned or  knot gardens. Blue oatgrass  (middle) and hardy chrysanthemums (oreground) are additional choices or  boulevard gardens and sunny  dry sites. bottom: Te Rain Garden

at the Minnesota Landscape   Arboretum handles wate r  runo rom several large   parking lots.

 Alka line Soil ................................ ........................  Alkaline ................................. ......... 4  Annuals  Annua ls 3 Feet or More More........ ................ ................. ................. ................ ................ ........ 5  Annuall Vines Tat Grow Quickly ....................  Annua ................................. ............. 6 Boulevard Gardens Gardens:: Per Perennials ennials ........ ................. ................. ................ ............ .... 7 Boulevard Gardens: Small rees rees ...................... ................................... ............. 8 Broadlea Evergreens or USDA USDA Zone Zone 4 ....................... ......................... 9 Clay Soil ....................... .............................................. ............................................... .......................... 10 Cold olerant olerant Annuals ...................... ............................................. ............................ ..... 11 Compacted Sites: rees .................... ............................................ ............................. ..... 12 Crevice Plants ...................... .............................................. ......................................... ................. 13 Deer Resistant Plants ....................... ............................................... ............................. ..... 14 Dry Soil: Annual Foliage Plants Plants ....................... .................................... ............. 15 Dry Soil: Shade or Under rees rees .................... ..................................... ................. 16 Dry Soil: rees ..................... ............................................. ......................................... ................. 17 Fragrant A nnuals and Per Perennials ennials ................... ........................... ............... ....... 18 Fragrant Shrubs ....................... ............................................... ..................................... ............. 19 Indoor Low Light..................... ............................................. ..................................... ............. 20 Knot Gardens ...................... .............................................. ......................................... ................. 21 Lakeshore Native Plants ....................... ............................................... .......................... 22 Long-Blooming Perennials ....................... ............................................ ..................... 24 Rain Garden Plants Plants ....................... .............................................. ................................ ......... 25 River Banks a nd Canoe Public Access Access Areas ........... ................. ...... 28 Sel-Seeding Perennials .................... ............................................ ............................. ..... 29 Septic Mound Plants .................... ............................................ ................................. ......... 30 Shade: Shrubs ...................... .............................................. ......................................... ................. 31 Shade: Small rees rees ....................... ............................................... ................................. ......... 32 Shade: all all Perennials ...................... .............................................. ............................. ..... 33 Steep Slopes ...................... ............................................. ............................................ ..................... 34 rees Tat Produce Minimal Litter ...................... ............................... ......... 35 Under a Black Walnut ree ree ...................... ........................................... ..................... 36 Reerences ..................... ............................................ ............................................... .......................... 38

 Alkaline Soil Bota nic a l Na me

Common Na me

Height

Comment s

si lv lver m ap aple

45 -7 -75’

Fa st st g ro row in in g, g, brit tl tle wo od od ; yel lloow  al al l color; mos t c on ond itit io ion s.s.

buckeye

20 -4 -40’

Att ra ractive pa lm lmately compound leaves; yellow/ora ng nge/red a llll color.

rees & Shrubs

 Acer saccharinum  Aesculus glabra  Berberis thunbergii  Celtis occidentalis  Cotinus coggygria  Cotoneaster lucidus  Fraxinus pennsylvanica  Gleditsia triacanthos inermis  Hydrangea arborescens  Hydrangea paniculata   Juniperus horizontal is   Juniperus chinensis  Ostrya virginiana  Pinus nigra  Potentilla ruticosa  Prunus virginiana  Quercus macrocarpa  Syringa vulgaris  Viburnum spp.

ba rberr y

2-5’

Spreads 2-5  t.; color  ul olia ge in summer a nd a ll.

hackberr y

40 - 60’

L arge shade tree or tough sites.

smokebush

6 -15’

Produces show y smok y-si lver to pin k pa nicles Ju ly - Sept.

coto cotone neas aste terr

8-1 8-10’

Smal Smalll pink pink owe owers rs;; black lack rui ruit; t; exce excell lleent or or hedge edge and and xeri xerisc scap ape. e.

green a sh

40 - 60’

Vigorous grow t h habit.

hone yl ylo cu cu st st

30 -6 -6 0’ 0’

Torn le le ss ss va ri riet ie ies a re re be st st ; r ap apid grower; prov id ide s  ltltered s ha had e. e.

hills hills o snow snow hydra hydrange ngeaa

3-5’ 3-5’

Spre Spreads ads 3-5 3-5 t. t.;; mopmop-he head ad bloo blooms ms o pink pink in alkaline alkaline soil. soil.

pa ni nicle hydra ng ngea

6 -8 -8’

Show y white to pin ki kish blooms in in summer.

creepi ng ng ju ni nip er er

1-2’

E xc xc el el lleent gr ground co cover ; tou gh gh a nd nd de depend ab able on on po po or or so soi ls ls .

Ch in ines e ju ni niper

2- 6’ 6’

Gold t o green  ol ol ia ia ge ge dep en end in in g on va ri riet y; y; be st st i n  ul ul l s un un.

ironwood

25- 40 40’

Interesting hopli ke ke  ru ruit s in a llll a nd nd brow n leaves add wi winter interest.

 Austria n pine

50’

Spreads to 20 t .; vigorous, dense grower; da rk green.

bush ci ci nq nqueoi l

2-3’

L on ong bl bloom se sea so son; o owers wh white, pi pi nk nk, go gold or or ye yellow.

chokecherr y

20 -4 -40’

Nat iv ive tough sma llller tree; white owers in in early spri ng ng.

bur oa k

40 - 60’

Ea s y to grow; d rought tolera nt; long-lived.

li lac

8-15’

Reliable,  ra gra nt spring owers.

viburnum

4-18’

Ma ny ny excellent va ri rieties; white owers; color ul ul a llll berries.

Perennials & Vines

 Achillea  spp.  Astilbe  x arendsii  arendsii  or A. chinensis  Clematis  spp. Dianthus barbatus  Echinacea purpurea  Hemerocallis  spp. Heuchera sanguinea  Hosta spp. Lonicera spp. Phlox subulata  Phlox paniculata  Salvia nemorosa 

ya rrow

18”-3’

Drought tolerant; att ractive ern-like oliage a nd at topped bloom.

a st ilbe

15-36”

L ong bloom sea son; spi kes o white, pink, lavender or red; moist soil.

clemat is

5-15’

Excellent bloomi ng vine; ma ny colors a nd bloom times; shade roots.

s we weet Wi llllia m

8”

Biennia l;l; white a nd nd pin k  ra ra gr gra nt nt owers; sel-seed s like perennia l.l.

coneower

2-3’

Great native perennia l; preers well-d ra ined soil a nd  ull sun.

daylily

1-3’

ough; long sea son o da ily bloom; ma ny ower colors.

cora l bells

12-24”

Blooms ea rlrly to mid-summer on spi ke kes o bright ly ly colored o owers.

host a

4”- 4’

Hundred s o va riet ies o this ha rdy shade plant.

honeysuck le

10 -20’

Color u l t ubula r owers rom June to Sept; att racts hummingbi rd s.

creepi ng ng ph phlox

4- 8” 8”

L ow ow gr growing sp spri ng ng bl bloomer; o olia ge ge ma ma ke kes go good ed edging pl pla nt nt.

ga rd rden phlox

3- 4’ 4’

Depend ab able show y owers; w id ide ra ng nge o colors; mid su summer to a llll.

sa lvia

8-24”

Flower spikes in early summer; rebloom i dead headed.

In general, ornamental grasses are tolerant o alkaline pH; there are many to choose rom including native grasses. Herbs such as wormwood,  Artemisia absinthium ; borage, Borago ocinalis ; chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile ; parsley, Petroselinum crispum; and thyme, Tymus spp., grow   well in alk aline conditions. Legumes such as beans and peas, peppers, and spinach are good vegetables to grow in high pH soils.

‘Emerald riumph’ viburnum is  a U o M introduction that grows  quickly to 6-0’. Compiled by Esther Filson,  Washington Count y Master Gardener. Alkaline soil is common in Minnesota. Many  Master Gardeners, including  Esther, a Master Gardener or 25 years, have had plenty o experience with alkaline soils. Tis list includes some o the best plants or soils with a pH o 7.0-8.0.

 Annuals 3 Feet or More Botanical Name  Abutilon x hybridum  Amaranthus caudatus   Antirrhinum majus  Borage ocinalis  Cleome hasslerana  Cosmos bipinnatus  Datura metel  Consolida  spp. Helianthus annuus  Hibiscus acetosella  Lavatera trimestris  Nicotiana sylvestris  Pennisetum setaceum Persicaria orientale  Ricinis communis  Salvia guaranitica  Solenostemon scutellarioides  Strobilanthes dyerianus  agetes erecta  ithonia rotundiolia  Verbena bonariensis   Zinnia elegans 

Common Name

Height Soil ype

Exposure* Comments

owering maple

3-6’

all

PS

Attractive owers; rost tender shrub; some varieties have variegated leaves.

love-lies-bleeding

2-4’

all

S

Coloul oliage; trailing rope or chennille-like owers.

snapdragon

2-4’

all

S

‘Rocket’, ‘Bright Butteries’ and ‘Supreme Double’ are tall; rost tolerant.

borage

2-4’

rich, moist soil

S

Hairy oliage; nodding blue owers.

cleome, spider ower

4-6’

all, dry

S, PS

Large 6-7” rounded ower clusters; reseeds reely.

cosmos

4-6’

all, dry

S, PS

Lacy ne oliage; good cut ower.

horn-o-plent y; angel’s trumpet

2-3’

all, dry

S, PS

Large, trumpet owers; all plant parts are poisonous.

larkspur

1-4’

moist

S

all spikes o owers oten need staking; good cut ower.

sunower

2-10’

well-drained

S

Showy owers; birds love seeds; many cultivars.

red-lea hibiscus

4-6’

all, dry

S

Rich burgundy-black maple-like oliage.

annual mallow

2-6’

all

S

Showy owers bloom all summer.

owering tobacco

4-6’

all, dry

S, PS

Large ragrant owers attract hummingbirds; showy coarse oliage; selseeds.

ountaingrass

3-4’

all, dry

S

Pink uzzy ower spikes; ‘Rubrum’ has dark purple owers and oliage.

kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate

6-9’

all

S

Pendulous pink owers; sel-seeds.

castor bean

3-8’

moist

S

Huge leaves; all parts poisonous, especially seeds.

blue sage; black & blue salvia

3-4’

all

S

Attracts bees, butteries; ‘Indigo Spires’ is a sterile hybrid.

coleus

1-4’

moist

S, PS

Newer cultivars are sun tolerant; needs water and ertilizer.

Persian shield

3-4’

all

S, PS

Heat tolerant; dramatic; oliage is iridescent green, purple and silver.

 Aric an mari gold

2-3’

all

S

all Arica n mixed is one o the ta ller cultivars .

Mexican sunower

4-6’

all, dry

S, PS

Daisy-like owers attract butteries.

verbena

3-4’

all, dry

S, PS

ender perennial that reely sel-seeds; buttery avorite.

zinnia

3-4’

all, dry

S

Colorul; long-lasting; excellent cut ower; many cultivars.

New selections and cultivars o annuals today are oten shorter and smaller. Tis list includes several old-ashioned plants that have been grown or many years. Also listed are taller cultivars o new and old avorites. Tese taller annuals will make a  colorul addition to your garden and many can also be used or cut owers. Compiled by Paula Parker, Wright County Master Gardener. Paula has been a Master Gardener or our years, answering questions about annuals and other gardening issues along with the Wright County Master Gardeners who work on community gardens, teaching in schools, and at the county air.

New cultivars o sunfowers have a  variety o colors and orms, oten with branched, multiple fowers.

‘Indigo Spires’ is a tall salvia that  blooms all summer.

 Annual Vines Tat Grow Quickly  Botanical Name

Common Name

Height

Comments

climbing snapdragon

6-9’

One inch trumpet-like owers throughout summer; twining.

 Japanese hops

5-15’

Green owers in summer; a st growing; t winin g.

common morning glory

to 10’

Funnel shaped owers rom midsummer to a ll; ‘Heavenly Blue’ recommended.

cypress vine

8-10’

Fine lacy leaves; star-shaped tubular red, pink and white owers.

cardinal climber

6 to 20’

Ferny oliage; twining; trumpet-shaped owers.

annual sweet pea

2-6’

Pea-type owers; honey-orange blossom scent; grows best in cool weather.

scarlet runner bean

10-15’

Scarlet pea-type owers; purple pods; twining; edible beans.

climbing nasturtium

4-6’

wining; ragrant, edible owers in red, brown, yellow and bicolor.

love-in-a-pu, balloon vine

8-10’

endrils; tiny white owers; balloon type seed pods.

cup and saucer vine, cathedral bells

10-20’

2” reddish purple ower cups in green saucers; tendrils.

Chilean glory vine

10-15’

Orange, red, pink, or yellow clusters o owers rom summer to all.

moonower

10-20’

Fragrant white owers rom midsummer to rost, heart-shaped leaves.

sweet potato vine

6-10’

Several cultivers; ‘ricolor’ is pink, cream.

purple hyacinth bean

6-20’

Purple ragrant, pea-type owers; purple beanlike pods.

Spanish ag, recracker vine

10-20’

Red owers ading to yellow and cream.

Fast-Growing Annual Vines

 Asarina scandens  Humulus scandens  Ipomoea purpurea  Ipomoea quamoclit  Ipomoea x multida  Lathyrus odoratus  Phaseolus coccineus  ropaeolum majus 

ropical/ender Perennial* Vines

Cardiospermum halicacabum Cobaea scandens  Eccremocarpus scaber  Ipomoea alba  Ipomoea batatas  Lablab purpureus   Mina lobata  Passifora incarnata  Rhodochiton atrosanguineum Tunbergia alata  Tunbergia grandifora  ropaeolum peregrinum

passion ower

15-20’

endrils; very exotic looking purple and white owers

purple bell vine

to 10’

endrils; tubular, deep purple owers; heart-shaped leaves.

black-eyed Susan vine

3-7’

wining; orange, yellow, pink and white owers with black eye.

skyower

6-9’

Weaving and twining with sky-blue owers.

canary creeper

7-10’

wining; bright yellow owers; ringed petals and a green spur.

*ender perennial vines are not hardy in Minnesota, however in milder climates they are perennials. All vines on this list grow as annuals in Minnesota.

 Annual vines require support a nd can be planted along narrow spaces to cover a wall, shade a patio, or screen a poor view. Many o these attract birds and make a quick display in weeks. Like all annuals, in order to grow to their maximize size, they need regular water and ertilizer throughout the summer. Compiled by Esther Peters, Stevens County Master Gardener, who loves educating  others about nature and plants.

l: Cardinal climber is a ne lacy vine that grows quickly in ull sun. r: Morning glory makes a quick cover at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Boulevard Gardens: Perennials Botanical Name  Achillea spp.  Asclepias  spp.  Aster  spp. Echinacea purpurea  Hemerocallis  spp. Hosta spp.

Common Name

Height

Comments

yarrow

18”-3’

Full sun; drought tolerant; rapid grower; buttery   plant.

milkweed

18”-6’

Full sun; drought tolerant; buttery plant.

aster

12”-5’

Full sun; all blooms and color; many cultivars.

purple coneower

2’-4’

Full sun; drought tolerant; buttery plant.

daylily

1’-3’

Full sun; tough, long lived; buttery plant.

hosta

4”-4’

Light shade to ull sun; many are ragrant; H.

lanciolia  is salt tolerant. Iris germanica  Liatris spp. Lilium spp.

bearded iris

4”-4’

Full sun; drought and salt tolerant; many are ragrant.

blazing star

2’-5’

Full sun; drought tolerant; buttery plant.

Asiatic and oriental lily

18”-5’

Full sun; good cut owers; can increase in good conditions.

 Monarda didyma  Narcissus  spp.

bee ba lm, b er ga mot

12”- 4’

Fu ll s un to pa rt s had e; but ter y pla nt .

daodil, jonquil

6”-2’

Welcomes spring; long lived; deer and squirrels do not eat.

Nepeta spp.

catmint, catnip

6-30”

Full sun; drought tolerant; large groundcover; very   tough and vigorous.

Paeonia lactifora 

peony

2-3’

Full sun; long lived; cut owers; cut back in late all to minimize botrytis blight.

Perovskia atripliciolia 

Russian sage

3-4’

Full sun; drought tolerant; ragrant; sub-shrub; cut back in spring ater new growth has started.

Phalaris arundinacae 

ribbon grass

30”

Full sun; drought and salt tolerant; rhizomes are conned by pavement; remove any all-green plants that develop.

Phlox paniculata  Rudbeckia ulgida 

garden phlox

3-4’

Full sun; buttery plant; hundreds o cultivars; tough.

gloriosa da isy

12”-10’

Fu ll sun; d rought tolera nt; ‘Gold strum’ is about 30”; old ashioned ‘Golden Glow’ is 5-6’ and makes a tall screen.

Sedum spp.

stonecrop, sedum

6”-2’

Easy; ull sun; groundcover and upright orms; all color and winter interest; attracts many insects.

Stachys byzantina 

lamb’s ear

6-15”

Full sun; drought tolerant; large, sot silver oliage looks good with pastels and burgundy perennials.

Veronica spp.

speedwell

12”-3’

Full sun; drought tolerant; blue, white, or pink   owers.

Yucca limentosa 

yucca

30”

Full sun; drought and salt tolerant; owers up to 5’ tall.

‘Feesey’s Form’

Boulevards are tough sites known or dry, poor soil and salt rom the winter. Tese plants have been selected based on their ability to live and ourish in these dicult urban sites. Compiled by Rose Bush, Ramsey County Master Gardener. Rose became a Master Grdener in 2001 and has a 4-year-old boulevard garden that includes most o these plants. A handul o these tried and true, easy, versatile perennials were used in a Habitat or Humanity landscaping project led by Master Gardeners.

 A boulevard garden can be in the r ont yard, as  shown here on this St. Paul street.

Iris and salvia are tough perennials or a boulevard garden.

Boulevard Gardens: Small rees Botanical Name

Common Name

Height

Comments

 Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala 

amur maple

20-30’

Lightly scented May owers are ollowed by double serrated dark colored leaves with lighter undersides; excellent all color; hardy, adaptable; grown as a ree-orm clump, standard, or a well-groomed hedge; sel-seeds.

 Amelanchier laevis   Maackia amurensis 

 Allegha ny serviceberr y

15-25’

Minnesota n ative; large owers; excel lent red all color; delicious ed ible purple ruits att ract birds in s ummer.

amur maackia

12-20’

Good drought tolerance; adaptable small tree with a rounded crown; shiny patched bark sheds; lovely owers; post-owering pods; oliage emerges with a silvery cast; very slow early growth.

Carpinus caroliniana 

bluebeech, ironwood or musclewood

20-30’

Highly tolerant o and adaptable to dicult city conditions, even a bit o shade; Minnesota native; interesting  steely blue-tinged bark; lovely red all oliage.

Chionanthus virginicus 

 white ringe t ree

12-20’

Adaptable to sa lt and dicu lt conditions once esta blished, worth t he extra care neede d initia lly; “ha iry” young  branches; ragrant white owers; shiny deep-green oliage and winter buds provide winter interest.

Corylus americana  Cotinus obovatus 

lbert or hazelnut

8-15’

Large shrub or small tree; unique early spring catkins; nuts attract wildlie; nice oliage.

 American smoketree

20-30’

Underused and under-appreciated, t his smal l tree bears round leaves t hat turn bri lliant sca rlet or purple in all; tolerant o a variety o soil types.

Hamamelis virginiana 

common witch hazel

10-20’

Under-appreciated Minnesota native bears unusual bright yellow owers in late all on very dark brown branches; bright green oliage is slightly hairy and ragrant when crushed.

 Malus hybrids

crabapple

15-25’

ough and hardy in Minnesota; scab can be a conspicuous oliar disease, look or resistant varieties; many ower colors provide vivid displays; various shades o green oliage and winter interest with yellow or red ruit.

Phellodendron amurense 

amur cork tree

20-35’

Excellent salt, compaction and dry soil tolerance; rounded canopy; irregular growth orm; deeply urrowed grayblack bark and deep green shiny oliage; use male selections; can naturalize in wooded areas.

Syringa reticulata  Viburnum lentago

 Japanese tree li lac

15-25’

Long-lived and cold tolerant ; scented ivory owers are a n early summer ha llmark; interes ting wi nter seed pods.

nannyberry

12-18’

Native to Minnesota; multi-stemmed, can be grown as a standard; tolerant o most soil types once established; showy white owers and multicolored ruit.

Small trees can t into many sites and do not need pruning   when used near power lines and other utilities. Tese are some o the best small trees to use or Minnesota cities and landscapes. Compiled by Carol Krajewski, Wright Co. Master Gardener. Carol has been a Master Gardener or ve years and has made small tree recommendations not only or Wright County locations, but also to gardeners statewide through “Ask A Master Gardener” on the U o  M Extension website. Public plantings, whether small trees, annual ower beds or community gardens, are areas where Master Gardeners specialize in teaching research-based recommendations.

Crabapples are tough and easy to grow on a boulevard.

 Amur maackia has attractive oliage and makes a   good choice or boulevar ds.

Broadlea Evergreens or USDA Zone 4 Botanical Name

Common Name

Height

Comments

 Arctostaphylos uva-ur si 

c ommon be arb er ry

6 -12”

Pros tr ate n at ive sh rub w it h sm al l, t hic k p ersi st ent leaves ; sm al l red berr ie s; may b e h ard to  nd at garden centers.

Bergenia cordiolia  Buxus microphylla koreana 

pi g s quea k, ber gen ia

12 -18 ”

Bron ze/red wi nter oli age; o ten tat tered and brow n by spr in g; ea rly spr in g pi nk ower s.

Korean boxwood

2- 4’

Hardy; good or low hedges and knot gardens; deep-green ne-textured oliage persists throughout winter; preers well-drained soil; protect rom winter sun and wind; ‘Green Velvet’ and ‘Wintergreen’ are good dwar cultivars.

Daphne x burkwoodii 

‘C arol Ma ck ie’ daph ne

2-3’

O ci al ly ra ted as USDA Zone 5; be aut i ul sp eci men pla nt ; prov id e w int er prot ec tion; o ten shortlived but well worth it.

Euonymus ortunei vegeta 

biglea wintercreeper

under 1’

Can be grown as a groundcover, small shrub, or trained to a wall; owers insignicant; needs protection rom winter sun; do not plant where it can escape into a native area.

Kalmia latiolia 

mounta in laurel

3-5’

Ma rgina lly ha rdy in zone 4; at tractive, leat her y d ark green leaves a re maroon when emergi ng rom the snow in spring; needs moist acidic site; ‘Sarah’ has large pinkish-red owers.

 Microbiota decussata 

Russia n c yprus

1’ x 6’

L ow rad iating a rbor vitae-like evergreen shrub; a n-li ke olia ge changes  rom light green in spring   to deep green in summer and bronze-brown in winter.

Pachysandra terminalis 

 Japanese spurge

6-12”

Attrac tive whorls o evergreen oliage; go od or under maple and other trees; ‘Green Ca rpet’ and ‘Variegata’ are common varieties; needs winter cover rom sun and wind.

Rhododendron ‘P.J.M.’ Yucca lamentosa  Vinca minor 

PJM rho dod end ron

3 -5’

Preer ac id ic s oi l; tolerat es li ght s had e; lavend er pi nk owers i n ea rly spri ng ; ha rdy to -35ºF.

yucca

30”

Bold ocal point; leaves are pointed and very sharp; drought and salt tolerant; owers up to 5’ tall.

myrtle, periwink le

6-12”

Attractive thick oliage; show y blue owers in spring; creeping stolons.

Broadlea evergreens are a welcome but rare sight in USDA  Zone 4. Green oliage in the dead o winter, even curled and transormed by cold, still provides interest in the garden. Tese plants are the best bets or surviving the zone’s climate, but all preer protection rom drying winds and bright winter sun; thereore protected areas on the north and eastern side o a  building are good locations.

Selected cultivars o boxwood make good evergreens   or Zone  in protected ar eas.

Rhododendron leaves react to cold climates by drooping and curling inward to minimize water loss.

Compiled by Deb Reierson, Hennepin County Master Gardener. Deb enjoys volunteering in the Master Gardener program by answering calls on the Yard and Garden Line and working on home landscape projects with Habitat or Humanity. She grows several o  these evergreen plants in her garden.

Clay Soil Clay soils are common throughout Minnesota. Master Gardeners are oten asked what plants will grow  best in these heavy soils. Compiled by Roberta Smith, Carver/ Scott County Master Gardener. Roberta says, “Ater reviewing many  publications on gardening in clay soil, this is a list that I have come up with. I have successully used all o these plants in my Carver County clay soil or a  number o years.”

Carver Co. Master Gardener Roberta  Smith’s ront yard garden shows many   perennials that gro w well in clay soil.

Botanical Name

Common Name

Height Comments, Hardiness Zone

columbine

1-3’

Native; sel seeds; attracts hummingbirds; Z2*.

Ne w E ng la nd a ster

1-5’

Nat ive; nec ta r sou rc e or but ter ies ; bloom s l ate; Z 4.

Perennials

 Aquelegia canadensis   Aster novae-angliae  Baptisia australis  Belamcanda chinensis  Calamagrostis  x acutifora 

blue alse indigo

3-5’

Shrub-like when mature; attractive seed pods; Z3.

blackberry lily

2-4’

Reseeds; dried seedheads great in a ll arrangements; Z5.

eather reedgrass

3-4’

Ornamental grass adds all-season interest; Z4.

pur ple c one ower

2 -4’

Nat ive; long bloom se ason; nec ta r sou rc e or but ter ies ; Z 3.

ratt lesna ke ma ster

3 -4’

Nat ive; unusua l, spik y white gol ba ll owers; Z4.

‘Karl Foerster’

Echinacea purpurea  Eryngium yucciolium Geranium maculatum Heliopsis helianthoides 

 wild crane sbill

1-2’

Native; blooms May/June, orange/red all oil age; Z3.

oxeye

3-5’

Native; long-lasting blooms; reseeds; good in arrangements; Z4.

Hemerocallis  spp.

daylily

1-3’

Stabilizes slopes; gorgeous in mass plantings; edible petals; Z3.

Liatris  spp. Linum perenne 

blazing star, gayeather

2-5’

Native; sti spikes o eathery owers; attracts butteries; Z3.

perennial a x

1-2’

Sel-seeds; shear back a ter owering to promote regrowth; Z5.

 Monarda stulosa  Parthenium integriolium Perovskia atripliciolia  Ratibida pinnata  Rudbeckia hirta  Schizachyrium scoparium Sedum spp.

bergamot, bee balm

2-4’

Native; spreads; attracts bees, butteries, hummingbirds; Z4.

 wild quini ne

4-5’

Native; white owers with long bloom period; Z 4.

Russian sage

3-4’

Low maintenance shrub; drought tolerant; ragrant; Z4.

gray headed coneower

3-5’

Native; reseeds; attracts butteries; drought tolerant; Z4.

bl ac k- eyed Su sa n

3 -4’

Nat ive; res ee ds ; a tt ra ct s but ter i es ; w inter i ntere st ; Z 4.

little bluestem

2-4’

Native; great all color; adds texture to winter garden; Z4.

stonecrop

1-3’

Many varieties available; drought tolerant; good all color; Z3.

cupplant

5-7’

Native; provides ood, water, and cover or birds; Z4.

golden a le xa nd er

1-3’

Nat ive; yel low s pr in g  ower s; la rva l  oo d or but ter ie s; Z 4.

 Aronia melanocarpa  Cornus sericea  Diervilla lonicera 

black chokeberr y

5- 8’

Nat ive shrub; white owers in spring; berries in a ll; Z3.

red osier dogwood

5-12’

Native; spreads; drought tolerant; deep red stem/twigs; Z3.

dwar bush honeysuckle

2-3’

Native; spreads; good bank cover; low maintenance; all color; Z3.

Syringa vulgaris 

lilac

8-15’

Spring is here when the ragrant lilac blooms; Z2.

Silphium peroliatum  Zizia aurea  Shrubs

Purple conefower and perovskia  (background) are tough perennials or  clay soil.

*reers to hardiness zone; southern Minnesota is Zone , central and northern Minnesota are Zone ; ar north and Canada are Zone  

Cold olerant Annuals Botanical Name

Common Name

Height Comments

Cold olerant Seeds: Sow directly in the ga rden in early spring, seedlings also cold tolerant 

Calendula ocinalis 

pot marigold

12-24”

Daisy-like owers are cream to orange; very cold tolerant.

Centaurea cyanus  Consolida  spp. Eschscholzia caliornia  Helianthus annuus  Lathyrus odoratus 

bachelor’s button

1-3’

Blue, pink, white owers; drought tolerant; sel-seeds.

larkspur

1-4’

Blue, pink and white owers; looks like delphinium.

Caliornia poppy

6-8”

Gold and yellow rs; blooms all summer.

sunower

2-10’

Giant owers; blooms all summer.

sweet pea

2-6’

Climbing vine or trailing groundcover; dwar and bush orms; may sel-seed.

Lavatera trimestris 

rose mallow/tree mallow

2- 6’

Bushy plants with cup-shaped pink owers resembling   hollyhocks; summer to all.

Lobularia maritima 

sweet alyssum

4-12”

Quintessential edging plant; several colors; blooms rom spring to heavy rost.

 Moluccella laevis 

bells o Ireland

2-3’

Green bell-like calyxes surround tiny ragrant white owers; blooms all summer.

 Myosotis sylvatica  Reseda odorata 

orget-me-not

6-10”

Dainty blue, white, or pink owers.

mignonette

6-18”

Very ragrant small white owers are great or cutting   rom summer to mid-all.

Rudbeckia hirta 

black-eyed Susan

8-36”

Daisy owers bloom in yellows, oranges, reds, browns; mid-summer to early all.

“Cold tolerance” here is dened as seeds that can be planted in the garden and will grow in cold soil and survive early spring rost, and/or young bedding plants that can survive rost in the spring and early autumn. Minnesota growing  conditions call or cool temperatures at almost any time o the year. Tese annuals will tolerate cool temperatures and even grow   well ater a l ight rost. Most are hardy to the mid-20s F.

Showy pansies fower in early spring  and, when mulched, can even be   planted the previous all .

Cold olerant Seedlings: May be planted in garden beore rost-ree date

 Antirrhinum majus  Brassica oleracea  Centaurea cineraria 

snapdragon

6”-4’

all, short, dwar, and trailing orms; range o colors.

orna menta l ka le/cabbage

8-24”

W hite, lavender, and green olia ge; tolerates 20 ºF.

dusty miller

8-14”

Grown or its silvery oliage; also looks beautiul in the winter when rozen.

Cordyline  spp.

dracaena/spike

1-2’

Indispensable or container gardens; spiky oliage is also eective in beds.

Dianthus chinensis 

pinks

12-18”

White, pink, red, and bi-color owers bloom atop grassy oliage; summer to early all.

 Matthiola incana  Nierembergia hippomanica 

stock

12-30”

Spicy ragrant, grey oliage; many ower colors.

cupower

6-8”

Bushy mounds covered with tiny white or pale blue owers; summer to early all.

Osteospermum spp.

cape daisy

12-18”

Bright daisy owers w. dark centers; best in cool  weather.

Phlox drummondii  Viola spp.

phlox

6-18”

Many colors; excellent cut ower; may overwinter.

pansy/violet/viola/Johnny jump-up

3-12”

Very hardy; can be planted in all with a mulch and

Sweet peas are cold tolerant, actually   preerring cool con ditions, ragr ant, a   good cut fower and can sel-sow. Compiled by Sue Schiess, Hennepin County Master Gardener. Sue answers questions on the Yard and Garden Line at the Arboretum and at Ask a Master Gardener booths at local garden centers.

Compacted Sites: rees Botanical Name

Common Name

Height

Comments

 Abies balsamea   Acer rubrum  Acer saccharinum Betula nigra  Celtis occidentalis  Fraxinus nigra  Fraxinus pennsylvanica  Larix laricina   Malus hybrids Picea mariana  Populus deltoides  Quercus bicolor  Salix amygdaloides  Salix nigra  Tuja occidentalis 

balsam r

40-60’

Flat, ragrant needles, upright cones.

red maple

50-70’

Round crown, transplants readily, ‘Northwood’ and ‘Red Sunset’ have nice all oliage.

silver maple

45-75’

Oval crown with pendulous branches, transplants well, ast growth

river birch

40-70’

Peeling cinnamon-brown bark, oten multi-stemmed

hackberry

40-60’

Vase-like habit, easily transplanted, very adaptable. Slow to establish.

black ash

40-70’

Large black buds, ‘Fallgold’ recommended or all color.

green ash

40-60’

Fast growth, deep shade, broad rounded orm, seedless varieties.

larch, tamarack

40-70’

Native, deciduous conier, yellow all color, ew pests

crabapple

15-25’

Excellent variety in ower, ruit and oliage, and habit.

black spruce

30-70’

Spire-like conical habit with aky brown cones.

ea ster n c ot tonw oo d

80 -10 0’

Op en, i rre gu la r m at ure h abit ,  ast grow th, s eed les s ‘Siou xl and ’ rec om mende d.

bicolor oak

60-70’

Resistant to oak wilt, yellow all color, preers acidic soil.

peachlea willow

30-40’

Long, ragrant leaves.

black willow

30-60’

Small- to medium-sized tree with orange twigs.

northern white cedar, arborvitae

40-50’

Scale-like leaves, broad pyramidal orm; ‘echny’ recommended

Compacted sites are common in urban and suburban areas where construction equipment is used to build homes and alter the landscape. rees on this list will tolerate compacted soils, but remember no trees respond well to a major grade change or construction damage. Compiled by Kim Sullivan, Anoka County Master Gardener. Anoka County is north o the metropolitan win Cities o Minneapolis and St. Paul and has numerous new communities where compacted soil is an issue with growing plants.

Larch are native to Minnesota and are one o the ew  deciduous conier trees. Shown here in November with lingering all color, larch are well suited or wet or  compacted soils.

‘Northwood’ red maple has bright orange all color  and grows to 0 eet. It is a U o M introduction developed by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment  Station, released in 0.

Crevice Plants Botanical Name Common Name  wolly yarrow  Achillea tomentosa  pheasant eye, spring adonis  Adonis vernalis  bugleweed  Ajuga reptans  mountain lady’s mantle  Alchemilla alpina  pussy toes  Antennaria dioica  columbine  Aquilegia jonesii   wall rock cres s  Arabis caucasica  sandwort  Arenaria balearica  artemesia  Artemesia pedemontana  ba sket o gold  Aurinia saxatilis  poppy mallow, wine cups Callirhoe involucrata  bellower, campanula Campanula porscharskyana  snow in summer Cerastium tomentosum spp. dianthus Dianthus  creeping baby’s breath Gypsophila repens  candytut Iberis sempervirens  Lysimachia nummularia ‘  Aurea’ moneywort catmint Nepeta spp. creeping phlox Phlox subulata  sedum Sedum acre  sedum Sedum kamtschaticum dragon’s blood Sedum spurium hen and chicks Sempervivum spp. thyme Tymus serpyllum

Height

Comments

6-14”

Yellow blossoms all summer.

6-15”

Full sun to part shade, well-drained soil; clump orming with bright yellow owers.

6 -12”

Moist soi l, pa rt shade to pa rt sun; creeping evergreen w it h da rk blue owers; short-lived.

6-8”

Full sun or partial shade, deeply cut leaves with silvery margins.

2-10”

Full sun, poor dry soil, basal silver leaves, rosea has rose-red 8-10” owers.

4”

Full sun or part shade; blue-gray leaves with blue-violet owers.

6-12”

Full sun, needs d ry or well-dra ined sites; white May owers; good c ascade

4-8”

Full sun to part shade, moist soil; deer resistant; drought tolerant.

3-8”

Evergreen, ern-like leaves; yellow owers in June; perect or vertical crevice.

4- 8”

Full sun; well-dra ined soi l; bright yellow owers.

6-12”

Native; ull sun or light shade; needs well-drained sites; magenta owers.

6-12”

Moist, well-drained soil; ull sun to part shade; vigorous; lavender-blue owers.

2-3”

Full sun; silver-grey oliage; white owers.

2-4”

Full sun/aternoon shade; well-drained soil; tiny, ragrant pink owers.

6-8”

Full sun; well-drained soil; mat orming; semi-evergreen.

6-18”

Full sun to part shade; tolerates poor soil; spreading; white owers.

4-5”

Sun or parti al shade; yellow leaves on t his cultiva r; green orm is more vigorous.

6-24”

Sun or partial shade; grey-green oliage; blue owers; can be aggressive.

4-8”

Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil.

2-3”

Full sun; well-drained soil; spring golden owers; ller or stepping stones.

4-9”

Full sun; well-drained soil; summer yellow-orange owers in at clusters.

3- 4”

Purple oliage; dark red summer owers; ull sun; well-drained soil.

3-12”

Full sun; tolerates poor soil conditions; low growing; succulent; perennial.

1-3”

Full sun; mat orming; well-drained soil; ‘Coccinea’ has summer red owers.

 All o these plants are use ul or stepping stones, or wall a nd rock garden areas. Cindy and Shirley’s method or planting seeds in wall s: 1) Fold an index card in hal lengthwise and sprinkle seeds into card. 2) Position card in crack to be planted, then blow the seeds into a  ne, rich soil mix in crevice. 3) Mist with a spray bottle o water, apply a piece o acial tissue to the dampened crevice to act as biodegradable mulch, and mist regularly until established. Compiled by Cindy Welke and Shirley Oberton, Winona County Master Gardeners. Cindy and Shirley both have limestone walls in their gardens along the Mississippi River blus in southeastern Minnesota.

Catnip (oreground atop wall) is a  vigorous perennial that has selseeded into crevices.

Campanula, lavender, sedum, scilla, and yucca easily grow in this sunny wall.

Deer Resistant Plants Botanical Name

Common Name

Height

Comments

yarrow

18”-3’

Drought tolerant; preers ull sun.

ageratum

6-24”

Beautiul blue, pink or white owers; easy to grow.

 Annua ls & Perennia ls

 Achillea spp.  Ageratum houstonianum  Allium spp.  Aquilegia canadensis  Begonia semperforens &

ornamental onion

1-4’

Many orms and species; tough and may sel-seed.

columbine

1-3’

Short-lived, but sel-seeds; showy owers.

 wax begonia

8-2’

Dependable owers; shade and d rought tolerant.

coneower

2-3’

Native; attracts birds and butterfies; well-drained soil.

heliot rope

18 -24”

Cherr y-pie ragra nce; tough, long la sting owers.

sweet a lyssum

4 -12”

Edging a nd conta iner pla nt; sel-seed s.

daodil

6-24”

Poisonous to squirrels and deer; can be planted under trees.

peony

2-3’

Long lasting perennial; may need staking; preers ull sun.

poppy

1-3’

Showy owers; can sel-seed; many species and cultivars.

geranium

12-18”

Cemetery plant; tough and drought resistant.

Russian sage

3-4’

Drought tolerant; preers ull sun.

blue salvia

24-30”

Attracts butteries and hummingbirds.

dust y miller

6 -15”

Si lver-grey or white olia ge; drought and cold tolera nt.

la mb ’s ea r

6 -15”

Si lver oli age go od or e dg in g a nd  ront o b order; d rou ght tolera nt .

marigold

6”-3’

Long-lasting yellow, gold and bicolor owers; easy to grow rom seed.

Barberis thunbergii  Celastrus scandens  Cornus sericea  Forsythia  ‘Northern Sun’  Juniperus chinensis  Pinus mugo Pinus sylvestris  Rhododendron spp.

 Japanese barberr y

2-5’

Torny; many cultiva rs; red berries and red  all color; may be inva sive.

bittersweet

to 60’

Woody native vine with atttractive berries.

Syringa vulgarus  Viburnum lentago

hybrids

Echinacea purpurea  Heliotropium arborescens  Lobularia maritima  Narcissus  spp. Paeonia lactifora  Papaver spp. Pelargonium x hortorum Perovskia atripliciolia  Salvia arinacea  Senecio cineraria  Stachys byzantina  agetes  spp.

Deer damage to ornamental plants is very rustrating.  You can minimize the damage they can do by avoiding  plants they preer and instead use these plants that deer avoid due to toxicity, ragrance or texture. Compiled by Gilda Baneld, Olmsted County Master Gardener. Gilda has been gardening   with deer or 30 years a nd has learned that the plants listed here are usually avoided by deer. She likes to remember that the deer  were here rst.

rees, Shrubs, & Vines

red osier dogwood

6-12’

Attractive red stems; cultivars vary in height and orm.

orsythia

8-10’

Fast growing, ver y hardy ower buds, tolerates a wide variet y o soils.

Chinese juniper

2-6’

Many cultivars and orms; good or ull sun and well-drained soil.

mugo pine

12-20’

olerant o alka line, compacted or salt y soils.

Scots pine

25-50’

Evergreen with attractive bark.

rhododendron & azalea 

3-6’

Evergreen and deciduous species; showy owers; ‘Northern Lights’ series are the hardiest.

lilac

8-15’

Showy ragrant owers in spring; tolerant o many sites.

na nny ber ry

12 -18’

Nat ive s hr ub;  ruit s t urn  rom red to blue; s ha de tolera nt .

Peonies are long lived, cold tolerant perennials that deer rarely eat.

‘Northern Sun’ is a UM cold  hardy introduction o orsythia, a  shrub rarely eaten by deer.

Dry Soil: Annual Foliage Plants Botanical Name  Amaranthus caudatus  Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’

Common Name

Height Comments

love-lies-bleeding

2-4’

Color ul oliage, trailing rope or chenille-like owers;  A. tricolor  has brighly colored oliage.

dicondra

1-4’

railing with small round grey leaves; tolerates part sun.

Duranta erecta ‘Golden Edge’ Euphorbia marginata ‘Kili manjaro’

variegated pigeonberry

24”

Crisp variegated green and cream oliage; tolerates part sun and dry sites.

snow in summer, variegated annual spurge

2-4’

Green leaves, edged with cream; native to poor soil, do not ertilize, needs good drainage, selseeds.

Felicia amelloides  ‘Variegata’ Lantana camara  ‘Samantha’ Pelargonium ‘Crystal Palace Gem’

variegated or blue Marguerite

12-18”

Small blue daisy-like owers, variegated oliage, bushy shape.

variegated lantana ‘Samantha’

12-18”

Clusters o golden yellow owers, chartreuse and yellow oliage; extremely drought tolerant.

ancy-leaved geraniums

12-18”

Showy, colored leaves; preer lean, dry soils, and can tolerate part-shade; grow rom cuttings.

Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’

purple ountaingrass

2-4’

Excellent in containers; purple oliage and seed heads; good or xeriscaping; sets no seed; dies  with rost .

Senecio ‘Silver Dust’ Setcresia purpurea  or radescantia   pallida  ropaeolum majus variegata 

dusty miller

8-10”

Lacy silver colored mounding cultivar with a spread o 12” or more; preers ull sun.

purple heart

8-12”

A rugged plant that has no serious pest or disease issues; ull sun.

variegated nasturtium

12”

Grown cascading in containers, up a trellis, or as a groundcover; preers dry, less ertile sites.

‘Emerald Falls’

‘Blazonry’ ‘Golden Ears’

‘Alaska’ ‘Jewel o Arica’

Foliage plants are invaluable or obtaining an attractive colorul look or plantings  whether in containers or in ground. In a container, oliage can reinorce a color theme or blend the disparate elements o various bloomers. In the ground, annual oliage can carry a summer display through the quiet times between perennial owering periods. Tese recommendations can be used in the tough situations that would be a challenge or the more typical plant list. Plants listed may be perennial in other zones, but are used as annuals in our northern gardens.  A word about establishment: Initial care must be taken to establish the plantings or the rst two weeks, whether rom seed or bedding plants. Tey require only light watering however; DO NO overwater or plants will be oppy and disease-prone. Unless indicated these preer ull sun and average soil conditions o  ertility, drainage, and pH. Compiled by erry Engels and Mary Zeug, Stearns County Master Gardeners, who have answered hundreds o public questions on oliage plants, and have years o experience seeing plants in their own gardens and at Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, MN.

Purple ountaingrass loves heat and ull sun. It has no cold tolerance and dies with the rst   rost. Lantana tolerates hot dry sites such as  this container planting at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Dry Soil: Shade or Under rees Dry shade locations are some o the most dicult sites to grow plants. Under trees, competition is keen or  water, light and nutrients. Tis list represents tough plants that can survive under trees or in dry low light conditions. All are winter hardy in Zones 3 and 4, with the exception o Epimedium , which is not hardy in Zone 3. Spring owering bulbs are oten overlooked or the dry shade garden; they work well in deciduous shade areas. Compiled by Teresa Rooney, Hennepin County Master Gardener. Teresa  gardens under a 100-year-old elm tree and very sandy soil (with 2 large dogs).

Plan a path to enjoy wild geranium, hosta, wild ginger, and sweet woodru.

Daodils are a good choice under trees; they like dry summer conditions.

Botanical Name  Ajuga reptans 

Common Name

Height

Comments

ajuga, bugleweed

6”-12”

Groundcover with purple owers; various lea colors; can be shortlived.

 Alchemilla mollis   Anthyrium angustum  Aquilegia canadensis 

lady’s ma ntle

1’

Pret ty light green leaves; yellow/green owers; good cut ower.

lady ern

2’

Graceul green ronds; wonderul with hosta, coral bells, or bergenia.

columbi ne

1-3’

Short-lived but sel-seed s; yellow/red owers on nat ive orm; n ice bluegreen oliage.

 Aruncus dioicus 

goatsbea rd

4- 6’

Folia ge simi la r to ast ilbe; white ower add s light a nd coolness to t he shade garden.

 Asarum canadense  Bergenia cordiolia 

 wild gin ger

12”

Matte round leaves wil l hide tiny owers; great ground cover.

bergenia

12-18”

Tick glossy leaves simi la r to cabba ge; pink owers i n spring; red / burgundy all color.

Brunnera macrophylla  Catharanthus rosea  Chiondoxa luciliae  Clematis virginiana  Convallaria majalis  Dicentra eximia  Digitalis purpurea  Epimedium spp. Galanthus nivalis 

Siberia n bugloss

1-2’

Light blue to pa le purple owers bloom in spring.

periwin kle, vi nc a

6 -12”

Show y owers and leat her y leaves.

glory-o-the-snow

6”

Small early owers with open petals and yellow centers; easy to grow.

v irg in’s bower

5 -10’

i ny w hite owers m id- to l ate su mmer ; gre at n at ive v ine.

lily-o-the-valley

12”

Spreading groundcover; ragrant white bell owers in early summer.

Galium ordoratum Geranium spp. Lamium spp.

s weet wood ru

4-12”

Pret ty groundcover wit h white ra gra nt owers.

geranium, cranesbill

12-18”

Many ower colors and lea shapes; Geranium maculatum is native.

dead nettle

8-12”

White or pink owers; leaves are streaked with white/silver; good groundcover.

Leucojum aestivum

summer snowake

1-2’

Nodding white owers similar to Galanthus , but much larger and later blooming.

Narcissus  spp. Polygonatum biforum

daodil

6-24”

Wide variety o colors and bloom time; wildlie will not eat daodils.

giant Solomon’s seal

1-3’

Arching branches; small white owers in spring; blue berries in summer.

Puschkinia scilloides 

striped squi ll

2- 6”

Pa le owers wit h a wonder ul ra gra nce, i you ca n get that close to the ground.

Scilla sibirica  Vinca minor 

Siberia n squill

6”

Blue owers that natura li ze wonder ully, especia lly in wooded area s.

periwinkle, myrtle

6-12”

Blue owers in spring; evergreen; may need winter protection; groundcover.

ringed bleeding heart

12-18”

Bluegreen oliage; white or pink owers; owers most o summer.

oxglove

2-4’

Allow sel-seeding or a perennial bed; poisonous.

barrenwort

1’

Beautiul heart shaped leaves; tiny orchid-like owers in spring.

snowdrops

4-8”

Small, nodding, white bell-shaped owers oten bloom while snow is on the ground.

Dry Soil: rees Botanical Name  Abies balsamea, Abies concolor   Acer rubrum Betula nigra  Celtis occidentalis  Crataegus crusgalli  Fraxinus nigra  Fraxinus pennsylvanica  Gleditsia triacanthos inermis   Malus hybrids Picea glauca  Picea mariana  Populus deltoides  Quercus bicolor  Quercus macrocarpa  Syringa reticulata  ilia americana 

Common Name

Height

Comments

balsam r; concolor r

40-60’

Popular as Christmas tree or shape and scent; adelgid can be a pest problem.

red maple

50-70’

Round crown; transplants readily; ‘Northwood’ and ‘Red Sunset’ recommended.

river birch

40-70’

Peeling cinnamon-brown bark; oten multi-stemmed; can become chlorotic (yellow).

hackberry

40-60’

Vase-like habit; easily transplanted; very nice; slow to establish.

cockspur hawthorne

20-30’

Var. inermis  recommended; eective in groups; wide-spreading low-branches.

black ash

40-70’

Large black buds; ‘Fallgold’ recommended or all color.

green ash

40-60’

Fast growth; deep shade; broad rounded orm; seedless varieties.

honeylocust

30-60’

Delicate silhouette; readily transplanted; ‘Skyline’ recommended.

crabapple

15-25’

Excellent variety in ower, ruit, oliage, and habit.

 white spruce

40-6 0’

Dense pyram idal to conic al; tran splants ea sily.

black spruce

30-70’

Spire-like conical habit with aky brown scales.

eastern cottonwood

80-100’

Open, irregular mature habit; ast growth; seedless ‘Siouxland’ recommended.

bicolor oak

60-70’

Resistant to oak wilt; yellow all color; requires acidic soil.

bur oak

40-60’

Long-lived; pest resistant native tree.

 Japanese tree li lac

15-25’

Excellent specimen tre e; good in groups; ‘Ivory Silk ’ recommended.

 America n linden

60-80’

Fragrant owers mid-June; tra nsplants read ily; large si lver-grey lea.

r: River birch has  attractive bark yearround; it is much more tolerant o   dry soils than white   paper birch. l: Honeylocust provides light  lacy shade and tolerates dry soil  conditions. Select improved orms  with no thorns and seedpods; this tree also has nice yellow all  color.

Te Anoka Sand Plain is a wide area  o light, sandy soil in central Minnesota that is a challenge or growing  plants. Tis list identies trees that can grow in dry or sandy conditions. Tese are trees that, ater establishment, can be grown with minimal  water or supplemental irrigation. Compiled by K im Sullivan, Anoka  County Master Gardener. Anoka  County Master Gardeners are experienced gardening in dr y conditions.

Fragrant Annuals and Perennials Botanical Name

Common Name

Height

Flower Color

Exposure* Comments

Brugmansia  spp.

angel’s trumpet

3-6’

yellow, gold, cream

S

Good container ragrance plant; poisonous.

Centaurea moschata var. suaveolens  Cosmos atrosanguineus  Datura spp. Dianthus caryophyllus  Heliotropium spp. Lobularia maritima   Matthiola incana  Nicotiana sylvestris, N. alata  Pelargonium spp.

sweet sultan

18-24”

yellow

S

Unusual chocolate ragrance.

chocolate cosmos

2-3’

deep maroon

S

Faint chocolate scent.

horn-o-plenty

2-6’

yellow, lavender, white

S, PS

Fragrant at night.

annual carnation

18-24”

white, yellow, pink

S

‘Can Can Scarlet’ was AAS 2003.

heliotrope

18-24”

purple, lavender, white

S

Strong vanilla ragrance.

sweet alyssum

4-12”

pink, mauve, white

S, PS

Spicy ragrance; drought tolerant.

common/garden stocks 12-30”

white, pink, rose, red

S

Spicy ragrance; early blooming.

owering tobacco

4-6’

white

S, PS

Fragrant at night.

scented geranium

1-3’

pink, white

S

Grown or the very ragrant oliage.

Petunia spp.

petunia

12”

purple, white, pink

S, PS

Older purple and white varieties are most ragrant.

agetes tenuiolia 

signet marigold

6-12”

yellow, orange, red

S

Nice citrusy scent.

 Actaea racemosa (Cimiciuga) Dianthus gratianopolitanus 

black snakeroot

4-6’

white, pink

PS, Sh

Very pest-resistant shade plant.

cheddar pinks

1-2’

pink, rose

S

‘Firewitch’ was 2005 Perennial o   the Year.

Dictamnus albus  Filipendula rubra  Hemerocallis  ‘Hyperion’

gas plant

3-4’

pink, white

S, PS

Can cause severe dermatitis.

queen-o-the-prairie

3-6’

pink, white

S, PS

olerant o boggy conditions.

Hyperion daylily

36-40”

lemon yellow

S, PS

One o ew ragrant daylilies, sweet.

 Monarda spp. Nepeta spp. Paeonia lactifora  Perovskia atripliciolia  Phlox paniculata  Saponaria ocinalis  Sporobolus heterolepis  Valeriana ocinalis 

bee balm

18-48”

red, purple, white

S, PS

A avorite o hummingbirds.

catmint

6-30”

purple, lavender

S, PS

Long blooming perennial.

 Annua ls

Perennials

garden peony

2-3’

pink, red, white

S

Useul in deer-resistant plantings.

Russian sage

3-4’

Lavender

S

Very ragrant oliage.

garden phlox

3-4’

lavender, pink, red

S, PS

Fragrance varies by cultivar.

bouncing bet

9-12”

pink, white

S, PS

Can become invasive.

prairie dropseed

2-3’

pink

S

Flowers smell like coriander.

garden valerian

2-3’

white

S, PS

One plant perumes a yard.

* S = Full Sun, PS = Part Shade, Sh = Shade 

 An added plus o these owers is their distinctive and memorable ragrance. Use these owers in garden beds or containers near your door or outdoor patio where you can enjoy their lovely  scent. Compiled by erry Yockey, Goodhue County Master Gardener. erry has designated a  large area in her garden just or ragrant shrubs and owers. In 1996, erry created one o the rst gardening websites or cold climates:  ww w.northerngardenin g.com.

Flowering  tobacco, a  showy annual with a sweet   ragrance, dwars  ‘Prousion Orange’  zinnia. Both preer   ull sun.

Garden phlox is a dependable   perennial with a lovely scent.

Fragrant Shrubs Botanical Name Buddleia alterniolia*  Calycanthus foridus  Caryopteris clandonensis*  Comptonia peregrina  Clethra alniolia 

Common Name

Flower Color

Height

Exposure**

Comments

buttery bush

lavender, purple

8-15’

S, PS

Reliably hardy to Zone 5; annual in Zone 4.

carolina allspice

brown

6-10’

S, PS

Fragrance o pineapple, strawberry/banana.

bluebeard

blue

2-4’

S

Reliably hardy to Zone 5. Foliage and owers are ragrant.

sweet ern

N/A

2- 4’

S, PS

Tis small shrub has very ragrant oliage.

summersweet, sweet pepperbush

 white, pink, rose

2-6’

S, PS, Sh

Does well in a shad y situation.

pink

3-5’

PS

‘Carol Mackie’ is most widely grown.

yellow with red

10-20’

S, PS

Hardy native pla nt owering in a ll.

white

10-12’

S, PS

One o the hardiest magnolias.

white

15-20’

S, PS

A good alternative to crabapple.

pink

15’

S, PS

Lovely owers.

white

6-12’

S

‘Minnesota Snowake’ has ragrant, double owers.

pink, rose, white

5-8’

S, PS

‘Northern Lights’ are hardy azaleas that are ragrant.

daphne Daphne x burkwoodii  Hamamelis virginiana   witch hazel star magnolia  Magnolia kobus  var. stellata  ‘Merrill’  Magnolia  hybrid ‘Leonard Messel’  Magnolia  hybrid Philadelphus coronarius  mock orange azalea Rhododendron spp. ragrant sumac Rhus aromatica  clove currant Ribes odoratum shrub roses Rosa spp.

yellow

2-6’

S, PS, Sh

Crushed leaves are very aromatic.

yellow

3-8’

S, PS

Clove-scented owers; host to white pine blister rust.

white, pink, rose, lavender, yellow 

2-12’

S

‘Jens Munk,’ ‘Cuthbert Grant,’ ‘Terese Bugnet,’ and ‘Frau Dagmar Hastrup’ are very ragrant.

purple, white, lavender, pink 

4-15’

S

Dependable ragrance.

Syringa spp.

lilac

Viburnum carlesii*  Viburnum x  juddii 

Korean spice

white, pink

4-6’

S, PS

Reliably hardy to Zone 5.

 Judd viburnum

white, pink

6-8’

S, PS

Very ragrant, wh ite semi-snowbal l blossoms.

* Not ully hardy in Zones  or  and should be grown as annuals. ** S = Full Sun, PS = Part Shade, Sh = Shade 

Plant one o these ragrant shrubs near an outdoor patio, ront  walk, or entry door where the aroma wi ll be welcomed and enjoyed. Compiled by erry Yockey, Goodhue County Master Gardener. Goodhue County Master Gardeners have created a pocket park out o a parking lot in downtown Red Wing, MN. Tis high-visibility  public park allows the public to enjoy ragrant and beautiul owers.

Northern Lights azaleas, U o M introductions or   Zone , have a spicy ragr ance that is delightul

Star Magnolia welcomes spring with its ragrant   fowers.

Indoor Low Light  Botanical Name

Common Name Height

Comments

 Aglaonema  spp.

Chinese evergreen

1-2’

Several species and many cultivars with green/ silver variegated lea patterns.

 Aspidistra elatior  Beaucarnea recurvata 

cast iron plant

1-2’

ough in every way; also variegated.

ponytail palm

1-6’

Will grow in all light conditions, but grows very   slowly.

Chamaedorea elegans 

parlor palm

1’-2’

Can grow to 5 or 6’; best low light palm; prone to spider mites.

 Janet Craig  dracaena 

2-6’

‘Janet Craig’

Similar to cornstalk, but solid green oliage; ‘Warneckii’ is also popular.

Dracaena ragrans 

cornstalk plant

2-6’ or more

Intolerant o cold; yellow stripe on oliage.

Epipremnum aureum Philodendron scandens  oxycardium Philodendron selloum

pothos

1- 4’ or more

Vining plant that can trail or grow up supports.

heart-leaed philodendron

1-3’ or more

Vining plant that can trail or grow up supports.

selloum philodendron

1-4’

Also called lacy tree philodendron.

Sansevieria  spp. Spathyphyllum spp.

snake plant

6”-4’

Succulent, leathery leaves.

peace lily

1-3’

Also called spathe ower; blooms best in east light.

Syngonium spp.

arrowhead vine

1-3’

Grows best on support, or cut back oten to prevent rank growth.

 Zamioculcas zamiaolia 

zz plant

1-3’

Succulent leaves; rots easily when overwatered; preers east-acing window.

‘Bella’

Dracaena deremensis 

Low light is not the same as no light. You should be able to read a book by the natural light or see a  shadow i your hand passes over the area. Articial light is ok i your desire is or plant maintenance, not growth. Compiled by Jean Back, Douglas County Master Gardener. Jean has been a MG since 2005, and along   with other Mast er Gardeners, teaches a nd works at a  variety o Douglas County community projects, including Let’s Get Growing, Community Ed Classes, and errace Learning Garden.

‘Massengeana’

Chinese evergreens can grow indoors with no direct  light, as shown on this inside wall at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Peace lily  tolerates low  light but likes  moist soil, it  wilts quickly  when water is  needed.

Knot Gardens Botanical Name  Allium senescens  ‘Glaucum’  Armeria maritima  Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’ Buxus ‘Green Velvet’ Buxus ‘Wintergreen’ Euonymus alatus  ‘Comp ac tus’ Hyssop ocinalis  Lavandula angustiolia  Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ Pinus mugo Rosmarinus ocinalis  Santolina chamaecyparissus  axus cuspidata ‘Nana’ axus  x media ‘Hicksii’ eucrium chamaedrys 

Common Name

Height

Comments

ornamental onion

4-12”

Grey-green twisted oliage; pink owers Aug-Sept; tolerates partial shade.

sea thrit

6-12”

Short; pink owers April-May; requires well-drained soil.

cri mson pygmy barberr y

2’

At tract ive purple-red oliage, turns greener in shade; tough.

‘Green Velvet’ boxwood

2-4’

Broadlea evergreen; protect rom winter sun and drying winds.

Korean boxwood

2-4’

Hardy; ne-textured oliage; may turn bronze or brown in winter.

dw ar  bur ni ng bu sh

4 -10’

Bri lli ant re d  al l ol ia ge; c an b e t ri mmed to a hed ge; ea sy to grow.

hyssop

1-2’

Perennial in Zone 4; aromatic oliage; small blue owers.

lavender

8”-2’

Winter kills in Zone 4; ‘Hidcote’ may be hardier; grey, scented oliage.

catnip

10-24”

Grey-green, ragrant oliage; small blue owers; sprawling orm.

dwar mugo pine

1-4’

‘Mugo,’ ‘eeny,’ ‘Mops,’ or ‘Valley Cushion’ grow very slowly.

rosemary

2-4’

Annual in Zone 4; dark green, ragrant oliage.

lavender cotton

1-2’

Annual in Zone 4; attractive grey-white oliage.

Japanese yew

3-6’

Slow-growing evergreen; hedge plant; requires well-drained soil.

Hicks yew

2-8’

Evergreen hedging plant; requires well-drained soil.

germander

6-12”

Small attractive oliage; grow as an annual in Zone 4.

Knot Gardens require high maintenance, but are a beautiul sight in many English and European gardens. Regular pruning into small compact orms can be stressul or many plants, so dwar, naturally small plants work best. Select dierent oliage colors or an eective knot year-round. Annual herbs and rapidly growing  leay vegetables, such as lettuce and chard can make showy annual knot gardens. Compiled by Mary Laine, Ramsey County Master Gardener, who developed this list on Zone 4 knot gardens beore her trip to England to tour them.

Boxwood, ‘Crimson Pigmy’  barberry, and ornamental onion have contrasting oliage that  makes a colorul knot garden.

Lavender is the grey oliage  in this Minnesota Landscape   Arboretum knot garden , which requires winter protection in  Zone . Purple barber ry and   green boxwood are also pictured .

Lakeshore Native Plants Botanical Name  Agastache oeniculum  Allium stellatum  Andropogon gerardii   Anemone canadensis   Aquilegia canadensis   Aralia nudicaulis   Asclepias incarnata  Campanula rotundiolia  Cornus sericea  Epilobium angustiolium Eupatorium maculatum Fragaria virginiana  Galium boreale  Heuchera richardsonii  Iris versicolor   Monarda stulosa  Prunus virginiana  Rudbeckia hirta  Rudbeckia laciniata  Sanguinaria canadensis  Smilacina racemosa  Solidago rigida  Sorghastrum nutans  Spartina pectinata  Stachys palustris  Talictrum dasycarpum Uvularia grandifora  Uvularia sessiliolia  Verbena hastata  Veronicastrum virginicum Viola canadensis   Zizia aurea 

Common Name

Height

Site*

Exposure** Flower Color

Season o Interest  

blue giant hyssop

2-4’

um/ud

S, PS

lavender-blue

July-August

prairie wild onion

1-2’

um/ud

S, PS

pink

July-August

big bluestem

2-5’

um/ud

S, PS

purple

August-November

Canada anemone

1-2’

w/um

S, PS

white

May-July  

columbine

1-3’

um/ud

S, PS, Sh

red/yellow

May-July  

 wild sars aparil la

1-2’

um/ud

PS, Sh

greenish-white

May-June

marsh milkweed

3-4’

w/um

S

pink

June-August

harebell

0.5-1.5’

um/ud

S, PS

blue

June-September

red-osier dogwood

6-12’

w/um/ud

S, PS, Sh

white

May-June; red twigs in winter

reweed

2-6’

w/um

S, PS

magenta

June-August

 Joe-Pye weed

3-6’

w/um

S, PS

pink

July-September

 wild straw berry

6-12”

um/ud

S, PS

white

April-June

northern bedstraw

1-2.5’

um/ud

S, PS

white

June-July  

alumroot

1-3’

um/ud

S, PS, Sh

green

June

blue ag iris

2-3’

w/um

S, PS

blue-violet

June-July  

 wild bergamot

2-4’

um/ud

S, PS

lilac

July-August

chokecherry

30’

um/ud

S, PS, Sh

white

May; red all color

black-eyed Susan

3-4’

um/ud

S, PS

golden

July-August

greenheaded coneower

4-9’

w/um

S, PS

yellow

July-August

bloodroot

8-10”

um

PS, Sh

white

April-May  

alse Solomon’s seal

1-3’

um

PS, Sh

cream

May-June

sti goldenrod

1-5’

um/ud

S, PS

yellow

August-October

Indian grass

2-6’

w/um

S, PS

copper/yellow

August-November

prairie cordgrass

3-6’

w/um/ud

S

gold all color

September-November

hedge nettle

1-3’

w/um

S, PS

purple

June-August

tall meadow rue

3-6’

w

S, PS

cream

June

large-owered bellwort

1-1.5’

um

Sh

yellow

May  

 wild oats

0.5-1’

um/ud

Sh

pale yellow

May 

blue vervain

2-5’

w/um

S

blue

July-September

Culver’s root

3-5’

w/um

S, PS

white

July-August

Canada violet

0.5-1’

um

PS, Sh

white

May-June

golden Alexander

1-3’

w/um

S, PS

yellow

May-June

* w = wet; um =upland moist (neither wet nor dry); ud = upland dry

** S = Full Sun, PS = Part Shade, Sh = Shade 

Plants on this list will re-establish native plant buers where the native shoreland vegetation has been altered. Suitable or any zone in Minnesota, these were selected based on their ability to establish readily rom seed, spread rom rhizomes, tolerate seasonal ooding, ruit in all, sel-sow, stabilize bank and soil, attract bees/butteries/ hummingbirds/moths, as well as provide beautiul oliage and color throughout the seasons. Most importantly, this natural buer will help to maintain the quality o the lake.

l to r: Tis lakeshore eatures oxeye,  reweed, and Joe-Pye weed . Eu patorium (Joe-P ye weed) is a tall, tough native or wet sites. Te edge o a pond planted with blue vervain and Joe-Pye weed. Red osier dogwood ‘Cardinal’ and  ‘Isanti’ are U o M introductions  that tolerate wet sites.

Compiled by Diane Plath, Beltrami County Master Gardener, who has a lakeshore home and whose passion is ‘lakescaping’ or lakeshore restoration. Her shoreline is natural, yet she continues to enhance the area with these plants. She encourages all lakeshore owners to do the same in order to protect the water quality, to stabilize shorelines, and to increase wildlie habitat. As Diane says, “I we don’t take care o our lakes, who will?”

 Master Gardener s tour a lakeshore restor ation planting in central Minnesota. Patie nce is  required in establishment o native plants, since the rst ew years are needed to establish a  strong root system.

For More Inormation on Lakeshore Native Plants Lakeshore planting and restoration is an important environmental issue in Minnesota and across the US. Tere are several print reerences available rom University o Minnesota Extension at www.extension.umn.edu, including: 

 

Native Plants or Sustainable Landscapes: Establishment and Management o Lakeshores and Gardens (07447) Shoreland Design (Sustainable Urban Landscape Inormation Series) Shoreland Plant Identication and Selection (Sustainable Urban La ndscape Inormation Series)

Te Minnesota Shoreland Management Resource Guide , workshops, demonstration sites, local programs and Protecting Our Waters, Shoreland Best Management Practices are eatured at t he Shoreland Education site:  wrc.umn.edu/outreach/shore/

Long-Blooming Perennials Botanical Name

Common Name

Height Soil

Exposure*

Bloom ime

Comments

 Achillea lipendula   Anthemis  ‘Susanna Mitchell’ Coreopsis  ‘Moonbeam’ ‘Zagreb’ Corydalis lutea ‘Oranges & Lemons’ Dianthus  ‘Firewitch’ ‘Bath’s Pink’ Dicentra eximia  ‘King o Hearts’ Echinacea purpurea  Gaillardia  spp. Geranium sanguineum Helenium autumnale  Heliopsis helianthoides  ‘Summer Sun’ Helleborus niger  Hemerocallis  ‘Happy Returns’ ‘Stella de Oro’ Leucanthemum ‘Becky’ Liatris spicata  Linum perenne   Macleaya cordata  Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ ‘Six Hills Giant’ Perovskia atripliciolia  Phlox paniculata  Platycodon grandiforus  Rudbeckia  ‘Goldsturm’ Salvia nemorosa  ‘May Night’ Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ Veronica spicata 

yarrow

18-36”

light, sandy, dry

S, PS

June-Oct

Attracts butteries; cut; dried.

anthemis

20-24”

well-drained

S

June-Sep

Cut back lightly ater rst bloom.

threadlea coreopsis

18-20”

well-drained

S

June-Oct

Deer resistant; attracts butteries.

umewort

10-16”

well-drained

PS

May-Sep

Deer resistant; drought tolerant.

cheddar pinks

4-8”

well-drained

S, PS

Apr-Sep

Deadhead.

ringed bleeding heart

9-18”

rich, moist, well-drained

Sh

Apr-Sep

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butteries.

purple coneower

2-4’

normal, sandy, clay

S, PS

Jul-Oct

‘Razzmatazz’ is a double owered orm.

blanket ower

18”

preers poor soil

S

June-Sep

Heat & drought tolerant.

cranesbill

12-18”

normal, loamy

S, PS

May-Sep

‘Jolly Bee,’ ‘Rozanne’ are good; tough.

Helen’s ower

4-5’

well-drained, light

S, PS

Jul-Sep

olerates dry soils

alse sunower; oxeye

3-5’

dry-med wet well-drained

S

June-Oct

Attracts butteries; drought tolerant.

Chri st ma s rose

10-12”

well-d ra ined, humus rich

PS,Sh

Ma r-May

Deer resist ant; slow to grow in MN.

daylily

2-3’

slightly acidic, moist

S, PS

June-Sep

Fragrant

shasta daisy

40”

well-drained

S

June-Sep

Attracts butteries; good cut ower.

gayeather

2-4’

well-drained

S

June-Oct

Attracts butteries.

blue ax

18-24”

light, sandy

S

June-Sep

Sel-seeds reely.

plume poppy

6-8’

well-drained, moist

S, PS

Jul-Sep

Coarse oliage.

catmint

2-3’

sandy to clay loam

S

May-Sep

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, & butteries.

S

Russian sage

3-4’

well-drained

Jul-Oct

olerates dry soil.

phlox

3-4’

moist, organic, well-drained S, PS

Jul-Sep

Powdery mildew resistant.

balloon ower

2-3’

normal, loamy

S

Jun-Aug

Deadhead; good cut ower.

gloriosa daisy

18-30”

well-drained, moist

S

Jul-Oct

Attracts butteries & birds.

salvia

18”

moist, well-drained

S

June-Oct

Attracts butteries, bees, & hummingbirds.

stonecrop

1-2’

well-drained

S, PS

Aug-Nov

One o many good cultivars; easy.

speedwell

1-2’

well-drained

S, PS

June-Sep

Good cut ower; deer resistant.

‘Sunny Border Blue’ ‘Goodness Grows’ * S = ull sun; PS = partial sun or light shade; Sh = shade 

Rudbeckia,  phlox, zebra   grass, and   perovskia   provide several  Compiled by Verna Jackson, Hubbard County Master Gardener. Verna has been gardening or weeks o showy  seven years in the Bemidji, Minnesota area, in hardiness Zone 3 and has grown many o these  fowers.

Long-blooming perennials are prized plants and can serve as the backbone o your garden. Tis list includes plants that are low maintenance and will bloom 8 weeks or longer. Specic cultivars listed are examples o many good selections.

plants in her own garden.

Plume   poppy and  sedum are tough, longblooming   perennials.

Rain Garden Plants Rain gardens are gardens that are planted where rainwater is purposly channeled into the site. Depending on the slope and amount o rain that can move into the garden, there may be standing water at all times or only ater a signicant rainall. Tis list includes plants or the lowest part o the rain garden in shallow water or  wet soils, to the upland or dry p ortion o the rain garden. Compiled by Sally Hausken, Becker Co. Master Gardener, and Gregg Tompson, Metro Soil & Water District. Sally answers questions at Plant Clinics in Becker County and has been a community leader in opening Sucker Creek Preserve in Detroit Lakes, MN. Master Gardeners oten work with local watershed districts to plan and plant gardens where rainwater runo is an issue.

Botanical Name

Common Name

Height

Moisture*

Exposure**

Native Habitat

Fl Color

Bloom ime

S

marsh, peatland, lake edge

green

May-June

 Aquatic Plant s: grown in le ss tha n 12” o water, soil is alw ays satur ated

Carex comosa  Carex crinita  Carex lacustris  Carex stricta  Eleocharis palustris  Iris versicolor   Juncus eusus  Sagittaria latiolia  Scirpus acutus  Scirpus validus 

bottlebrush sedge

24-42”

s,w,um

ringed sedge

30-42”

s,w,um

S

marsh, swamp, lake edge

green

May-June

lake sedge

24-36”

s,w,um

S

marsh, swamp, lake edge

green

May-June

tussock sedge

24-36”

s,w,um

S

swamp, marsh, peatland

green

May-June

spike rush

6-24”

s,w,um

S

wetland, wet prairie

brown

August

blue ag iris

24-36”

s,w

S, PS

marsh, peatland, lake edge

blue

June-July  

sot rush

24-48”

s,w,um

S

swamp, marsh, lake edge

brown

July-Aug  

common arrowhead

24-42”

s,w

S, PS

lake edge, marsh

white

July-Aug  

hardstem bulrush

36-108”

s,w

S

lake edge, marsh

green

June-July  

sotstem bulrush

36-108”

s,w

S

marsh, swamp, lake edge

brown

July-Aug  

ragrant hyssop

24-40”

um,ud

PS

prairie, savanna

blue

June-Oct

prairie wild onion

12-24”

um,ud

S, PS

prairie, savanna

pink

July-Aug  

pearly everlasting

6-18”

um,ud

S, PS

prairie, savanna, woodland

white

July-Sept

Non-Aquatic Plants: Wildfowers or Forbs

 Agastache oeniculum  Allium stellatum  Anaphalis margaritacea   Anemone canadensis   Arisaema triphyllum  Asclepias incarnata   Asclepias tuberosa   Aster novae-angliae  Boltonia asteroides  Dalea purpurea  Echinacea angustiolia  Eupatorium maculatum Gentiana andrewsii  Geum triforum

Canada anemone

12-24”

w,um

PS, Sh

prairie, marsh, swamp

white

May-July  

 jack-in-the-pulpit

8-24”

w,um

PS, Sh

woodland , orest

green

April-June

swamp milkweed

36-48”

w,um

S

prairie, marsh, lake edge

lavender

June-Aug  

buttery ower

12-24”

ud

S, PS

prairie, savanna

orange

June-Sept

New England aster

24-48”

w,um

S, PS

prairie, marsh, swamp

blue

Aug-Oct

boltonia

48-96”

w,um

S, PS

prairie, marsh, swamp

white

Aug-Sept

purple prairie clover

12-24”

ud

S

dry prairie, savanna

purple

June-July  

purple coneower

24-36”

um,ud

S, PS

prairie, savanna

purple

July-Aug  

 Joe-Pye weed

24-48”

w,um

S, PS

wet prairie, ma rsh, swamp

purple

July-Sept

bottle gentian

18-30”

w,um

S, PS

prairie, marsh, lake edge

blue

Aug-Oct

prairie smoke

6-12”

um,ud

S

dry prairie, woodland

purple

April-June

Rain Garden Plants Tis newly installed rain  garden is a joint eor t o   Carpenter Nature Center, Washington Co. Master  Gardeners, Washington Conservation District, Dakota Co. Board o   Commissioners, and  volunteers who did the   planting. Te garden is adjacent to the new  visitor center at Carpenter  Nature Center.

Botanical Name Helianthus maximiliani  Liatris pychnostachya  Lobelia cardinalis  Lobelia siphilitica   Monarda stulosa  Rudbeckia hirta  Rudbeckia laciniata  Talictrum dasycarpum Uvularia grandifora  Verbena hastata   Zizia aurea 

Runo rom the parking lots  at the Minnesota Landscape   Arboretum is channeled into these rain garden planting  beds and supports a wide  variety o plants.

Common Name

Height

Moisture*

Exposure**

Native Habitat

Fl Color

Bloom ime

Maximilian sunower

24-108”

w,um

S

swamp, prairie, lake edge

yellow

Aug-Oct

prairie blazing star

24-36”

w,um

S

prairie, marsh, lake edge

purple

July-Sept

cardinal ower

24-48”

w,um

S, PS

prairie, marsh, lake edge

red

July-Oct

great blue lobelia

20-30”

w,um

S

prairie, marsh, lake edge

blue

July-Oct

 wild bergamot

24-48”

um,ud

S, PS

prairie, sava nna, wood land

lavender

July-Aug 

black-eyed Susan

3-4’

um,ud

S, PS

prairie, savanna

yellow

June-Oct

 wild goldenglow

36-108”

w,um

S, PS

prairie, sw amp, lake edge

yellow

July-Aug 

tall meadow rue

36-72”

w

S, PS

prairie, swamp, lake edge

cream

June

large-owered bellwort

12”

um

PS

deciduous orest

yellow

May  

blue vervain

24-60”

w,um

S, PS

prairie, marsh, swamp

blue

June-Sept

golden Alexander

12-36”

w,um

S, PS

prairie, savanna, woodland

yellow

May-July  

Graminoides (grasses and grass-like plants)

 Acorus calumus   Andropogon gerardii  Bouteloua curtipendula  Bouteloua gracilis  Bromus kalmii  Calamagrostis canadensis  Carex bebbii  Carex comosa  Carex lacustris  Carex pensylvanica  Carex scoparia 

sweet ag

36”

s,w

S, PS

marsh, peatland, lake edge

yellow

July-Aug  

big bluestem

36-72”

um,ud

S, PS

prairie, savanna, woodland

purple

July-Sept

side oats grama

1-2’

um,ud

S

prairie, savanna, woodland

red

July-Sept

blue grama

6-18”

um,ud

S

prairie, savanna

purple

July-Sept

Kalm’s brome

24-36”

w,um,ud

PS, Sh

prairie, savanna, woodland

green

June-July  

bluejoint grass

36-72”

w,um

S, PS, Sh

prairie, marsh, swamp

green

July-Sept

Bebb’s sedge

24-36”

w,um

S

marsh, swamp, lake edge

green

May-June

bottlebrush sedge

24-42”

s,w,um

S

marsh, peatland, lake edge

green

May-June

lake sedge

24-36”

s,w,um

S

marsh, swamp, lake edge

green

May-June

Pennsylvania sedge

6-8”

um,ud

S, Sh

dry to mesic orest

brown

May  

pointed broom sedge

6-30”

w

S

marsh, wetland, lake edge

tan

May-June

Rain Garden Plants Botanical Name

Common Name

Height

Moisture*

Exposure**

Native Habitat

Fl Color

Bloom ime

Sprengel’s sedge

12-24”

um,ud

S

woodland, orest

green

June-July  

tussock sedge

24-36”

s,w,um

S

swamp, marsh, peatland

green

May-June

ox sedge

12-36”

w,um

S

swamp, marsh, lake edge

green

May-June

spike rush

6-24”

s,w,um

S

wetland, wet prairie

brown

Aug  

bottlebrush grass

24-48”

w,um,ud

PS, Sh

orest, woodland, lake edge

green

June-July  

rattlesnake manna grass

24-36”

w

S

marsh, peatland, lake edge

green

July-Aug  

tall manna grass

36-60”

w

S

swamp, peatland, lake edge

green

July-Aug  

sweet grass

12-24”

w,um

S

lake edge, marsh, prairie

green

May-June

sot rush

24-48”

s,w,um

S

swamp, marsh, lake edge

brown

July-Aug  

Graminoides (grasses and grass-like plants), continued

Carex sprengelii  Carex stricta  Carex vulpinoidea  Eleocharis palustris  Elymus hystrix  Glyceria canadensis  Glyceria grandis  Hierochloe odorata   Juncus eusus   Juncus tenuis  Koeleria macrantha  Panicum virgatum Schizachyrium scoparium Scirpus atrovirens  Scirpus cyperinus  Scirpus validus  Sorghastrum nutans  Spartina pectinata 

path rush

6-12”

w,um

S, PS, Sh

swamp, marsh, lake edge

brown

July-Aug  

 June grass

12-24”

um,ud

S

prairie, sava nna, wood land

green

June-July 

switchgrass

36-72”

w,um,ud

S

prairie, swamp, lake edge

purple

June-Oct

little bluestem

24-48”

um,ud

S

prairie, savanna, woodland

amber

July-Sept

green bulrush

36-48”

w

S

marsh, swamp, lake edge

brown

June-July  

 wool grass

36-48”

s,w,um

S

marsh, swa mp, lake edge

brown

June-July 

sotstem bulrush

36-96”

s

S

lake edge, marsh

brown

June-Aug  

Indian grass

24-72”

w,um

S, PS

prairie, savanna, woodland

amber

July-Sept

cord grass

36-72”

w,um

S

prairie, marsh, lake edge

yellow

Aug-Oct

Shrubs and Small rees serviceberry 15-25’ um,ud PS orests, elds, clearcuts white April-May    Amelanchier laevis  black chokeberry 3-6’ w,um,ud S, PS lake edge, orest, swamp white May-June  Aronia melanocarpa  pagoda dogwood 15-25’ um,ud PS orest, swamp white May-July   Cornus alterniolia  gray dogwood 5-15’ um,ud PS, Sh orest, elds, lake edge white May-July   Cornus racemosa  red-osier dogwood 6-12’ w,um,ud S, PS, Sh orest, wetland, lake edge white May-July   Cornus sericea (stoloniera)  American h azel 8-15’ um,ud S orest, wetla nd, lake edge purple March-April Corylus americana  bush honeysuckle 2-4’ um,ud PS, Sh woodland, orest, clearcuts yellow June-July   Diervilla lonicera  chokecherry 20-30’ um,ud S, PS orest, woodland white May   Prunus virginiana  red berried elderberry 4-8’ um,ud PS, S,Sh dry to moist orest white May   Sambucus pubens  snowberry 4-6’ ud S orest, woodland whitish May-July   Symphoricarpos albus  downy arrowwood 6’ ud S, PS woodland, orest, clearcuts white May-June Viburnum atropurpurea  nannyberry 12-18’ um,ud PS orest, swamp, lake edge white May-June Viburnum lentago highbush cranberry 5-15’ w,um S, PS orest, swamp, lake edge white June Viburnum trilobum * Moisture Zone Key: ud = upland-dry (dry, well-drained soils); um = upland-mesic (soil is moist, but not wet); w = soil is wet, occassionally standing water; s = shallow water most o the time 

River Banks and Canoe Public Access Areas Botanical Name  Andropogon gerardii   Aquilegia canadensis   Aster cordiolius   Aster ericoides   Aster novae-angliae  Bouteloua curtipendula  Chelone glabra  Cornus sericea  Eupatorium maculatum Eupatorium peroliatum Geranium maculatum Iris cristata  Liatris punctata  Lobelia cardinalis  Lobelia siphilitica   Mimulus moschatus  Phlox divaricata  Rudbeckia laciniata  Schizachyrium scoparium Vernonia asciculate  Viola canadensis 

Common Name

Height

Season o Interest

Comments

big bluestem

2-6’

Aug-Sept

Warm season grass; sod orming, very aggressive.

 wild columbine

1-3’

June-July

Red-yellow owers; sel-seeds re adily.

he ar t-le ave d or blue woo d a ster 1-2’

Au g- Sept

Pa le blue  ra gra nt ower s; he ar t- sh ap ed leave s; wet /s ha de tolera nt .

heath aster

1-3’

Aug-Sept

Showy white owers; spreads by rhizomes; aggressive.

New England aster

1-5’

Sept-Oct

Purple owers; sel-seeds; wet/shade tolerant.

sideoats grama

1-2’

July-Sept

Bunch grass; sel-seeds readily; good or erosion control.

 white turt lehead

2-3’

Aug

White ower heads re semble “turtle heads.”

red osier dogwood

6-12’

year round

Bright red twigs; preers wet/moist soil; tolerates most soils.

 Joe-Pye weed

3-5’

July-Aug

Pink owers; agg ressive and ca n compete with weedy sp ecies.

boneset

3-5’

July-Aug

Competes with weedy species; wet/shade tolerant.

 wild geran ium

1’

May-June

Spreads by rhizomes; g rows well under trees.

dwar crested iris

6”

May

Lavender or white owers; short-lived; rhizomatous.

dotted blazing star

1-2’

Sept-Oct

Purple owers; preers dry sites.

cardinal ower

2-4’

Aug-Sept

Brilliant red owers attract hummingbirds; short-lived.

great blue lobelia

1-3’

Aug-Sept

Dark blue owers; sensitive to competition; wet/shade tolerant.

monkey ower

8-24”

July

Yellow owers; spreads; wet/shade tolerant.

 woodland ph lox

1’

May-June

Pale blue owers; does best in moist sha de.

greenheaded coneower

5-8’

Aug-Sept

Very robust; moist, brushy areas.

little bluestem

2-4’

Aug-Sept

Orange all oliage; erosion control on slopes; sel-seeds; tough.

ironweed

2-5’

July-Aug

Red-purple owers; coarse texture; aggressive; wet/shade tolerant, taller in wet sites.

Canada violet

6-12”

June-Aug

White ragrant owers; wet/shade tolerant.

Tese plants were selected rom a list o 55 species recently planted at Canoe Park on the Snake River in Mora, Minnesota. Tis list represents the Kanabec County Master Gardeners’ top priority plants or this site based on their durability, adaptability, and beauty. Te planting site is a public park and canoe access point characterized by poor soil, high shade rom deciduous trees, and seasonal ooding. In addition to the native plantings along the upper one-ourth o the river bank slope and the upland park area, the renovation also included placement o rip-rap along the river bank to prevent urther erosion and undercutting o the bank. Te renovation o Canoe Park was a c ooperative project o the Snake River Watershed Management Board, the City o Mora, Kanabec County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Kanabec County Master Gardeners. Compiled by Diana Rank in and K anabec County Master Gardeners.

Kanabec Master Gardeners restoration project along  the Snake River.

Sel-Seeding Perennials Botanical Name  Aquilegia  spp.*

Common Name

Height

Comments, Hardiness Zone

columbine

1-4’

Moist, well-drained soils; light shade; attracts hummingbirds; Zone 3-10.

 Acanthus mollis   Aconitum napellus 

bear’s-breech

2-4’

Well-drained soil; sun to light shade; Zone 4-10.

monkshood

2-8’

Moist, light woodland; showy tall ower spikes; Zone 3-8.

 Allium schoenoprasum  Allium tuberosum

chives

12-24”

Sun, light shade; tolerates most soils; Zone 3-8.

garlic chives

18-24”

Sun; well-drained soil; tough and easy to grow; Zone 4-8.

 Asclepias incarnata* 

swamp milkweed

3-4’

Wet and moist soil preerred; show y owers; attractive seed pods; Zone 3-8.

 Asclepias tuberosa* 

but ter y weed

1-2”

Wel l- dr ai ned s andy s oi l; d rou ght re si st ant ; su n; common wildower; Zone 4-10

Baptisia australis* 

blue alse indigo

3-5”

Most any soil; sun or light shade; long taproots; dislikes transplanting; Zone 3-10

Brunnera macrophylla  Callirhoe involucrata 

Siberian orget-me-not

12-24”

Sun or medium shade; dependable; Zone 3-8.

purple poppy mallow

6-12”

Likes crevices, rocks, dry banks, well-drained soil; sun; Zone 4-10.

Campanula  spp. Centaurea montana 

bellower

2-4’

Sun or partial shade; some are invasive; Zone 4-10.

perennial bachelor’s button 18-30” 2-5’

Sun or light shade; attractive owers; Zone 4-9.

6”-2’

Sun or light shade; biennial that re-seeds to be like a   perennial; Zone 3-7.

Echinacea purpurea* 

purple coneower

2- 4’

Sun or light shade; non-sogg y soi l; d rought resi st ant; attracts birds, butteries; Zone 3-10.

Heliopsis helianthoides* 

oxeye

3-5’

Sun or light shade; all soils; easy and tough; attracts aphids; Zone 2-8.

Viola spp.* *Native to MN or U.S.

Sweet William is a ragrant old-ashioned biennial that produces abundant seed, let undisturbed  it can grow like a perennial.

Sun; good drainage; silver-grey oliage; large owers; Zone 3-8.

Chasmanthium latiolium*  northern sea oats sweet William Dianthus barbatus 

Liatris spp.* Scilla siberica  Silphium peroliatum*  Verbena bonariensis 

Sel-seeding can be a desirable way to increase garden perennials, or it can be a  nuisance and a means o spreading invasive plants. Many seedlings revert to less desirable orms. Pay attention to avoid exotic plants sel-seeding into native areas.

gayeather, blazing star

2-5’

Sun; good drainage; buttery avorite; Zone 3-9.

Siberian squill

6”

Sun or light shade; blue carpet in spring; Zone 3-7.

cupplant

4-8’

Sun; tolerates most soils; Zone 2-7.

verbena

2-4’

Sun; well-drained soil; sel-seeds to be like a perennial in MN; can be a nuisance; Zone 6-9.

violet

3-8”

Sun or light shade; easy; long owering; Zone 3-8.

Northern sea oats or river oats are native to moist  shady sites in the U.S. and will usually sel-sow. Compiled by Norrie MacIlraith, Olmsted County Master Gardener. Norrie has been a  Master Gardener or 23 years. Olmsted County  Master Gardeners work on community projects including Community Ed, Olmsted County  History Center, buckthorn removal, historic garden restoration, and school programs.

Septic Mound Plants Botanical Name  Asclepias tuberosa  Bouteloua curtipendula  Bouteloua grama  Echinacea purpurea  Festuca spp. Geum triforium Heliopsis helianthoides  Hemerocallis  spp. Liatris spp.  Monarda stulosa  Penstemon spp. Schizachyrium scoparium Sedum spp. Sporobolus heterolepis 

Common Name

Height

Comments

buttery weed

2-3’

Native; showy orange owers; buttery avorite; preers well-drained soil.

sideoats grama

1-2’

ough grass or well-drained sites; native to central US.

blue grama

6-18”

ough grass or well-drained sites; native to central US.

purple coneower

2-4’

Popular wildowers with medicinal properties; large showy owers in late summer.

escue

3”-2’

Wiry; tough grass; ‘Elijah Blue’ is silvery blue.

prairie smoke

6-12’

Showy pink owers; attractive oliage.

oxe ye,  al se su nower

3 -5’

Br ig ht yel low  ower s i n s um mer; e as y to g row ; at tra ct s aphid s.

daylily

1-3’

Pla nt severa l va rieties or continuous bloom; require min ima l ca re; tough pla nt.

blazing star, gayeather

2-5’

Buttery avorite; may need rabbit protection.

bergamot, bee balm

2-4’

Lovely pink to lavender owers; subject to powdery mildew; mint amily; can make tea rom the leaves.

penstemon, beardtongue

2-3’

Native wildowers; a avorites o bees and hummingbirds.

little bluestem

2-4’

Clump orming grass; bronze and orange all color.

sedum

6”-2’

ough plant or dry sites; many orms and species.

prairie dropseed

2-3’

Native grass ound on upland sites or sandy soils; cloud-like ragrant owers; yellow-orange all color.

Septic mounds are dicult sites requiring minimal disturbance to keep the draineld intact. Frequent  working o the soil is not a good idea. Plants liste d above have low maintenance and reduced water requirements. Teir brous root system helps to hold the soil and prevent erosion o the mound. All are  winter hardy in Zones 3 and 4.

Dry garden plants are perect or a septic mound; dwar blue escue is shown here with sedum on either side and yucca in the background.

Compiled by im Wedekind, Dakota County Master Gardener. im researched septic mound plantings or his  weekly garden ing columns or the Ha stings St ar Gazet te. He recently “retired” rom that Master Gardener volunteer role ater writing 412 (8 years) o gardening columns.

Prairie dropseed, let unmowed, orms attractive  mounds between a mowed walkway.

Shade: Shrubs Shade limits plant growth. Te heights listed here are or less than ideal conditions. Many plants will grow larger when grown in ull sun  with adequate moisture.

Common Name

Height/  Width Soil ype

Zone Exposure

Green Velvet boxwood

2’/3’

loose, well-drained

4-8

light shade

Dwar Bright Gold yew

4’/6’

moist, well-drained

2-7

ull sun to heav y shade

3’/6’

moist, well-drained

4-7

medium to heavy shade

8’/3’

moist, well-drained

2-9

light shade

6’/6’

moist, well-drained

3-8

ull sun to heav y shade

bog or marsh rosemary

2’/3’

acidic, moist, welldrained

2-6

light shade

 Autumn Magic c hokeberry

5’/4’

avg., well-drai ned

3-8

light to heavy sha de

 Japanese barberr y

4’/4’

avg., well-drai ned

4-8

ull sun to heav y shade

summersweet

3’/3’

moist

3-8

medium to heavy shade

Cornus alterniolia 

pagoda dogwood

15-25’

average

2-8

ull sun, light to medium shade

Cornus hessei ‘ Garden Glow’ Cornus racemosa  Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ Diervilla sessiolia  ‘Buttery’ Fothergilla gardenii  x major 

Garden Glow dogwood

5-6’

average, moist

4-6

medium to heavy shade

gray dogwood

8’/6’

moist, well-drained

2-9

light shade

ted-twig dogwood

10’/10’

moist, well-drained

2-9

ull sun to heavy shade

bush honeysuckle

3’/5’

avg./moist

4-8

light shade

 witch alder

6’/4’

acidic, moist, wel ldrained

4 -9

li ght to med iu m s ha de

 Annab elle hydrangea

5’/5’

moist, well-dr ained

3-9

light shade

Botanical Name Evergreen

Buxus ‘Green Velvet’ axus cuspidata  ‘Dwar Bright Gold’

aunton yew axus  x media ‘auntonii’ Tuja occidentalis  ‘Holmstrup’ Holmstrup arborvitae aurea compacta hemlock suga canadensis  ‘Aurea Compacta’ Deciduous

 Andromeda poliolia  ‘Blue Ice’

 Aronia melanocarpa  Bush honeysuckle orms a dense cover  on the edge o this parking lot. It’s a   good choice or a tough, low growing  shrub in the shade.

‘Autumn Magic’

Berberis thunbergii  Clethra alniolia  ‘Hummingbird’

Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ is also a   good choice or shady con ditions. Spring   fowers, summer  ruit, and all color   provide interest thr oughout the year. Compiled by Pam Hartley, Cathy  LeVahn and Sheryl Engstrom, Anoka  County Master Gardeners, who have answered many questions about growing  shrubs. Anoka County Master Gardeners teach classes in the community, including a series called Lasting Landscapes  and other Community Education classes.

‘Mount Air y’

Hydrangea arborescens  ‘Annabelle’

Hydrangea paniculata  Rhododendron Northern

panicle hydrangea

9’/8’

moist, well-drained

3-9

light to medium shade

Northern Lights azaleas

5’/3’

well-drained, pH 4.5-5.5

3 -7

li ght to med iu m s ha de

iger Eye sumac

6’/6’

sandy, well-drained

4-8

light to medium shade

lace shrub

1’/3’

avg.

4-7

light to medium shade

snowberry

4’/4’

avg./moist

4-7

light to medium shade

nannyberry

15’/6’

avg./moist

4-7

light to medium shade

highbush cranberry

10’/5’

avg.

2-7

light to medium shade

Lights Series

Rjus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ Stephanandra incisa  ‘Crispa’ Symphoricarpos albus  Viburnum lentago Viburnum trilobum

Shade: Small rees Scientifc Name  Alnus rugosa   Amelanchier arborea   Amelanchier laevis  Carpinus caroliniana  Cercis canadensis  Cornus alterniolia  Hamamelis vernalis  Hamamelis virginiana  Nyssa sylvatica  Ostrya virginiana  Prunus virginiana  Ptelea trioliate  Staphylea trioliate  axus cuspidata  suga canadensis  Viburnum lentago

Common Name

Height Comments

speckled alder

15-25’

Preers wet soil high in organic matter; native.

 Juneberry

15-25’

Fall color is yellow to dul l red; ruit berr y-like, reddish pur ple; tolerates parti al shade; nat ive.

 Allegheny ser viceberry

15-25’

Fall color is oran ge red; ruit purple black, s weet and edible; nat ive.

blue bee ch

2 0-3 0’

Fa ll color is or an ge-s ca rlet ; ba rk is ut ed giv in g a mu sc le app ea ra nc e; nat ive; toler ate s heav y s ha de.

Eastern redbud

20-30’

olerates partial shade; plants should be rom Univ. o MN seed source to be reliably hardy in MN.

p agod a dog wo od

15 -25’

Fa ll c olor re dd ish pur ple; na ti ve; hori zont al bra nc he s.

vern al w itc hha zel

6 -10’

Yel low ow er s i n Ma rch;  ru it a c ap su le; ha nd le s  ltered s had e.

common witchhazel

10-20’

Yellow owers bloom in October/ November; ruit a capsule; handles ltered shade.

s our g um

3 0-50’

Fa ll c olor bri ght s ca rlet ; moi st , wel l- dr ai ned a cid s oi l; pla nt on ly t ree s  rom nor ther n sou rc es .

ironwood

25-40’

Fall color yellow; understory tree, does well in heavy shade; native.

chokecherr y

20 -30’

Fruit s globose d ark purple, ed ible; understor y tree in the wood s; nat ive.

hoptree, waer-ash

15-20’

Fall color yellow-green; native; understory tree in moist woodlands.

 America n bladdernut

5-15’

Bladder-like ruit; tolerates very heavy shad e; native.

 Japanese yew

5-15’

Dark green oliage; upri ght and spreadi ng orms; deer avorite; toxic to cows a nd horses.

Eastern hemlock

40-70’

Leaves are sot, short needles; no all color; evergreen; grows slowly; likes cool, moist conditions; native.

na nnyberr y

12-18’

Fa ll color purplish red; ruit s bluish-black;  ltered shade; nat ive.

 Whether in the city, suburbs, or rural a reas, small trees are oten needed or shady locations. Some o these trees may grow larger in ull sun; the height listed is or ull sun conditions. Compiled by Shirley Mah Kooyman, Hennepin County Master Gardener. Shirley has been teaching  as a Master Gardener or 22 years. She also coordinates Adult Education classes at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and is a botanist. She compiled this list based on her personal knowledge and teaching  experience.

Redbud is an early spring fowering native tree  that tolerates shade.

Eastern hemlock is a native evergreen that will grow in shady conditions. It is much uller and dense when grown in ull sun.

Shade: all* Perennials Botanical Name Common Name black snakeroot  Actea racemosa (Cimiciuga racemosa)  Actea simplex  ‘White Pearl’ (Cimiciuga   white pearl, sna keroot simplex) monkshood  Aconitum spp. autumn monkshood  Aconitum henryi  goat’s beard  Aruncus dioicus  alse spirea  Astilbe biternata  Campanula lactifora  ‘Prichard’s Variety’ milky bellower turtlehead Chelone glabra  bleeding heart Dicentra spectabalis  oxglove Digitalis purpurea   Joe-Pye weed Eupatorium maculatum queen-o-the-prairie Filipendula rubra  queen-o-the-meadow Filipendula ulmaria  bowman’s root Gillenia trioliata  big lea ligularia Ligularia dentata  leopard plant Ligularia przewalskii  martagon lily Lilium martagon ostrich ern  Matteuccia struth iopteris  cinnamon ern Osmunda cinnamomea  royal ern Osmunda regalis  rodgersia Rodgersia  spp. tall meadow rue Talictrum dasycarpum Culver’s root Veronicastrum virginicum * ’ or more

Height

Zone Soil ype

Exposure**

4-6’

3-9

moist, well-drained

S, PS

4’

3-8

tolerant o boggy cond itions S, PS

Spikes o owers

4-5’

3-8

moist, well-drained

PS

Poisonous.

3-6’

4

average, dislikes wet

PS

Showy owers, poisonous.

4-6’

4-9

moist

PS, Sh

Attractive oliage; spectacular plumes.

2-6’

4

moist, acidic woodlands

PS, Sh

Clusters o owers.

3’

4-8

moist

Sh

Sel-seeds.

24-36”

3-8

rich, moist

PS

36”

4

tolerant o boggy conditions S, PS

2-4’

4-10

moist, well-drained

S, PS

all elegant ower spikes; sel-seeding biennial.

3-6’

3-9

average

S, PS

Useul in wet a reas.

3-6’

3-8

moist

PS

Flower clusters; ‘Venusta’ has dark pink owers.

48”

3-9

moist, well-drained

Sh

Comment s all blossoms; ‘Atropurpurea’ has purple oliage.

Exquisite arching sprays o owers.

2-3’

4-8

moist

PS

4’

3-7

alkaline

PS

‘Desdemona’ ‘Britt-Marie Craword’ are good.

4-6’

3-8

moist

PS, Sh

Requires moist soil.

3-4’

4

humus rich

PS, Sh

Small, turk’s cap owers.

3-4’

4-8

moist

PS

olerates moisture; ostrich plume leaves. Cinnamon brown spore bearing stalks.

2-4’

3-8

rich, well-drained

S, PS

3-5’

3-8

moist, wet

S, PS, Sh Can be grown in swampy conditions.

3-6’

4-7

moist

PS

Huge oliage; accent plant.

3-6’

4-9

rich, well-drained

S, PS

Blue-green oliage.

3-5’

4-9

rich, moist

S, PS, Sh Candles o white owers; native to moist sites.

** S = ull sun, PS = partial sun, Sh = shade 

all plants or shade are harder to nd. Tese drier sites usually  mean shorter plants, but this list eatures a variety o native and non-native taller perennials. Compiled by Pam Hartley, Cathy LeVahn and Sheryl Engstrom,  Anoka Count y Master Gardeners. A noka County Ma ster Gardeners are active in teaching classes and other horticulture related projects.

r: ‘Lavender Mist’ meadow rue and Culver’s root  are two tall perennials   or shade. l: Bugbane, or black  snakeroot, is native  to woodland edges in  Minnesota. Its stately  tall white fowers last   or several weeks in the 

Steep Slopes Steep slopes are tough sites. Plants are needed to prevent soil erosion and yet the site is usually  dicult to work on or mowing or maintenance. Plants listed here are minimal maintenance choices that are attractive and hardy in Minnesota. Compiled by Connie C. Collison, Cass Coounty  Master Gardener. Tis list has been compiled through personal experience o steep slopes and lakeshore restoration in the Cass and Crow Wing County area.

Botanical Name

Common Name Height Comments

Native Grasses

Bouteloua curtipendula 

sideoats grama

1-2’

Common on dry prairies; can orm sod and does well on steep slopes; at least partial sun.

Elymus canadensis  Festuca ovina 

Canada wildrye

2-4’

Covers an area rapidly; sel-seeds.

sheeps escue

6-24”

Common on sandy soils; quite drought and shade tolerant; bunch grass.

Festuca rubra  Sporobolus cryptandrus 

red escue

6 -24”

Common lawn grass is quite shade and drought tolera nt.

sand dropseed

12-30”

Dry prairie grass; grows in sand or on heavier soils; drought tolerant.

Schizachyrium scoparium

little bluestem

2-4’

Blue summer oliage; clump orming with arching habit; bronze and orange all color.

Panicum virgatum

s wit ch gr as s

3 -6 ’

Nat ive s el -s eed in g gr as s w it h w inter i ntere st ; go od  or  wildli e.

daylily

1-3’

Low maintenance; many r colors; long bloom time.

hosta

4”-4’

Excellent choice or partially to ully shaded slopes.

dead nettle

8-12”

White or pink owers; leaves streaked white/silver.

rosemary

2-4’

ough annual; can grow in dry, poor soils; aromatic.

violet

6”

Beautiul owers in spring; spreads rapidly.

 Aronia melanocarpa  Diervilla lonicera  Euonymus alatus 

black chokeberry

3-6’

olerates most soils; attractive oliage, ruit and owers.

bush honeysuckle

2-4’

Sun or partial shade, a native tough low growing shrub.

burning bush

4-8’

A avorite or highway or commercial landscapes; beautiul oliage, bark; great all color.

 Juniperus horizo ntalis 

creeping juniper

1-2’

Creeps to 8-10’; a great shrub or most areas; will tolerate poor soil.

 Juniperus sabina 

s av in ju niper

3’

Ma ny cu lt iva rs ; s pre ad s t o 10’; d el ic at e c olor ; tolerat es mo st soils; sun.

Rhus aromatica 

ragrant sumac

2-6’

Attractive oliage; great all color; Rhus trilobata , R. glabra, and R. typhina are good also.

Symphoricarpos albus 

snowberr y

4 -6’

Beaut i ul owers i n spri ng; interest ing a ll lea  color;  winter berries.

axus cuspidata  axus x media ‘auntonii’

 Japanese yew

5-6’

Great hardy plant th at spreads.

aunton yew

3-5’

olerates ull sun to ull shade.

Herbaceous Plants

Hemerocallis  spp. Hosta spp. Lamium spp. Rosmarinus ocinalis  Viola spp. Daylilies and hosta provide color and cover on this  steep residential slope.

Fragrant sumac ‘Gro-low’, a shorter, ’ cultivar, edges the roadway along a slope at the Minnesota  Landscape Arboretum.

Shrubs

rees Tat Produce Minimal Litter  What is a mess y tree? rees that drop large or thick leaves, t wigs, owers, ruit, seeds and nuts might be considered ‘messy.’ However, each o these ‘messes’ perorms a unction contributing to survival or reproduction. Many people value these eatures and enjoy them as part o the beauty o the tree. Wildlie oten live rom these eatures! Many plants today are bred to be sterile, with no ruit or pollen and thus have minimal tree ‘litter.’ Female trees can produce large eshy  ruits that some people consider ‘messy.’ As a homeowner you may  be concerned with tree litter clogging gutters, alling on cars, drive ways, walk ways, patios or decks. Te list below is not all i nclusive, but meant to be a starting point on identiying trees with minimal litter potential.

Spruce have cones that can become litter, but usually these are a minor nuisance.

Pine trees have minimal litter and make a good   permanent addition t o the landscape.

Compiled by Barb Kirkpatrick, Ramsey County Master Gardener. Barb has served or 10 years as a Master Gardener and ree Care Advisor in Ramsey County and has a special interest in trees. In both o these roles, Barb has helped many people with their tree questions, and believes that each tree has its merits.

Botanical Name  Abies spp.  Acer negundo Carpinus caroliniana  Fraxinus americana  Fraxinus pennsylvanica  Gleditsia triacanthos inermis  Larix laricina   Malus hybrids Ostrya virginiana  Picea spp. Pinus spp. Populus deltoides ‘ Siouxland’ Populus hybrids  Populus x acuminata  Prunus  hybrids Prunus  x nigrella  ‘Muckle’ Syringa reticulata  Tuja occidentalis  & cultivars ilia cordata 

Common Name

Height

Comments

r

40-60’

Korean, Canaan, balsam, Fraser, white.

boxelder

40-60’

‘Baron’ is recommended.; use only male orms.

blue beech

20-30’

Good native small tree.

 white ash

50+’

‘Northern Blaze’ is recommended; use only ma le orms.

green ash

40-60’

Select seedless orms: ‘Marshall Seedless’, ‘Bergeson’, Kindred’, ‘Wahpeton.’

honeylocust

30-60’

Minimal raking; select a thornless/ruitless orm.

tamarack

40-70’

Deciduous conier; yellow all color.

crabapple

15-25’

Select persistent ruit or ruitless (e.g., ‘Spring Snow’) orms.

ironwood

25-40’

Good native small tree.

spruce

25-50+’

Black, white, Norway, Serbian.

pine

25-50+’

W hite (mature trees do have large cones), Austrian, Scots, Norway, Swiss stone, mugo.

cottonless cottonwood

80-100’

South Dakota selection; adapted to poor soil, grows quickly.

s ee dle ss p opla r

40 -60’

Go od s elec tion s a re: ‘Pr ai rie Sk y,’ ‘Robus ta ,’ ‘ ower,’ ‘H ig hl and ’

lancelea cottonwood

40-60’

Hardy; upright seedless pyrimidal tree.

cherry

15-25’

Select ruitless varieties.

muckle plum

10-15’

Sterile hybrid, thus no ruit; red buds and showy pink owers; red all color.

 Japanese tree li lac

15-25’

Nice bark, owers and orm.

arborvitae

25-50’

Wide variety o orms and height rom cultivars.

li l l  li d

25 50’

C

i l





. americana has larger leaves and multiple stems

Under a Black Walnut ree Botanical Name  Alcea rosea   Arisaema triphyllum  Astilbe  x arendsii  Begonia sempervirens  & hybrids Calendula ocinalis  Campanula latiolia  Chionodoxa luciliae  Claytonia virginica  Crocus vernus  Dicentra cucullaria  Galanthus nivalis  Galium odoratum Geranium sanguineum Heuchera spp. Hyacinthoides hispanica  Ipomoea ‘ Heavenly Blue’  Monarda didyma  Oenothera ruticosa  Osmunda cinnamomea  Phlox paniculata  Poa pratensis  Pulmonaria species  Sanguinaria candensis  Scilla siberica  Stachys byzantina  radescantia virginiana   Zinnia spp.

Common Name

Hieght

Comments

hollyhock

4-8’

Full sun with rich soil; hal-hardy biennial, reseeds like a perennial.

 Jack-in-the-pulpit

8-24”

Flower or “pulpit” is 3-4” green lea-like hood; red berr ies in a ll.

astilbe

1-2’

Fernlike oliage; clusters o tiny owers; heavy eeders; may need irrigation.

wax begonia

8”-2’

Attractive oliage; white, pink, rose or red owers.

pot marigold

12 - 24”

Gold, red or yellow owers all summer; all soils.

bellower

2-4’

Bell-like, purplish blue owers; spreads reely by rhizomes and seeds.

glory-o-the-snow

6”

Early owering bulb; violet-blue, six petal, star-like owers.

spring beauty

3-6”

Flowers are white with ne pink stripes; wide variety o soils.

crocus, giant crocus

4-6”

Very early spring owering bulb; preers sandy, well-drained soil.

dutchman’s breeches

6-12”

White upside down “breeches” or owers; preers ertile moist soil.

snowdrop

3-10”

One o the earliest owers; dainty white owers with green markings.

sweet woodru

4-12”

Dainty-looking groundcover with late spring white owers.

cranesbill

12-18”

Attractive oliage; tough; many cultivars.

coral bells

12-20”

Small red, pink, or white tiny bell-shaped owers; good drainage is essential.

Span ish bluebell

12-15”

Wood la nd ga rden; grow s into robust clumps; average to rich well-dra ined soi l.

morning glory

10’

Blooms early summer to all; blue trumpet-shaped owers; vine.

bee balm

2-4’

Requires good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew; moist soil is best.

su nd rop s

15”

Re li able; yel low owers ; wel l- dr ai ned s oi l; su n.

cinnamon ern

2-4’

Large, yellowish-green ronds; preers moist, humus-rich soil.

garden phlox

3-4’

Common perennial; rich, well-drained soil.

Kent uck y bluegra ss

2-28”

Sod-ormi ng lawn gra ss; tolerates cold, heat, ra in, but not shade or wet.

lungwort

8-18”

Pink, violet, and blue owers; preers evenly moist, humus-rich soil.

bloodroot

8-10”

White owers in April; moist, humus-rich soil.

Siberian squill

6”

Early spring; blue owers; moist soil; naturalizes by seed and o sets.

lamb’s ear

6-15”

Large silvery very sot leaves; preers well-drained, sandy loamy soil.

spiderwort

18-24”

Long blooming owers; grass-like oliage; well-drained soil.

zinnia

1-3’

Easy to start rom seed; many colors and ower orms.

Under a Black Walnut ree Native throughout Minnesota and much o the U.S., black walnut trees pose dicult gardening conditions due to the toxic juglone naturally produced by the plants. In addition to the list above, pansies, violets, daylilies, hosta, sedum, squash, melons, beans, carrots, corn, and black raspberries can grow under black walnuts. Compiled by Kathleen Fesenmaier and several other Renville County  Master Gardeners. In Renville County, riends and amily have been growing walnut trees in their yards or 50 or more years. Te Master Gardeners compiled this list because as black walnuts grow, the juglone slowly kills o some plants that had appeared to thrive. Master Gardeners were oten asked why a plant did not grow, only to solve the mystery by nding out a  neighbor or they themselves owned a beautiul black walnut tree.

Hosta grow well under many trees, maples as shown here at the   Minnesota Landscape Arboretum , as well as black walnut trees.

Te trees are each side o the bench are black walnuts. Tere are many juglone tolerant   plants; however, many plants will not tole rate this tough site.

Reerences Many o these reerences can be ound online in the Extension Store at shop.extension.umn.edu or call (800) 876-8636.

Bannerman, R. and E. Considine. 2003. Rain Gardens: A How o Manual or Homeowners. University o   Wisconsin Extension. Available rom: learningstore.uwex.edu Brown, D. 2000. Perennials or Season-long Bloom. Yard and Garden Brie H116P. University o Minnesota  Extension Service. Brown, D. 1998. Growing Palms Indoors. Yard and Garden Brie H107. University o Minnesota Extension Service. Brown, D. 1998. Gardening in the Shade. 01428. University o Minnesota Extension Service Fact Sheet. Curtis, P. and K. Sullivan. 2001. White-ailed Deer. Cornell Cooperative Extension. (wildliecontrol.ino) Dimond, D. 1977. All About Ground Covers. Ortho Books, San Francisco, CA. Drzewucki, Jr., V. 1998. Gardening in Deer Country. Bricktower Press, NY. Eggers, S. and D. Reed. 1997. Wetland Plants and Plant Communities o Minnesota & Wisconsin. U.S. Army  Corps o Engineers, St. Paul District. Funt, R.C. and J. Martin. Undated. Black Walnut oxicity to Plants, Humans, and Horses. HYG-1148-93. Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet. Henderson, C. 1987. Landscaping or Wildlie. Minnesota Department o Natural Resources, St. Paul, MN.  Jarvis, B. and S. Brungardt. 2000. Hardy Roses. Yard and Garden Brie H108. University o Minnesota  Extension Service.  Jarvis, B. 2000. rees and Shrubs or Clay Soil. Yard and Garden Brie H408. University o Minnesota  Extension Service.  Jarvis, B. and D. Bavero. 2000. Coping with Deer in Home Landscapes. Yard and Garden Brie H462. University o Minnesota Extension Service. Meyer, M. H. 2004. Ornamental Grasses or Cold Climates. 06411. University o Minnesota Extension Service. Meyer, M. H. and M. Zins. 1998. Ground Covers or Rough Sites. 01114. University o Minnesota Extension Service.  Johnson, G., M. Zins and M. Shippee. 2001. ough rees and Shrubs or ough Sites. 07502. University o  Minnesota Extension Service.

top: Japanese tree lilac is a good small tree or 

boulevards and dry soils. middle: Colorul annuals or ull sun include  dusty miller, a decorative oliage plant that  makes a nice border even in dry sites, alternathera, ageratum and begonia. bottom: Master Gardeners volunteer over  0,000 hours annually or University o Minnesota Extension teaching horticulture in their  communities.

 Johnson, G. 1999. Protecting rees rom Construction Damage: A Homeowner’s Guide. 06135. University o  Minnesota Extension Service. Moyle, J. and E. Moyle. 1977. Northland Wild Flowers: A Guide or the Minnesota Region. University o  Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. Pellett, H., N. Rose and M. Eisel. 2005. Te Right ree Handbook. University o Minnesota, Northern States Power, Minnesota Power. (www.mnpower.com) Ripke, K. Undated. Planting Under Existing rees. University o Minnesota Dept. o Horticultural Science. http://www.sustland.umn.edu/implement/planting.html. Rose, N., D. Selinger and J. Whitman. 2001. Growing Shrubs and Small rees in Cold Climates. McGraw  Hill, NY. Robison, R., D. White and M. Meyer. 1995. Plants in Prairie Communities: Characteristics o Prairie Plants. 03238. University o Minnesota Extension Service. Snyder, L. 1991. Native Plants or Northern Gardens. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN. University o Minnesota Extension Service. 1999. oxicity o Black Walnuts oward Other Plants. Yard and Garden Brie H407B. University o Minnesota Extension Service. Vance, F., J. Jowsey, and J. McLean. 1984. Wildfowers o the Northern Great Plains. University o Minnesota  Press, Minneapolis, MN. Voigt, .B., B. Hamilton and F. Giles. 1983. Ground Covers or the Midwest. North Central Regional Publication 400. University o Illinois.  West Virginia University Extension Service. Undated. Black Walnut oxicity. http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/ hortcult/ruits/blkwalnt.htm. top: Garlic chives make a nice border plant at 

the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. middle: Te errace Learning Center in  Alexandria , MN is an award-winning Do uglas County Master Gardener demonstration and teaching project. bottom: Junipers are tough plants or compacted soil and steep slopes and are deer resistant.

Zins, M. 1999. Fitting rees and Shrubs into the Landscape. FO-00604. University o Minnesota Extension Service.