Native Minnesota Plants

Northern Blue Flag

• Northern blue flag (Iris versicolor) is a member of the iris family that grows in Minnesota along streams, in swamps and in wet meadows. Although it can develop in the water, northern blue flag will grow in a normal garden setting. The flowers are a pleasing combination of violet, yellow and white, emerging on stalks that may be 3 feet tall. Northern blue flag can withstand the brutal Minnesota winters, being cold hardy to minus 50 degrees. The sole iris of northern regions on the continent, northern blue flag is toxic to humans. Plant your northern blue flag in full sunshine and in damp conditions.

Wolfberry

• Pass on eating the white berries of wolfberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), as they are somewhat toxic to humans, although birds and small mammals can safely gobble them down. Common on the prairies and in the woodlands of Minnesota, wolfberry is a low-growing shrub that tops out at 4 feet. Wolfberry will form colonies through its ability to grow new shoots from the root system, so you can place it in naturalized areas and let it take over. Wolfberry excels in sandy soil and in dry conditions. Hummingbirds will visit the pink, bell-shaped flowers.

Paper Birch

• Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) grows as far north as Alaska and Hudson Bay, so it can handle most anything Minnesota's weather can toss at it. Paper birch is a fast grower, with hot summers and shade among its worst enemies. The bark on trees over four years old becomes chalk white, peeling off in strips and revealing an inner bark of orange. Paper birch grows to 70 feet, with green leaves that reliably change to yellow each fall. In Minnesota, paper birch is common all over the state, with the lone exception being the southwestern corner. Plant the paper birch in groups or by itself as a lawn or specimen tree to take advantage of its showy bark.

Balsam Fir

• Birds and small mammals will appreciate the shelter you provide them when you plant a balsam fir (Abies balsamea) as a specimen tree. The range of this coniferous evergreen extends into northeastern Minnesota. The balsam fir grows to 60 feet, featuring a cone shape when young that makes it an ideal Christmas tree. Balsam fir has 1-inch-long green needles and 4-inch-long cones in its upper branches. You will have no problem transplanting this shallow-rooted tree to deep, acidic soil. It prefers cool climates, growing throughout much of central and eastern Canada. Be aware that the deer within this tree's range will feel no regrets as they munch on the young branches.