Landscaping with Montana native plants
Where the Prairies Meet the Mountains: an introduction to using Montana native plants
Native plant landscaping references for: Flathead Valley, Helena area, Bozeman & south-central Montana area, and the Missoula & west-central Montana area. Click on the region you are interested in. Don’t feel limited to reading about your area only — much of the information is applicable to multiple regions.
Where can I obtain native seeds and plants?
What’s the difference between native, non-native & invasive plants?
Sources of native plants – April 2024 edition This statewide guide lists businesses and organizations where you can buy native plants or seeds. It’s updated annually to keep it current. Please don’t print it or store it locally, as it becomes outdated quickly.
Seed germination
The Magic of Montana Native Plants: A Gardener’s Guide to Growing Over 150 Species from Seed by Sheila Morrison, was first published in 2003. The Clark Fork Chapter has reprinted it. For more info & to buy the book, click here.
“Germination of Wildland Collected Seed” by Mark Majerus, MNPS Landscape & Revegetation Committee, 2022 version.
Grasses
Water-Wise Grasses: Alternatives to Kentucky Bluegrass Turf A thorough analysis of species and mixes of turf grasses that may be used in Montana to reduce water demands for lawns. In 2022, the MNPS Landscaping and Revegetation Committee produced this document for anyone who wants a lawn better suited to Montana’s dryland conditions.
Native Grass Seed Mixture Recommendations Landscaping, reclamation & site-stabilization uses of native-grass ground cover mixes, including recommended ground-cover grass mixes for various site conditions.
Using Native Bunchgrasses as specimen or accent plants in landscaping design, by the MNPS Landscaping and Revegetation Committee.
General articles
- Voluntary Guidelines for Selecting Horticultural Plant Material for Montana developed by the MNPS Conservation Committee, discussing non-native horticultural materials.
- Creating Native Landscapes A comprehensive guide developed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Bridger Plant Materials Center.
- Gardening in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), especially near Helena
- Waterwise, fire- and deer-resistant plants for Montana, from MSU extension
- Audubon at Home A website from the Audubon Society about the how’s and why’s of native plants, encouraging people to develop an awareness of their ecological footprint, and how their decisions can impact bird conservation and the environment.
- Growing Echinacea Background and guide to growing echinacea by Helen Atthowe of the Missoula County Extension office.
Pollinator links
Attracting pollinators is a rewarding goal for your native plant garden.
- Of Bees and Blooms: A New Scorecard For Selecting Pollinator-Friendly Plants in Restoration from USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station in Bozeman, about the best pollinator plants for Montana
- Pollinator Friendly Plants for Montana from the USDA and NRCS – Lists Montana native plants visited by pollinators
- U.S. Forest Service’s Celebrating Wildflowers Pollinator Page – Includes a section on gardening with native plants
- Ecoregional Planting Guides from the Pollinator Partnership – Includes links to comprehensive pollinator information