5 No-Brainer Native Plants For The North

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Welcome back to our ‘Regional Blog Series!’ We’ve highlighted the top 5 native plants for the South and then those for the West. Well North and Midwest, it is your time to shine!

Adding native plants to a landscape has been a must for a majority of gardeners. Their ability to easily adapt to the climate of an area makes them special. Listed within this blog are the top 5 native plant picks for the North and Midwest regions. You’ll want to add them to your garden!

Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood
American Sentry Linden
Black Chokeberry
Showy Goldenrod
Red Switch Grass

Not sure where your garden falls in terms of regions? The orange area below is the North and Midwest area that will be the best home for these natives.

Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood | Cornus sericea 'Baileyi'

You may have seen the infamous red branches meandered throughout the whole North and Midwest region. Wherever there is good moisture that is! The Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood is an excellent selection of this native shrub that has too many visual interests to count.

In the spring, white flowers in clusters will engulf this dogwood and bring pollinating butterflies to your garden. Towards the end of summer you’ll start to notice small blue berries, which will more often than not be eaten up by a few song birds.

However, those features are not the star of the show when it comes to the Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood, as you can guess from the name. After it drops its leaves during fall, this native reveals fire-engine red branches! A fall color that cannot be ignored.

Once the winter frost and snow establishes itself, these red stems will look incredible. Some individuals opt for cutting them for Christmas decor, while others leave them be to make the outside weather feel less dreary.

Whatever it may be, this native dogwood is sure to knock your socks off!

Quick Care Tips:

To receive the best color, place it in a full sun area! However, it will still flourish in partial shade as well.
This shrub will tolerate a variety of soils, even wet soil. But it likes to have the acidic level between 6.0 and 6.5.

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American Sentry Linden | Tilia americana 'McKSentry'

The American Sentry Linden is a prime selection of this native option for a wonderful shade tree. However, it also has quite a few visual interests to offer too!

Its mid-size allows for it to fit easily in large landscapes while not being too big for a small yard. Wherever established, the pyramidal shape with smooth gray bark will pop!

The clusters of spicy scented flowers in late spring on the American Sentry will begin to attract pollinators. In fact, bees use this native tree to make the incredibly flavored Basswood Honey! Then during the fall, its autumn magic starts to kick in as the leaves take on a brilliant yellow color.

Quick Care Tips:

This shade tree loves to be in a rural environment and will even tolerate periods of dry and wet. However, it can be sensitive to areas with high amounts of pollution.
Make sure that the area of establishment has good drainage soil. Even though the American Sentry will grow in wet and dry conditions, it thrives in well-drained soils.

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Black Chokeberry | Aronia melanocarpa var.elata

Be the new home to a classic native! It has become the newest “superfruit” that is easy to grow and process. The charming berries grown on the Black Chokeberry can be used for jam, and of course fruit and even for making wine. You’ll want to harvest them before the birds do however!

The spring clusters of flowers are another favorite of this compact native shrub. The 5-petaled blossoms are an ivory white with a hint of pink highlights. Butterflies can’t get enough of them! Style this shrub as definition for the garden or line up several as a hedge.

We enjoy planting them in our butterfly gardens too!

Quick Care Tips:

Fruit production will do best when planted in full sun! However, the Black Chokeberry can tolerate partial shade as well.
Prune the oldest stems in early spring while leaving the thin, young stems to keep a natural form. This will also help bring back the fruit and flowers.

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Showy Goldenrod | Solidago speciosa

If you’re looking for a native ornamental grass, the Showy Goldenrod is a great option. It performs well in large low-maintenance gardens and wide open fields. However, the prairie favorite will show off on the corners of pathways, as a garden accent, or even nestled behind benches.

The brightness of the yellow blossoms can make any dull landscape come alive!

The sweet tasting nectar held within the bright yellow flowers are irresistible to butterflies floating nearby too. And the seeds make for a great food source for a variety of birds. You’ll have a pollinator party on your hands in no time!

Quick Care Tips:

Since this native is self-seeding, pluck off the wilting buds when possible. It will help create more bright yellow flowers.
Place the Showy Goldenrod in an area that receives full sun.

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Red Switch Grass | Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

The best part of the Red Switch Grass is its ability to grow in just about any area. Dry, moist or even sandy soil will be tolerated by this known native. It doesn’t have a preference for the sun either, whether it be full or partial. You won’t find a plant much hardier than this!

The vertical leaves will start off as a dark green shade, but by the time fall has rolled around, a burgundy red will engulf this grass fully. We wonder where it got its name!

This native is normally used as a border in garden plantings, but it will stand out in mass plantings too. Driveways, ponds and porches are all great choices for planting where it will be appreciated.

Quick Care Tips:

This extremely hardy grass will do well in all types of soil. However, if the soil is a little too rich, it may flop a little bit.
It can be planted in both full sun or areas that see shade here and there too.
Trim the entire plant down to just a few inches each spring as all new foliage and seed heads develop from the roots each year.

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You can’t go wrong with choosing any one of these prime native plants for the North and Midwest. But the best option yet is planting all of them! Create your very own native plant garden that is sure to thrive years upon years.

Come back next week as we wrap up our Regional Series by highlighting the best native plants for the Eastern region.

Happy gardening!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these five native plants will perform best in my USDA hardiness zone and northern climate conditions?

All five plants featured here are well-suited for northern and Midwest climates, but your best performers will depend on your specific zone and site conditions. The Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood and Black Chokeberry are among the toughest, thriving in zones 3 through 7 and tolerating wet soils, harsh winters, and a wide range of conditions with minimal fuss. Red Switch Grass and Showy Goldenrod are equally cold-hardy and excel in zones 3 through 9, making them reliable choices across nearly the entire northern region. Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to confirm your zone, then visit each plant's product page on naturehills.com for specific zone compatibility details before making your final selection.

How much sun or shade do these five native plants need, and can any of them handle both?

Each of these five native plants has its own light preferences, but several are quite adaptable. The Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood is the standout for flexibility, thriving in full sun for the best stem color but also performing well in partial shade. For the strongest visual impact across your planting, prioritize full sun locations where possible, then use the more shade-tolerant options like the Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood to fill in those trickier low-light spots in your landscape.

How far apart should I space these native plants, and how many growing seasons will it take for them to fill in?

Spacing and establishment timelines vary by plant: shrubs like Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood and Black Chokeberry should be spaced 5 to 8 feet apart and typically fill in within 2 to 3 growing seasons, while Red Switch Grass can be planted 3 to 4 feet apart and reaches a mature, full appearance in just 1 to 2 seasons. The American Sentry Linden, as a mid-size shade tree, should be given at least 20 to 25 feet of clearance from structures and other trees, and will develop its characteristic pyramidal form over 3 to 5 years. These North and Midwest natives (generally Zones 3 to 6) establish faster than non-natives because they are already adapted to local soils and climate conditions. For the quickest fill-in, amend your soil to match each plant's preferred pH, water consistently during the first two growing seasons, and apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and encourage strong root development.

How do I choose the right native plant from this list if my main goal is supporting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators?

For pollinator support, the Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood and American Sentry Linden are your top picks, as both produce cluster flowers that attract butterflies and bees during spring and early summer. The Showy Goldenrod is another powerhouse for pollinators, blooming in late summer when many other nectar sources are fading, making it especially valuable for bees preparing for winter. Black Chokeberry also draws in pollinators with its spring blooms while providing berries for birds later in the season. For the biggest pollinator impact, plant a combination of these three to ensure overlapping bloom times and a continuous food source from spring through fall.

Which of these five natives are best for attracting birds or providing food and cover through winter?

Several of these natives excel at supporting birds through the colder months. Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood produces small blue berries by late summer that songbirds eagerly consume, and its dense branching structure provides excellent winter cover. Black Chokeberry is another standout, offering nutrient-rich berries that persist into winter and serve as a critical food source for birds when other options are scarce. Plant both in groupings to maximize berry production and give birds the sheltered habitat they need to thrive through the season.

How do I keep weeds from taking over a new native planting bed without damaging the plants I just put in?

Applying 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch like shredded hardwood or wood chips around your new native plants is the most effective first line of defense against weeds, keeping it a few inches back from each stem to prevent rot. Hand-pull any weeds that emerge early in the season before they set seed, as young weeds are far easier to remove and have not yet competed with your natives for nutrients and moisture. For persistent problem areas, a layer of cardboard or newspaper beneath the mulch can smother existing weed growth without harming your new plantings.

Should I mulch around these native plants, and if so, what type of mulch works best and how deep should I apply it?

Mulching around these native plants is highly recommended, as it helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds, which is especially beneficial for moisture-loving plants like the Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood. Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of shredded hardwood or wood chip mulch in spring, keeping it pulled back about 2 to 3 inches from the base of the plant to prevent rot and pest issues. Avoid piling mulch against stems or trunks, and refresh the layer each spring as it breaks down to continue feeding the soil organically.

Can any of these five native plants grow successfully in containers or in small urban and suburban yards?

Several of these native plants can work well in smaller urban and suburban landscapes, though container suitability varies by plant. Red Switch Grass and Black Chokeberry are among the most adaptable choices for tighter spaces, as both stay relatively compact and manageable compared to the American Sentry Linden, which is better suited to larger yards given its mid-size tree stature. Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood can work in small yards if kept pruned, and hard pruning in late winter also encourages the brightest red stem color. For the most versatile small-space options, focus on Red Switch Grass and Showy Goldenrod, and check with your local extension office for container-specific growing guidance in your hardiness zone.

When and how should I cut back or clean up these native plants in fall or early spring?

For most of these North and Midwest natives, late winter to early spring is the ideal time for cleanup, just before new growth emerges. Cut Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood back hard in early spring, removing about one-third of the oldest stems to the ground to encourage the brightest new red growth. Red Switch Grass and Showy Goldenrod can be cut back to about 4 to 6 inches in late February or March, as their dried seed heads provide valuable winter wildlife habitat through the cold months. Leave Black Chokeberry alone unless shaping is needed, and address that in early spring before buds break.

How do I know if these native plants are truly thriving or just surviving in my northern garden conditions?

Thriving native plants in northern gardens will show vigorous seasonal growth, abundant flowering, and strong wildlife interaction, such as pollinators visiting your Showy Goldenrod or birds feeding on Black Chokeberry fruits. A plant merely surviving may leaf out but produce little to no bloom, show sparse foliage, or fail to put on meaningful new growth each season. Pay close attention to soil conditions, as many of these natives, like the Bailey Red Twigged Dogwood, perform best in slightly acidic soil between 6.0 and 6.5 pH, and poor color or stunted stems often signals a correctable soil issue. Test your soil annually, adjust moisture and sun exposure to match each plant's needs, and track new growth measurements each spring to confirm your natives are truly flourishing.