Top recommended native plants

We often get asked what native plant species to plant. Being a novice gardener, I like plants that are easy to grow, but I also like plants that are relatively common in the wild, and a good for wildlife. I have developed a few lists of some of my favorites for Missoula and surrounding areas.

All these plants are native to the Missoula area, are drought tolerant, and are easy to grow.

David’s native plant picks:

• Grasses
– Bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum)
– Prairie June grass (Koelaria cristata)
– Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis)
– Rough fescue (Festuca scabrella)

• Forbs
– White yarrow (Acheillia millefolium)
– Horse mint (Monarda fistulosa)
– Hairy golden aster (Chrysopsis villosa)
– Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata)
– Blue flax (Linum lewisii)
– Wilcox’s Penstemon (Penstemon wilcoxii)

• Shrubby Shrubs
– Rubber rabbit brush (Crysothamnus nauseosa)
– Big Basin Sage (Artemesia tridentata)
– Woods Rose (Rosa woodsii)
– Golden current (Ribes aureum)
– Mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii)

• Shrubby Trees
– Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)
– Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
– Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
– Mountain Ash (Sorbus scopulina)
– Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
– Elderberry (Sambucus cerulea)
– Hawthorne (Creatageous douglasii)

• Instant Prairie- David’s Top Ten
– Bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum)
– Prairie June grass (Koelaria cristata)
– Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis)
– White yarrow (Acheillia millefolium)
– Horse mint or bee balm (Monarda fistulosa)
– Hairy golden aster (Chrysopsis villosa)
– Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata)
– Blue flax (Linum lewisii)
– Wilcox’s penstemon (Penstemon wilcoxii)
– Rubber rabbit brush (Crysothamnus nauseosa) or Big Basin Sage (Artemesia tridentata)