All About Landscaping with Montana Native Plants
Here we have gathered a number of native plant landscaping references. Some are general, for the whole state of Montana, and others are specific to various regions of the state.
Represented regions include: Flathead Valley, Helena area, Bozeman & Southwest 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 seeds and plants for my Montana Native Garden or Landscaping Project?
Sources of Native Plants – Apr 2022 Edition
Here is a newly researched statewide guide listing businesses and organizations throughout Montana where you may obtain native plant material (seeds or plants) for your gardening and landscaping projects. A committee of Montana Native Plant Society volunteers maintains this publication and as of early 2022 has reinvigorated its work in bringing and keeping this listing up-to-date. The plan is to update the listings as new or changed information is discovered. The listings are in PDF format. As such, the document may be reviewed online or downloaded for printing or use on your device. Printed or locally stored versions may become out dated within a short time, so if you are missing out on a convenient outlet for your project with a locally stored listing, that could be a reason. Thank you for your interest in landscaping with natives.
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 and was long sold out. The Clark Fork Chapter has now reprinted the book and you can buy it from them. For all the information and to buy the book, click here.
Germination of Wildland Collected Seed by Mark Majerus Montana Native Plant Society (MNPS) Landscape and Revegetation Committee. This document brings together information on the how to of germinating wild gathered seeds in Montana. This version compiled in early 2022 by Mark Majerus.
General articles:
Water-Wise Grasses: Alternatives to Kentucky Bluegrass Turf Here is a thorough analysis of alternative species and mixes of turf grasses that may be used in Montana to reduce water demands for lawns. The MNPS Landscaping and Revegetation Committee produced this document in the winter of 2022. It is full of valuable information for anyone who would prefer a lawn more suited to most of the dryland home sites in Montana.
Where the Prairies Meet the Mountains: an introduction to using Montana native plants
This is a PDF file and requires Adobe Acrobat, which you can download for free from adobe.com
Guidelines for Selecting Horticultural Plant Material for Montana
These guidelines for avoiding introductions of invasive species were developed by the Montana Nurseryman’s Association and the Montana Native Plant Society. This is a PDF file and requires Adobe Acrobat, which you can download for free from adobe.com.
Creating Native Landscapes
This is a comprehensive guide developed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Bridger Plant Materials Center.
Audubon At Home
A website from the Audubon Society about the Hows and Whys of native plants. The goal of this site is to encourage people to further develop an awareness of their ecological footprint and the impact each of their decisions can make on bird conservation and the environment at large.
Growing Echinacea
Background and guide to growing echinacea in a garden or farm environment – written by Helen Atthowe, Missoula County Extension.
Pollinator Links
Attracting pollinators is a rewarding goal for your native plant garden. Here are some links with more information on pollinators:
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.
You may also be interested in a document on Voluntary Guidelines for Selecting Horticultural Plant Material for Montana developed and posted by the MNPS Conservation Committee. The paper discusses non-native horticultural materials.
