Gardening in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan presents unique opportunities thanks to the region’s distinct seasons and rich soil. These states share similar growing conditions that support a wonderful variety of plants from colorful perennials to practical vegetables.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, these plants will flourish in East North Central gardens, bringing both beauty and function to your outdoor space.
1. Black-Eyed Susan
Gardeners across Michigan treasure these cheerful yellow blooms for their reliability and extended flowering period. With daisy-like petals surrounding a dark center, they create sunny spots in the landscape from July through September.
Hardy enough to withstand Wisconsin’s cold winters, these native wildflowers attract butterflies and beneficial insects. They self-seed readily, creating natural colonies over time.
In my Minnesota garden, they’ve returned faithfully for years, requiring almost no care beyond occasional dividing. They perform beautifully in both formal borders and casual meadow-style plantings.
2. Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm)
Native to the East North Central region, this lavender-purple flower creates a buzz in summer gardens. Hummingbirds and bees can’t resist the tubular blooms that appear from June through August.
The aromatic leaves offer a bonus—they can be dried for a minty tea that Michigan gardeners have enjoyed for generations. Drought tolerance makes this plant especially valuable during dry summer spells.
Growing wild bergamot in my Wisconsin garden has been rewarding. It spreads gradually but isn’t aggressive, forming attractive clumps that need dividing every few years to maintain vigor.
3. Serviceberry
Early spring brings a cloud of white blossoms to this versatile small tree, making it a standout in Minnesota landscapes. The show continues with summer berries that transition from red to purple-black, attracting birds and providing tasty treats for humans too.
Fall brings another season of beauty when the leaves turn brilliant orange-red. Many Michigan gardeners place serviceberries near patios where they can enjoy the changing displays throughout the growing season.
I’ve found this native tree remarkably adaptable to different soil conditions in Wisconsin, thriving in both sandy and clay-heavy gardens with minimal care once established.
4. Butterfly Weed
Brilliant orange flower clusters make this native milkweed relative a standout in summer gardens across the region. Despite its name, this plant isn’t weedy at all—it’s actually quite well-behaved in Michigan garden settings.
Monarch butterflies depend on this plant for their life cycle, laying eggs on the leaves that will feed their caterpillars. The deep taproot helps butterfly weed withstand drought conditions common in late summer.
Wisconsin gardeners appreciate that deer typically avoid this plant. My experience in Minnesota shows it performs best in full sun and well-drained soil, returning reliably year after year with minimal care.
5. Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)
Drought resistance makes this native prairie flower perfect for Michigan’s occasional dry spells. The distinctive purple-pink petals surrounding a raised cone center create architectural interest that lasts from summer through fall.
Birds, especially goldfinches, flock to the seed heads in autumn. Many Wisconsin gardeners leave the spent flowers standing through winter for both wildlife value and visual interest in the snow-covered landscape.
I’ve grown several varieties in my Minnesota garden, finding they all attract bees and butterflies. Beyond their garden beauty, echinacea roots have long been valued for herbal remedies against colds and flu.
6. Rhubarb
Early spring harvests make rhubarb a cherished tradition in Michigan food gardens. The large leaves create dramatic texture while the ruby-red stalks provide tart flavor for pies, jams, and sauces before most other crops are ready.
This perennial vegetable thrives in the cool climate of Wisconsin, often producing for decades with minimal care. A spring application of compost and occasional division keeps plants vigorous and productive.
My grandmother’s Minnesota rhubarb patch has been producing for over 50 years. The plant’s cold hardiness makes it particularly well-suited to northern gardens, easily surviving winter temperatures that would kill many other edibles.
7. Highbush Blueberry
Sweet summer berries reward Michigan gardeners who plant these native shrubs in their acidic soils. White bell-shaped flowers appear in spring, followed by clusters of berries that ripen over several weeks, allowing for extended harvests.
Fall brings another season of beauty as the leaves turn brilliant red. Wisconsin gardeners often plant several varieties to extend the harvest season and improve pollination, resulting in heavier crops.
For me, blueberries are a must in my Minnesota garden. They require little pruning beyond removing old stems, and with protection from birds, they provide delicious fruit for fresh eating, baking, and freezing.
8. Ostrich Fern
Graceful arching fronds create a woodland feel in shady Wisconsin gardens where many plants struggle. These native ferns unfurl their distinctive fiddleheads in early spring, quickly developing into impressive 3-4 foot tall plants.
Shade tolerance makes them perfect for north-facing areas or under tree canopies. Many Michigan gardeners harvest the young fiddleheads as a spring delicacy, similar to asparagus when properly prepared.
I’ve used them extensively in my Minnesota landscape to fill difficult damp, shady spots. They spread gradually through underground rhizomes, forming impressive colonies that require no special care once established.
9. Red Osier Dogwood
Winter landscapes in Minnesota come alive with the brilliant red stems of this native shrub. Small white flower clusters appear in spring, followed by white berries that attract birds, but the winter color is the main attraction.
Adaptability to wet soils makes this shrub perfect for problem areas in Michigan gardens where other plants might fail. The color intensifies after the leaves drop in autumn, creating striking contrast against snow.
Wisconsin gardeners often plant them in groups for maximum impact. I prune mine hard every few years in early spring, as the youngest stems display the most intense red color—a technique that keeps the winter show spectacular.
10. Cardinal Flower
Brilliant scarlet spikes create stunning vertical accents in late summer when many other plants are fading. Hummingbirds are irresistibly drawn to these intensely colored blooms in Wisconsin gardens, making them perfect for wildlife-friendly landscapes.
Moisture-loving tendencies make this native perennial ideal for rain gardens or pond edges in Michigan. Despite their tropical appearance, cardinal flowers are completely hardy throughout the region, returning reliably each year.
My Minnesota garden features these along a drainage area where they thrive with consistent moisture. They self-seed modestly, creating small colonies that add dramatic color to partially shaded areas where few red flowers perform well.
11. Sugar Maple
Spectacular fall color transforms the landscape when these native trees display their famous orange-red leaves. No other tree captures the essence of autumn in Michigan quite like the sugar maple, creating a canopy of warm color that defines the season.
Shade from mature specimens creates perfect growing conditions for woodland wildflowers. Wisconsin homeowners value these trees for their cooling summer shade and the potential for maple syrup production in late winter.
Having grown up with sugar maples lining our Minnesota street, I’ve always associated them with home. They grow relatively slowly but create an enduring legacy, often living for over 200 years when properly sited and cared for.
12. Wild Ginger
Ground-hugging heart-shaped leaves create an attractive woodland carpet in shady Michigan gardens. This native perennial spreads slowly to form colonies, making it an excellent alternative to non-native groundcovers in difficult shady spots.
Curious brown flowers appear at ground level in spring, hidden beneath the foliage. Wisconsin gardeners appreciate its deer resistance and ability to suppress weeds once established in woodland gardens.
I’ve planted wild ginger throughout the shady areas of my Minnesota yard. The glossy, aromatic leaves remain attractive from spring through fall, and the plant requires almost no maintenance once established in suitable conditions.
13. Elderberry
Flat clusters of tiny white flowers give way to nutritious dark purple berries on this versatile native shrub. Wisconsin gardeners harvest the berries for making immune-boosting syrups, jams, and wines—traditional remedies that have gained renewed popularity.
Wildlife value adds another dimension, as birds feast on berries that humans don’t harvest. The shrub’s adaptability to different soil conditions makes it an easy addition to Michigan landscapes, where it can reach 6-12 feet tall.
In my Minnesota garden, elderberries grow in a slightly damp corner where they receive morning sun. They require minimal pruning beyond removing dead wood and occasionally thinning crowded stems to maintain good air circulation.
14. Prairie Dropseed
Fountain-like texture makes this native grass a standout in Michigan perennial borders. The fine, arching leaves form neat mounds about 2 feet tall, creating soft contrast against more substantial perennials.
Airy seedheads rise above the foliage in late summer, catching morning light and adding movement to Wisconsin gardens. The grass turns golden in fall, maintaining interest well into winter.
My experience growing prairie dropseed in Minnesota has been rewarding—it’s one of the most well-behaved native grasses, staying in bounds rather than spreading aggressively. The slight fragrance of the seedheads, often described as resembling fresh popcorn, adds another sensory dimension.
15. Jacob’s Ladder
Delicate blue-purple flowers hover above distinctive ladder-like foliage in spring Michigan gardens. This woodland native adds a touch of refinement to shady spots where its fern-like leaves create season-long interest even after blooming ends.
Deer typically ignore this perennial, making it valuable for Wisconsin gardeners in rural areas. The compact habit fits well in smaller spaces, reaching just 12-18 inches tall at maturity.
Growing Jacob’s ladder in my partially shaded Minnesota border has been effortless. It combines beautifully with spring bulbs and later-blooming shade perennials, creating a succession of interest throughout the growing season.
16. Bur Oak
Majestic strength characterizes these long-lived native trees that have defined Wisconsin landscapes for centuries. Their massive branches create impressive silhouettes in winter, while the distinctive fringed acorns fascinate children and feed wildlife.
Drought tolerance once established makes bur oaks excellent choices for Michigan homeowners looking for sustainable shade trees. They grow relatively slowly but can live for hundreds of years, creating an enduring legacy.
The grand old bur oak in my Minnesota neighborhood has weathered countless storms and temperature extremes. Its deep roots and adaptability to different soil conditions make it remarkably resilient in our changing climate.