What to Plant: Native Shrubs for North Dakota Landscapes

Selecting the right shrubs for a North Dakota landscape means matching plants to a climate of cold winters, hot summers, low to variable precipitation, and strong winds. Native shrubs are the most reliable choice: they are adapted to local soils and weather, support native wildlife, and often require less maintenance than exotic ornamentals. This article profiles top native shrubs for North Dakota, explains site selection and planting techniques, and gives practical maintenance and design tips you can use immediately.

Why Choose Native Shrubs for North Dakota

Native shrubs offer multiple advantages in the Upper Plains environment. They have evolved under the region’s extremes and are therefore more tolerant of cold winters, late spring frosts, wide temperature swings, drought, and prairie soils. Besides survival, native shrubs also provide food and habitat for birds, pollinators, and mammals. Establishing a native shrub layer can improve erosion control, enhance groundwater recharge, and create a resilient landscape with fewer chemical inputs.

Key ecological and practical benefits

Native plants require less supplemental irrigation once established, reducing water use during dry periods.
They provide seasonal structure and resources: spring flowers for pollinators, summer fruit for birds, and winter stems for shelter.
Native shrubs help bind soils on slopes and stream banks, stabilizing land after heavy rains or snowmelt.
They lower maintenance costs because they are less prone to chronic pests and soil-related stress when planted in suitable sites.

Site Assessment: Know Your Yard Before Planting

Assessing sun exposure, soil texture, drainage, and wind patterns before selecting shrubs is critical. Native shrubs perform best when matched to those conditions.

Sun and shade: Many North Dakota natives prefer full sun but several tolerate partial shade, particularly along shelterbelts or mixed woodlands.
Soil type: Prairie soils range from heavy clays to sandy loams. Determine if your site is well drained, seasonally wet, or compacted. Some species tolerate periodic wetness while others need fast-draining soil.
Moisture regime: Identify low-lying areas that stay wet and high berms that dry out quickly. Plant moisture-loving shrubs in swales and drought-tolerant species on ridges.
Wind exposure: Exposed sites favor low, dense shrubs or wind-tolerant species. Use taller shrubs to form windbreaks where needed.

Top Native Shrubs for North Dakota Landscapes

Below are reliable native shrubs grouped by common landscape uses and ecological traits. For each species I list typical height, preferred site, and primary uses.

Shrubs for fruit and wildlife value

Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry)
Height: 6 to 15 feet.
Site: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained loam or sandy soils.
Uses: Early spring flowers for pollinators, edible berries for people and birds, attractive fall color. Good specimen or understory shrub.
Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry)
Height: 6 to 20 feet depending on form.
Site: Full sun; adaptable to a range of soils including heavier clays.
Uses: Wildlife food, native hedgerow, tolerant of drought and urban conditions. Beware of suckering forms if planted for neat hedges.
Rosa woodsii (Wood’s rose)
Height: 3 to 6 feet.
Site: Full sun to partial shade; tolerates dry soils.
Uses: Wildlife nesting cover, attractive hips for birds, good for naturalistic borders.

Shrubs for erosion control and wet sites

Cornus sericea (Red-osier dogwood)
Height: 6 to 12 feet.
Site: Moist soils, streambanks, riparian zones; tolerates periodic flooding.
Uses: Excellent for stabilizing banks, provides winter stems of interest and berries for birds. Responds well to coppicing for dense growth.
Salix exigua (Coyote willow)
Height: 6 to 15 feet.
Site: Prefers wet or seasonally moist areas.
Uses: Fast-growing for erosion control and living snow fences. Short-lived compared with woody perennials but very effective where rapid soil binding is needed.

Shrubs for dry, exposed sites and windbreaks

Shepherdia argentea (Silver buffaloberry)
Height: 6 to 12 feet.
Site: Dry, alkaline soils; full sun.
Uses: Windbreaks, wildlife food (berries are eaten by birds and mammals), tolerant of drought and salt. Fruit are tart but edible after processing.
Juniperus horizontalis (Creeping juniper) and Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper)
Height: ground-hugging to 20+ feet for tree-like forms.
Site: Very well-drained soils; full sun; tolerates xeric conditions.
Uses: Groundcover, erosion control on slopes, and evergreen structure for wind protection and winter interest.

Shrubs for flowering interest and mixed borders

Viburnum trilobum (American cranberrybush viburnum)
Height: 6 to 12 feet.
Site: Moist to moderately drained soils; full sun to partial shade.
Uses: Spring flowers, summer foliage, and fall/winter berries. Strong wildlife value and attractive accent shrub.
Dasiphora fruticosa (Shrubby cinquefoil)
Height: 1 to 3 feet.
Site: Well-drained, dry to medium soils; full sun.
Uses: Long-blooming flowers, low massing shrub for rocky or exposed sites. Very drought tolerant once established.

Planting and Establishment: Step-by-Step

Successful establishment reduces long-term maintenance. Follow these practical steps.

Choose a planting time.
Best windows: early spring after soils thaw, or early fall at least six weeks before first expected hard freeze. Both times minimize transplant shock and allow root establishment.
Prepare the planting hole.
Dig a hole 1.5 to 2 times the width of the root ball and no deeper than the plant’s root flare. Wider holes encourage roots to spread.
Avoid adding large amounts of soil amendments in native soils; planting in original soil is usually better. If drainage is poor and you need to amend, loosen a larger area and mix in coarse sand and compost sparingly.
Position and backfill.
Place the shrub so the top of the root ball sits at or slightly above surrounding grade. Backfill gently, firming to remove large air pockets but avoid compacting. Water in well to settle the soil.
Mulch and initial watering.
Apply a 2 to 3 inch organic mulch layer, keeping mulch pulled back from the stem to prevent rot. Mulch conserves moisture and moderates soil temperature.
Water deeply at planting and maintain a consistent moisture level through the first full growing season. Check soil moisture weekly during dry spells.

Spacing, Grouping, and Design Tips

Think beyond single specimens. Native shrubs work best in groups and layers that mimic natural communities.

Spacing: Plant shrubs at mature spread intervals to avoid future overcrowding. For example, serviceberry and chokecherry 8 to 12 feet apart, viburnum 6 to 10 feet, buffaloberry 8 to 15 feet, junipers according to their spread.
Layering: Combine tall shrubs with lower shrubs and native grasses to create wildlife habitat and visual interest. Native perennial borders under taller shrubs reduce weed pressure and extend bloom times.
Hedgerows and windbreaks: Alternate species to increase resilience. Use a mix of evergreen and deciduous natives to provide year-round protection and food resources.

Pruning, Fertilization, and Long-Term Care

Native shrubs are low maintenance but still benefit from occasional attention.

Pruning: Perform structural pruning during dormancy to remove dead wood and shape plants. For species like red-osier dogwood, periodic coppicing (cutting back to ground level) every few years rejuvenates stems and increases density. Avoid heavy pruning during active growth in summer.
Fertilization: Most natives do not require regular fertilizer. Use a soil test to identify deficiencies. If needed, apply a balanced, low-dose fertilizer in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen stocks that encourage floppy growth.
Pest management: Monitor for common problems such as aphids or fungal leaf spots. Encourage beneficial insects and use targeted controls only when threshold damage is reached. Choosing seed-propagated or locally sourced stock reduces disease risks.

Propagation and Sourcing Native Stock

Use reputable native plant nurseries or conservation nurseries that source local genotypes when possible. Locally adapted provenance improves survival and ecological fit.

Propagation: Many shrubs can be grown from seed, cuttings, or purchased as container stock. Seed propagation often produces plants better adapted to local conditions but requires more time and expertise. Cuttings and container plants give a head start for immediate landscape impact.
Avoid invasive replacements: Do not substitute non-native shrubs that appear similar. Non-native replacements often lack the same ecological benefits and can become invasive in prairie systems.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Understanding likely stressors helps you prevent issues before they occur.

Winter desiccation and salt damage: Apply mulch and avoid over-pruning late in season. For roadside plantings, choose salt-tolerant species like buffaloberry.
Water stress at establishment: Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deeper root growth. Drip irrigation is efficient. After two seasons many natives need irrigation only in extreme drought.
Poor site match: If a shrub routinely declines, check soil drainage and sun exposure. Moving the plant to a better-matched site or replacing it with a more suitable native species is better than repeated treatments.

Practical Takeaways

Choose species that match your site: wet-site shrubs like red-osier dogwood and coyote willow for riparian areas; drought-tolerant shrubs like buffaloberry and juniper for upland exposed locations.
Plant in groups and layers to mimic natural communities, enhance wildlife use, and reduce maintenance.
Time planting for early spring or early fall, use wide shallow holes, and mulch carefully.
Water consistently through the first two seasons; after establishment most natives need little supplemental irrigation.
Source plants from local or regional native nurseries to ensure genetic suitability and minimize pest risk.
Use pruning and occasional coppicing where appropriate to rejuvenate shrubs and maintain dense growth for windbreaks or wildlife cover.

North Dakota landscapes respond best to thoughtful, site-appropriate choices. Planting native shrubs gives you reliable, long-lived structure, supports local biodiversity, and reduces long-term inputs. With proper site assessment, selection, and early care, these shrubs will establish quickly and become foundational elements in sustainable, resilient landscapes.