Out Back Nursery:: Minnesota Native Shrubs

Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite TM

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Regent’ Regent Serviceberry
Ht. 4-6' W 6-8'. Prefers mesic loam soils. Full sun to partial shade. Large white flowers with edible sweet black fruit. Yellow to red fall color. Upright branching habit. Bird Magnet. Zone 3-7.

Amelanchier sanguinea Sand (Roundleaf) Serviceberry
Ht. 6-8' W 6-8'. Prefers mesic sandy loam soils. Full sun to part shade. Rounded habit with blue-green leaves turning yellow in autumn. White flowers in May. Bird Magnet. Zone 3-4.

Amelanchier stolonifera Running Serviceberry
Ht. 3-4' W 5'. Prefers sandy loams. Full sun. Lowest growing and spreading of our Amelanchier spp. Tasty blue-purple fruit in June. Yellow fall color. Zone 3-4.

Note: See Deciduous Trees for more Amelanchier spp.

Amphora canescens Leadplant
Ht. 2-3' W 2'-3'. Prefers sand to gravely loams. Requires excellent drainage. Full sun to part shade. Woody perennial of prairies and oak savannas. Green legume-like foliage. Attractive purple flower spikes during June-July. Zone 3-5.

Amphora fruiticosa False Indigo
Ht. 8'-10' W 10-12'. Prefers sandy loams. Full sun to part shade. Grows on river bottoms and floodplains. Tolerates periodic flooding. Legume-like foliage. Attractive purple flower spikes turning to interesting brown seed pods in autumn. Zone 3-5.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry
Ht. 6" W 2-3'. Prefers acidic, well-drained sand to loamy sand soils. Full sun to part shade. Spreading groundcover habit with glossy evergreen foliage. Pink flowers in spring followed by small red berries. Maroon color in autumn. Amend soil with peat moss for best results. Zone 2-4.

Aronia melanocarpa Glossy Black Chokeberry
Ht. 4-6' W 4'-6'. Tolerates most soil. Full sun or part shade. Upright habit with masses of white flowers followed by clusters of blue-black berries. Excellent dark green, glossy foliage turns red in the fall. Good for massing. Zone 3-4.

Ceanothus americanus New Jersey Tea
Ht. 2-3' W 3-5. Prefers Sandy to loam soils. Full sun. Found in prairie and open savanna. Erect habit. Dense foliage. White flowers in June-July followed with flat-topped seed clusters. Taproot. Does not transplant well. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Zone 3-5.

Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush
Ht. 6-12' W 6-12'. Prefers moist soils. Full sun to part shade. Found along stream banks, swamps and low wet ground. Fragrant white “pin-cushion” shaped flowers in June. Fruit a strange fuzzy button. Zone 4-5.

Comptonia peregrina Sweet Fern
Ht. 2-3' W 4-6'. Low colonial shrub of dry, sandy loam soil. Full sun or part shade. Grows well under pine trees. Fragrant, deep green “fern-like” foliage that is used for potpourri. Blooms a catkin followed by bur-like fruit. Zone 2-4.

Cornus amomum Silky Dogwood
Ht. 6-12' W 6-12'. Tolerates most soils. Requires full sun. Flood and salt intolerant. Reddish-purple bark. Porcelain-blue fruit in August that attracts birds. White flowers in spring. Zone 4-5.

Cornus canadensis Bunchberry
Ht. 6-9" W 24". Grows in acidic (pH 4.5-6) loams to fine organic soils. Very shade tolerant. A colonizing groundcover with glossy foliage. White flowers followed with bunches of red berries from July to September. Zone 2-3.

Cornus racemosa Gray Dogwood
Ht. 8-12' W 6-10'. Tolerates most soils. Full sun to part shade. Upright branching with showy white flower clusters followed by white berries in autumn. Purple-red fall color. Colonizes. High wildlife value. Bird magnet. Zone 3-5.

Cornus rugosa Roundleaf Dogwood
Ht. 10' W 8-10'. Well-drained, sandy loam to average loam soils. Tolerates dry, rocky soil conditions. Shade to part sun. White flower in May-June followed by blue berries. Zone 2-5.

Cornus sericea Red-Twigged Dogwood
Ht.6-12’ W 6-12’. Prefers moist soils. Full sun to part shade. White flowers. Our common dogwood of shorelines and wetlands. White berries and white pith. Red branch color in late winter. Flood tolerant. Stems used for basket weaving and wreaths. Zone 3-5.

Corylus americana American Hazelnut
Ht. 6-12' W 6-12'. Gravel loam to heavy clay soils. Requires good drainage. Full sun to part shade. Flowers in May, edible nut in fringed husk, ripe in August. Copper-red fall color. Beautiful massing plant. High wildlife value. Edible nuts. Zone 3-4.

Diervilla lonicera Bronzeleaf Diervilla
Ht. 3-4' W 3-4'. Tolerates most soils. Mesic to dry moisture conditions. Full sun to part shade. Native to woodland edges. Excellent for massing, erosion control. Bronze-green foliage, small yellow flowers. Red-bronze fall color. Colonizes. Zone 2-4.

Euonymus atropurpurea Eastern Wahoo/Spindle Tree
See Trees section.

Gaultheria procumbens Wintergreen
Ht. 6” W 12”+ A spreading, aromatic groundcover with thick glossy leaves. White bell-shaped flowers in May-Aug. Red Berries appear in fall and persist through winter. Prefers average to moist, acidic soils. Part Shade-Shade. Zone 3-4.

Hamamelis virginiana Common Witch Hazel
Ht. 20-30' W 25-35'. Prefers mesic loam soils. Full sun or shade. Horizontal picturesque branching habit. Yellow fall color. Interesting spider-like yellow flowers in fall after leaves drop. An excellent specimen plant. Zone 4-7.

Hypericum kalmianum St. John’s Wort
Ht. 2-3’ W 3-4’ A fine textured shrub with bluish-green foliage. Masses of bright yellow flowers appear in July-August. Average to moist soil. Full sun-part sun. Excellent for shrubs borders. Zone 4-5.

Ilex verticillata (female/male) Winterberry
Ht. 6-8' W 6-8'. Tolerates most soils. Prefers acidic soils (pH 4.5-6). Flood tolerant. Full sun to light shade. Showy small scarlet red fruit along branches in autumn. Poisonous fruit. Sexed. Zone 3-7.

Ledum groenlandicum Labrador Tea
Ht. 3' W 3'. Requires wet to moist acidic (pH 3-5.5) soils. Full sun. Rhododendron-like evergreen shrub of wet acid forest and bog. Glossy deep green summer leaves with fuzzy white underside. Upper leaf surface purple fall color. Zone 2-4.

Lonicera oblongifolia Swamp Fly Honeysuckle
Ht. 3-4’ W 3-4’. Prefers mesic to mesic-wet soils. Full sun to part sun. Low growing colonial shrub of coniferous bogs and swampy thickets. White flowers in May-June. Red berries in July-August. Winter bark is an interesting yellow tan. Zone 3.

Lonicera villosa Mountain Fly Honeysuckle
Ht. 2-3’ W 2-3’. Prefers mesic to mesic-wet soils. Full sun to part sun. Low growing colonial shrub of coniferous swamps and moist woods. Leaves are thick and blue-green in color. Yellow-white flowers in May. 1/3” blue berries in June-July. Zone 3.

Physocarpus opulifolius Common Ninebark
Ht. 8-10' W 8-10'. Sand to clay soils. Full sun. Flood intolerant. Dense growth habit. Excellent for hedging. Yellow-green foliage turning to maroon-purple. Pinkish-white flower clusters in July. Zone 2-5.

Potentilla fruiticosa Native Potentilla
Ht. 3-4' W 3-4'. Tolerates dry soil. Full sun. Yellow flowers bloom from June to August. Zone 2-5

Prunus besseyi Western Sandcherry
Ht. 2-4' W 4-6’. Low, bushy shrub growing on sandy hills, open plains, rocky slopes, and shores in western Minnesota and adjacent parts of Manitoba and Dakotas. White shiny gray-green leaves. Abundant 3/4" edible reddish-black fruit. Zone 2-4.

Prunus pumila Eastern Sandcherry
Ht. 4-6' W 4-6’. Erect upright shrub with dark green leaves and brilliant red fall color - lasts for weeks. Full sun to part shade. White flowers followed by 3/4" purplish-black fruit. Protect from rabbits until established. Zone 3-4.

Note: See Deciduous Trees for more Prunus spp.

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-low’ Gro-Low Sumac
Ht. 2' W 6-8'. Full sun to light shade. Spreading habit, fragrant shiny green foliage turning orange-red in autumn. Excellent for mass plantings and on slopes. Clonal selection of R. aromatica. Zone 4-5.

Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac
Ht. 5-6’ W 6-8’. Prefers well-drained sandy-gravelly loam soils. Full sun to part shade. Yellow flowers in May followed by small red berries. Found along oak openings and upland woodland borders. Excellent for erosion control. Zone 4-5.

Rhus glabra Smooth Sumac
Ht. 6-8’ W 10-12’. Prefers well-drained soils. Full sun. Long compound leaves with brilliant red fall color. Large scarlet fruit clusters in fall. Colonial spreader. Zone 3-4.

Rhus typhina Staghorn Sumac
Ht. 10’ W 10-12’. Full sun or part shade. Twigs are densely pubescent. Dark red fruit clusters. Red fall color. Colonial spreader. Zone 3-5.

Ribes americanum American Black Currant
Ht. 3-6' W 3-6'. Tolerates most soils. Prefers wet to mesic soil moisture. Full sun to light shade. White flowers with black-purple fruit. High wildlife value. Zone 3-5.

Ribes cynosbati Pasture Gooseberry
Ht. 3-6' W 3-6'. Tolerates most soils. Full sun to light shade. Open habit with thorns along branches and on fruit. Yellow to purple fall color. Fragrant. High wildlife value. Zone 3-5.

Ribes missouriensis Missouri Gooseberry
Ht. 3-6' W 3-6'. Tolerates most mesic to dry soils. Very shade tolerant. Upright arching branches. Reddish-brown spines. Yellow-purple fall color. Edible purple-black fruit. High wildlife value. Zone 3-5.

Rosa blanda Meadow Rose
Ht. 3-6' W 6-8'. Mesic to dry soil moisture. Full sun to light shade of open woodlands. Upright branching habit. Fragrant pink flowers. Colonizer. Butterfly nectar source. No thorns. Zone 3-4.

Rosa caroliniana Carolina Rose
Ht. 2-3'. W 6-8'. Sand to loam soils. Prefers mesic to dry acidic soils. Full sun to part shade. Fragrant pink flowers. Yellow to red fall color. Colonizer. Butterfly nectar source. Zone 3-6.

Rosa palustris Swamp Rose
Ht. 5-8'. Prefers wet-mesic soil moisture. Full sun to part shade. Excellent deep green foliage. Profuse deep pink flowers in June-July followed by 1/2" hips. Red fall color. Colonizer. Butterfly nectar source. Native east of MN. Zone 3-5.

Rubus allegheniensis Highbush Blackberry
Ht. 3-6' W 6-12'. Sandy loams to sandy clays. Full sun to part shade. White flowers in May/June followed by black, thimble shaped berries. Edible. Orange-red to maroon fall color. Bird magnet. Colonizer. Zone 3-4.

Rubus idaeus canadensis Northern Raspberry
Ht. 3-6' W 6-12'. Sandy loam to clay loam. Full sun to part shade. Long arching canes with white flowers and edible black fruit. Colonizer. Very high wildlife value. Bird magnet. Zone 4.

Rubus hispida Dewberry
Ht. 6-12” W 6-12” Requires well drained, average to moist soil. Part shade to shade. Deeply cut, fern-like foliage. Beautiful white flowers and edible berries. Blooms in early spring. A wonderful woodland wildflower. Excellent ground cover. Zone 3-5.

Rubus occidentalis Black Raspberry
Ht. 3-6' W 6-12'. Sandy loam to clay loam. Full sun to part shade. Long arching canes with white flowers and edible black fruit. Colonizer. Very high wildlife value. Bird magnet. Zone 4.

Rubus parviflorus Thimbleberry
Ht. 4-6' W 3-4'. Tolerates most soils. Prefers moist alkaline soils. Best in half shade. Delicate large green foliage. 1-1/2" white flowers followed by edible red fruits. Thornless. Zone 3-4.

Salix discolor Pussy Willow
Ht. 20’ W 10-12’. Prefers loam soils. Full sun. Very flood tolerant. Upright form. Showy, silvery gray catkins. Found along lakeshores, swamps, and bogs. Often used as an ornamental landscape plant. Zone 2-5.

Salix humilis microphyllus Prairie Willow
Ht. 3-6'. Wet or dry soils. Full sun. Dark green foliage. Very dense branching habit. Showy catkins. Zone 3.

Salix interior Sandbar Willow
Ht. 6-20'. Loamy sand to silt loams. Full sun. Fine textured willow-forming colonies, which decrease in age and height from the colony center. Aggressive. Excellent for shoreline retention. Fast re-growth after harvest. Zone 3-4.

Salix lucida Shining Willow
Ht. 12-18’ W 12-18’. Tolerates most soils. Prefers wet to moist loams. Full sun. Found along streams, wet meadows, swamps, bogs, and lake margins. Edible glossy yellow-green leaves. High wildlife value. Releases cotton-like seed. Zone 2-5.

Salix petiolaris Slender Willow
Ht. 6-12’ W 6-15’. Tolerates most soils. Full sun. Found in wet meadows, swales and lowland areas. Many branched shrub with red winter twigs. Zone 3.

Salix sericea Red Willow
Ht. 6-8’ W 6'. Sandy loams to peat muck soils. Full sun. Very flood tolerant. Upright, rounded form. Reddish brown twigs. Found along stream banks, lakeshores and bogs. Zone 2-4.

Note: Deciduous Trees for more Salix Spp.

Sambucus canadensis American Elder
Ht. 8-10' W 8-10'. Tolerates most soils, very adaptable. Full sun. Flood tolerant. White flowers in late June. Blue-black fruits in late summer. Excellent for pies, jams, and wine. Very high wildlife value. Zone 3-7.

Sambucus pubens Red-berried Elder
Ht. 10-12' W 10-12'. Prefers moist, well-drained soils. Flood intolerant. Full sun to part shade. Found in mixed woodlands and ravines. 5" white flower panicles followed by scarlet red berry clusters. Bird magnet. Zone 4-6.

Shepherdia argentea Silver Buffaloberry
Ht. 8-10' W 8-10'. Prefers moist to mesic loam soils. Full sun. Thicket forming with ascending branch habit. Found in western prairies and shrub-grassland communities. Silvery, green foliage. Red berries in Aug./Sept. Bird Magnet. Zone 3-5.

Spiraea alba Meadowsweet
Ht. 3-6' W 3-6'. Prefers moist silt loams to peat & mucks. Full sun. Colonizing species of wet meadows. Erect branching. White flower spikes in July. Yellow-red fall color. Excellent for shorelines. Zone 3-4.

Spiraea tomentosa Hardhack Spirea (Steeplebush)
Ht. 2-4' W 3-6'. Fine sand to peat & mucks. Prefers acidic soils. Full sun. Marsh and water edge species. Upright branching habit. Pink to rose flower spikes. A must for any rain garden. Zone 3-4.

Staphylea trifolia American Bladdernut
Ht. 10-15' W 10-15'. Prefers mesic soils. Full sun to light shade. Clump forming shrub. Found native in deciduous woodlands and ravines. Small white flowers in May. 1-2" papery, “bladder-shaped” pods in Fall. Yellow autumn color. Zone 3-4.

Symphoricarpos albus White Snowberry
Ht. 3-4' W 4-6'. Grows in clay and limestone soils. Moist to moderately dry soil conditions. Full sun to part shade. Flood intolerant. White fruit along twigs in Sept.- Nov. Blue-green foliage . High wildlife value. Zone 2-4.

Symphoricarpos occidentalis Wolfberry
Ht. 2-4' W 4-6'. Prefers mesic soils. Tolerates most soils. Full sun. Upright habit. Rhizomatous roots. Small pinkish-white flowers in June/July. Fruit in Sept./October. Small shrub of western prairies of MN. Zone 3-5.

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Coralberry
Ht. 3-4' W 4-6'. Prefers loams, tolerates most soils. Wet to dry soil moisture. Full sun to part shade. Native to southern Minnesota. Red berries cover stems into winter. Upright, arching habit. Colonizer. High wildlife value. Zone 4-5.

Vaccinium angustifolium Lowbush Blueberry
Ht. 1-2' W 1-2'. Prefers mesic sand to loam soils. Full sun to part shade. Small white bell shaped flowers in May. Edible berries in July/August. Red to maroon-purple autumn color. Flood tolerant. Zone 2-3.

Viburnum lentago Nannyberry Viburnum
Ht. 12-16' W 8-12'. Prefers loam soils, tolerates most Soils. Upright growth habit. Full sun to part shade. Upright habit. White flat-topped flower clusters. Black fruit in autumn. Maroon-red fall color. Bird magnet. Zone 3-4.

Viburnum rafinesquianum Arrowwood Viburnum
Ht. 6-8' W 6-8'. Prefers mesic to dry soil. Full sun to light shade. Upright habit. White flowers in May. Blue-Black fruit clusters in Aug.-Sept. Orange-red autumn color. Bird Magnet. Zone 3-4.

Viburnum trilobum American Cranberry
Ht. 6-12' W 6-12'. Prefers loam to organic peat soils. Full sun to shade. Upright, arching habit. White flat-topped flower clusters. Dark green foliage to red-maroon in autumn. Red fruit persists until spring. Bird magnet. Edible fruit. Zone 2-5.

Yucca glauca Soapweed Yucca
Ht. 2-3' W 2-3'. Well-drained soils. Full sun. Native to southwestern Minnesota. Fine textured rosette of spiked, blue-green leaves, 1/2" to 1" wide. Large spike of cream-white flowers in July. Zone 4.