Picking out plants for your yard can be fun—but if you live in Minnesota, it takes more than just picking what looks good. With long, cold winters and unpredictable summers, not everything you find at the garden center is going to survive here.
If you want a yard that not only looks good but also holds up to our local conditions, it’s all about choosing the right plants from the start. Here’s how to do just that.
1. Know Your Zone
Minnesota falls into USDA Hardiness Zones 3 and 4. That’s a fancy way of saying our winters get cold—really cold. When you’re picking out perennials, trees, or shrubs, make sure they’re hardy to at least Zone 4. Otherwise, you’ll be planting again next spring.
A few cold-hardy favorites:
These are tough plants that can handle what a Minnesota winter throws at them.
2. Pay Attention to Sunlight
Sun matters—a lot. Some plants love full sun all day, while others would rather hang out in the shade. Take a walk around your yard and see which spots get sun in the morning, afternoon, or all day long.
When you match the right plant with the right amount of sun, you’ll spend way less time fighting with your yard to keep things alive.
3. Know Your Soil
All soil is not created equal. Some yards are sandy and drain quickly, others are heavy with clay and hold onto water. Knowing what kind of soil you’re working with will help you choose plants that are built to thrive in it—or tell you if you need to amend the soil a bit first.
Quick test:
Dig a hole, fill it with water, and see how long it takes to drain. If the water sits for hours, you’ve got poor drainage, and you’ll want moisture-loving plants or some soil improvement before planting.
4. Go Native When You Can
Plants that are native to Minnesota are already adapted to our wild weather, local pests, and soil conditions. That means they usually need less water, less fertilizer, and less of your time. Bonus: they’re great for attracting bees, butterflies, and birds to your yard.
Some great Minnesota natives:
A little native goes a long way in creating a healthy, low-maintenance landscape.
5. Think Year-Round, Not Just Summer
Sure, summer flowers are great—but what about the rest of the year? A good landscape has something interesting going on in every season.
Mix it up so your yard has some life and color, even when it’s cold outside.
6. Don’t Forget to Plan for Growth
Those tiny plants you buy in the spring? They’re going to get a lot bigger. Make sure you leave enough room between plants and avoid the temptation to cram everything in right away. It might look a little spaced out at first, but in a season or two, your yard will be full and thriving.
Choosing the right plants is the first step to a great-looking yard—and one that doesn’t require constant attention. When you match your plants to Minnesota’s climate, your yard will reward you with healthier growth and fewer headaches.
Need help picking the right plants or installing a landscape that actually lasts? RJ3 Property Maintenance has you covered. From plant selection to full landscape installs, we know what works in our Minnesota backyards.
Reach out today, and let’s start building a landscape that’s beautiful, low-maintenance, and made to last.
