Native plants for Nicollet County, Minnesota
356 native plants recorded in Nicollet County, Minnesota
The USDA plant database has 453 plants recorded growing wild in Nicollet County. 356 of them are native to the lower 48, and 15 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 230 wildflowers and herbs, 77 grasses and sedges, 9 shrubs, 16 low woody plants, 11 trees, 13 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 137 of them (38%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Little hogweed (Portulaca oleracea) and 4 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Nicollet County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 137 | 0 | 219 |
| Half shade | 100 | 37 | 219 |
| Under trees | 60 | 77 | 219 |
| Heavy clay | 98 | 39 | 219 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 71 | 66 | 219 |
| Never watered | 40 | 97 | 219 |
| Stays soggy | 80 | 57 | 219 |
Sun all day in Nicollet County: 137 rated natives
70 wildflowers and herbs, 44 grasses and sedges, 7 trees, 6 shrubs, 5 vines, 5 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common blue violet (Viola sororia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Nicollet County: 100 rated natives
51 wildflowers and herbs, 34 grasses and sedges, 4 low woody plants, 4 shrubs, 4 trees, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Spreading yellowcress (Rorippa sinuata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Nicollet County: 60 rated natives
30 wildflowers and herbs, 23 grasses and sedges, 3 trees, 2 low woody plants, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spreading yellowcress (Rorippa sinuata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Nicollet County: 98 rated natives
51 wildflowers and herbs, 34 grasses and sedges, 5 trees, 4 vines, 2 low woody plants, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Marsh hedgenettle (Stachys palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - White meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Nicollet County: 71 rated natives
34 wildflowers and herbs, 19 grasses and sedges, 6 trees, 5 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Marsh hedgenettle (Stachys palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Nicollet County: 40 rated natives
15 wildflowers and herbs, 10 grasses and sedges, 4 low woody plants, 4 shrubs, 4 trees, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Nicollet County: 80 rated natives
40 wildflowers and herbs, 34 grasses and sedges, 2 shrubs, 2 trees, 1 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Bluntleaf bedstraw (Galium obtusum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Marsh hedgenettle (Stachys palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Tufted loosestrife (Lysimachia thyrsiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Nicollet County has that most of Minnesota does not
2 natives here are on file in no more than 4 of Minnesota's 87 counties. A few of them:
- Wolf's spikerush (Eleocharis wolfii): 3 counties
- Hairyjoint meadowparsnip (Thaspium barbinode): 3 counties
Where to start in Nicollet County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Nicollet County gives you the most rated choice (137 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 40 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 219 unrated natives too.