Sun, water, bloom season, wildlife value, and an honest note on whether it's sold true to species or as a bred lookalike — for every Montana-native plant in the registry.
78Native species listed
56With a live listing
6Blooming this month
Quick answer: Montana has 78 native plants in this directory, 56 with a live listing as of 04 Nov 2026, and 6 with a lookalike alert — check before you buy.
Montana has 78 native plants in this directory, from the West region, growing in USDA zones 3a-6b. The typical last spring frost is around May 20 and the first fall frost around Sep 21, so most native seed goes in outdoors in late fall or winter. Of these, 60 feed pollinators, 50 handle dry spells and 35 are deer-resistant; bloom peaks in June. Good places to start: Common gaillardia (blanketflower), Munro's globemallow and Swamp milkweed.
Right nowLast frost around May 20, first frost around Sep 21
Preferred deer browse, also browsed by cattle/sheep
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 15 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (PUTR2), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Antelope bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom Apr-Jun
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Sandy or rocky
Height
2-8 ft
Wildlife value
Bees, key wildlife browse
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (ARTR2), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Big sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom Aug-Oct
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Deep, well-drained
Height
2-8 ft
Wildlife value
Sage-grouse cover and food
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (PSSP6), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Bluebunch wheatgrass
Pseudoroegneria spicata
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom May-Jul
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Well-drained
Height
1-3 ft
Wildlife value
Wildlife forage
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (04 Nov 2026), via Amazon.
Toxicity
All parts when fresh toxic only if eaten in large quantities; fresh sap causes skin inflammation/blistering on contact, and ingestion causes mouth irritation, vomiting, diarrhea.
Invasive / regulated
Can be aggressive in cultivation under favorable conditions — garden behavior, not a wild-invasive designation.
Sun, Part Shade, ShadeMedium water, Dry-MoistGrow from seedWild species
BLOOMBloom Apr-Jul
(MySeeds.Co); In Stock, $30.00 — original candidate rejected: mismatched description (listing actually described unrelated "Roc...
Listing verified 15 Sep 2026
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Sun
Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Water
Medium water, Dry-Moist
Bloom
Bloom Apr-Jul
Sold as
Seed
Soil
Nutrient-rich, moist soils with limestone - sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay
Height
Up to 30 ft tall
Wildlife value
Fruit feeds birds/bears/moose/deer/elk, larval host for Columbia silkmoth
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Toxicity
New growth, wilted leaves, or frost/drought-injured plant parts poisonous to cattle and humans; toxin hydrocyanic acid forms in stomach. Children have been poisoned and died after ingesting large quantities of berries (which contain seeds)
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (HEAN3), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry-Medium
Bloom
Bloom Jul-Oct
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Most soils
Height
3-8 ft
Wildlife value
Bees, seeds for birds
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
Sun, Part ShadeDry, Medium water useGrow from seedWild species
BLOOMApr-Sep
On every list checked but Amazon stock is Eurasian-garden yarrow everywhere — not a true native ecotype anywhere. Consistent ca...
Listing verified 15 Sep 2026
Common yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Sun
Sun, Part Shade
Water
Dry, Medium water use
Bloom
Apr-Sep
Sold as
Seeds
Soil
Disturbed soils, medium calcium carbonate tolerance
Height
Up to 3 ft
Wildlife value
Special value to native bees, supports conservation biological control
Lookalike alert
On every list checked but Amazon stock is Eurasian-garden yarrow everywhere — not a true native ecotype anywhere. Consistent caveat across all 6 states.
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 03 Nov 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
Feathery false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum racemosum) — Herb
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (CAMI12), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Giant red paintbrush
Castilleja miniata
Sun
Sun
Water
Medium
Bloom
Bloom Jun-Sep
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Moist meadows
Height
1-3 ft
Wildlife value
Hummingbirds
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (ARPA6), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Greenleaf manzanita
Arctostaphylos patula
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom Apr-Jun
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Rocky, well-drained
Height
3-6 ft
Wildlife value
Bees, fruit for wildlife
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (OEEL), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native. N...
Not currently sold
Hooker's evening primrose
Oenothera elata
Sun
Sun
Water
Medium
Bloom
Bloom Jun-Sep
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Moist, sandy
Height
2-5 ft
Wildlife value
Night-flying moths, goldfinches
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (FEID), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native. N...
Not currently sold
Idaho fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom May-Jul
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Well-drained
Height
1-2 ft
Wildlife value
Grazing and cover
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (ACHY), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native. N...
Not currently sold
Indian ricegrass
Achnatherum hymenoides
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom Apr-Jun
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Sandy
Height
1-2 ft
Wildlife value
Seeds for birds and rodents
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (PEPR2), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Littleflower penstemon
Penstemon procerus
Sun
Sun, Part Shade
Water
Medium
Bloom
Bloom Jun-Aug
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Moist meadows, well-drained
Height
4-16 in
Wildlife value
Bees
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (WYAM), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native. N...
Not currently sold
Mule's ears
Wyethia amplexicaulis
Sun
Sun
Water
Medium
Bloom
Bloom May-Jul
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Deep clay or loam
Height
1-2 ft
Wildlife value
Bees
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (AGUR), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native. N...
Not currently sold
Nettleleaf giant hyssop
Agastache urticifolia
Sun
Sun, Part Shade
Water
Medium
Bloom
Bloom Jun-Sep
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Well-drained loam
Height
2-5 ft
Wildlife value
Bees, hummingbirds
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
Sun, Part ShadeDry-MediumGrow from seedWild species
BLOOMBloom May-Jul
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (HODI), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native. N...
Not currently sold
Oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
Sun
Sun, Part Shade
Water
Dry-Medium
Bloom
Bloom May-Jul
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Well-drained
Height
6-15 ft
Wildlife value
Butterfly host, birds
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
Sun, Part Shade, ShadeMoistGrow from seedWild species
BLOOMBloom Apr-Jun
seeds, In Stock
Listing verified 15 Sep 2026
Red baneberry
Actaea rubra
Sun
Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Water
Moist
Bloom
Bloom Apr-Jun
Sold as
Seed
Soil
Well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soils
Height
Up to 3 ft tall
Wildlife value
Conspicuous feathery flowers attract pollinators, berries poisonous to humans
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Toxicity
Berries and roots very poisonous if ingested, may affect nervous system. Symptoms: burning mouth/throat, salivation, severe stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, hallucinations. Children most at risk. Not reported to have caused death to humans/livestock in US
Seeds (listed under synonym genus "Cleomella serrulata"), purchasable, $6.99
Listing verified 16 Sep 2026
Rocky Mountain bee plant
Peritoma serrulata
Sun
Sun, Part Shade
Water
Low
Bloom
May-Sep
Sold as
Seeds
Soil
Well-drained, moist to dry, medium to sandy
Height
Up to 32 in (to 6 ft)
Wildlife value
Seeds feed pocket mice/mourning doves/birds, larval host for checkered white butterflies, nectar source, highly deer resistant
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (16 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Invasive / regulated
Northeastern/midwestern US populations are non-persistent waifs/garden escapes, not native there; tolerant of many soils/conditions which may contribute to spread beyond its native Rocky Mountain range
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 15 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (MIGU), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native. N...
Not currently sold
Seep monkeyflower
Erythranthe guttata
Sun
Sun, Part Shade
Water
Wet
Bloom
Bloom Mar-Sep
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Wet soil, stream edges
Height
1-3 ft
Wildlife value
Bees, hummingbirds, butterfly host
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (ERUM), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native. N...
Not currently sold
Sulphur-flower buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom Jun-Sep
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Rocky, gravelly, well-drained
Height
4-12 in
Wildlife value
Bees, butterflies, host for many blues
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (OECA10), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Tufted evening primrose
Oenothera caespitosa
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom Apr-Aug
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Rocky, gravelly
Height
4-8 in
Wildlife value
Hawk moths
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (DENU2), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Upland larkspur
Delphinium nuttallianum
Sun
Sun, Part Shade
Water
Medium
Bloom
Bloom Apr-Jul
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Well-drained
Height
6-16 in
Wildlife value
Bumble bees, hummingbirds
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (PECY2), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Wasatch penstemon
Penstemon cyananthus
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom May-Jul
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Rocky, well-drained
Height
1-3 ft
Wildlife value
Bees, hummingbirds
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
western native added 24 Oct 2026. Range from USDA PLANTS (ACMI2), limited to the western and Plains states where it is native....
Not currently sold
Western yarrow
Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis
Sun
Sun
Water
Dry
Bloom
Bloom May-Sep
Sold as
Not currently sold
Soil
Most soils
Height
1-3 ft
Wildlife value
Bees, small butterflies
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
Western yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis)
Last spring frostMay 20Ranges May 7 – Jun 9 by location
First fall frostSep 21Ranges Sep 6 – Oct 3 by location
Frost-free season124 daysTypical, between the two dates
When to sow and plant
JanSow
FebSow
MarSow
AprSow
MayRest
JunSow + plant
JulRest
AugPlant
SepRest
OctSow
NovSow
DecSow
Sow seed outdoorsPlant live plantsBothThis month
Sep 21 – Apr 20Sow seed: late fall into winter
Sow most native wildflower and grass seed outdoors. Many natives need weeks of cold, moist conditions before they sprout, and a Montana winter does that for free.
May 20 – Jul 4Spring: after the last frost
Sow seed that needs no cold treatment, and set out live plants once the soil warms.
Aug 2 – Sep 14Plant: early fall
A strong second window for live plants and shrubs, while roots still have time to settle in.
Check each seed packet: a few species want spring sowing or special treatment. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 normals (32°F, 50% chance) from 187 Montana weather stations; your own yard may differ by a week or two.
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Common questions about Montana native plants
What are the best native plants for Montana?
Good starter natives for Montana gardens include Common gaillardia (blanketflower), Munro's globemallow, Swamp milkweed, Arrowleaf balsamroot and Big bluestem. They're sold as the true wild species, valuable to wildlife and suited to home gardens. The full list has 78 Montana natives.
How many plants are native to Montana?
This directory lists 78 plants native to Montana, and 56 of them have a live seed or plant listing we've checked. Montana has many more native species in the wild; this list focuses on plants that gardeners can grow.
When should I plant native seeds in Montana?
Sow most native perennial seed outdoors in late fall or winter, after the first fall frost (typically around Sep 21 in Montana). Winter cold breaks seed dormancy so it sprouts in spring. Set out nursery plants after the last spring frost (typically around May 20) or in early fall.
What native plants bloom in Montana in November?
6 Montana natives in this directory bloom in November, including Big bluestem, Sideoats grama, Buffalograss, Little bluestem and Shrubby cinquefoil.
What are the best native plants for pollinators in Montana?
Strong pollinator plants native to Montana include Common gaillardia (blanketflower), Munro's globemallow, Swamp milkweed, Arrowleaf balsamroot and Big bluestem. The full list has 60 options.
What native plants are deer-resistant in Montana?
Deer-resistant natives for Montana include Common gaillardia (blanketflower), Munro's globemallow, Swamp milkweed, Big bluestem and Blue grama. The full list has 35 options.
What native plants grow in shade in Montana?
Shade-tolerant natives for Montana include Colorado blue columbine, Bearberry, Creeping Oregon grape, Red baneberry and Chokecherry. The full list has 21 options.
What native plants are drought-tolerant in Montana?
Drought-tolerant natives for Montana include Common gaillardia (blanketflower), Munro's globemallow, Arrowleaf balsamroot, Big bluestem and Blue grama. The full list has 50 options.
What gardening zone is Montana?
Montana spans USDA hardiness zones 3a-6b on the 2023 map. Check your ZIP code for your exact zone.
This page lists every species in the Native Seed Directory documented as native to Montana — 78 plants, 56 of them with a live seed or plant listing verified as recently as 04 Nov 2026. Growing conditions come from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; the "Buying it" note on each plant tells you whether what stores sell is the wild species or a bred variety. Open any card for soil, height, wildlife value and the buying note, or follow the plant name for its full profile and the other states where it grows.
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