How Ecoregions Can Help You Select The Right Plants For Your Garden
Ecoregions resulted from a cooperative effort between Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, where expert ecologists grouped the regions of North America into distinct environments. Take advantage of these guidelines, and use this study to help you select garden plants. Join native plant gardener Jerad Bryant as we tour the top ecoregions in the United States.
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Ecoregions aren’t just for plant lovers—they also help state officials plan new environmental initiatives. Each environment contains a set of unique natural resources; some of them are necessary for our survival. The northwestern forested mountains provide much of the timber we use nationwide in our architecture. Our corn, soy, and wheat would vanish without the Great Plains.
Ecoregions also do more than just tell us what resources we have in what area. They detail each distinct region’s climate, environment, and geographical conditions. Ecoregions are useful guides to tell us what plants we should choose and where to grow them best.
We can make informed decisions on the best native and non-native species for our gardens by looking at ecoregions. The goal is to find species that thrive in our area with little input—this helps grow climate-resilient gardens! Ecoregions tell us the conditions of our local area and help us decide which plants will stand the test of time.
While I deal with larger North American ecoregions here, each state has even more subregions to consider. If you want to get really specific to the ecosystem you’re living in, determine which of these regions you’re in. You may even find plants endemic to your local ecology.
Plants of North American Ecoregions
Let’s get into it! These are the ten ecoregions of the United States. Here, we have an overview of native plant recommendations to help you get started. We also cover the attributes of each ecoregion, helping you decide which non-native domesticated plants will thrive in your area.
Northern Forests
Northern forests span throughout the northeastern states, from Minnesota east to Vermont. Lakes, trees, and hills fill this region. With long, cold winters and short, warm summers, northern forests are ideal for seasonal perennials, large conifers, and cool-weather crops. Winter temperatures drop below 0°F (-18°C). Summer temperatures hover between 50 to 65°F (10-18°C).
Find spruce, pine, maples, and aspen growing throughout northern forests. Where trees are sparse, shrubby vegetation thrives on forest floors. These lush forests provide homes for many animals, from caribou to great horned owls.
If you live in the northern forests ecoregion, you’ll want to select plants that survive freezing winters or go dormant during extreme freezes. Greenhouse or inside container gardening are other useful methods to keep frost-tender plants alive in this ecoregion. These following plants are hardy, thriving annually throughout northern forests.
Recommendations for Northern Forests
| Canada Goldenrod Solidago canadensis | Perennial goldenrod attracts plenty of pollinators into your yard. It sprouts bright yellow flower clusters in midsummer, before dying back into winter dormancy. |
| White Spruce Picea glauca | Are you looking for a giant native tree? Try the stately white spruce. It thrives throughout northern forests, reaching 100’ in optimal conditions! Look for its purple cones from spring to fall. |
| Fleabane Erigeron annuus | Every garden needs reseeding annuals. They fill empty spots, making your garden drought-resilient. Sow fleabane seeds from spring through autumn for bright white annual flowers. |
| Cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon | Cranberry is a fruiting ground cover that appreciates northern forests’ environments. Give it full sun or partial shade and regular water. It’ll reward you with edible cranberries! |
| Lowbush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium | Lowbush blueberries are another fruiting plant native to northern forests. They appreciate slightly acidic soil. Plant them under full sun for full fruiting production. |
Northwestern Forested Mountains
Now, let’s travel to the western side of the United States, delving deep into northwestern forested mountains. This area differs from northern forests due to its continuous mountain chain extending from Alaska south through Nevada. Along this mountain chain are grasslands, forests, and tundra—this region is incredibly diverse!
From alpine areas to lower meadows, northwestern forested mountains experience a variety of climates. The western mountains shield rain clouds from reaching this region, and the Rocky Mountains impede cool, arctic air. This creates warm, dry summers that offer hot relief from below-freezing winters.
Grasslands and alpine coniferous forests give way to mixed forests at lower elevations. Find pines, spruces, and trembling aspen growing rampant throughout lower northwestern forested mountains. Shrubs that tolerate cold winters with dry summers thrive throughout this region. Ephemeral spring wildflowers also love this area, as they take advantage of excess snow melt during spring.
Recommendations for Northwestern Forested Mountains
| Columbian Lily Lilium columbianum | Columbian lilies delight onlookers each summer with orange spotted flowers. They live in bulbs belowground during winter, then pop out with warm temperatures and long days. |
| Lance Selfheal Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata | Lance selfheal is the native, non-weedy version of European selfheal. It sprouts giant purple flower spikes! This species appreciates partial shade, regular water, and good drainage. |
| Rubber Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa | Rubber rabbitbrush works where other shrubs don’t. It tolerates freezing winters, so long as it has excellent drainage. Drought hardy, this native species survives in arid summer climates. |
| Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii | Are you looking for a giant tree? Douglas fir provides you with all the shade you’ll need this year. Plant it in an area where it can reach its full potential of over 250’! |
| Trembling Aspen Populus tremuloides | Deciduous trembling aspen trees create beautiful noises in summertime—the breeze makes the leaves tremble like paper in the wind. |
Marine West Coast Forest
West of the northwestern forested mountains lie the marine West Coast forests. This area includes much of the Pacific Northwest, and it experiences the highest rainfall anywhere in the United States! Cool, marine air brings moisture inward, creating lush forests full of different plant species.
Plants in this ecoregion appreciate moist, free-draining soils. Many tolerate full sun to partial shade, depending on how much water they receive. Winters can be cold. However, they are warmer than those in eastern temperate forests. Rivers carve through these forests, contributing to new ecosystems along their banks.
Coast redwood, Douglas fir, and Pacific madrone dominate this ecoregion. Below them, wildflowers sprout alongside shade-tolerant shrubs. Coastal areas have salt-tolerant plants that thrive in full sun with regular moisture. Areas with little rainfall host manzanita, coyote bush, and kinnikinnik. Not sure which plants to start with? Try any of these five below.
Recommendations for Marine West Coast Forests
| Evergreen Huckleberry Vaccinium ovatum | Evergreen in most of this ecoregion, huckleberry loves extra rainfall and dappled shade. Wet coastal forests create the perfect climate for this fruiting shrub. |
| Oregon Grape Berberis aquifolium | Would you like to attract birds to your yard? Plant Oregon grape. It is hardy, adaptable, and a boon for wildlife. Grow it with good draining soil, moderate watering, and sun or shade. |
| Redwood Sorrel Oxalis oregana | Spreading redwood sorrel blankets bare soil. It loves shade, growing beneath the redwood canopies along the Pacific Coast. Give it regular water, but cut back during summer as it enters dormancy. |
| Western Buttercup Ranunculus occidentalis | Perennial wildflowers are a must-have in any garden! Western buttercup sprouts perennial yellow flowers for bugs to enjoy. Sow it under full sun during fall for spring germination. |
| Pacific Bleeding Heart Dicentra formosa | A classic West Coast plant, the Pacific bleeding heart decorates woodland floors throughout marine West Coast forests. It creeps outward with perennial rhizomes underground. |
Eastern Temperate Forests
Across the continent lie eastern temperate forests. This region dominates the United States, covering states from the Great Lakes south, and east to the Atlantic Ocean. Find thick forests, lots of cities, and moderate humidity in this ecoregion.
Plants native to eastern temperate forests tolerate freezing winters, warm summers, and the full range of sun exposures. Some species thrive below tree cover, while others sneak onto roadsides or forest edges.
Some native plants from this ecoregion tolerate urban conditions, like asters, inkberries, and hydrangeas. Pick any of these five native plant species for hardy types that adapt well in your region.
Recommendations for Eastern Temperate Forests
| Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia | My favorite hydrangea adorns itself with oak-shaped leaves, big panicles of white flowers, and peeling brown bark. Plant it under partial shade with weekly irrigation. |
| Coralberry Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | Like the West Coast’s snowberry, coralberry produces clusters of berries that birds love to eat. Coralberry has pink-red berries instead of white ones. |
| New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae | This perennial wildflower with purple flowers is perfect for any garden! New England asters are a superb choice, as they’re drought-tolerant after establishing themselves. |
| Inkberry Ilex glabra | This is the best shrub for urban plantings. It tolerates drought, full sun, and pollution. Situate it along roadsides, hell strips, or office gardens. |
| Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis | Hummingbirds will beam with delight if you plant this perennial. They love sticking their feeders up wild columbine’s red-yellow nectar-filled flowers. |
Great Plains
Many Great Plains ecoregion plants find themselves in our gardens, no matter what ecoregion we live in. Many adapt well to warm, dry summers with little irrigation. They experience these conditions naturally and evolve to thrive in them. Sunflowers, purple coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans originate from the Great Plains!
Nowadays, much of the prairie grasslands have disappeared. Corn, soy, and wheat crops now dominate this region. By planting native species from this area in your garden, you invite vanishing local wildlife back into their original homes.
The Northern Great Plains also contains dry, arid soils that house prickly pear, scrub shrubs, and drought-tolerant annuals. Some small forests dot this landscape, with oak or hickory trees. Look to your local surroundings to determine what section of the Great Plains you reside in—see whether it’s dry, wet, cold, or hot.
Recommendations for the Great Plains
| Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea | Bumblebees devour coneflower pollen! They love this flower, as do us gardeners. Big, purple flowers with brownish-red cones sprout above green foliage on this perennial wildflower. |
| Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta | Black-eyed Susans are excellent for growing next to purple coneflowers. Their leaves look similar. You’ll be able to tell them apart when this perennial blooms bright yellow flowers. |
| Sunflower Helianthus annuus | Sunflowers have now found their way across the globe, although they originate from the Great Plains. Grow your favorite variety, as there are thousands available! |
| Blue Grama Grass Bouteloua gracilis | One of my favorite grasses is blue grama. It survives harsh summer droughts and is one of the lowest-growing prairie grasses. It barely reaches two feet tall! |
| White Oak Quercus alba | White oak is the tree to plant in arid, hot plains. This hardy oak reaches well over 100’. It lives a long time and will give you shade for generations to come. |
North American Deserts
West of the Great Plains are vast North American deserts. Find cactus, drought-hardy shrubs, and lots of Joshua trees growing rampant through this ecoregion. Little rainfall occurs, especially during the summer months. Winter nights are cold, sometimes dropping below freezing.
Find large rock structures, including the Grand Canyon, around these deserts. Water and wind carve out jutting rocks over time, which creates impressive structures. West of the deserts lies the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges—they halt rains from traveling over their peaks, creating the desert as we know it today.
Recently, agricultural developments are popping up with irrigation from other regions. With water much can grow in the desert, however, you’ll have to amend soils, lower high heat impacts, and bring in irrigation. Use resilient, native plants, and you’ll enjoy a garden without all that work. You may even find plenty of plants to grow happily in the desert.
Recommendations for North American Deserts
| Prickly Pear Opuntia ficus-indica | Grow edible fruit in the desert with prickly pear cactus! It appreciates little irrigation, hot temperatures, and low humidity. |
| Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens | Ocotillo sprouts sparkling red flowers after desert rains. The flowers sprout from prickly stems alongside tiny green leaves. Use it to feed desert birds and as a focal point in gardens. |
| Teddy-Bear Cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii | Famously common around Joshua Tree National Park, the teddy bear cholla is an extremely spiky cactus. You can barely see its flesh because it’s coated with spines! |
| Desert Marigold Baileya multiradiata | Desert marigolds are superb wildflowers for deserts with a bit of annual rainfall. They naturalize themselves and are drought-tolerant enough to survive on their own. |
| Joshua Tree Yucca brevifolia | An icon of the West, Joshua trees are giant yuccas. They need well-draining soil, no extra irrigation, and lots of sunlight. It is the perfect small tree for desert homes. |
Mediterranean California
California is a lucky state—it’s home to an incredibly diverse ecoregion with practically endless plant opportunities! Mediterranean California extends from northern California south to Mexico, between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevadas. It experiences less precipitation than marine West Coast forests, with warmer temperatures and less elevation.
Non-native species from all over the globe thrive in Mediterranean California, and the thousands of cities there provide a constant influx of plant species. Gardens here are incredibly diverse—some have plants from all major continents in their borders!
Plants thrive here so long as they receive supplemental irrigation, as most areas in this ecoregion are arid from spring through fall. The only species that won’t thrive here need more than 500 chill hours, like certain varieties of apples, pears, and cherries. Try cactus, fruit trees, wildflowers, or whatever your heart desires!
With all these non-native species at your fingertips, why plant native plants? Native plants provide nectar, pollen, food, and habitat for local animal species. Some, like the Monarch butterfly, rely on native plants for survival. Without them, they’ll quickly decline and disappear.
Native species are also often easier to care for than non-native ones, providing drought tolerance, low water needs, and full sun tolerance in difficult gardens. If you tend plants in California, consider trying one of these easy-to-care-for native species.
Recommendations for Mediterranean California
| California Poppy Eschscholzia californica | The state flower of California is a must-have in every garden! Its vivid orange-yellow blossoms brighten up western ecosystems annually. |
| Manzanita Arctostaphylos spp. | Do you have a dry, sunny spot? Try a native manzanita! They love these conditions and commonly grow on roadsides throughout California. |
| Coast Live Oak Quercus agrifolia | An oak of majesty, coast live oak is a tree to plant and grow up with. It reaches over 70’ high and provides much-needed shade for coastal California landscapes. |
| Nuttall’s Sunflower Helianthus nuttallii | Bees and butterflies love sunflowers, and Nuttall’s sunflower is one of their favorites. This perennial can reach 12’ tall, so plant it where it has space to extend. |
| West Coast Canada Goldenrod Solidago elongata | Goldenrods are go-to drought-hardy wildflowers! West Coast Canada goldenrod is one of many native North American species. Plant it under full sun with little watering. |
Southern Semi-Arid Highlands
Parts of New Mexico and Arizona call the southern semi-arid highlands their home. This ecoregion is not as dry as North American deserts but still experiences little rain. Shallow clay soils and deep, dry grounds make up most of this region. They’re perfect for growing native grasses, wildflowers, and mesquite trees.
Beware of frosts and drought—they’re both common here throughout the winter months. Cacti and other frost-tender species may survive, but they grow better in warm winter areas. Use drought and frost-tolerant species for growing success in the southern semi-arid highlands.
Agriculture, cattle farming, and mining are widespread in these lands. These activities have contributed to the decline of native plant species, although they’ve also given us food to eat. Plant one of these five native species and bring vitality to your local ecosystem!
Recommendations for Southern Semi-Arid Highlands
| Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium | Now a familiar cultivar at nurseries, little bluestem has humble origins in dry grasslands throughout North America. Use it where you’d like a drought-tolerant native grass. |
| Velvet Mesquite Prosopis velutina | This mesquite reaches over 30’ tall when it’s happy. A desert native, it provides nutritious seeds for wildlife and nectar-rich flowers for pollinators. |
| Cowpen Daisy Verbesina encelioides | Golden yellow sunflower-like blossoms adorn this annual each spring. Cowpen daisy often reseeds itself, colonizing disturbed ground. |
| Rockyscree False Goldenaster Heterotheca fulcrata | Rockyscree false goldenaster is an apt name for this native perennial—it grows yellow, aster-like blossoms on a short plant. |
| Tahoka Daisy Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | This annual resembles aster flowers with their color and shape. It sprouts purple-petalled blossoms with yellow centers. Use it where drainage is good, and irrigation is low. |
Temperate Sierras
This ecoregion spans just northward of southern semi-arid highlands through Arizona and New Mexico. It is wetter than the southern semi-arid highlands and has a more diverse range of vegetation. This area is mostly alpine and experiences cold, freezing winters. Unlike tropical areas, temperate sierras experience four distinct seasons.
Plants in this ecoregion adapt widely—they thrive with adequate drainage, moderate watering, and a full range of sun exposures. Some grow on forest floors, while others thrive under full sun in exposed locations. Use native and non-native species that survive winter frosts and tolerate occasional droughts.
Are you having trouble deciding which plants to start with? These dependable native species love the temperate sierras, making your job easier as a gardener. You’ll have less maintenance when you plant these plants instead of a few non-native species.
Recommendations for Temperate Sierras
| Sticky Snakeweed Gutierrezia microcephala | A unique desert shrub that lacks leaves, sticky snakeweed uses green stems to photosynthesize. Its yellow flowers lure in pollinators throughout the temperate sierras. |
| Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | Common rabbitbrush thrives in USDA zones three and above. It grows sticky yellow flowers, needlelike leaves, and multiple stems. Use it in dry, well-draining areas. |
| Arizona Gumweed Grindelia arizonica | With yellow sunflower-like blossoms, Arizona gumweed provides ornamental beauty where sunflowers struggle. Grow this herbaceous perennial throughout temperate sierras. |
| Camphorweed Heterotheca subaxillaris | Another yellow bloomer, camphorweed grows dozens of golden aster-like flowers each year. It is biennial or annual, reseeding when it’s happy. |
| Black Cherry Prunus serotina | A fruiting tree that tolerates heat, black cherry thrives in this ecoregion. Use this tree where rains are common, and water it when the soil dries completely. |
Tropical Wet Forests
Tropical wet forests fill a small portion of Florida’s tip, near the Everglades. This lush tropical-plant-filled ecoregion is also found throughout Puerto Rico and Hawaii, as well as in Mexico. These forests stay above freezing year-round, and they feature lots of ambient humidity and rainfall. Evergreen trees, tropical vines, and wet-loving grasses grow wild within this ecoregion.
Unlike Mediterranean California, tropical wet forests lack defined seasons. Heat-loving crops like bananas, mangoes, peppers, and coffee appreciate the ecoregion—they thrive with continuous moisture, sunlight, and warmth.
What plants can’t grow in this region? I’d avoid fruiting plants that need chill hours, as these forests rarely get chilly. Deciduous trees like sugar maples, river birch, and live oaks struggle here without winter frost. Use species that love tropical weather alongside consistent moisture. These five native species are excellent to start with, whether you’re in Florida, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii.
Recommendations for Tropical Wet Forests
| Cohitre Blanco Tradescantia zanonia | Related to other common Tradescantia house plants, cohitre blanco adds charm to tropical forest floors. It blooms white, fragrant blossoms. |
| East Coast Dune Sunflower Helianthus debilis | If you live near the southern Florida coastline, you’ll want to plant East Coast dune sunflower. These sunflowers love coastal conditions and grow easily with salty soil. |
| Southern Dewberry Rubus trivialis | A fruiting shrub for tropical forests is a must-have! Southern dewberry produces tart blackberry-like fruits on spiky red stems. |
| Coastal Plain Tickseed Coreopsis gladiata | This small herbaceous perennial decorates coastal forests throughout Florida. Plant it in full sun or partial shade for endless yellow flowers! |
| Carolina Cherry Laurel Prunus caroliniana | Are you looking for a hedging shrub that is native to North America? Try Carolina cherry laurel! It takes sheering well and makes perfect hedges where you want them. |
