Gardening in Montana is unique due to its short growing season, extreme temperatures, and dry conditions. However, you can still create a vibrant, sustainable garden by choosing the best perennials for Montana.
These perennial plants are resilient and help local ecosystems by supporting pollinators and wildlife. From fragrant flowers to hardy native plants, perennials offer endless possibilities. We’ll also cover tips on soil, watering, and maintaining these perennials so they continue to thrive in Montana gardens.
By selecting plants that tolerate Montana’s specific climate, including its strong winds and cooler temperatures, you can create a garden that requires minimal maintenance but delivers maximum curb appeal.
Best Perennials for Montana
1. Lavender
Lavender is one of the top choices for Montana gardens. It is known for its fragrant flowers and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Lavender’s silver-gray foliage contrasts beautifully with its purple blooms, making it a lovely addition to any garden. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil with some organic matter. This plant is drought-tolerant, which is crucial for Montana’s dry summers.
Incorporating lavender into your garden adds beauty and, due to its natural oils, helps keep pests away. To keep your lavender healthy, plant it on a slight slope or elevated area to prevent root rot from excess water. Lavender can also be used to make home products, adding further value to your front yard garden.
Avoid the common mistake of overwatering lavender—this perennial plant prefers to dry out between waterings. Deadheading the flowers after they bloom will encourage a second round of flowering. Lavender is a low-maintenance plant that thrives under the right conditions, making it one of the best perennials for Montana.
2. Snow-in-Summer
Snow-in-Summer is perfect for Montana gardens with its stunning carpet of white flowers that bloom in early summer.
It attracts beneficial insects like bees, making it an excellent ecological addition to any yard. Many gardeners make the mistake of planting this perennial in overly rich soil, which can lead to excessive growth and a leggy appearance.
It is a versatile and low-maintenance perennial, ideal for Montana gardens due to its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in well-drained soil. Known for its striking white flowers that bloom in early summer, it creates a beautiful ground cover.
Moreover, Snow-in-Summer is often used in educational gardening projects for nonprofit educational purposes, giving communities a chance to learn about drought-tolerant perennials. If you’re creating a landscape plan, consider oriental poppies as companions to it for a vibrant color contrast. When writing or sharing gardening tips, ensure appropriate credit is given to sources like MSU Extension, as they provide valuable resources for local gardening enthusiasts.
3. Flax
Flax is a native plant that thrives in Montana’s climate. Known for its delicate, sky-blue flowers, it adds a calming color palette to any garden. This plant grows best in full sun and can tolerate strong winds and drought, making it a fantastic choice for the often harsh conditions in Montana.
When planting flax, using well-drained soil is essential, as it does not tolerate soggy conditions. Flax will self-seed and return year after year, making it an easy-care option for busy gardeners. It also works wonderfully in mass planting, where its swaying blooms create a soft, meadow-like effect.
Pollinators love flax, and its natural tolerance to drought means you won’t have to water frequently, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective. One mistake to avoid is planting it in heavy clay soils, which can cause poor drainage and root rot.
4. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a hardy, heat-tolerant perennial with bright yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer, adding color to your yard. This perennial plant loves full sun and thrives in well-drained soil. It’s perfect for Montana’s short growing season as it blooms for a long time and attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Coreopsis requires little care, making it a low-maintenance option. Deadheading spent blooms encourages further flowering, ensuring your garden remains colorful well into late summer. A common mistake with coreopsis is over-fertilizing, which can lead to weak, leggy growth, so use minimal fertilizer if necessary.
Coreopsis also adds ecological value by providing food and habitat for pollinators. Ensure you give it space to grow, as overcrowding can stunt its growth and reduce blooming.
5. Daylily
Daylilies are one of the most reliable perennial flowers for Montana gardens. These hardy plants can thrive in full sun or partial shade and are virtually indestructible once established. They bloom in various vibrant colors, from orange to pink, making them a versatile addition to any garden.
Daylilies are easy to care for and require minimal watering once established. However, they do benefit from occasional dividing to prevent overcrowding, which can reduce blooming. These perennials are drought-tolerant, easily handling Montana’s dry summers.
One mistake gardeners often make with daylilies is planting them in poorly drained soil, which can cause the roots to rot. Ensuring the soil is well-drained will help your daylilies thrive for years.
6. Blanket Flower
The Blanket Flower is another excellent perennial for Montana, known for its bright yellow and orange blooms. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun. These perennials bloom from early summer to fall, making them a perfect choice for extending the color of your garden.
Once established, blanket flowers require little water and are very resilient to Montana’s fluctuating weather. They also attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making them an eco-friendly choice. Avoid planting them in overly fertile soil, which can lead to fewer blooms and excessive foliage growth.
To keep them looking their best, prune or deadhead spent blooms, encouraging continued flowering. These perennials are hardy, low-maintenance, and add vibrant color to any landscape.
7. Alfalfa
Though commonly known as a forage crop, alfalfa can also be an excellent perennial plant for a Montana garden. It adds nitrogen to the soil, improving overall soil health for surrounding plants. Alfalfa’s purple blooms are eye-catching, and the plant tolerates poor soil conditions.
Planting alfalfa in well-drained soil and full sun will give it the best chance to thrive. Additionally, this plant is highly drought-tolerant, needing very little water once established. It’s also a valuable addition to attracting beneficial insects and supporting the local ecosystem.
Some gardeners make the mistake of planting alfalfa in shaded areas, where it will struggle. Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight to enjoy its full benefits.
Conclusion
Choosing the best perennials for Montana involves considering specific qualities such as drought tolerance, hardiness, and their ability to attract pollinators. Montana’s unique climate, with its short growing season, extreme temperatures, and challenges with water holding capacity, makes it essential to select plants that can thrive under these conditions. Species like lavender, flax, and daylilies provide beauty and resilience and offer significant ecological benefits by attracting pollinators and improving soil health.
As noted by MSU Extension, gardeners should also consider how their perennials fit into their home landscaping while respecting the family status, sexual orientation, and political beliefs of everyone in the community. Low-maintenance perennials like flax can thrive without constant attention, making them ideal for busy households. Furthermore, by dividing plants as they grow and mature, you can protect their longevity and ensure the perennials thrive.
