Native Plant Resources
Want to create your own native landscape but don't know where to start? Recently installed native plants and now need to learn how to identify what is a weed and what is a plant? It can easily become overwhelming looking at internet search after internet search on how to incorporate and care for native plants in your yard. Here are some quick references that can help get you started. Some have been created by the staff of Native Roots, LLC while others are from professionals in the field of Ecology, Botany, Entomology and more. Remember, you can always email us with questions. We are happy to help!
Native Roots Native Landscape Care Handouts
You just had Native Roots help you install native plants on your property. Now what? Here are some reference handouts that explain how to care for and maintain your native landscape. Following these steps will ensure your new plants survive and provide the most habitat to a variety wildlife.
Wild Ones Native Garden Design Plans
Native Roots was selected to create the Native Garden Design for the Milwaukee Area in 2020. Check out the website for a home landscape design plan that you can use as a template to incorporate native plants into your own landscape. Plants were selected based on local ecotypes and soil conditions. The website also has design plans for multiple cities across the country.
You just had Native Roots help you install native plants on your property. Now what? Here are some reference handouts that explain how to care for and maintain your native landscape. Following these steps will ensure your new plants survive and provide the most habitat to a variety wildlife.
Wild Ones Native Garden Design Plans
Native Roots was selected to create the Native Garden Design for the Milwaukee Area in 2020. Check out the website for a home landscape design plan that you can use as a template to incorporate native plants into your own landscape. Plants were selected based on local ecotypes and soil conditions. The website also has design plans for multiple cities across the country.
Native Plant Nurseries for Wisconsin
Below are a list of our go to nurseries that have a great selection of native plants. Some have the option of shipping plants directly to your home! Also, check out and follow your local Nature Centers. They usually have a native plants sale in the spring or fall. Organizations such as Wild Ones Chapters and Wisconsin Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District have plant sales as well.
Forbs (Perennials and Grasses)
Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI
Agrecol Nursery, Evansville, WI
Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN
Woody Plants (Trees & Shrubs)
Johnson's Nursery, Menomonee Falls, WI
Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI
Plant Selection Tool from MMSD
Below are a list of our go to nurseries that have a great selection of native plants. Some have the option of shipping plants directly to your home! Also, check out and follow your local Nature Centers. They usually have a native plants sale in the spring or fall. Organizations such as Wild Ones Chapters and Wisconsin Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District have plant sales as well.
Forbs (Perennials and Grasses)
Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI
Agrecol Nursery, Evansville, WI
Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN
Woody Plants (Trees & Shrubs)
Johnson's Nursery, Menomonee Falls, WI
Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI
Plant Selection Tool from MMSD
Other Resources from the Experts
- Soft Landings
- Trees & Shrubs for Pollinators
- Plant Lists for Wasps
- Native Plant Finder
- Habitat Assessment Guide for Pollinators
- Ohio State University Pollinator Habitat Webinar Series
Every winter we curl up under a cozy blanket and pass the time with a good book about plants or bugs. Most of these can be found on Amazon, also consider supporting your local bookstore first!
Some of Our Favorite Books:
Bringing Nature Home, by Doug Tallamy
Grow Native, by Lynn Steiner
Buzz, Sting, Bite, by Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson
Noah's Garden, by Sara Stein
In Defense of Plants, by Matt Candeias
Pollinators of Native Plants, by Heather Holm
Dancing with Bees, by Bridgit Howard
Field Guides:
Wildflowers of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Region, by Black and Judziewicz
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, by Weeks and Weeks, Jr
North Woods Naturalist Series - by various authors
Some of Our Favorite Books:
Bringing Nature Home, by Doug Tallamy
Grow Native, by Lynn Steiner
Buzz, Sting, Bite, by Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson
Noah's Garden, by Sara Stein
In Defense of Plants, by Matt Candeias
Pollinators of Native Plants, by Heather Holm
Dancing with Bees, by Bridgit Howard
Field Guides:
Wildflowers of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Region, by Black and Judziewicz
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, by Weeks and Weeks, Jr
North Woods Naturalist Series - by various authors