Let’s Celebrate Native Plant Month (April 2025)

All year long, we give you tips and tricks to fight the weeds and pests that bug us. But what about the native plants? The Indian paintbrush, western coneflower, rocky mountain maple, and so many more. There are over 1,200+ native plant species in Teton County, each working in perfect harmony as a vital part of our ecosystem. This month, we’re highlighting a handful of native plants and their contributions to our environment.

The Good, the Bad, and the Noxious

What’s the difference between our beloved native species and the invasive ones? Simple, native species naturally belong to this area, and have evolved to carve out their niche in the ecosystem. They were here long before we were, and they’ll be here long after we leave. An invasive species was introduced by humans, found itself well-adapted to the conditions, and, lacking predators, thrives in a way that outcompetes and harms necessary species. This can upset the natural balance of an ecosystem and wide-reaching negative effects.

Identifying Plants

With so many native plants in Teton County, the first step in being part of the solution is identifying the good from the bad. Check out the Teton County Native Species List created by the Teton Conservation District, or try the Teton County, WY Native Plant Gallery for picture examples.

For the invasive plants, Teton County Weed & Pest has you covered with resources to identify invasive species. We also helped develop this helpful Noxious Weed Handbook along with the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council. But this post isn’t about the bad guys, let’s talk hometown heroes.

Flower Power

They say you should stop and smell the flowers, but maybe not the scarlet gilia. This stunning red biennial is also known as scarlet trumpet for its unique, blown-back petals. It’s a great pollinator and a delicacy for wildlife, but the crushed leaves have a distinct skunk-like odor.

If you like darker colors, the western coneflower is a unique plant common to our area. With its dark, purplish flowerhead, this beautiful plant is a great addition to gardens. Bees love the pollen, birds love the seeds, and wildlife love to snack on the flowerhead.

Silky lupine is another great pollinator, beloved by hummingbirds and bees. Standing almost two feet tall, this legume has vivid blue/purple flowers running down the length of it. Careful where you plant it, it’s very toxic to sheep and not great for cattle/horses. Native deer species have no problem eating it, though.

Grass Giants

For those wide-open spaces, prairie junegrass is a great dietary staple for livestock and prairie natives. Or, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance lawn addition, look no further. If you love that DIY-spirit, you can weave the leaves together to make brooms or brushes, or grind and boil the seeds to make bread!

If you’re worried about water, bluebunch wheatgrass has a drought-resistant root system that can help outcompete and suppress certain weeds (but not so much very aggressive, invasive weeds). Once established, it’s good to add to a rotational grazing system. 

Trees and Willow, oh my!

For something a bit bigger, rocky mountain maple can grow up to 25 feet at full maturity! Come fall, the leaves turn from green to a beautiful reddish-orange. It’s important for watershed cover, and certain indigenous use it for arrow stems or snowshoes.

Speaking of useful plants, coyote willow has a long history as a vital plant for crafting. From weaved baskets to arrows, cradles to cookware, even roofing, this plant has been a jack-of-all-trades for generations. Not only that, it’s a great food source for native life and it helps stabilize streambanks.

Root for the Home Team

These are just a few of the plant species you can incorporate into your landscapes, gardens, pastures, and more. It’s our duty to help cultivate and protect these plants so our ecosystem stays thriving for generations to come.

Remember, always purchase your seeds from reputable local shops. Many wildflower mixes are unregulated, and could accidentally spread invasive or nonnative species. Luckily, we have a list of trusted seed suppliers with the Teton Conservation District. 

Think you found an invasive species? We have a list of the best management strategies or pesticides to help you fight back. Problem infestation? Don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re here to help.

Follow us on social media @tetonweedpest to explore more on Native Plant Month.