Alaska Native Plants by Layer
Published:
16 native species are verified for Alaska across the three planting layers, and this page ranks them by the wildlife they support. Alaska sits in the Marine West Coast Forest ecoregion, so every count below is the figure published for Marine West Coast Forest rather than a national average. The idea is not to remove your lawn. It is that a canopy tree, a shrub layer along a border and a flowering ground layer do the ecological work a garden can actually do, while the turf stays turf.
Canopy for Alaska
The tree layer. This is where most of the caterpillars that birds feed their nestlings are produced, which is why a single tree choice outweighs everything else in the yard.
9 verified canopy options for Alaska. balsam poplar leads on published wildlife value.
Balsam Poplar
Populus balsamifera- The genus Populus hosts 233 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Populus balsamifera alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms late spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides- The genus Populus hosts 233 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Populus tremuloides alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 65.0 ft, blooms mid spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48, Native - SPM. Recorded in Alaska.
Gray Alder
Alnus incana- The genus Alnus hosts 213 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Alnus incana alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 25.0 ft, blooms spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48, Native - SPM. Recorded in Alaska.
Red Alder
Alnus rubra- The genus Alnus hosts 213 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Alnus rubra alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 90.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Lodgepole Pine
Pinus contorta- The genus Pinus hosts 209 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Pinus contorta alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 99.0 ft, blooms mid summer, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Resin Birch
Betula glandulosa- The genus Betula hosts 204 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Betula glandulosa alone.
USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - GL, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Water Birch
Betula occidentalis- The genus Betula hosts 204 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Betula occidentalis alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 25.0 ft, blooms mid spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera- The genus Betula hosts 204 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Betula papyrifera alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 70.0 ft, blooms mid spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48, Native - SPM. Recorded in Alaska.
1 further verified canopy species for Alaska are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.
Understory for Alaska
Shrubs and small trees beneath the canopy. This layer carries the shoulder-season fruit and cover, and it is the easiest layer to add along an existing fence line or bed edge.
5 verified understory options for Alaska. narrowleaf willow leads on published wildlife value.
Narrowleaf Willow
Salix exigua- The genus Salix hosts 326 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix exigua alone.
- 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 10.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Sandbar Willow
Salix interior- The genus Salix hosts 326 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix interior alone.
- 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, mature height 30.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Scouler'S Willow
Salix scouleriana- The genus Salix hosts 326 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix scouleriana alone.
- 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 50.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Sitka Willow
Salix sitchensis- The genus Salix hosts 326 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix sitchensis alone.
- 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 23.0 ft, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: None.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48, Native - SPM. Recorded in Alaska.
Bog Blueberry
Vaccinium uliginosum- The genus Vaccinium hosts 129 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Vaccinium uliginosum alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 2.0 ft, blooms early summer, moderate growth.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - GL, Native - L48, Native - SPM. Recorded in Alaska.
Ground layer for Alaska
Flowering perennials at ground level. This is the layer that keeps pollen and nectar available from spring through fall, and it is what specialist bees depend on.
2 verified ground layer options for Alaska. Canada goldenrod leads on published wildlife value.
Canada Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis- The genus Solidago hosts 54 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago canadensis alone.
- 16 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 3.5 ft, blooms late summer, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - HI, Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Rocky Mountain Goldenrod
Solidago multiradiata- The genus Solidago hosts 54 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago multiradiata alone.
- 16 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, mature height 1.0 ft, blooms late summer.
Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Alaska natives for a watering restriction
4 of the 16 verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium. That matters in Alaska because a drought tolerant native border is the constructive answer to a watering restriction: once established it holds up on local rainfall, while a cool season lawn browns out and stays brown. If restrictions are in force where you are, the Alaska water restrictions tracker has the current stage, and the Alaska xeriscape guide covers the wider low water approach for the parts of the yard you are converting.
Red Alder
Alnus rubra- The genus Alnus hosts 213 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Alnus rubra alone.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 90.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Narrowleaf Willow
Salix exigua- The genus Salix hosts 326 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix exigua alone.
- 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 10.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Scouler'S Willow
Salix scouleriana- The genus Salix hosts 326 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix scouleriana alone.
- 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 50.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
Canada Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis- The genus Solidago hosts 54 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago canadensis alone.
- 16 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.
Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 3.5 ft, blooms late summer, rapid growth.
Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - HI, Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in Alaska.
How to read these numbers
Every caterpillar and specialist bee figure on this page is published by plant genus, not by species. When the page says the genus Quercus hosts a given number of caterpillar species, that is the claim the research supports; attaching the same number to one particular oak would not be. The counts come from the National Wildlife Federation keystone plant sheets, which draw on Dr Doug Tallamy's work at the University of Delaware for Lepidoptera and Jarrod Fowler's work for specialist bees. Nativity, distribution and every growing condition come from the USDA PLANTS Database. Where USDA publishes no value, this page shows none rather than an estimate. The full sourcing, the selection criteria, and the honest case against treating yard scale planting as restoration are all on the methodology page.
For the lawn itself, seasonal timing and grass selection for this state are in the Alaska lawn care guide, and if you are converting an area rather than edging it, the lawn alternatives guide covers ground layer substitutes in more depth.
Common questions
What should I plant first in Alaska?
The canopy layer. balsam poplar is the highest value verified option, because the genus Populus carries 233 caterpillar species in the Marine West Coast Forest keystone list. That is a genus level figure. One tree does more ecological work than any other single choice in a yard.
How many native plants are verified for Alaska?
16 species across the three layers: 9 canopy, 5 understory and 2 ground layer. Each is recorded in Alaska by the USDA PLANTS Database and classified native to this region. Anything USDA flags as introduced here is excluded.
Which Alaska natives handle a watering ban?
4 of the verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium, including red alder, narrowleaf willow, Scouler's willow. Where USDA publishes no drought value for a species, none is shown rather than an estimate.
Do I need to remove my Alaska lawn to plant natives?
No. The edges, borders and tree layer carry nearly all of the ecological value available to an ordinary yard, and none of that requires changing how the turf itself is used. Adding one canopy tree and one planted border is the realistic version of this for most homeowners.
Sources: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database for nativity, distribution and growing characteristics, read 2026-08-18. National Wildlife Federation Keystone Native Plants for genus level caterpillar and specialist bee counts.