12 Great Plants for Mid-Century Modern Homes in Minnesota

When creating landscapes that fit the design criteria of the mid-century modern homes in our region, we look for plants that offer great tonal value, accent without over powering the house, can be used to create clean lines, and can create planes and layers. Here are some plants that we find especially purposeful in our design endeavors.

A small bush with yellow leaves is surrounded by gravel

Garden Glow Dogwood

Attractive chartreuse deciduous foliage turns an outstanding red in the fall. It has clusters of white flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. The red branches add significant winter interest

A row of bushes growing in a garden next to a house.

Shamrock Holly

It’s compact rounded growing habit and olive-green leaf color make it a great substitute for the less hardy boxwoods. Can be used as an evergreen foundation plant, hedges, masses or an accent plant.

A bush with purple leaves is growing in the grass.

Double Play Blue Kazoo Spirea

The blue foliage and white flowers work with any home color, even orange or red brick, colorful new growth keeps this plant interesting all growing season, and needs no special pruning or other maintenance.

A bush with lots of green leaves is surrounded by mulch

Hetz Mini Arborvitae

It’s naturally rounded shape and small form allows for many different applications. Another good substitute for boxwoods.

A row of trees in a garden with trees in the background.

Nova Yew

Narrowly upright and columnar growth habit and relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

A bush with purple flowers and green leaves is growing in the dirt.

Double Martini Sedum

Strongly contrasting maroon stems and olive-green leaves grab the attention. Easy to grow, drought resistant, and nice mounding habit makes this a versatile plant in the garden

A bunch of tall grass growing in a rock garden

Overdam Feather Reed Grass

Stunning as a specimen plant, in borders, or massed. Noted for its variegated foliage and a little more subtle than its overused cousin. Can be used in a host of conditions.

A lush green lawn with trees in the background

Prairie Dropseed

An architectural grass with year- round interest. Perfect in borders or massed. Easily blends with other plants in the landscape

A plant with lots of green leaves is growing in a garden

Designer Genes Hosta

Prized for its brilliant foliage and red stems this plant is a great addition to shadier areas in the landscape.

A bush with purple flowers and green leaves in a garden

Allium Millennium

This hybrid Allium blooms in mid-summer with large globes of rose-pink flowers. Mature plants have dozens of globes covering this perennial plant. Attractive, shiny deep-green grassy foliage is very ornamental.

A tree with white leaves is in the middle of a lush green field

Pagoda Dogwood

The horizontal branching of this tree forms tiers giving it a uniquely architectural quality.

A tree with lots of leaves is in the middle of a garden.

Heritage River Birch

A truly all-season tree with very showy creamy peeling bark with white under bark against dark green leaves that turn pale yellow in the fall.

Specimen plants can be used to create great focal points in the landscape. Here are 3 bonus plants to highlight your landscape:

Scotch Bona Hindu Pan

A dwarf, upright cultivar that in a topiary form that typically matures over time to 6' tall.

A small tree with yellow leaves is growing in a garden.

Golden Duke Hemlock

A slow growing and stunning specimen tree with foliage that offers year-round interest.

A small tree with yellow leaves in a garden

Cutleaf Tiger Eyes Sumac

A great substitute for Japanese Maples in Minnesota with their striking chartreuse foliage and fantastic yellow, orange, red fall color.

For more detailed information on landscape design for mid-century modern homes in Minnesota check out KG Landscape’s page here .

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