Plants suited to windy gardens can help create shelter, but no species is storm-proof and no windbreak prevents all damage. The best choices depend on your local climate, soil, water, exposure, and the plant’s mature size. These seven woody plants appear in regional extension windbreak recommendations: four in University of Minnesota guidance for Minnesota and three in Oregon State University guidance for Central Oregon. Treat them as region-specific starting points, not a universal ranking.
What makes a plant better suited to wind?
Wind can tear foliage and flowers, damage bark and limbs, harm fruit, and dry both foliage and soil. Smaller plants and plants with narrow leaves or needle-like foliage tend, in general, to tolerate wind better than tall, fast-growing plants with broad, thin leaves. These are tendencies, not guarantees; local exposure and how well a plant is established also matter. UC Statewide IPM Program’s guidance on wind recommends choosing plants suited to the site and maintaining them so their structure and health are not compromised.
Seven regional plants to consider
The first four are listed by University of Minnesota Extension for Minnesota windbreaks; the next three are among Oregon State University Extension’s recommendations for Central Oregon. The sources do not establish that all seven suit other regions or quantify how well any one withstands a particular storm.
1. Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
University of Minnesota Extension includes common ninebark in its Minnesota windbreak recommendations. Consider it only after checking that your local climate and site conditions suit it. See the University of Minnesota’s windbreak plant list.
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2. Redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Also on the Minnesota list, redosier dogwood is one option to evaluate for a regionally appropriate shrub planting. Confirm local soil, water, and exposure requirements before choosing it. University of Minnesota Extension’s recommendations provide the regional context.
3. American hazelnut (Corylus americana)
American hazelnut appears among the shrubs recommended for Minnesota windbreaks. Its inclusion is not a promise of performance in other climates or on sites with different soils and exposure. Check with a local extension service or knowledgeable nursery before planting. University of Minnesota Extension: trees and shrubs for windbreaks.
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4. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
University of Minnesota Extension includes serviceberry species in its Minnesota recommendations. Because the source names a genus rather than a single species, identify which serviceberry is appropriate for your location and conditions. Consult the Minnesota list and local guidance.
5. Juniper
Oregon State University Extension lists junipers for windbreaks in Central Oregon. That recommendation is regional; check the locally suitable species, mature size, soil, water, and exposure before planting. Read OSU Extension’s Central Oregon plant-selection guidance.
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- Care: Place in a warm environment (20-25°C), avoiding direct sunlight. Keep the soil consistently moist.
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6. Shrub rose
Shrub roses are another Central Oregon windbreak option in OSU Extension’s list. Confirm the particular rose’s local suitability and account for its mature size and site needs; the regional recommendation does not establish storm survival for every cultivar or garden. OSU Extension’s list is specific to Central Oregon.
7. Silver buffaloberry
OSU Extension includes silver buffaloberry among its Central Oregon windbreak plants. Before selecting it elsewhere, verify that it suits your local conditions and that it is appropriate to plant in your area. Check the full Central Oregon guidance.
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How to choose for your own garden
- Start with location. Check hardiness, soil, water availability, sun, wind exposure, and salt exposure where relevant. Extension lists are regional, not interchangeable.
- Check mature size and status. Confirm how large a plant gets and whether it is appropriate to grow in your area; seek local extension or nursery guidance if invasive status is uncertain.
- Choose for the windbreak’s purpose. A living windbreak can range from a few shrubs to a larger mix of trees, shrubs, and smaller plants arranged to filter wind. UC Marin Master Gardeners’ April 14, 2025 guidance discusses placement, wind-resistant choices, and fire-smart spacing.
- Use diversity and suitable spacing. University of Minnesota Extension recommends considering a mix of deciduous and coniferous plants according to the windbreak’s purpose, using multiple species to reduce the risk of losing a whole row, and using native plants when possible. Spacing affects plant growth and windbreak effectiveness.
Arrange and care for plants so they can establish
Plant placement, density, and spacing affect how a windbreak filters wind. Do not apply large-scale windbreak spacing figures as universal backyard rules: the Iowa State University guidance is specific to its setting and larger plantings, and notes that protection declines with distance from the windbreak. See Iowa State’s windbreak planning guidance, last reviewed April 1, 2019.
Once plants are selected and planted, suitable care can reduce avoidable stress and structural weakness:
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- Irrigate appropriately for the plant and site, particularly while plants establish.
- Stake a young tree during its first year only when needed, and stake it correctly so the trunk can flex.
- Prune and train young trees to encourage sound structure.
- Manage pests and diseases that can weaken wood.
- Shelter plants that are especially susceptible to wind damage.
These care recommendations are from UC Statewide IPM Program; they support plant health but cannot make a garden immune to storm damage.
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