Plainsmustard: A Lesser-Known Native Worth Discovering
If you’re the type of gardener who loves to venture beyond the typical native plant recommendations, let me introduce you to plainsmustard (Schoenocrambe). This perennial member of the mustard family might not be gracing the covers of gardening magazines anytime soon, but it has some interesting qualities that make it worth considering for the right garden situations.
What Exactly is Plainsmustard?
Plainsmustard is a perennial forb – essentially a non-woody flowering plant that comes back year after year. As part of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), it shares DNA with more familiar plants like wild radish and various garden mustards, though it’s decidedly more subtle in its presentation.
This native North American plant has earned its place in the wild landscapes across a impressive range of western territories, thriving in conditions that would challenge many garden favorites.
Where Does Plainsmustard Call Home?
Plainsmustard is truly a plant of the American and Canadian West. You’ll find it naturally growing across an impressive range that includes Alberta and British Columbia in Canada, and stretching across the western United States in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
This wide distribution tells us something important: plainsmustard is adaptable. Any plant that can handle the diverse climates and conditions from the Canadian prairies down to the Southwest deserts clearly has some serious survival skills.
Should You Plant Plainsmustard in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky – and honestly refreshing in our world of over-documented garden plants. Plainsmustard falls into that wonderful category of plants that haven’t been heavily studied for garden use, which means we’re still learning about its full potential.
The Case For Plainsmustard:
- True native credentials: If you live within its natural range, you’re supporting local ecosystems
- Perennial nature: Once established, it should return year after year
- Adaptability: Its wide natural range suggests it can handle various conditions
- Low maintenance potential: Native plants typically require less fussing once established
The Challenges:
- Limited availability: You won’t find this at your typical garden center
- Unknown garden behavior: Less documentation means more experimentation on your part
- Subtle beauty: This isn’t a showstopper plant for dramatic garden displays
Growing Plainsmustard: What We Know
Given the limited cultivation information available, growing plainsmustard is a bit of an adventure. However, we can make some educated guesses based on its natural habitat and family characteristics.
As a western native with such a broad distribution, plainsmustard likely prefers:
- Well-draining soils (most mustard family members do)
- Full sun to partial shade
- Moderate to low water once established
- Minimal soil amendments (natives often prefer lean conditions)
The USDA hardiness zones for plainsmustard aren’t well documented, but given its presence from Canada to the Southwest, it’s likely hardy across a wide range, probably zones 3-9 depending on the specific location and local adaptations.
Finding and Establishing Plainsmustard
Your best bet for obtaining plainsmustard is through specialized native plant nurseries, particularly those serving the western United States. Some botanical gardens or native plant societies might also have seeds or know where to source them.
When planting, treat it like you would other native mustards: plant in spring or fall, provide good drainage, and be patient while it establishes. Many native perennials take a year or two to really show their stuff.
The Bottom Line
Plainsmustard might not be the plant that transforms your garden overnight, but it represents something valuable in our gardening world: the opportunity to work with a true native that hasn’t been over-bred or commercialized into something far from its wild origins.
If you’re someone who enjoys the process of learning about plants, supporting local ecosystems, and maybe contributing to the broader knowledge about native plant cultivation, plainsmustard could be a worthwhile addition to your garden. Just don’t expect instant gratification – this is a plant for patient gardeners who appreciate subtle beauty and ecological connections over flashy displays.
For those wanting more immediately rewarding native options, consider well-documented alternatives like wild bergamot, blanket flower, or native asters, depending on your region. But if you’re feeling adventurous and want to be part of expanding our knowledge about underutilized natives, plainsmustard might just be your next gardening experiment.
