Plant Native!

Congratulations, you’re ready to go native! Below are some resources to get you planning and sourcing plants, converting turf to prairie and providing critical benefits to pollinators. Planting natives is an easy way to be a part of the solution. Here are the quick links to the information on this page:

Why plant native?

To benefit pollinators

Pollinators are responsible for pollinating 80% of all plants. Here in Michigan our pollinators evolved alongside our native plant species and they rely on each other for survival. Without pollinators we would lose the majority of our essential plant species.

To improve water quality

Storm water run-off transports soil, lawn clippings, pesticides, deicing chemicals, and pet waste to our creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. Native plants improve water quality by directing runoff down their extensive root systems instead of flowing directly into the storm water sewer systems or into the nearest body of water.

To support ecosystem services

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Plant Lists

You're ready to plant native! Now, what should you plant? Below we've listed a few of our favorite native plant species that are easy to grow and tolerate a wide variety of light and water levels.

Shrubs & Trees

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arboria)
Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana)
Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
White oak (Quercus alba)
American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

Grasses

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Forbs (Flowers)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium )
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Horsemint (Monarda punctata)
Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia)
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)