As environmental issues have risen to the forefront of many people's minds, people are wondering what they can do in their own gardens to help create a healthy biome. This is where growing native plants comes in. While nonnative species require lots of upkeep and special conditions to keep alive, and may hinder the plants growing around them, native species do the opposite. Because they have evolved to live in your specific conditions, they require much less work to maintain. They won't require fertilizers, they're perfectly fine working with what you have. Additionally, you won't need to water them as much. The deep root systems of many native plants increase the soil's capacity to store water. Native plants can significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, flooding.
The environmental benefits are possibly even greater than the ones previously mentioned. One is that they support the native wildlife that keeps the ecosystem functioning. Native plants can serve as both food and shelter for native fauna, many of whom are endangered or at risk. Another benefit to native gardens is that they promote biodiversity. It's important to have a rich and diverse ecosystem, because a diverse biome is a strong one. If one species were to disappear, another species would fill its niche, preventing ecological collapse. Last but not least, native gardens are beautiful and provide lush, scenic views to your home. They showcase the rich natural heritage of your region and are something to be proud of.
Yellow giant hyssop grows from 4-6 feet high, blooms in the summer, and likes mesic soil. It will do well in full sun to light shade. Bees are drawn to the flowers as well as butterflies. This plant is in the mint family and when the leaves are crushed, they put off a minty aroma.
Wild columbine is another great choice to consider. It grows about 2-3 feet tall and blooms in spring. It likes part shade to full sun and mesic to dry-mesic soils. The large, showy flowers on this plant will attract bees, birds, butterflies, as well as other pollinators. They will make a beautiful addition to your landscape.
There are several types of milkweed that are native to Michigan and poke milkweed is one of them. You can also find swamp milkweed and common milkweed native here as well. Poke milkweed grows about 3-5 feet tall and blooms in the summer. It likes shade to part sun and dry-mesic soil conditions.
Button bush likes full sun to part shade, mesic to wet-mesic soils, and can grow 5-8 feet tall. It blooms in summer. This ornamental is also a honey plant, which is why it is sometimes called honeybells or honey balls. Ducks, water birds, and shorebirds will eat the seeds that it produces. It will attract native birds and butterflies and it’s low maintenance and cold tolerant.
This is a pretty, delicate-looking flower that blooms in late spring. It likes full sun to part sun, and mesic to wet soil. It grows about 2-3 feet high. This is a wetlands species of iris and it’s mostly found in coastal areas. It has a very distinguishable look to the non-fragrant flowers.
The scarlet red color of the cardinal flower is sure to make a statement in your garden. It blooms in late summer and can grow from 2 to 6 feet high. It likes wet-mesic soil and light shade to part sun. Cardinal flowers are part of the bellflower family, and the showy red flowers attract birds, butterflies, and bees. The flowers also have a nice aroma.