Advantages of Native Plants

Native plants are species that grew in a region before European settlement. The benefits of using native plants in landscaping and restoration projects are many. They are typically lower maintenance and are more tolerant of stressful conditions such as drought and poor soils. They are also better adapted to local climatic conditions and better able to resist the effects of native insects and diseases. Native plants have a better ‘fit’ with the local landscape, enhance biodiversity, and offer more habitat to wildlife including birds, butterflies and other pollinators. Lastly, native plants help preserve the local natural heritage, something we all highly value here in Northern Michigan.

Over time, development around our lakes and streams has led to a dramatic transformation of our inland lakes’ native shoreline vegetation buffers, or greenbelts. Once thick with countless species of native plants, shoreline buffers are now virtually nonexistent around too many of our lakes. The importance of preserving our remaining shoreline buffers and restoring diminished greenbelts is very relatable to our natural heritage. A greenbelt influences, in no small part, the water quality of its lake-and our lakes are our natural heritage.

The Native Plant Sale is an opportunity to buy plants that are great for the different environmental conditions found around our inland lakes. However, even if you don’t own waterfront property, many of the plants will do well in average landscape settings. To help you determine what plants are best for your landscape situation, we’ve provided descriptions of each native plant kit including site requirements and overall characteristics.

Six native plant kits available

Read the kit descriptions below. Click on the links to view full color photos of the plants offered in each kit. If you have any questions about our kits please feel free to contact Jennifer Gelb at 231-347-1181 or jen@watershedcouncil.org.

Click here for a pdf order form.

Kit #1 - Rocky Times 

This is a good kit for a rock garden or for planting in a hot, dry area with poor sandy soil. These plants must go in a site with excellent drainage and full sun. The plants in this kit are relatively low profile, the tallest (Butterfly Weed) will top out at around 2.5 feet and the rest will not exceed 1.5 feet. This grouping will mature to fill up a 35 to 40 square foot area. With proper composition and weed control some of these species are likely to spread on their own and inhabit a larger space. Once established, these plants will not need any additional watering. Kit contains 32 plants in 2" pots. Kit price: $60.00

Kit #2 - Butterfly Buffet

This kit should be planted in an area with full sun and good drainage. The False Sunflower will tolerate some shade but the Little Bluestem will not. The plants in this arrangement will grow to a height of 5 feet on the upper end (False Sunflower) and the rest will top out at 2.5 to 3 feet. At maturity this kit will cover a 55 to 65 square foot area. With proper weed control some of these species can be coaxed to cover more ground. Once established, these plants will not need any additional watering. Kit includes 32 plants in 2" pots. Kit price: $60.00

Kit # 3 - Happy Medium

This kit is designed to tolerate up to half a day of light to moderate shade. Spiderwort and Columbine will tolerate the most shade and Butterfly Weed will tolerate the least. This is a solidly medium-profile group with all species attaining a height of around 2 to 3 feet. This kit will mature to cover a space of around 60 square feet. Like most native plants, these will probably cast seed resulting in volunteers around the yard but none of these species are likely to spread en masse. An occasional top dressing of compost and a little watering during very dry spells will keep these plants performing at their best. Kit inlcudes 32 plants in 2" pots. Kit price: $60.00.

Kit #4 - Beach Bum

This is a grassy kit that will cover about a 55 square foot area and spread out wider with proper weed control. It is designed for a sandy site in full sun. Once established, these species will require no watering but the Sand Coreopsis and the Harebell will probably need to be defended from encroachment by the larger, more aggressive plants. Mature plant heights will range from 1 to 5 feet. Kit includes 32 plants in 2" pots. Kit price: $60.00

Kit #5 - Wet's Up 

This is a kit of medium to tall perennials for wet soil in full sun. Good for a wetland edge or a boggy lakeshore with mucky soil that does not dry out. This selection of plants will grow from 1.5 to 6 feet high and will cover an area of about 100 square feet at maturity. If sited properly this kit will require no maintenance but pinching back the Turtlehead will enhance bloom and control height. Kit includes 32 plants in 2" pots. Kit price: $60.00

Kit #6 - Wet Wild 'n Woody

This is a selection of woody flowering shrubs for a spot along the edge of a lakeshore or wetland where the soil stays moist to wet. The Aronia, Dogwood and Ninebark will tolerate drying out but the Rose and the Spirea will not. All of these species will tolerate some shade but they will only bloom to their most splendid beauty in full sun. The plants in this kit will mature in two to three years covering an area of 130 to 150 square feet and growing to a height of 6 feet or more. If properly sited, these species will require no maintenance but some pruning and deadheading would enhance the four-season show. Kit inlcudes 12 plants in quart-size pots. Kit price: $80.00

Did you know?

Invasive species threaten our environment and our economy. Invasive species, such as purple loosestrife, pose an enormous threat on native plants, animals and ecosystems. They can also alter the hydrology or soil chemistry of plant communities. It is estimated that invasive plants cost the United States $35 billion per year!(www.invasivespecies.gov)

Terms of Sale

We guarantee that all plants are from documented Michigan genotypes, and are identified correctly. We also guarantee that the plants are healthy and in good condition when you pick them up. No other guarantees are expressed or implied.

• No refunds after May 1.
• No orders will be accepted after May 1.
• No changes to existing orders will be accepted after May 1.
• Although every attempt will be made to fill the orders with the species described in the kits, substitutions may be necessary due to unforeseen limitations with the supplier. Substitutions will be close approximations of the species they are replacing.
• No alternative arrangements for pickup will be available.