Planting natives means less regular garden maintenance because they require less watering, fertilizer, and pesticides than what we’ve come to think of as traditional garden plants. In a well-planned garden, native plants provide a display of colors, textures, and varying bloom times year after year.
Ecological function. Beyond their unique beauty, native plants provide nectar, pollen and seeds for native insects, butterflies, birds and other animals. An additional benefit is that native plants' deep root systems can:
- filter ground water
- rebuild soil
- prevent soil compaction
- help with erosion problems
- improve air quality
Natural heritage. Historically, Michigan has been home to many unique plants and plant communities. While the growth of human communities and climate changes over time have affected these, there are ways we can improve landscapes to provide habitat and sustenance for animals while also being aesthetically pleasing to us humans.
The key to success with native plants is carefully choosing ones that match site conditions. While some native plants are adaptable to a range of environmental conditions, many are habitat-specific. Knowing how and where these plants will thrive is one of the primary services I provide.