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Why Native Plants?
One of the most important components of a natural shoreline are the plants. The MNSP recommends the use of Michigan native plants for many reasons including:
What are Native Plants? Native plant communities are groupings of many plant species that occur naturally in a given environment. "Non-native" or "exotic" describes species that are present in areas where they do not naturally occur. Plants become non-native when it is "out of place," meaning found outside the area where it originated. |
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While many non-native plants used in a homeowners' landscape are not harmful, some, called invasive non-native, become serious problems. These plants easily spread to native habitats and displace native species because they have competitive advantages and no natural biological controls to keep them in check. Invasive non-native plants provide little benefit to wildlife because native animals are adapted to use native plants, not the foreign invaders.
Native plant root structure: The plants that naturally occur at your lakeshore have the root structure that is adapted to being at the lakeshore. These plants have a fairly dense and strong interwoven system that are "designed" to stand up against waves and hold the soil in place. The graphics below illustrate the root depth of some native plants that are found along Michigan's inland lakes. As you can see some of the root systems go as deep as 1 foot and some even deeper. The root depth of turf grass varies as well but generally turfgrass is very shallow and not adapted to be along shorelines thus it cannot hold the soil in place against wave action very well at all. The graphic on the right illustrates Kentucky Blue grass root depth compared to other native plants (note: most of the plants in the graphic on the right would not necessarily naturally be found at the lake edge. This is shown for illustration purposes.)
Graphic: J.F. New
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Graphic: Conservation Research Institute adapted by
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council |
MNSP Recommended Plant List
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Don't know what plants you should plant where? The MNSP has helped to make these decisions easier by creating a plant list. The plants are organized into the different areas of the shoreline where they are the most successful and do "the work" they were designed to do the best. |
Graphic by: Kristin Fraase
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MNSP Plant List Criteria:
Although, there are many more plants native to Michigan the plants on this list were chosen because they are:
1) Native to Michigan
2) Not listed as threatened or endangered.
3) Generally broadly adapted - meaning that they are not extremely fussy as to where they grow.
4) Broadly distributed naturally around the state
5) Currently on the market or could easily be brought into the market.
Although, there are many more plants native to Michigan the plants on this list were chosen because they are:
1) Native to Michigan
2) Not listed as threatened or endangered.
3) Generally broadly adapted - meaning that they are not extremely fussy as to where they grow.
4) Broadly distributed naturally around the state
5) Currently on the market or could easily be brought into the market.
Four Different Zones:
The first three zones are plants that are associated with aquatic and wetland habitats. The fourth zone has plants associated with an upland (dry) habitat. The plants have been placed in each category based on their suitability for the water levels and other variables such as wave action. However, once these plants have been planted they may “move” into a different area. This is because natural conditions at each particular site are highly variable, and each plant will find specific areas most suitable for their growth.
Additionally, information on the amount of light, plant height, bloom time and color, special adaptive features and the tolerance level to siltation. Siltation refers to soil particles building up in a particular area. This puts stress on plants often resulting in reduced growth or reproduction. A “high” on the plant matrix indicates that a particular plant has a high level of tolerance to siltation.
The first three zones are plants that are associated with aquatic and wetland habitats. The fourth zone has plants associated with an upland (dry) habitat. The plants have been placed in each category based on their suitability for the water levels and other variables such as wave action. However, once these plants have been planted they may “move” into a different area. This is because natural conditions at each particular site are highly variable, and each plant will find specific areas most suitable for their growth.
- “Below the Water Level”: These are the plants that are found in the aquatic zone. Use these plants for planting areas within the lake.
- “Between the Water Level and the Ordinary High Water Mark”: These plants like it wet but do not like to actually be in the lake. They can handle frequent water level changes ranging from being flooded for days at a time to being dry for short periods of time. These plants are also the best ones to withstand the energy from wave action and ice push.
- “Above the Ordinary High Water Mark”: These plants are still considered wetland plants but they are typically further from the lake edge. They like the soil to be consistently moist and they can handle a small amount of flooding. They do not like the constant stress that comes from waves and ice.
- “Upland Plants”: These plants like dry conditions. This section was included to provide homeowners with native plant suggestions to use in the remaining part of the landscape to allow for opportunities for a comprehensive landscape design.
Additionally, information on the amount of light, plant height, bloom time and color, special adaptive features and the tolerance level to siltation. Siltation refers to soil particles building up in a particular area. This puts stress on plants often resulting in reduced growth or reproduction. A “high” on the plant matrix indicates that a particular plant has a high level of tolerance to siltation.
Where can I find Michigan Native Plants?
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Finding sources of native plants can be a bit challenging but they do exist! There are many local greenhouses that are beginning to carry native plants. However, be aware that many times the plants may not have come from MI native plant stock and/or they may be cultivars of a specific plant. |
"Note: The Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy's bio-engineering permit does require the use of Michigan native plants below the ordinary high water mark when doing work that requires a permit." |
Wildflower Association of Michigan
The Wildflower Association of Michigan encourages the preservation and restoration of Michigan's native plants and native plant communities. They list sources of native plants and have a business directory on their website. Some grow plant stock and others provide seed. They typically have catalogs online.
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Michigan's 78 Conservation Districts are the local providers of natural resource management services that help our citizens conserve their lands and our environment for a cleaner, healthier, economically stronger Michigan. Many of them host native plant sales in the spring and fall.
Native Plant Guild
The Native Plant Guild is an alliance of local businesses and organizations that offers West Michigan a variety of ecological landscaping services.
From planning, design, installation and maintenance to providing Michigan native seed and plants, these professionals work together to promote stewardship of our land and waters as they establish, restore, and preserve natural landscapes.
The Wildflower Association of Michigan encourages the preservation and restoration of Michigan's native plants and native plant communities. They list sources of native plants and have a business directory on their website. Some grow plant stock and others provide seed. They typically have catalogs online.
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Michigan's 78 Conservation Districts are the local providers of natural resource management services that help our citizens conserve their lands and our environment for a cleaner, healthier, economically stronger Michigan. Many of them host native plant sales in the spring and fall.
Native Plant Guild
The Native Plant Guild is an alliance of local businesses and organizations that offers West Michigan a variety of ecological landscaping services.
From planning, design, installation and maintenance to providing Michigan native seed and plants, these professionals work together to promote stewardship of our land and waters as they establish, restore, and preserve natural landscapes.
CLICK ON THE LOGOS TO BE DIRECTED TO MORE INFORMATION.
While this list contains growers of MI native plants, trees and shrubs there are a few that do sell some non-native species. Please check if the species you are interested in is indeed native.
While this list contains growers of MI native plants, trees and shrubs there are a few that do sell some non-native species. Please check if the species you are interested in is indeed native.
Central Michigan
A founding member of the MNSP and instructor for CNSP Training.
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Southeast Michigan
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Southwest Michigan
West Michigan
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Note: this grower does not have a website. The link is to his e-mail. Information can also be found on the Native Plant Guild's website
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Note: this grower does not have a website. The link is to her e-mail. Information can also be found on the Native Plant Guild's website
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Northern Lower Peninsula
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Upper Peninsula
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Sources of Seed
A founding member of the MNSP and instructor for CNSP Training. |
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These pictures show one of one the options for planting stock. The one on the left is an individual plug and you can see that it already has a well developed root system just waiting to be put in the ground to continuing growing and do some "work".
Plugs generally come in 38 cell plug flats. One plug flat cost ranges from $68-$94 depending on the nursery and species. Planting recommendations are generally 1 plug per square foot. 100 square foot of a planting area = 100 plants (Photos by: Bob Schutzki) |
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Find out more about Native Plants
Plants for Stormwater Design
Information on 131 plants used for proper stormwater management design. Very useful for Urban landscape designers, installation practitioners, and stormwater managers.
USDA Plant Database
Plant database with information regarding each species listed for vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens.
USDA/NRCS Plant Materials Technical Note – No. 1
Plant Species with Rooting Ability from Live Hardwood Materials for use in Soil Bio-engineering Techniques
MSUE Native Plant Site
Michigan State University Native plants and Ecosystem Services website to encourage the use of natural plants in communities and agriculture. This site has a plant selection tool to get you started on finding some plants for your site.
Michigan Natural Features Inventory (floristic quality assessment)
Analysis to help understand what proper plants should be in the area or used in a new construction site.
Information on 131 plants used for proper stormwater management design. Very useful for Urban landscape designers, installation practitioners, and stormwater managers.
USDA Plant Database
Plant database with information regarding each species listed for vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens.
USDA/NRCS Plant Materials Technical Note – No. 1
Plant Species with Rooting Ability from Live Hardwood Materials for use in Soil Bio-engineering Techniques
MSUE Native Plant Site
Michigan State University Native plants and Ecosystem Services website to encourage the use of natural plants in communities and agriculture. This site has a plant selection tool to get you started on finding some plants for your site.
Michigan Natural Features Inventory (floristic quality assessment)
Analysis to help understand what proper plants should be in the area or used in a new construction site.