Native Gardens
Native gardens are becoming increasingly popular, and I say it's about time! These gardens are designed with plants indigenous to your particular region and well adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.
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Of course, there are many variations in soil and climate, even in a small area, especially here in West Michigan. Our soils can go from sandy and dry to clay and wet all within a few feet. And we have plenty of microclimates between the lakeshore's windy, milder climate and the colder forested areas just a few miles inland. Thankfully, native plants have evolved to thrive in all of these conditions.
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Native gardens provide a safe habitat for birds, insects, and small mammals and an important food source for local wildlife. The flowers planted in a native garden are an essential source of pollen and nectar for insects, and the fall seeds produced by native plants are a critical food source for birds.
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These native gardens are also great for large mammals like you and me.
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One of the most significant advantages of native gardens is they simply require less maintenance than traditional gardens, not no maintenance, but lower maintenance for sure. Once planted, and if planted densely, you can forget the yearly mulch expense, non-stop weeding, and most watering requirements are only necessary for the first few months of planting except for trees, which should be watered for three consecutive seasons.
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While I love creating a natural look, I know it's not for everyone. But it's important to remember that natives are a plant type, not a design style. Meaning you can create more formal gardens with natives too.
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No matter what you are looking for in a garden or whole landscape, natives are a great way to go!
Native Plant Combinations
Breathtaking
I love this address bed garden, which I admit is a little too high to see the address sign - but a simple cutting of some of the beautiful purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpea) will take care of it.
I'm crazy in love with the Yellow or Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) with its droopy yellow petals and its ability to thrive in partial shade.
And the grayish-blue stalks and rounded flower heads of Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) look fabulous in any native plant combination.
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No Lawn, Please!
Makeover Time
This exuberant garden in South Haven, Michigan was for a client who wanted more than just a postage stamp piece of lawn at her cottage home just blocks from the beach.
She asked for an explosion of color with lots of yellows and oranges. Some of the yellows are provided by Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida), and the orange is Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), another absolute favorite of mine.
Native Grass
"That grass looks like a dirty dish rag"
The quote above is from my mother.
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I, of course, love it, especially here, as it punches through a sweeping bed of white Common boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum).
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Rain gardens and wet areas are a specialty of mine, so if you have some wet spots on your property, I would be happy to help!
Vibrant
Enjoying the Colors
This picture shows the beautiful pinkish-purple blooms of native Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum) mingling with the bright yellow flowers of Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale).
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Both of these plants enjoy most soils and are a great addition to any rain garden or any moist, partly to a mostly sunny area of your property.
Surprise in every Garden
Appreciating the Beauty
One of my favorite aspects of native gardening is the surprises you receive every year and the beauty of the plants in all seasons.
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One fall morning, I noticed pockets of white scattered throughout the garden. When I went in for a closer look, I realized many of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) seed pods had opened.
I spent a few minutes in the morning's silence, just marveling at this plant's beauty as it began to finish the final stages of this season's life cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you interested in creating a stunning garden that's lower-maintenance than traditional gardens, eco-friendly, and provides a natural habitat for local wildlife? Native gardens might be the perfect solution for you. Our Lake Effect Garden & Design team specializes in designing and maintaining beautiful gardens with plants indigenous to your local area. Whether you're interested in creating a pollinator garden or simply looking for an easy-to-care-for landscape, we've got you covered. Read on to learn more about our native gardens and get answers to some common questions.
