There is a rich tapestry of native plants in West Michigan, from majestic tulip trees to delicate lady ferns. These plants are vital to the local ecosystem, offering shelter and sustenance to wildlife while enhancing your lawn’s biodiversity.
Explore more native flora with our statewide guide to “Michigan Native Plants for Home Landscapes.”
Native trees
In West Michigan, native trees like flowering dogwoods, tulip trees, and bur oaks are true local treasures. They provide much-needed shade, foster wildlife, and improve soil quality. These trees have deep roots and require minimal pesticides or fertilizers, making them ideal for sustainable landscaping. Plus, their low-maintenance nature helps keep the environment healthy and thriving.
Flowering dogwood
The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a small deciduous tree, 20 to 40 feet tall, known for its white or pink flowers that bloom from mid-March to late May. These flowers give way to vibrant red fruits from September to late October, attracting birds. In the fall, its leaves turn a vibrant red. This tree prefers rich, well-drained, acidic soil and grows in full or partial shade.
Tulip tree
The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a large deciduous tree that can reach heights of up to 120 feet. It’s named for its tulip-shaped flowers that bloom from April to June and are followed by cone-like fruits. Its leaves are also distinctive, showcasing a unique four-lobed shape that turns brilliant yellow in the fall. The tree thrives best in moist, acidic soil and full sunlight to full shade. However, it is prone to wind, ice, and aphid damage.
Bur oak
This large, adaptable tree can live for centuries. Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) flourishes in various soil types and is recognized for its deeply lobed leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. The tree produces large acorns, a crucial food source for wildlife. It’s drought-tolerant and prefers full sun, but can survive in shade. This oak is fairly fast-growing. Its height and crown width can reach 100 feet, and it is often wider than tall.
Native shrubs
Some beloved native shrubs in West Michigan include winterberry, known for its striking red berries that brighten up winters; ninebark, cherished for its vibrant foliage; and American highbush cranberry, which produces tart fruits perfect for local recipes.
These native shrubs do more than just look good. They also serve as natural privacy screens, windbreaks, and barriers, making them a practical and beautiful addition to any West Michigan landscape.
Winterberry
Also known as Michigan holly, Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a deciduous shrub known for its bright red berries that persist into winter. These berries are a valuable food source for birds, making winterberry an excellent choice for winter landscaping. This shrub thrives in wet, acidic soils and prefers full to partial sun. It can grow up to 10 feet in both height and width, but the compact ‘Red Sprite’ cultivar reaches only 5 feet.
Common ninebark
This hardy shrub, standing 6 to 9 feet tall, is known for its colorful peeling bark and clustered white flowers. Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) can tolerate a range of soil types. The ninebark provides an excellent habitat for birds and serves as a host plant for several moth species. The shrub’s dark green leaves turn a vibrant red, yellow, or orange in the fall, adding to its ornamental appeal.
American highbush cranberry
American highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is a native shrub that features bright red berries that remain throughout the winter, offering a food source for beneficial birds and making a delicious jelly. The shrub also blossoms with beautiful white flowers in the spring. It adapts well to various soil conditions and can withstand both full sun and partial shade. Its full-grown height is approximately 8 to 12 feet.
Native sedges and grasses
Native sedges and grasses are the unsung heroes of West Michigan’s landscapes. These plants play a crucial role in the local ecosystem by providing habitats for wildlife, preventing soil erosion, and filtering water.
Take the fox sedge, which thrives in local wetlands, or the hardy purple lovegrass that can withstand summer droughts. Their unique textures, forms, and seasonal color changes add a special touch of natural beauty to any West Michigan garden.
Brown fox sedge
A perennial plant that thrives in wet environments such as ponds and wetlands, effectively preventing soil erosion. Brown fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea) grows 1 to 3 feet tall in dense clusters and the soft brownish seedheads resemble the tail of a fox. This sedge prefers full sun and moist clay or loam soil. It serves as a food source for waterfowl and small animals. It’s ideal for rain gardens or areas with poor drainage.
Purple lovegrass
This vibrant purple-pink perennial grass is drought-tolerant and thrives in sandy, well-drained soil. Purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis) grows 8 to 18 inches high and is an excellent ground cover ideal for xeriscaping and erosion control. This deer-resistant plant blooms from August to October, providing a burst of cloud-like color, and prefers full sun.
Switchgrass
Known for its upright growth and feathery seed panicles produced in late summer, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a tall and hardy grass that can grow up to 10 feet. Its golden yellow foliage blooms from August to November and provides winter interest. It thrives in full sun to part shade in dry to moist soils. It serves as an excellent habitat for birds and is suitable for sunny borders, meadow gardens, or as a natural screen.
Native flowers
Native perennials bring a touch of West Michigan charm to local landscapes by attracting wildlife, improving soil health, and enhancing visual appeal. Butterfly weed, black-eyed Susan, and cardinal flowers beautify the area while providing food and habitat for local wildlife, especially bees and butterflies. These plants are a testament to the natural splendor of West Michigan.
Butterfly weed
Also known as orange milkweed, this perennial is ideal for native plant gardens in West Michigan. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) grows up to 1.5 to 2 feet, it thrives in sunny, dry soil and showcases vibrant orange flowers from May to September. Both monarch and queen butterflies depend on it as a host plant, and it’s highly deer resistant.
Black-eyed Susan
A common native plant in West Michigan, this short-lived perennial thrives in moist to dry, well-drained soils and is drought-tolerant. Growing 1 to 2 feet tall, a Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) displays bright yellow flowers with a dark center that bloom from March to November. The plant enriches your landscape with its vibrant color in early summer and serves as a food source for pollinators. Grown in large groups, it’s a great border or edging plant.
Cardinal flower
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) does well in both full and partial sun in moist to wet, humus-rich soil. It produces vivid scarlet red blooms on 8-inch stems from May to October. The name is thought to come from the deep red of a Roman Catholic cardinal’s robe. They’re native to wetlands and work well in yards with damp soil or near water bodies. However, they are poisonous to dogs.
Here is our guide on the “Most Poisonous Landscape Plants for Dogs,” where they might grow, and how to protect your pet.
Native ferns
Ferns, such as the royal fern, lady fern, and cinnamon fern, are quintessential elements of West Michigan’s native flora. These hardy plants flourish in the region’s diverse habitats, from shaded woodlands to damp, swampy areas. While they may not boast colorful blooms, their lush, verdant foliage and intricate fronds add a touch of natural elegance to the local landscape, enhancing both its beauty and ecological health.
Royal fern
The royal fern (Osmunda regalis) is a large, deciduous fern with blue-green fronds. It prefers moist, acidic soils and thrives in full to partial shade, making it ideal for bog or rain gardens or shallow ponds. Its fronds turn golden brown in fall, adding seasonal interest. Resistant to pests and diseases, it requires minimal maintenance.
Lady fern
This fern flourishes in moist, wooded areas with dappled sunlight or full shade in moist, humus-rich soils. The lady ern (Athyrium filix-femina) yields spreading, vase-shaped clusters of vibrant green, highly textured fronds, which extend 1 to 4 feet. Despite its delicate looks, the lady fern is remarkably hardy.
Cinnamon fern
The cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) is known for its cinnamon-colored spores and thrives in moist, acidic soils in partial shade. It spreads quickly and has tall, glossy, dark green fronds that can reach up to 5 feet. It makes a striking addition to a shady woodland garden or around ponds, especially when planted beside water with other suitably tall plants
What to read next
Want to learn more about lawn care in Western Michigan? Check out the following articles:
- The Best Grass Seed for West Michigan
- Best Native Plants for Grand Rapids
- When to Plant Grass Seed in Michigan
- When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Michigan
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Michigan
- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Michigan
FAQ: West Michigan native plants
Where can you buy native plants in West Michigan?
You can buy plants that naturally grow in West Michigan from various local nurseries and conservation organizations. For example, the West Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative offers resources for sourcing native plants, such as:
When choosing your native plants, Lindsey Kerr, the Wayne County Extension Office’s Consumer Horticulture Educator says, “Each yard or garden is unique. The gardener needs to choose plants based on their yard or garden conditions. I frequently recommend searching the website michiganflora.net to learn which species are native to the county in which you live and their growing conditions.”
Which native plants are best for attracting beneficial insects?
Native plants such as butterfly weed, black-eyed Susan, and cardinal flowers are great for attracting beneficial insects in West Michigan. These plants not only add beauty to the landscape but also provide essential food and habitat for local wildlife, including many species of beneficial insects.
What are native plants?
Native plants are species that have developed, occur naturally, or existed for many years in a specific area. These plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur, making them more resilient to environmental changes and requiring less maintenance compared to non-native species.
When to call a pro
While using native plants in your West Michigan landscape offers many benefits, there might be situations when you need professional help. This could be to design an appealing and functional landscape, deal with challenging site conditions, or manage larger projects.
Lawn Love can connect you with local lawn care pros who have the knowledge and expertise to help you create a beautiful, sustainable landscape with native plants. Connecting with Grand Rapids lawn care professionals is just a click away.
Main Image Credit: Tatters | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
