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.
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What are Native Gardens? How do Native Gardens promote biodiversity and sustainability?Native gardens are the epitome of eco-consciousness, championing biodiversity and sustainability in style. As a natural lawn replacement, they effortlessly outshine the mundane with a low-maintenance and environmentally friendly landscape. These enchanting gardens become vibrant ecosystems, attracting a diverse array of local wildlife with their abundant food sources and safe havens. By incorporating native plants, we create a harmonious haven that nurtures the delicate balance of nature while adding a touch of beauty to our surroundings. Embrace the allure of native gardens and join the movement towards a greener, more biodiverse future.
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What are the advantages of a Native plant Garden?Native plant gardens are like nature's little blessings in your backyard. These plants are true locals that are perfectly in tune with the climate and soil of your region, as they've evolved in local conditions for thousands of years. Native plants that have evolved locally require less input to keep them looking good and growing - no fertilizers or pesticides, less water, and minimal mulching and weeding. They benefit the environment by attracting pollinators, keeping the soil moist through their deep root systems, and providing shelter and food for wildlife. By going native, you're not just gardening. You are creating a haven for wildlife and a piece of natural beauty to call your own.
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What types of plants are typically found in a Native Garden? Are native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and perennials common in Native Gardens?Native gardens are home to native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and perennials adapted to local conditions. For example, Purple Coneflower is a popular native plant known for its striking purple flowers. Another favorite wildflower is the Yellow or Prairie Coneflower, which thrives in partial shade with droopy yellow petals. Rattlesnake Master adds visual interest with its grayish-blue stalks and rounded flower heads. Orange Coneflower and Butterfly Weed bring bursts of color, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees. Native grasses are an essential part of native gardening and should comprise 40%-60% of the plants in your native garden. Two popular smaller native grasses include Little Bluestem and Sideoats grama. Having native trees and shrubs is also important, and many early blooming , although you may want to keep them out of your summer pollinator garden as they will begin to shade out the perennials. I love using native Redbuds, Dogwoods, Birches, and Oaks whenever I have the space to plant them.
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How do Native Gardens provide a safe habitat for local wildlife?Native gardens provide a safe habitat for local wildlife by offering food sources, shelter, and nesting sites! The taller stature of native gardens are perfect places for birds and small mammals to rest and eat safely away from the prying eyes of predators. When these native plant areas are connected, they create wildlife corridors, which means animals can move freely and establish territories within them. As abundant sources of nectar and pollen, they support crucial insect populations such as bees and butterflies. Native gardens are more than just beautiful landscapes; they are a powerful tool for wildlife conservation and biodiversity and could be vital in maintaining a more stable climate.
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How much maintenance is required for a Native Garden?Native gardens offer a remarkably lower-maintenance landscaping option than traditional gardens and lawns. During the establishment period, you need consistent watering - 3 months for smaller perennials, three growing seasons for large trees, and at least one growing season for shrubs. After the establishment period, if you have planted plants in the conditions they thrive in (right plant, right place), they will require minimal to no watering and definitely no fertilizing. Along with planting densely, the growth habits and competitive nature of native plants dramatically reduce the need for mulching and weeding. Once per year, in the late fall or, better yet -early spring (so some insects can complete their life cycle and so you can enjoy the gorgeous dried blooms and seed pods) -native perennials can be cut to the ground. Embracing native gardens means embracing a landscaping choice that thrives with minimal upkeep, allowing you to enjoy a flourishing garden with less effort.
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Can Native Gardens be designed in a formal garden style?Yes! Introducing a formal garden design to a native garden creates a captivating blend, combining locally adapted species with their ecological benefits. You can achieve a formal look by incorporating design elements such as structured layouts, block planting, geometric patterns, and symmetrical arrangements using native plants. This unique approach allows you to enjoy the elegance of a formal garden while harnessing the sustainability and environmental advantages of native species. It's a beautiful fusion that marries aesthetics with ecological consciousness, offering a distinctive, eco-friendly landscape that stands out. Just remember, a native plant is a plant, not a gardening style - how you arrange the plants makes it formal.
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What are some examples of Native Gardens?To explore examples of native gardens and get a sense of our work, we've provided links below showcasing our successful projects. These gardens represent a variety of styles and feature thoughtfully curated plant combinations that emphasize the beauty and benefits of native flora. By following the links, you can delve into a collection of inspiring native gardens that we have crafted for our clients in the past. We hope these examples will give you a glimpse into the possibilities and inspire your own vision for a stunning native garden. Check Out Our Native Gardens
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Why should you replace your lawns with Native Gardens?Ditch your high-maintenance lawn for a native garden! Native gardens offer ecological advantages by providing habitats for insect pollinators, birds, and mammals; lawns do no such thing. Most grasses used in traditional lawns are very shallow-rooted and require excessive watering and harmful chemicals to keep them alive and looking good. Some lawn space is desirable for outdoor activities, but most people use only some of their lawns - the rest is just for show. Native plants are our adaptable superstars, requiring less input to keep them healthy and, most importantly, providing ecological advantages that lawns cannot match. With lower-maintenance native gardens as a lawn replacement, you'll reclaim your weekends from lawnmowers and bask in the beauty of nature's masterpiece.
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What are plants to avoid in your Native Garden?When it comes to your native garden, steer clear of plants that could cause trouble. If you have a small space, avoid aggressive natives that may produce abundant seeds or spread through rhizomes. Instead, look for plants that are "clumpers," - which are plants that mostly stay in their place and grow larger over time. An example of a good clumper and a plant small in stature would be Butterfly Weed. Many native plants grow 3’-4' and much higher, so if you have a larger space - the sky is the limit - but still be cautious of aggressive growers that could overpower and outcompete the native species you want. Many people like to use cultivars of native plants and exotics mixed in with pure native species; just be careful not to plant a non-native that rapidly reproduces and can spread throughout your property and adjacent land. If you live in North America, lavender is an excellent example of a non-native exotic plant that poses little danger of taking over. By staying mindful of these potential pitfalls, you can create a flourishing native garden that supports and preserves local plants and the environment.
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Can Native Gardens be installed in wet areas? How can Native Gardens be designed to thrive in damp or boggy environments, utilizing appropriate water-loving native plants?Yes! Native gardens can be installed easily in wet and boggy areas, so long as you use water-loving plants. By selecting native plant species that thrive in moist conditions, like Joe Pye Weed, Sneezeweed, Cardinal Flower, Black Eyed Susan, and many others, you can create a thriving and resilient garden that contributes to the ecosystem's overall health. An added benefit is that wet-adapted native plants for wet areas help manage water runoff, prevent erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wetland-dependent wildlife.
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How long does it typically take to install a Native Garden?Installation time for a native garden is not much different than a regular garden. You still need to prep the area, install the plants, and maintain them during the establishment period. A few time-saving measures apply specifically to native gardens, which is the lack of needing to amend the soil and fertilize after planting. If you choose the right plant for the right site - the soil you have is fine. The other difference is most native plants are found in small plug sizes or containers if you are looking at shrubs - this cuts down on the labor it takes to install the native gardens. Native trees can be found in all sizes. Until native gardens become more widespread, most DIY native gardeners must rely on mail-order sources for plugs and seeds or "public sale" days at local native producers. If doing a sizeable native project, it's a good idea to get professional assistance, as these designers and installers have access to the vast majority of native plants you may want but are unfortunately only available to the trade.
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Can I install a Native Garden myself, or do I need a professional service?If you know how to garden, you can plant a native garden! That being said, since most of us have not grown up with native gardening, you should research plants that work for your local area and understand the best-growing conditions for the particular plants you want. You will also need to "un-learn" some traditional plant activities like amending the soil, fertilizing, and constant watering, as native plants don't require it. There are plenty of resources online to help you -from local universities to native plant and seed providers. If developing a larger landscape, professional assistance could help prevent you from making many costly mistakes; they will also have access to more plants than you can typically find at the retail level.
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Can my Native Garden be customized to my specific design preferences?Yes! Native gardens have customization options that fit your specific design preferences and site conditions- just like any other garden. Whether you prefer a natural wildflower meadow aesthetic or a more formal and structured design, native plants can be used to create your desired look and feel. There is a diverse range of native plant species with different colors, textures, heights, and growth habits. We can work with you to select plants that align with your design vision and create a customized native garden that reflects your style and preferences.
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How do I maintain and care for my Native Garden?Maintaining and caring for your native garden is easier than you might think. When it comes to watering, it's best to mimic natural rainfall patterns, so water deeply but less frequently - especially during the establishment period (3 months for perennials and 3 growing seasons for larger trees and some shrubs). Mulching the first couple of years until your plants grow together helps to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and helps add organic matter to the soil as it breaks down. As for pruning, native plants (especially perennials) generally require minimal pruning; most can be cut down once per year, either in the late fall or early spring. Native trees (with which many people are already familiar- Maples, Oaks, Birches, Redbuds, Pines, etc.) can be pruned to fit your space better.
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Do you have a guide for Native Gardens?Yes, I do! Below are links to blog posts that provide resources and insights on planning, designing, and maintaining your native garden. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, these guides will equip you with the knowledge you need to create a thriving and sustainable native garden. See links below: Tips for Planning Your Native Gardens Going Native is Easier than You Think