At Lake Effect Garden & Design, we take immense pride in showcasing the beauty and resilience of native plants. Today, we're excited to share the stunning progress of the Sunset Oasis property in Southwest Michigan along Lake Michigan.
This garden, now in its third year, exemplifies the incredible results you can achieve with thoughtful planting techniques using native plugs and seeds.
Exploring the Garden
The Sunset Oasis garden is a testament to the power of native plants in creating a vibrant and sustainable landscape. Here are some of the standout plants that have flourished over the past three years:
Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus): Despite an early spring this year, the Hairy Beardtongue is thriving, showcasing its beautiful blooms. This resilient plant is a delightful addition to any garden.
Common Fleabane/Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron flagellaris): Widely seen in Michigan gardens, this plant adds a delicate and charming touch to the landscape.
Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris): Growing up to 5 feet high, this plant loves moist, full-sun conditions. Its height and vibrant flowers provide a striking vertical element to the garden.
Bee Balm (Monarda): Known for its bright, attractive flowers, Bee Balm is a magnet for pollinators. Its presence in the garden adds both beauty and ecological value.
Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium): One of our personal favorites, Rosinweed is robust and hardy, making it a valuable addition to any native plant garden.
Plugs vs. Seeds: The Ongoing Discussion
One of the key aspects of our Sunset Oasis project is the combination of planting techniques we used. The garden was established with both native plugs and seeding, sparking an interesting discussion about the best method for native plant installations.
Native Plugs: Using plugs offers quicker results and a more immediate visual impact. As seen in our Year 3 garden, plugs have provided a solid foundation for robust growth and early blooming.
Seeding: While seeding can be more cost-effective, especially for larger areas, it requires more patience and care in the early stages. However, strategic seeding in bare spots can complement the initial planting of plugs, filling in gaps and enhancing biodiversity.
We believe that a combination of both methods yields the best results, balancing cost, labor, and visual impact. The Sunset Oasis garden is a perfect example of how this hybrid approach can lead to a flourishing and sustainable landscape.
See the Transformation for Yourself
To truly appreciate the beauty and progress of the Sunset Oasis garden, we invite you to watch our latest video. In this video, we provide a closer look at the incredible growth and discuss the benefits of using both plugs and seeds for native plant installations.
We hope this inspires you to consider native plants for your own garden and explore the possibilities of using both plugs and seeds. For more gardening tips, updates, and inspiration, be sure to visit our website regularly and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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