Good native gardening
by Claire Pajka
If you’re searching for a beautiful way to support pollinators like bees and butterflies, look no further than planting some native Michigan plants. By planting native flora throughout your yard or garden, you are also building crucial habitats that native wildlife relies on. Furthermore, because native plants are already well adapted to the soil type and ecosystem, they require less maintenance than non-native plants. While non-native plants may require fertilizer or pesticides to keep them happy in unfamiliar soil, native plants readily grow in their home habitats without the aid of soil supplements. In addition to saving money on fertilizer, your water bill will thank you for planting natives: native plants are adapted to the average amount of rainfall in the area, while non-natives often require more frequent or supplemental watering. Native plants also increase filtration of rainwater into the soil, which reduces runoff and flooding from storms.
For butterfly enthusiasts, plants like butterfly milkweed and meadow blazing star are great choices to attract butterflies to your yard. Though physically small, butterflies play a big role in in pollination and pest control, so while you watch butterflies flit around your garden, you can rest easy knowing that they are providing services for the ecosystem, too!
Rough blazing star and butterfly milkweed
To provide food to the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly, plant lupine throughout your garden. Karner Blues lay their eggs solely on lupine plants, and a lack of native lupine has placed this species onto the list of federally endangered animals. In bloom, lupine can create beautiful clusters of pink, purple, white, and blue flowers, and are critical for the livelihood of these animals.
Lupine and karner blue
Hoping to see more hummingbirds in your yard? Look no further than bee balm, cardinal flower, and phlox! The brilliant red color of cardinal flower is a bright addition to any garden, as are the more subtle blues and purples of bee balm and phlox.
Bee balm, cardinal flower, and phlox
If you decide to plant native flora in your garden, it’s important to source your seeds and plants from businesses that use specific Michigan natives, one which is Windy Rock Farm. Windy Rock Farm is owned by Manchester resident Vince Ste. Marie and was initially established when Ste. Marie moved to the area in 2002, with their pollinator nursery Plants with Purpose being a recent addition to the farm in 2016.
As they have no website, those interested in seeing the full brochure and plant listing from Windy Rock Farm should email vjste.marie@sbcglobal.net. Open to the public April through November, the open-air nursery is perfect for socially distanced browsing, and Ste. Marie says, “We are happy to answer questions and provide added information to help in plant selection. We also have full-color informational binders available with plant and bloom photos and growing information specific to the plants we offer so customers can get a sense of what their potted plant will look like all grown up.” Because Windy Rock Farm is a family farm and not a store, they ask that customers contact them in advance at 734.223.324 or vjste.marie@sbcglobal.net in order to make an appointment or ask questions about purchasing plants.
If you’d like to learn more about Vince Ste. Marie and Windy Rock Farm, you can find an email interview with him here.
All in all, planting native plants in your garden or yard goes beyond aesthetic beauty: you are giving back to the local ecosystem, and both the flora and fauna around you will be thankful for it.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login