Why Native Plants Matter
Michigan native plants are specially adapted to the local climate, soils, and wildlife, making them an essential part of a healthy, sustainable landscape. Because they have evolved alongside Michigan’s pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, native plants provide vital food and habitat while supporting biodiversity. They typically require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than non-native species, making them an eco-friendly choice for gardeners and landscapers. By planting Michigan natives, we help protect our environment, strengthen local ecosystems, and support the long-term health of Michigan’s natural communities.
Perennials
American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
Crested Iris (Iris cristata)
Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
American Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Aster (A.novae-angliae, A. oblongifolius)
Eastern Lupine (Lupinus perennis)
Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
Baneberry (Actea)
Evening Primrose (Oenothera)
Prairie Smoke (Geum triforum)
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
False Indigo (Baptisia)
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)
Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)
Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana, M. punctata)
Goldenrod (Solidago)
Royal Catchfy (Silene regia)
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Grama Grass (Bouteloua)
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
Birdfoot Violet (Viola pedata)
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Rue Anemone (Anemonella thalictroides)
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Helen’s Flower (Helenia autumnale)
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Blazing Star (Liatris spicata, L. ligulistylis)
Ironweed (Vernonia)
Snakeroot (Cimicifuga)
Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Tickseed (Coreopsis)
Bluestar (Amsonia)
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium)
Trout Lily (Erythonium)
Bowman’s Root (Gillenia trifoliata)
Lady Fern (Athyrium felix-femina)
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens)
Wake Robin (Trillium)
Butterfy Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scopiarum)
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Meadowsweet (Filipendula)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata, S. syriaca)
Conefower (Echinacea)
New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
Trees & Shrubs
Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis)
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana)
Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Tamarack (Larix laricina)
Common Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
Tulip Tree (Lirodendron tulipifera)
Common Juniper (Juniper communis)
Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)
White cedar (Arborvitae) (Thuja occidentalis)
Common Serviceberry (Amalanchier arboria)
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
White Oak (Quercus alba)
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus forida)
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Witchhazel (Hamamellis virginiana)
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
Red Pine (Pinus Resinosa)
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum Dentatum)
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)
Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia )
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Low Bush Blueberry (Vaccinum angustifolium)
Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana )
Michigan Holly (Ilex verticillata)
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina )
Common Juniper (Juniper communis)
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
Witchhazel (Hamamellis virginiana)
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)