Gardening with Native Plants

Pittsfield Charter TownshipDemonstration GardensJanet Gettel, Senior GardenerJan BenDor, Storm Water Program Coordinator

What is a native plant?

A plant that was growing in the Great Lakes region before 1700.

There are about 1,800 native plants in Michigan.

Cultivars of native plants add further options for gardening.

Pittsfield is a Phase II Community

The native plants growing here provide wildlife habitat, water quality protection, storm water control, and natural beauty. The Township is conserving labor costs, equipment, and fossil fuels, while complying with the pollution prevention requirements of the federal Clean Water Act.

Why garden with native plants?

Acclimated to our conditions

Deep roots Infiltrate water

Remove pollutants

Rebuild and hold soil

Prevent flooding

Protect water quality

Less money & work over the long run

Natural heritage-a sense of place

Beauty in all seasons

Self-seeding annuals

Hardy perennials

Beneficial wildlife habitat

Unique landscaping

Fun and exciting!

Gardens can help to protect native plants from extinction (Source: MDNR)

Category Quantity PercentageExtirpated species 46 2.6Endangered species 51 2.8Threatened species 210 11.7Special concern species 110 6.1Secure plant species 1,383 76.8Total native plant species 1,800 100

Established non-natives 800Total plant species 2,600

Types of native plant gardens

“Plant communities” suited to local conditions: soil Ph, moisture, sun, phosphorus, nitrogen

Butterfly Garden

Prairie Garden

Rain Garden / Bog Garden

Parking Lot Island Garden (Bioswale)

Formal Garden

The butterfly garden

Changing seasons

Photos by Janet Gettel, Jan BenDor, and James Walter

The prairie garden

March, 2006

Prescribed burn

The rain garden

The bog garden

The island...before and in progress

Formal gardening with native plants

Public Safety Building Entrance

Wildlife habitat

Gray tree frog waiting for a moth meal. Coneflowers attract a variety of insects. Photo by Sean Zera

Native plant resources--government

Washtenaw County Conservation District Spring and Fall Plant Sales, 761-6721 X5

Michigan Association of Conservation Districts www.macd.org/nativeplants

Michigan Department of Natural Resources www.michigan.gov/dnr

Center for Environmental Study, Grand Rapids, 616/988-2854

Private native plant resources

Michigan Wildflower Farm--Portland, MI-- www.michiganwildflowerfarm.com

Native Plant Nursery—Ann Arbor MI— www/nativeplant.com

JFNew—Full service native plant nursery, restoration, and ecological consulting— www.jfnew.com

Get involved! Call 822-3122

The Pittsfield Natural Resources Commission has established the Landscape Resources Committee to conduct demonstration native plant garden projects on public land.

2006: Lillie Park North—formal garden

2007: Montibeller Park—restoration of riparian vegetation along Paint Creek

The community is welcome to participate!

Lillie Park Demonstration Garden