![]() ![]() Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus), 50 feet tall. Red oak displaying beautiful red fall color. More cold-tolerant than black or white oaks and provides a stately form in winter. Leaves emerge a pink-red in spring, turning a dark green above and paler beneath in summer. Quick-growing and best on moist, well-drained, forested sites. More tolerant of urban pollutants than other oaks. Tough plant found in a variety of site conditions from seasonally wet to dry, open to shaded. Photo credit: Martin MacKenzie, .īur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), 50-70 feet tall. Stately, mature white oak in early spring. Slower growing and more difficult to transplant than the other oaks but not as susceptible to insects and diseases and grows on a wide range of soil types. Foliage is dark green changing to wine-red in fall. Pyramidal when young, upright rounded to broad-rounded habit with wide spreading branches at maturity. Here are a few examples of native trees and shrubs to consider for Michigan landscapes. Researchers have found that these plants often can adapt to compacted, overly dry, or overly wet soils that are common to urban areas. In their natural environment, these plants experience extreme fluctuations in soil moisture and oxygen. Many plants native to river bottomlands are surprisingly adaptable to urban conditions. The survival and growth potential of native species in these conditions may be no better or worse than non-native species.įor urban gardens, consider plants that are native to wet soils. Sites may have been further altered through compaction, pollution, salt runoff and removal of canopy trees that use to provide shade. Soil may have been disturbed or subsoil placed on the surface. Remember that while your landscape may be in the plant’s native range, it is important to understand that most residential sites, particularly in urban areas, no longer resemble original site conditions. Some discrepancies can be corrected with soil amendments, mulching, fertilization, and other techniques, but these solutions may not overcome a poor match between your selected plant and site. Try to match the site’s conditions to the plant’s natural habitat. Before you start selecting plant material, know your site, including the exposure, soil texture, pH, fertility, moisture conditions, weed problems, and the history of use. While some native plants are tremendously adaptable to a wide range of environmental conditions, many are quite habitat-specific. The key to success with native plants is carefully choosing plants that match your site conditions. honeylocust, Kentucky coffeetree, Juneberry, potentilla, ninebark, and several viburnums) are actually native to Michigan. ![]() In fact, gardeners may be surprised to discover that some popular trees and shrubs (i.e. Regardless of your definition, there are many plants to choose from. Some people have a very narrow geographic focus for their definition of “native” while some are content as long as the plant is native to North America. These plants were present at the time Europeans arrived in North America. These plants naturally occur in a particular region, ecosystem or habitat without human intervention. While we would all love a no-work garden, just like any plant in your landscape, native plants do require care. To top it all off, native plants can result in lower long term maintenance costs, increased plant hardiness and less work.Ī word of caution when considering natives: Native plant promotions sometimes claim the benefit of “no care” and “no maintenance.” Unfortunately, this isn’t true. When properly selected and placed, native plants also benefit our environment through reduced water use and less need for pesticides and fertilizers. Beyond the popular array of easy-to-find exotic plants, there are many native plants that can provide natural beauty and enhanced habitat for wildlife. Read Part 2 - Shrubs.īeautiful landscapes begin with a strong foundation of woody trees and shrubs. This is Part 1 in a two-part series on Native Trees and Shrubs for the Michigan Landscape. ![]()
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