Native Plants
Michigan native plants are, unsurprisingly, plants that have existed in Michigan for hundreds or even thousands of years. Because they are native, they are well adapted to Michigan’s unique soils and variable climate. Many native plants have deep roots that allow them to survive cold winters, hot summers, and dry seasons.
The benefits of native plants
Because they are adapted to live in Michigan, native plants are easy to grow and maintain. Once they are established (a full growing season), they don’t need to be watered or fertilized.
Above ground, these plants offer a lot of habitat and food for birds and insects.
Native plants with deep roots are particularly useful near waterways, as their extensive root systems help hold soil in place and keep it from eroding into the water.
Native plant roots absorb stormwater and filter nutrients, pollutants, and sediments while also creating paths for water to seep into the soil, through which it will slowly make its way to the creek. By the time it arrives, the water is cooler and cleaner compared to the warm, polluted storm surges that come directly to the creek through storm drains. In this way, native plants are essential for maintaining healthy creeks as well as feeding and sheltering resilient ecosystems.
Using native plants to restore the watershed
Because of their many benefits, native plants are ideal for many nature-based restoration projects. Plaster Creek Stewards only uses native plants in our rainscaping and other projects. Using native plants not only helps protect our clean water, it also creates healthy local ecosystems.
Growing native plants
Each season Plaster Creek Stewards gathers seeds from over 500 species of native Michigan plants. These seeds are smart and will not germinate until they have sat through a winter season. Some seeds, especially berries, need to be digested to germinate. We mimic the natural processes of dormancy by putting seeds in the fridge, shaking them through a blender, or washing them in acid. When spring arrives, the seeds are laid out for germination and transplanted into larger pots and flats as they grow. This propagation is all done in greenhouses on Calvin’s campus. Here, the plants grow and stay until they are ready to be planted in watershed restoration projects. Our greenhouse facility includes an outdoor nursery covered in shade cloth, one heated greenhouse, and two cold frame greenhouses. These greenhouses are a hub for student and volunteer activity throughout the growing season as materials, tools, and plants are staged here for restoration work.
To learn more about finding the right plants for your restoration project, check out our rain gardens page.
Native plant gallery
