10 Native Michigan Plants Every Garden Needs

Native plants are the backbone of every landscape we design at Healing Earth Design. They've evolved over thousands of years to thrive in Michigan's climate, soils, and ecosystems — which means they require less water, fewer chemicals, and less maintenance than non-native alternatives.

But native plants aren't just practical — they're gorgeous. Here are ten of our absolute favorites for Southwest Michigan gardens:

1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

The quintessential prairie plant. Bold pink-purple blooms from June through September attract butterflies, bees, and goldfinches (who love the seed heads in winter). Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.

2. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Lavender blooms and aromatic foliage make this a pollinator magnet. It spreads gently to fill gaps and provides excellent mid-summer color. Deer resistant.

3. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Cheerful golden blooms from July through frost. One of the most reliable and adaptable native perennials — it self-seeds generously for a natural, meadow-like effect.

4. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Our favorite native grass. Upright blue-green blades turn brilliant copper-orange in fall and hold their form through winter. Pairs beautifully with almost any perennial.

5. Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

One of the first natives to bloom in spring, with delicate red and yellow flowers that hummingbirds adore. Thrives in partial shade — perfect for woodland edges.

6. Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)

Elegant purple-blue blooms in late spring. Perfect for rain gardens, wet meadows, and pond edges. A Michigan native that rivals any cultivated iris for beauty.

7. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Essential for monarch butterflies. Clusters of pink flowers in mid-summer are both beautiful and vital habitat. Despite the name, it grows perfectly well in average garden soil.

8. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Rich purple blooms in September and October provide critical late-season pollen for migrating monarchs and native bees. A stunning fall statement plant.

9. Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

Elegant, fine-textured grass that forms perfect mounds. Fragrant seeds in fall smell like buttered popcorn. Exceptional as a border or mass planting.

10. Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)

A deciduous holly that lights up the winter landscape with brilliant red berries on bare branches. Birds feast on them in late winter. Plant both male and female for berry production.

Getting Started

Any of these ten plants would be a wonderful addition to your garden. For a cohesive, high-impact design that incorporates native plants into your existing landscape, schedule a consultation with our team. We'd love to help you build a garden that's beautiful, resilient, and alive with nature.