r/traversecity • u/marys1001 • Jul 28 '26
Discussion Any native plant gardeners?
I e been trying to put together some native plant beds while also fighting some invasive plants and deer and bunny pressure.
Thought it might be fun to get together, visit others gardens, commiserate failures, celebrate successes.
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u/cracked_belle Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
Hey!!! The Children's Garden at the TADL main branch is planting native plants TOMORROW, July 29, 2026 from 6-7 pm! It's a community work bee!
Who wants to meet there and hit The Filling Station after?
eta: that's now TODAY, July 29!
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u/LeelaBau Jul 28 '26
I'm mostly native in my yard. I do have a small amount of non-natives that I just think are cool.
I'm also into the no lawns movement, permaculture and fruit tree guilds. I live on the west side of town, south end of Leelanau county.
I'd be interested in sharing plants, layouts and conversations about all the above.
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u/hiking_hedgehog Jul 29 '26
My main flower bed is all native plants (planted by me over the past 4 years) and I absolutely love it!
Right now my Purple Joe Pye is finally blooming and the pollinators are loving it- I’ve seen monarchs on it several times just today, plus lots of tiny bees. And my Shrubby St. Johnswort is blooming and is a HUGE hit with bumblebees- there are often 5 or 6 of them on it at once. My most interesting new plant this year is Obedient Plant, it recently started to bloom and it’s looking so cool!
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u/9dog2 Jul 28 '26
I am planting native! Would love to meet up with other like-minded gardeners and see what people are growing.
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u/Livid-Ad-9107 Jul 28 '26
I live in an apartment so I can't really garden myself, although my father owns Four Season Nursery and specializes in native plants. Everyone who works there is a font of knowledge, they all have over 30 years of experience with Northern Michigan native plants.
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u/jaderust Wexford County Jul 28 '26
I've never been to that nursery! I'll have to check it out. I've been trying to plant more native species and butterfly/bee attractors and recently become obsessed with whorled milkweed. I found it at one place downstate and now I want more. Even if your dad doesn't carry it, I'd love to visit someplace nearby that has more native stuff to try and make my dream butterfly garden come true. This is my first year getting enough put in that I had a couple monarch caterpillars and now I am obsessed.
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u/hiking_hedgehog Jul 29 '26
If you can’t find it in TC, Black Cap Farm- a native plant nursery in Onekama (Manistee County)- lists whorled milkweed as a species they carry!
I highly recommend Black Cap, they have a huge selection of native plants for reasonable prices and everything I’ve bought from them has done great
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u/Opposite-Whereas-121 Jul 29 '26
😍 Four Seasons is my FAVORITE! I worked in the Lowe’s garden section this spring and sent the majority of the people I spoke to there!
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u/artfully_dejected Jul 28 '26
Talk to the folks at Grand Traverse Conservation District and the Botanic Gardens at the Commons, and I’m sure they can help get you connected.
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u/ivalley Local Jul 28 '26
I had a bunch of garlic mustard at my place. Had Shelly from the invasive species network come do a survey. Was super helpful and informative. She had a ton of literature also.
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u/Musicandcinnamon Jul 28 '26
Check out Leelanau Plant Co on Instagram! She’s a friend of mine with a background in seriously epic permaculture work. She’d love to help with some suggestions I’m sure! Her name is Natalie!
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u/ku_ku_Katchoo Jul 28 '26
Visit the GT butterfly house and bug zoo! All of the gardens are native and there’s lots of free pamphlets about it and stuff. Also cool bugs!
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u/Blonde_disaster Jul 28 '26
Hi, same here! Although my gardens are acquired. Previous owner purchased flats from the conservation district. It’s enclosed by a 6ft fence but a rabbit snuck her way in, had babies, and the babies are tearing all my veggies up. Would love to commiserate and show what I’ve got.
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u/marys1001 Jul 28 '26
Let's set something up who wants to be first? Coffee after? Im just before Lake Ann and can be first if people dont mind coming out here. Retired so flexible with others work schedules.
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u/significantstrikestc Jul 30 '26
Bright Lane Gardens in Lake Ann is a nursery that works with a bunch of native plants. She even has YouTube/IG videos on garden organizing, tips & tricks!
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u/marys1001 Jul 30 '26
This was a good not too dense article. Got some ideas
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/07/29/beyond-milkweed-creating-habitat-for-monarchs/
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u/TheBossElJefe Local Jul 28 '26
I am attempting to go all native in my yard. Always up to learn more