u1g345
Transcript of u1g345
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
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!