Southeast Michigan Native Plant Swaps and Sales

Brilliant yellow wildflowers with deep magenta centers against a mass of lancelike green leaves.

While two nights of hard frosts last week had gardeners concerned (including me, I moved many of my flower and vegetable pots into the garage), spring seems to have finally arrived to southeast Michigan.

Forsythia are mostly finished blooming. Eastern Redbud trees are covered in lovely purple flowers.

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Photo of the Week: Monarch Butterfly on Swamp Milkweed

Orange, white, and black patterned butterfly pauses on purple blooms of tall plant with smooth green leaves.

With my plans to create a more bird and butterfly friendly yard, last year I replanted one of my flowers beds with Swamp Milkweed and other native Michigan plants. The milkweed plants had a couple blossoms last summer, which surprised me. From my research, I understood it would take a year for milkweed to establish… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Monarch Butterfly on Swamp Milkweed

Photo of the Week: Eastern Ninebark in Brilliant Fall Color

Clusters of bright red and orange leaves, brown shrub branches in the background.

It’s not a maple or sweetgum, but I always look forward to the brightly colored leaves of the Eastern Ninebark shrub in my backyard. I planted it five years ago; it’s a native shrub to Michigan. And one of the easiest plants to grow. The Eastern Ninebark can grow in sun or partial-shade, though I… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Eastern Ninebark in Brilliant Fall Color