Creating a Native Landscape in Traverse City, MI

What exactly are Native Plants?

If you’ve ever hiked through a Northern Michigan trail in the summer, you’ve seen native plants at work. These are the plants that have always grown here, no one had to bring them in or baby them along. They’ve learned how to handle our snowy winters, sandy soils, and the ups and downs of our short growing season all on their own. Because they’re so well adapted, they tend to be tougher, more resilient, and a lot easier to maintain in your yard than plants that aren’t from around here.

And native doesn’t just mean wildflowers sprinkled in a meadow. It includes a whole range of trees, shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers that can be mixed into your landscape for year-round interest. Picture the bright yellow of Black-Eyed Susans in July, the hummingbirds flocking to Bee Balm, or the deep red twigs of Dogwood standing out against fresh snow. Add in Serviceberry or Switchgrass, and you’ve got a landscape that looks stunning and works in harmony with the local environment.

What are the Benefits of a Native Landscape?

Native landscapes aren’t just beautiful—they’re also incredibly practical. Because these plants are naturally suited to Northern Michigan, they don’t need nearly as much babying once they’re established. That means less watering, fewer fertilizer applications, and little to no need for pesticides. In other words, you get a healthier landscape without all the extra effort (or chemicals).

Beyond being lower maintenance, native plants also give back to the environment in big ways. Their deep root systems help enrich the soil, slow down stormwater runoff, and prevent erosion—a major win for properties near Traverse City’s many lakes and shorelines. At the same time, they provide food and shelter for pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as other beneficial insects and wildlife that keep our local ecosystem in balance.

For homeowners, that translates into a landscape that’s not only easier to care for but also more resilient, sustainable, and alive with color and movement. It’s the rare combination of doing something good for your property and good for the world around you.

What are Some of the Best Native Plantings?

One of the fun parts of creating a native landscape is choosing the plants that speak to you. Northern Michigan has an incredible variety of native flowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses that bring color, texture, and year-round interest to your yard. Here are some standouts to consider:

Perennials & Wildflowers

• Yarrow – A tough, sun-loving plant with clusters of tiny blooms that come in cheerful shades of yellow, white, and even pink.
• Wild Columbine – Known for its delicate, nodding red-and-yellow flowers that hummingbirds can’t resist.
• Butterfly Weed – A bright orange beauty that’s a magnet for butterflies, especially Monarchs.
• Sand Coreopsis – Sunny yellow daisy-like flowers that thrive in sandy soils (perfect for our region).
• Asters – Available in many colors, from purple to blue to pink, asters add late-season blooms when much of the garden is fading.
• Western & False Sunflowers – Classic golden blooms that bring a cheerful, meadow-like feel.
• Wild Geranium – Soft pinkish-purple flowers in spring that naturalize beautifully.
• Wild Lupine – Striking spires of blue to purple flowers that love sandy, well-drained soil.
• Foxglove – Tall, showy stalks of bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds.
• Black-Eyed Susan – A Northern Michigan favorite, with bold yellow petals and dark centers that bloom all summer.
• Hoary Vervain – Purple flower spikes that bloom for months and are loved by pollinators.

Ferns

• Maidenhair Fern – Elegant, airy fronds that add soft texture in shady spots.
• Sensitive Fern – A hardy, lush fern that thrives in moist, shady areas.

Trees & Shrubs

• Paper Birch Trees – Iconic white bark and graceful form make this a Northern classic.
• Serviceberry Trees – Early spring blossoms, summer berries, and gorgeous fall color all in one.
• Dogwood (Silky, Pale, Gray, Red-Osier) – Each variety adds seasonal interest, with showy flowers, colorful berries, and striking bark.
• Ninebark – Attractive foliage, spring flowers, and peeling bark that adds texture even in winter.
• Winterberry – A holly relative with bright red berries that stand out against the snow.

Native Grasses

• Big Bluestem – Tall and dramatic, with bluish-green foliage that turns red in fall.
• Switchgrass – Upright clumps topped with airy seed heads that sway beautifully in the wind.
• Little Bluestem – A more compact grass with blue-green summer foliage that shifts to rust-orange in fall.

Partnering with TruNorth Landscaping to Create a Native Landscape

Even though native plants are naturally at home here in Northern Michigan, that doesn’t mean creating a landscape with them is as simple as picking a few and hoping for the best. “Right plant, right place” still matters—some thrive in sandy soil, others need a little shade, and a few really shine when they’re paired with the right companions. That’s where having a pro on your side makes a big difference.

When you work with TruNorth, you don’t have to squint at a tiny potted plant and try to imagine what it’ll look like when it’s full grown. We’ll help you picture how the colors, textures, and shapes will play together—season after season—so your yard feels intentional instead of random. Plus, we can balance that “wild” beauty native plants bring with a design that still looks polished and welcoming.

And honestly? Partnering with a team makes the whole process way less stressful and a lot more fun. Instead of worrying about what will work where, you get to focus on the exciting part—watching your landscape come to life. With TruNorth, you’ll end up with a yard that feels like Traverse City through and through, but also uniquely yours.

Ready to plan your native landscape in Traverse City? Get started today by filling out our contact form!