Sharptail I believe by wxman1952

This year consider planting plants native to your area when landscaping or gardening. Native plants are defined as plants that existed in an area prior to European settlement. The use of native plants has numerous benefits due to having evolved over thousands of years and, as such, are adapted to local conditions. The benefits include:

• They flourish without fertilizers or synthetic pesticides and rarely need watering.

• They provide food and habitat for wildlife which continues to disappear due to development
• They contribute to biodiversity
• They keep our regions unique and help us to maintain plant species
• Their root systems rebuild the soil and work as filtering systems.
• Last but not least they are beautiful!

The Michigan Native Plant Producers Association can point you to nurseries, has a great plant source guide and also provides an invasive species list.

The Michigan Native Plant Producers Association comprises 10 independently owned nurseries located throughout southern Michigan. Together we grow and sell almost 400 species of Michigan native plants, including, trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and ferns.

As an organization, our mission is to benefit member businesses by creating an ethical, profitable, and ecologically sound business environment. As responsible propagators of Michigan native plants, we are committed to enhancing the diversity and health of Michigan's unique natural heritage.

More resources:
The Department of Natural Resources
Enhancing Beneficial Insects with Native Plants - Michigan State University
Gateway to Michigan's Native Plants
The Native Plant Nursery
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council - Northern Michigan's Native Plants