Do you like looking at flowers but aren’t sure how to grow them? Don’t worry! This page will help you determine what kind of plants you need for your site, as well as how to care for them.
Selecting Plants for Your Site
Before buying plants, consider the layout and conditions of your site. A basic site assessment will help with plant establishment and survival.
- Native Plant Search Tool. Use this tool to select native plants for your climactic requirements.
- Drought-tolerant plants save water, money and time
- Design a water-smart landscape
- Selecting plants that will succeed on your lakefront
- Statewide table for frost-free dates for choosing when to plant
- Video on matching native plants to your yard’s needs (Downloadable file)
- Deer-resistant plants for homeowners
What Kind of Flowers to Grow
- Smart Plants: Perennials Perennials explained
- Identifying plants - USDA plant database
General Requirements and Care
Proper plant care is an important part of guaranteeing the survival of your flowers and is an important factor in bloom quality and quantity.
Native Plants in the Landscape and Garden
- Native plants can be a smart choice for Michigan landscapes
- Growing milkweeds for monarch butterflies
- Visit nativeplants.msu.edu for fact sheets about specific plants and to learn about their ecosystem services.
Disease, Insect and Pest Concerns
- Fertilizer basics for the smart gardener
- Using organic fertilizers - tip sheet from Purdue University
- Poison ivy identification and management