![\"Backyard](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpeg\")
From the beautiful array of greenery at the Frederik Meijer Gardens to the many parks and festivals in Grand Rapids, there’s no shortage of reasons why you wouldn’t want to be out enjoying the city’s sites. When you come home, you want to return to a landscape as well-kept and inviting. That’s why we’ve compiled […]
\n","content":"\nFrom the beautiful array of greenery at the Frederik Meijer Gardens to the many parks and festivals in Grand Rapids, there’s no shortage of reasons why you wouldn’t want to be out enjoying the city’s sites. When you come home, you want to return to a landscape as well-kept and inviting. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best grass-types for the cool Grand Rapids fall and spring weather, warm summers, and freezing and snowy winters.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\nThere are two types of grasses to choose for your lawn: warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses. Cool-season grasses thrive best in Grand Rapids.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses thrive in hot, humid climates and go dormant during the cold winter months. When the temperatures drop below freezing, the grass turns brown. Because warm-season grass thrives best in areas with hot summers and short, mild winters, they are found in the southern regions of the United States.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses also go dormant in freezing temperatures, but cool-season grasses go dormant later in the season than warm-season grasses. Cool-season grass also goes dormant in hot summer temperatures. Since cool-season grass grows best in cool to mild weather, when air temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, they are usually found in the northern regions of the United States.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses are ideal for Grand Rapids. The grass is equipped for the cool spring and fall Grand Rapids weather, humid summers, and freezing winters.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is a popular choice for Grand Rapids homeowners. It has a dark green color and is a lush, dense grass. It expands and germinates new grass, so homeowners with dead spots or bald patches gravitate towards Kentucky bluegrass. There is a tradeoff, however. It needs regular mowing and watering to keep it healthy, and it has high fertilization needs.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass has low shade tolerance and grows best on properties that get a lot of sun. If your property has many trees or buildings blocking the sunlight, you may want to go with fine fescue or tall fescue, as they are more shade tolerant.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass has a soft texture, moderate foot traffic tolerance, and the ability to recover quickly from damage. This grass is right at home for those who love to host outdoor events or who have children engaged in kickball games a few times a month.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate; Requires proper irrigation during hot months or it will go brown.
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate; It quickly recovers from damage.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2.5 – 3.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6 – 7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Blending two to four cultivars will give the best performance. Keep in mind that seeding in late spring or early summer may cause a weed problem. But you can sod or seed Kentucky bluegrass.
\n\n\n\n![\"Man's](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red-Fescue-a-species-of-fine-fescue.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFine fescue has a striking blue-green look. It grows early and is a viable option if you’re looking to blend grasses. You may have a yard that is more colorful than some, as fine fescue sometimes has a green color lighter than other grasses.
\n\n\n\nIf Kentucky bluegrass doesn’t work for you because your property doesn’t get a lot of sun, fine fescue may be calling your name. It’s the most shade-tolerant cool-season grass. For the best results, plant the chewings variety. It is the most shade-tolerant fine fescue variety.
\n\n\n\nFine fescue’s fine texture welcomes bare feet, but tread lightly. It has low to moderate traffic tolerance. A few trips across the grass to the mailbox are okay, but this is not the grass for children having regular jump rope challenges.
\n\n\n\nFine fescue has low watering, mowing, and fertilization requirements. Sheep and hard fescue are most revered in the Grand Rapids area for how easy they are to maintain.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Creeping red Fescue spreads by rhizomes, while other fine fescues are bunch-type grasses, such as chewing, hard, and sheep fescues.
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low to Moderate, depending on species
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 4.0 inches, depending on species.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate. Common diseases include red thread, leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, and powdery mildew.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Will not perform well in wet soil conditions. It prefers drier soils and tolerates a wide range of soil types and fertility.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Hard fescue, chewings, and creeping red are frequently mixed with perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass for shady, dry areas.
\n\n\n\n![\"Tall](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tall-Fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you’re not really into all of the work of Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue requires less maintenance. Like Kentucky bluegrass, it requires frequent mowing, but it does not produce significant thatch and it has lower fertilization needs. If you prefer to have more time enjoying the Grand Rapids Art Museum than maintaining a lawn, you may gravitate towards tall fescue.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue will also grow better in the shade than Kentucky bluegrass.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue stands out with its wide leaves and glossy, dark green color. It thrives in the cooler weather and freezing winters of Grand Rapids because it’s cold-tolerant. It’s also drought-tolerant and retains its green color through most Grand Rapids summers without needing additional watering. But extensively long, dry months will require you to quench tall fescue’s thirst with plenty of water to avoid stress and damage.
\n\n\n\nThe coarsely-textured grass may encourage you to keep your shoes on. It’s also not the best choice if your yard is home to regular block parties and barbeques. It has moderate foot-traffic tolerance.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height to 2 inches when the grass reaches 3 inches tall.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Retains its green color during the winter, depending on the variety. The Juvenile variety is not cold-tolerant.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGrand Rapids homeowners take to perennial ryegrass when they need a quick cover. It germinates and develops faster than some other gasses, like Kentucky bluegrass. So ryegrass may be a better choice if you have bare spots, need to overseed, or are establishing a lawn.
\n\n\n\nRyegrass is recommended if you are seeding in the summer, but with the caveat of never using more than 50 percent of it in a mixture. Perennial ryegrass has poor resistance to extreme conditions like heat, cold, and drought. While the freezing Grand Rapids winter temperatures may be a challenge for ryegrass, the typical cooler non-summer months provide the right conditions for better performance.
\n\n\n\nSpeaking of performance, if you have children that like to show off their athletic abilities by regularly running, playing, and tumbling across the grass, perennial will be well-suited for your home. The fine-textured grass blades offer some cushion and comfort for stumbles and falls, too.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass is a rich green color with a glossy look on one side of the leaf. This grass loves to sunbathe. It has low shade-tolerance. It takes less to maintain perennial than tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, as perennial only requires moderate mowing and fertilizing. If you’d rather spend time in the yard playing with the children instead of pushing a lawn mower and laying down fertilizer, you’ll appreciate perennial ryegrass.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch buildup isn’t significant.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1.5 – 2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High. Common diseases include gray leaf spots, red thread, and leaf spot/melting-out.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8 but prefers between 6 and 7.
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers good drainage and fertility but can tolerate some poor drainage.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: It mixes well with other grass types like Kentucky bluegrass, bentgrasses, and fine fescues. Mixing it with Kentucky bluegrass creates a lawn more tolerant of disease and high traffic.
\n\n\n\nCreeping bentgrass takes a lot of time and money to maintain. For example, it’s highly vulnerable to diseases and needs to be treated with fungicides and other chemicals. In Michigan, it’s primarily used on golf courses. If you do see this bentgrass creeping in someone’s lawn, it’s usually not intentional. Creeping bentgrass found in Michigan homes are considered weeds.
Cool-season grasses go dormant in the summer when the air temperature is more than 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Long periods of dryness can also cause the grass to go dormant. To manage summer dormancy from drought, water the grass. Cool-season grasses also go dormant when the soil temperature is consistently below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
No. It depends on the species. Sheep fescue is bluish-green. Chewings fescue and creeping red fescue have a medium to dark green color. Hard fescue has a gray-green appearance.
When choosing the right grass for your property, consider your area’s climate and soil conditions. Make sure you understand which grass types are best for mixing, what grass types they’re best for mixing with, and how combining different types will affect the overall performance of your lawn.
\n\n\n\nSelect a grass type that fits well with your family’s outdoor activity frequency and your availability for maintenance.
\n\n\n\nNative plants are another way to enhance your yard and give back to the ecosystem. Native plants provide food and habitat for butterflies, birds, and wildlife while adding color and variety to your landscaping design.
\n\n\n\nWe understand that you want to get back to the touring and taste testing of the 40 plus craft breweries that await you. They don’t call Grand Rapids Beer City, USA for nothing. Hire a Grand Rapids lawn care professional so they can mow while you sip.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Meyer May House / WMrapids / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n","title":"4 Best Grass Types for Grand Rapids, MI","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/1789c/Meyer-May-House.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/107df/Meyer-May-House.jpg 320w,\n/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/293e9/Meyer-May-House.jpg 500w,\n/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/f2cbb/Meyer-May-House.jpg 800w,\n/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/1789c/Meyer-May-House.jpg 960w,\n/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/c26c2/Meyer-May-House.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/1dd6e/Meyer-May-House.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/67b76/Meyer-May-House.webp 320w,\n/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/8df11/Meyer-May-House.webp 500w,\n/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/98a65/Meyer-May-House.webp 800w,\n/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/1dd6e/Meyer-May-House.webp 960w,\n/static/6876fe74dc6f3af9a73f56bd3b3b216c/3cc96/Meyer-May-House.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"4 Best Grass Types for Grand Rapids, MI","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"This guide explores the properties of the four best grass types for Grand Rapids. Find out which cool-season grass fits your yard and lifestyle."}}},{"node":{"id":"89583ed8-e7d1-5dc4-a061-3e0402e994bc","slug":"best-native-plants-grand-rapids","path":"/lawn-care/michigan/grand-rapids-mi/best-native-plants-grand-rapids/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"LaShonda Tucker is a freelance writer, poet, and spoken word artist in Atlanta. She earned her masters from the University of Georgia and enjoys playing her violin.","name":"LaShonda Tucker","id":"f7fdb6d3-a89a-5295-963a-aac47afa7cee","path":"/author/lashonda-tucker/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce61747b62dbfb82f56a8611f2835988?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"438713f2-daf7-5a75-a66f-7741f7e2b4cb","name":"Grand Rapids","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/michigan/grand-rapids-mi/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"75fb394d-179e-5e85-92bb-a24a339af8a6","name":"Michigan","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/michigan/"}],"date":"April 9th, 2023","excerpt":"From the Frederik Meijer Gardens to the Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids is home to many beautiful landscapes. It’s easy to appreciate the variety of colors, sizes, shapes, and fragrances of the plants. The good news is that you can create the same environment in your yard with the best native plants for Grand Rapids. […]
\n","content":"\nFrom the Frederik Meijer Gardens to the Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids is home to many beautiful landscapes. It’s easy to appreciate the variety of colors, sizes, shapes, and fragrances of the plants. The good news is that you can create the same environment in your yard with the best native plants for Grand Rapids.
\n\n\n\nOnce you open your yard to native plants, you and the ecosystem will experience a range of benefits:
\n\n\n\nNative plants offer a variety of choices. From native wildflowers to native shrubs to perennials with pretty white flowers, it won’t be hard to find native species that will thrive in your West Michigan home landscape.
\n\n\n\nThis article will cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red-Osier-Dogwood.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nRed-osier dogwood is also called red twig dogwood. No doubt named because it is red and looks like a small tree limb or twig. It blooms in spring and summer and adds a splash of color to the cold Grand Rapids winters. It’s a favorite because it develops its beautiful bright color, which is usually red, in the fall and winter.
\n\n\n\nIt will be at home most anywhere, as it adapts to a wide range of soil types. If you’re looking to make a quick impression, you’ll appreciate how quickly this shrub grows. Red-osier dogwood is also functional; its roots help reduce erosion.
\n\n\n\nThis shrub offers a beautiful cluster of creamy white flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. Pollinators and butterflies stop by to admire the small petals, while birds feast on the berries.
\n\n\n\nIt requires full sun to partial shade, so a home with a few trees that allows in a moderate level of light will provide a warm welcome for the red-osier dogwood.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 2 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand, moist, adaptable to a wide range of soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring and summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6 to 9 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. Use a spade to root prune if you want to stop it from vigorously spreading. Prune in early spring to encourage new stem growth.
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Swamp-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis beautiful cluster of tiny, hot pink petals sits atop stems with long, erect leaves emerging on opposite sides. Swamp milkweed is commonly found in the wetlands and blooms between June and October. It’s poisonous in large quantities, so be sure to keep small children from giving it a taste test.
\n\n\n\nHummingbirds and butterflies are some of this flower’s biggest fans. Monarch butterflies depend on this perennial for survival. Swamp milkweed makes a great addition to rain gardens and butterfly gardens.
\n\n\n\nEven though swamp milkweed is usually found outlining ponds and streams, it adapts to drier conditions like loam and clay. The best home for this sappy weed is one that gets a lot of sunlight. The flower tolerates partial shade but thrives best when it can salute the sun.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet smelling
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Midsummer to fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals in large quantities
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Nannyberry\"](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nannyberry-flowers-wendell-smith-cc20.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wendell Smith / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
This plant’s berries are enjoyed by wildlife, birds, and humans, too. That is, if you can reach the berries. Nannyberry is a very large, tall shrub or a small tree. This plant is a Grand Rapids favorite because its dark berries are usually still around in the winter, and the berries attract wildlife and birds, too. Nannyberry’s creamy white flowers sprout in the spring.
\n\n\n\nNannyberry prefers full sun but will adjust to partial shade. If you have a shady yard, be on the lookout for mildew on your nannyberry. Other than that, it’s insect and disease tolerant. If you’re looking for a good, natural privacy screen, plant nannyberries as hedges. Nannyberry also works well as shrub borders and foundation plantings.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub or small tree
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 2 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: May
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 10 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Prune immediately after flowering.
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/35788220756_6c924b709e_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed’s yellow and orange petals are a wonderful site for sore eyes and for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Grand Rapids homeowners can give back to the ecosystem by planting this bright plant, as monarch butterflies depend on it for their existence.
\n\n\n\nIf you have poor soil, you’ll be happy to know butterfly weed isn’t picky. Although it prefers well-drained soils, it grows in dry, poor soils, too. This plant is drought-tolerant and easy to care for, but it may attract aphids. To get rid of aphids, hit the plants with a strong spray of water.
\n\n\n\nLike swamp milkweed, butterfly milkweed comes with some concerns. All parts of this perennial herb are considered poisonous. It can result in skin or eye irritation when touched. Be sure to handle this attractive plant with gloves, and plant it somewhere not easily accessible to pets and small children.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained dry to mid-range soil moist. Loam, sand, or clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet vanilla fragrance
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and pets
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Many](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Black-eyed-Susan-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixnio
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan is appropriately named for its dark center and sunny disposition. With its long, yellow petals, it resembles a daisy. Young plants may attract snails and slugs, but other than that, black-eyed Susan has no major disease or pest problems. She was made for the Grand Rapids winters – young plants can withstand a little frost.
\n\n\n\nThis daisy look-alike is easy to grow and works well in borders or as an accent plant. Butterflies, pollinators, and birds flock to this ray of sunshine.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun. Can tolerate some partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry, moist, well-drained soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Annual, Perennial, or Biennial depending on growing conditions
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early summer to early fall (Jun – Sept)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Black-eyed Susan requires about one inch of water weekly when first planted and is drought-resistant once established.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Virgins-Bower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Melissa McMasters / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nVirgin’s bower, also called the devil’s darning needles, is toxic to humans and pets. The strong bitter taste and mouth pain this vine causes humans when ingested is usually a quick and memorable warning that it’s not edible.
\n\n\n\nVirgin’s bower withstands occasional flooding and thrives best in soils that are rich and moist but well-drained. If you have a very shady yard and have been looking for a flowering vine that likes to climb high, look no further. Virgin Bower loves to wind around fences and up walls and trellises. If you’re looking for it to seed, be sure to get the female version. The male plant does not seed.
\n\n\n\nJust know that Virgin Bower likes to wrap around other plants and can invade the space of other vegetation, like shrubs. Pruning it in the spring can help manage its aggressive spread.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organic-rich, well-drained loamy or silty soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet smelling
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 12 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"Little](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Little-Bluestem.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Montrealais / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nLittle bluestem is not afraid to stick around through the harsh Grand Rapids winters. This ornamental grass provides cover for wildlife year-round. It has a blue-green color in the summer and a copper color that stands its ground through the winter. The leaves are yellow-orange in the fall.
\n\n\n\nIt’s drought-resistant once established and works well in a xeriscape garden or rain garden. This year-round colorful grass is low-maintenance and shares its seeds with small mammals and songbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Ornamental grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry to moist, well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: August – February
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Common-Boneset.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nCommon boneset has been used to treat a variety of maladies, including constipation, fevers, and colds. Little white flowers appear in late summer and fall. Common boneset gives nectar to pollinators and butterflies and also attracts aphids, Lygus bugs, and leaf beetles.
\n\n\n\nThis flower is serious about its water consumption and grows best when the soil does not dry out. If you have a pond on your property, common boneset is a great addition. It works well next to ponds and in rain gardens.
\n\n\n\nAlthough common boneset has been used medicinally, it is considered toxic and should not be consumed.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organic-rich moist to wet sandy or clay soils; though it can also tolerate dry soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, floral scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer to early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if eaten.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/9518319219_495c9ab151_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nGrand Rapids homeowners can’t help but love New England aster. Starting from late summer to late fall, it blooms for at least six weeks. It grows up to six feet tall and is still around even when Grand Rapids temperatures get cooler.
\n\n\n\nThese strikingly beautiful bright pink flowers resemble daisies, but with slightly thinner petals. If your property is sometimes visited by deer or rabbits, New England aster is a great addition, as deer and rabbits prefer tastier treats. Butterflies and birds are quite pleased about this; there’s more New England aster for them to consume.
\n\n\n\nThis plant needs space for good airflow or it may develop diseases. It works well in cottage gardens and borders, just as long as it’s not crowded.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, sandy, loamy
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer – early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. If it grows tall, it may require staking or other support. Pinching back stems before midsummer controls plant height and promotes flower growth.
\n\n\n\nChoose plants that are in your area’s hardiness zones. Grand Rapids temperatures can drop into the teens or lower. Plants in the Grand Rapids zone, which are zones 5 and 6, can withstand the lowest temperatures the area may experience.
\n\n\n\nMake sure you have the yard space and capacity to grow the vegetation. Although you may have seen a few white oaks (quercus alba), the tree is huge and may not be right for a typical front yard or backyard.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to knowing how much space you have, be familiar with your soil type, if your soil tends to retain water or dry out, and how sunny or shady your yard is. Select native plants that will thrive best in your yard’s composition.
\n\n\n\nNative plants are low-maintenance, but they still require some work. Gardening can be relaxing and therapeutic. However, if you feel forced to tend to your plants, it may cause undue stress. So, it’s also important to choose plants that fit your maintenance availability.
\n\n\n\nGrand Rapids experiences freezing winters and can have hot summers. It’s best to plant in the spring or fall. The weather is cooler and there’s more rain. This allows for roots to establish before the summer heat or before winter freezing temperatures cause dormancy.
The USDA separates the United States into different zones, with each zone representing a 10 degrees Fahrenheit difference in yearly average lowest winter temperatures.
Grand Rapids is in zones 5 and 6. Zones 5 through 6 include zones 5a, 5b, 6a, and 6b. They have temperatures that range from -20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit for zone 5a, to -5 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit for zone 6b.
Most plants native to Grand Rapids thrive best in soil with a range of 5.5 to 7.0 pH. Some plants may tolerate soil more acidic or alkaline, and the type of plant determines where it fits in the pH soil range. It’s best to research the plant to know what type of soil is best. Without appropriate soil conditions, plants can suffer and even die.
You’ve probably admired plenty of native plants while visiting the John Ball Zoo or Millenium Park. Lovely examples of Michigan native plants are likely displayed throughout your neighborhood. The Land Conservancy of West Michigan has information on local native plant sales by the Kent Conservation District and other organizations.
\n\n\n\nAnother place to look if you want to bring a piece of Grand Rapids home with you is a native plant nursery. Try these local options:
\n\n\n\nYou’ve already done the work of helping sustain the ecosystem by giving natural resources to butterflies, other pollinators, and local wildlife with your native landscape. Now, make sure both you and the local wildlife have a healthy turfgrass canvas, too. Let a local lawn care pro handle your lawn care needs.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Farmartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
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