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 Buying Native Plants Responsibly
Going Native
 
cally different than a Black-eyed susan from Minnesota.The differences are slightand are most likely not visi-ble, but the plant adapted toMichigan will be bettersuited for Michigan’s grow-ing conditions than the samespecies that is adapted toMinnesota’s growing condi-tions. This same theory canbe applied to regionsas well. Plantsadapted to southeastMichigan will be ge-netically different thanplants adapted tonorthern Michigan.This may not seem im-portant. But a benefit of growing native plants is topreserve our local genetic“databank,” and natural heri-tage. By bringing in thesame species with a differentgenetic makeup,
our 
plant’sgenes could be polluted(during pollination) with thegenes from another area,making our plants lessadapted over time to ourarea. Using local genotypesis also important with spe-cies that are uncommon inSpringfield Township. Forinstance, if our local geno-type of Stiff Coreopsis isalready scarce, it may disap-pear if a more vigorouswestern strain is plantednearby.Deciding to use localgenotypes is each person’sdecision. If properly sited,plants with local geneticstock will flourish as theyhave in the wild for manycenturies. You can be as-sured they are hardy to ourarea and that, once estab-lished, they will take care of themselves. On InformationSheet #7, we have provideda listing of nurseries that sellplants grown or propagatedfrom local populations.
Selecting and Buying Native Plants
Springfield Township, Michigan
Sheet #4Homeowner’s Series
There are many issues tothink about in selecting andbuying native plants. Thisinformation sheet discussesthe importance of localgenotypes (using plantsgrown from southeastMichigan sources), and is-sues involved in buying na-tive plants from local grow-ers and nurseries. Much of the informa-tion comesfrom materialsdeveloped byGrass Roots,Inc., a Michi-gan landscapecompany thatprofessionally rescues nativeplants from developmentsites.
Using LocalGenotypes
 
Just like people, plants havea genetic code. This codetells the plant what flowercolor it is, and where it canlive, among many otherthings. Throughout time, asplant species migratedacross the land, the plantsadapted to the local soil andclimate conditions. Thisadaptation resulted in aunique genetic makeup of that species in that locale.In other words, a Black-eyedsusan from Michigan hasadapted to become geneti-
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The recent popularity of native plants in landscapinghas caused a surge in de-mand for plants, and as aresult, an increase in unlaw-ful collecting of wild plantsfor sale. Here are some tipsto help you purchase plantsfrom reputable dealers:
Ask if the plant hasbeen nursery propa-gated
“Nursery propagated” plantsare raised in nurseries fromseed, cuttings or root stock of legally obtained native
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