choosing plants, shrubs and trees for your shoreline native plants to consider when creating a...

Choosing Plants, Choosing Plants, Shrubs and Trees for Shrubs and Trees for

Your Shoreline Your Shoreline Native Plants to Consider When Native Plants to Consider When Creating a Buffer Along WaterCreating a Buffer Along Water

Chris Garthe, Native Plant SpecialistKama Ross, District Forester

LEELANAU CONSERVATION DISTRICT Phone: (231) 256-9783

www.leelanaucd.org

What to Avoid!What to Avoid!

What to Create!What to Create!

Leelanau Conservation DistrictLeelanau Conservation DistrictOffering bare root native trees, shrubs Offering bare root native trees, shrubs

and perennial plants since ?and perennial plants since ?

Annual April Native Tree and Shrub Seedling SaleAnnual April Native Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale

Annual May Native Plant SaleAnnual May Native Plant Sale

Affordable way to plant large areas for reforestation, Affordable way to plant large areas for reforestation, windbreaks/living fences, wildlife habitat, erosion control, windbreaks/living fences, wildlife habitat, erosion control, absorb wave energy, discourage geese/ducks…absorb wave energy, discourage geese/ducks…

On-site recommendations: site evaluation, species On-site recommendations: site evaluation, species selection and planting information – at no charge!selection and planting information – at no charge!

Coordinating with landscape contractorsCoordinating with landscape contractors

Lower ShorelineLower Shorelinebelow the ordinary high water mark (OHWM)below the ordinary high water mark (OHWM)

only native Michigan species may be planted here - MDEQonly native Michigan species may be planted here - MDEQ

BulrushBulrushGrass-like leavesGrass-like leaves6-8’ Tall6-8’ TallDense, SpreadingDense, SpreadingPlant right into water’s Plant right into water’s edgeedge

Lower ShorelineLower Shoreline

Blue Flag IrisBlue Flag IrisBloom: May – JulyHeight: 2 – 3’Wet to moist soilFull sun to partial shadeNaturally found in wet meadows

Lower ShorelineLower Shoreline

ButtonbushButtonbushMulti-stemmed Multi-stemmed shrubshrubHeight 6’Height 6’Unusually round, Unusually round, fragrant flowersfragrant flowersNectar sourceNectar sourceFull sun to part Full sun to part shadeshade

Other native plants:Other native plants:

Sweet FlagSweet Flag Water PlantainWater Plantain White Water LilyWhite Water Lily Arrow ArumArrow Arum

ArrowheadArrowhead Common Bur-reedCommon Bur-reed Pickerel WeedPickerel Weed

ShorelineShorelineBetween water level and OHWMBetween water level and OHWM

Cardinal FlowerCardinal FlowerBloom: July – SeptemberHeight: 2 – 4’Natural habitat – streambanks & swampsFull sun to filtered shadeAttracts hummingbirdsPoisonous

ShorelineShoreline

Great Blue LobeliaGreat Blue LobeliaBloom: July – SeptemberHeight: 1 – 3’Full sun to partial shadeNaturally found in rich lowland woods, meadows, marshes, and streambanks

ShorelineShoreline

Joe Pye WeedJoe Pye WeedBloom: August – SeptemberHeight: 4 – 6’Prefers full sun in a moist soilWill grow in partial shade

ShorelineShoreline

Red Osier Red Osier DogwoodDogwood

Red multi-stemmed shrubFlowers: JuneFruit: August-OctoberHeight: 3 – 6’Full sun to part shade

ShorelineShoreline

NinebarkNinebarkMulti-stemmed shrubWhitish-pink flowers: JuneRed fruit capsules Full sun to partial shadeHeight 10’

Other native plants:Other native plants:

BonesetBoneset Swamp milkweedSwamp milkweed Silky dogwoodSilky dogwood Speckled alderSpeckled alder Black willowBlack willow Eastern Eastern

cottonwoodcottonwood

Upper ShorelineUpper Shorelineabove the OHWMabove the OHWM

Switch GrassSwitch GrassHeight: 2 – 7’Deep rooted: 10 – 11’Broad range of soilsVery nutritious – palatability declines at maturity

Upper ShorelineUpper Shorelineabove the OHWMabove the OHWM

Heliopsis Heliopsis Also known as Smooth Oxeye, member of the sunflower familyBloom: July – AugustHeight: 3 - 4’Spreads prolifically

Upper ShorelineUpper Shoreline

HighbushHighbush CranberryCranberry

Found along streams, open or lightly shaded swamps & wet grounds Moderate shade- tolerant Flowers: May - June Fruit: September, persistent

Upper ShorelineUpper Shoreline

Marram GrassMarram GrassFound on Lake Found on Lake Michigan shorelineMichigan shorelineSpreadingSpreadingDrought/sand tolerantDrought/sand tolerant1-3’ in height1-3’ in heightFull sunFull sun

Upper ShorelineUpper Shoreline

BearberryBearberryFound on Lake Found on Lake Michigan shorelineMichigan shorelineFull sunFull sunSpreadingSpreadingDrought/light traffic Drought/light traffic toleranttolerant

Other native plants:Other native plants:

Butterfly weedButterfly weed ElderberryElderberry BergamotBergamot Indian grassIndian grass ServiceberryServiceberry HazelnutHazelnut

Common Common WitchhazelWitchhazel

White pineWhite pine Black cherryBlack cherry White oakWhite oak

Shoreline-Upper Shoreline-Upper ShorelineShoreline

Sky Blue AsterSky Blue Aster Marsh Blazing StarMarsh Blazing Star SpiderwortSpiderwort New England AsterNew England Aster Indian GrassIndian Grass Culver’s RootCulver’s Root Swamp ButtercupSwamp Buttercup FernsFerns NannyberryNannyberry

Arrowwood ViburnumArrowwood Viburnum ElderberryElderberry HazelnutHazelnut BlueberriesBlueberries ServiceberryServiceberry Or we’ll help you find Or we’ll help you find

a suitable native a suitable native species!species!

Many More Species to consider:

Native Grasses for FiltersNative Grasses for Filters

Little BluestemLittle BluestemRoot depth: 5 – 8’Drought tolerantValuable for erosion controlHeight: 3’Beautiful bronze-orange fall color

Native Grasses for FiltersNative Grasses for Filters

Big BluestemBig BluestemHeight: 2 – 6’Quality forageOnly 1/3 of plant is above ground – deep root

Native Grasses for FiltersNative Grasses for Filters

Indian GrassIndian GrassHeight: 3 – 10’Deep root system, drought tolerantErosion controlPrefers moist soil in full sunUsed as an ornamental grassPalatable when young, less so as it ages

Native Grasses for FiltersNative Grasses for Filters

Prairie DropseedPrairie DropseedEasy to growEasy to growClump-formingClump-formingAll soil typesAll soil typesFull sun to partial shadeFull sun to partial shadeDrought tolerantDrought tolerantSeed heads fragrantSeed heads fragrantAttracts birdsAttracts birds

Native Trees to PlantNative Trees to Plant

Edible Riparian BuffersEdible Riparian Buffers

Mix of species produces a range of Mix of species produces a range of

fruit and nutsfruit and nuts Attractive to pollinatorsAttractive to pollinators Fun!Fun!

American Elderberry, Mulberry, American American Elderberry, Mulberry, American Hazelnut,…Hazelnut,…

Natural Resource Natural Resource Education – Education – a mission of the a mission of the Conservation DistrictConservation District

Present at Lake Association eventsPresent at Lake Association events On-site visitsOn-site visits Articles for newslettersArticles for newsletters WorkshopsWorkshops Plant salesPlant sales Your ideas for how we can help your Your ideas for how we can help your

communities?communities?

Contact Us:Contact Us:

Buzz Long, Executive DirectorSusan Cordes, Administrative Assistant

Steve Christensen, Erosion Control Technician & Leelanau County Drain Commissioner

Tom Adams, Natural Resource SpecialistChris Garthe, Native Plant Specialist

Kama Ross, District Forester

LEELANAU CONSERVATION DISTRICT 8527 E. Government Center Drive,

Suttons BayPhone: (231) 256-9783

www.leelanaucd.org