Research shows that native species are more adept at fostering biodiversity, protecting local habitat and attracting wildlife - including ever-important pollinators. The deep roots of native plants means they need less maintenance, requiring less watering in the hot summer months and no need for fertilizer or chemicals to thrive, resulting in reduced negative environmental impacts.

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners established the Native Plants Event in 2020 to raise awareness of the ecological benefits of native plants. Oakland County Parks, in partnership with Michigan State University Extension, implemented the program last year and will continue the effort, providing more than 600 native plant kits to residents each spring.

This year, Oakland County Parks also hosted two Fall Native Plant Events in partnership with the City of Novi and the City of Rochester Hills.

Oakland County Parks Spring Native Plant Event

Oakland County Parks, in partnership with Michigan State University Extension and the City of Ferndale, hosted its fifth Native Plant Event June 7-8, 2024. More than 600 native plant kits were distributed.

Look for more information about the 2025 event in the spring.

Visit the resources below for more information about selecting and caring for native plants year round. 

Native plant kit care:

• Average Garden Kit
• Moist and Sunny Garden Kit
• Partial Shade Kit
• Sunny and Sandy Kit

Native Plant Resources

About Native Plants

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Database of Native Plants of North America to learn about native plants
• Minnesota Wildflowers to learn about native plants
• Go Beyond Beauty for Resources for Native Alternatives to Ornamental Landscaping
• MI EGLE for Landscaping Designs and Plants for Water Quality

Sourcing and buying native plants

• Google map of local native plant nurseries
• Wild Ones' Native Plant Nursery List

Climate Change

• Xerces for Wildlife and Humans, Native Plants are a Key to Climate Resilience
• Missouri Prairie Foundation for Native Plants and Carbon Storage

Native Plants and Birds tool

• Audubon Plant Tool to find natives that benefit birds by zip code

Ecosystem Services and Native Plant Species

• MSU Extension Native Plants and Ecosystem Services

Pollinator Resources

• Butterflies of Oakland County
• MSU Pollinator Initiative
• Xerces Pollinator Conservation Resources (Great Lakes region)
• Plants for Pollinators
• MSU Native Bees Research Webinar
• Honeybee Health Grant and donate/apply for research opportunities
• Pollinator Identification - Free identification resource
• MSU Extension's Native Flowering Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects table

 Common questions about native plants and tips for planting

• Native plant fact sheet - from the City of Ann Arbor National Area Preservation
• "The First Year: Getting Plants Established" - from Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
• "Garden with Native Plants: 5 Tips for Establishing Your New Plant in the Landscape" brochure - from Arcadia Natives

Webinars

• Selection and Care of Your Native Plant Kit
  • This short video has information to help you select and care for your native plant kit from Oakland County
  • Soil texture jar test instructions from Clemson Cooperative Extension
• Pollinator Gardens and Our Food Systems
  • MSU Extension Educator Kristin Hahn explains the basics of the pollination process and why it is essential to society and our food system. Who are the pollinators and why they are attracted to different types of plants? She discusses simple pollinator garden design along with the importance of native plants to pollinators