U.P. Native Plants
Designs By Nature
What started decades ago as a newlywed couple reintroducing a few native plants to the yard of our proudly purchased starter home blossomed in 2020 into a full-fledged Native Plant Nursery at our century-old homestead. We’re proud to provide quality plants that are pesticide-free and locally sourced, backed by the high level of personal service you’ve come to expect from a local business. Peruse our unique plant list, and come away with vibrant additions to your own habitat.
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Michelle Wietek-Stephens is the owner and operator of Designs By Nature - Upper Peninsula Native Plants, LLC. Michelle is herself a UP native, and is an avid hiker, biker, observer of nature, and gardener. During her previous 15-year career as an environmental consultant, Michelle consulted on environmental protection, site restoration, and wetland management. After making time for a growing family, Michelle established Designs By Nature - UP Native Plants, LLC, in December of 2020 with the help of husband Todd her three children, and extended family.
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Take Action
Questions? Our contact information is at the bottom of each screen. You can also jump to our shop page, follow us on social media, or subscribe to 3 to 5 emails per month about upcoming plant sales, specials, new blog posts, and species highlights.
Our Mentors
Designs By Nature - UP Native Plants is proud to be mentored by Designs By Nature, LLC, located in Laingsburg, Michigan. Their fully licensed greenhouse grows only native plants of Michigan genotypes. Designs by Nature, LLC, was established in 1997 by Vern Stephens and Sue Tangora. Vern and Sue have over 30 years' experience working with native plants and ecosystem restoration. They have consulted on projects throughout the state from home landscape design to university/corporate restoration and installation. Vern recently retired from the Michigan DNR Wildlife Division as a Senior Wildlife Assistant where his work specialized in grasslands and invasive species management. Designs By Nature, LLC, is an active supplier of quality native plants throughout Michigan and the region.