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Where Can I Find Native Plants for Spring Planting in Michigan's Upper Peninsula?

Spring Discounts, 2025 Plant Sale Schedule, and More




Chest-high snowbanks next to a greenhouse
Spring? Early April greenhouse snow.

It's Spring! Technically, at least.

Looking out the window in most places in the U.P. you wouldn't know it. A lof of snow melted! And then we got more.


Mother Nature has decreed that it will not be an early spring this year. The result is we will begin putting plants out at the end of May (hopefully), rather than mid-May as we are able to do in warmer years. The germination of some species is likely to be delayed and many plants may not be ready until June. But, May will come with a burst of warmth (hopefully) that will have us all yearning to get our hands in the dirt and encourage new growth to drive away the memory of ice and cold. How can you get native plants this spring? Here are four tips:



  1. Order Now

This is not the year you want to be in the back of the line to receive your plants. We will likely be filling late spring orders in late June. Placing your pre-orders now will help us get your plants on our planning sheets so they are ready to go as soon as possible. Don't worry; we are not going to try to get you to pick up plants in April. Order now for pickup at the nursery in late May or early to mid June. Plants can be ordered here: https://www.upnativeplants.com/shop


  1. Take Advantage of New Offerings

Even though the weather is cold, we have seeds germinating left and right! When that beautiful germination happens, we finally have hard numbers on what plants we will be able to stock. As a result, we can offer some breaks on the price:

  • Cardinal Flower is in stock in abundance! Take advantage of our bulk deals: get 5 one-quart pots for a reduced rate, or snag a plug flat of 38 plants for only $2.50 per plant. Think 38 plants is too many? Cardinal Flower is tall and narrow. Space 9 to 12 inches apart in groupings of 5 to 7 for best effect. 38 plants allows for a handful of groupings scattered throughout your landscape. Or, plant in one dense mass for an explosion of red that will have hummingbirds abandoning your neighbors' germ-laced feeders and flocking to your yard at top speed for the natural nectar and insects they need. When available, we add Cardinal Flower to both our Hummingbird and Wildflower Garden Kits.

  • Fireweed is back, Baby! Last year we had almost no germination of Fireweed and were out of stock nearly all season. This year's Fireweed came on strong and the second tray of seed looks like it will have decent germination as well. We are excited to offer deals on 5 one-quart pots and plug flats this year. Although adaptable to a range of conditions, Fireweed thrives in disturbed soil with a touch of shade and medium or more moisture. Get it while it's hot! <wink>

  • Figwort: weird name, sweet plant. Beloved by hummingbirds and bees, this is a wonderful unobtrusive flower to tuck into your planting. We don't have enough to offer plug flats, but you can get 5 one-quart pots for a reduced price. This one is great in part shade with medium or moist soil. It features in our Pollinator Garden Kit.

  • Black-Eyed Susan germinated like a carpet! We also hopefully have a good number of plug flats overwintered (fingers crossed the voles can still get to their other food sources in this extended winter). Not only are we offering the bulk deals for this classic favorite, all sizes are on sale through the month of April for Native Plant Month! Check out our sales and features page here, and check back regularly for new deals. Black-eyed Susans also feature prominently in our new Moon Garden Kit.

  • Rosinweed - meet an under-appreciated plant that is a pollinator bonanza! Like other members of the Silphium family, it is striking plant with a yellow flower similar to sunflower. Rosinweed is drought-resistant when established, and will spread slowly but persistantly. Give it some competition to keep it in check or keep smaller plants clear and give it room to roam. The flowers are popular with a variety of native bees and the seeds are large and easily used by birds.

  • We are trying some new plants this year: Purple Meadow Rue, Red Anemone, Prairie Alumroot, Poke Milkweed, Tufted Loosestrife, Hookedspur and Downy Yellow Violets, and more. Watch the website shop for new postings when these plants are ready!




  1. Add to Your Native Plant Know-How

I love that there is always more to learn about native plants.

Last weekend I presented Butterfly Bonanza: Native Plants for U.P. Moths & Butterflies at the Keweenaw Wild Ones Native Plant Symposium!

You can catch it again at the Moosewood Nature Center in Marquette on May 24, right before the plant sale <wink>, details on Butterfly Bonanza Here.


But, even before that I will be presenting Wild About Native Plants: Why What We Plant Matters at the Alger Conservation District's Tree Sale Pickup Event in Munising on May 3, details Here.


Don't forget to RSVP for reminder emails!





  1. Mark Your Calendar For Your Local Plant Sales

Plant shopping is fun! We love our website, and hope you do too, but we understand the thrill of picking your new favorite plant out of trays of offerings. We will be all around the UP this year at plant sales. Watch our Happenings page for new events. Click the link for each sale and RSVP to receive a reminder email and to let us know you are coming. The plant sale season is long and grueling and we get tempted to cancel things and stay home with the dog if we think no one is coming, so click those RSVP buttons!


August 4 - Gladstone Farmer's Market

September 13 - Calumet Farmer's Market




A map of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan showing plant sale locations throughout the region
Who says you can't find native plants in the U.P.?


As always, thanks for planting native plants.

We will see you soon!

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