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Landscaping In
Michigan
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Landscaping In Michigan
Landscaping in Michigan, where winters are harsh and temperatures can plummet, requires planning that specifically caters to a particular climate that experiences freezing winters, heavy snowfall and a shorter growing season. Careful planning is required with plant selection and maintenance strategies to create beautiful landscapes.
Gardeners and landscapers need to be knowledgeable and ready for this particular climate. This article will cover considerations such as the choice of plants and landscaping techniques that are tailored to Michigan’s cold climate.
Michigan's Climate
Michigan’s climate varies across the state, with the Upper Peninsula falling into Zone 4 and the Lower Peninsula ranging from Zone 5 to 6. Zone 4s average a minimum temperatures of -30 degrees Fahrenheit to – 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Zone 5 to 6 range from -20 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions demand plants and landscaping designs that can withstand extreme cold, fluctuating temperatures, as well as occasional drought in the summer.
Cold Climate Plants
It is important that plants that thrive in Michigan’s cold climate in order to have a low-maintenance, vibrant landscape. Here are some good options. You will also want to take into consideration things such as soil type, the particular location within Michigan taking into consideration what Zone it is in.
Trees such as Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), White Spruce (Picea glauca), Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), Tamarack (Larix laricina), Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) and Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) are good options to have and plant in Michigan.
Shrubs such as Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea), Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp., e.g., A. alnifolia or A. laevis), American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum), Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) and Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) are some shrubs that can thrive in Michigan’s cold climate.
Perennials such as Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.), Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and Hosta (Hosta spp.) are good options to plant in Michigan.
Groundcover such as Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) and sedum (Sedum spp.) are good options for low-growing coverage and tolerate the cold and rocky soils that are common in Michigan.
When selecting plants, you should select plants that are native to that part of Michigan or those that are rated for Zones 4 or 5 to ensure that they can survice Michigan’s winters.
Visually Appealing Landscaping In Michigan
If you plan on having a beautiful, visually appealing garden and landscape in Michigan, you should incorporate evergreen trees and shrubs, such as junipers or arborvitae, for greenery in the winter. Ornamental grasses and plants, like red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea), can add texture and against the snow.
Windbreaks
Strong winter winds can damage your plants and dry out soil. Plant windbreaks using hardy evergreens like spruce or fir to shield more delicate plants. You can also use stone walls, fences or raised beds to create areas that are protected from Michigan’ winter winds and cold climate.
Hardscapes
You may want to incorporate hardscaping elements like stone paths, patios or retaining walls made from materials like limestone or granite, which can withstand freeze-thaw cycles. You will want to avoid materials that are prone to cracking, such as low-quality concrete. Heated walkaways or driveways can reduce snow shoveling in Michigan’s snowy winters.
Water Management
Michigan’s heavy spring rains and snowmelt require good drainage. Design landscapes with slight slopes or install French drains to prevent waterlogged soil, which can damage plant roots during freeze-thaw cycles.
Soil And Mulching Strategies
Michigan’s soils range from sandy in coastal areas to clay-heavy in inland regions. Most soils in Michigan are slightly acidic and are ideal for plants that are native to that area of Michigan, but with additions like compost can improve drainage and fertility.
Mulching is critical in cold climates. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch around plants to insulate the roots, retain moisture and to prevent frost heaving. You should avoid piling mulch against tree trunks to prevent rot. In late fall, you should add extra mulch to protect perennials and shrubs from Michigan’s winter chill.
Winter Protection Techniques
You need to take proactive measures to protect your plants in Michigan’s winters.
- Use burlap of tree wraps to shield young trees from sunscald and windburn. This is more important for species of trees that have a thin bark, such as maple trees.
- Apply anti-desiccant sprays to evergreens to reduce moisture loss from winter winds.
- Brush away heavy snow off branches to prevent breakage, but allow light snow to remain as natural insulation.
- Move potted plants to a sheltered area or insulate them with bubble wrap to protect the roots from freezing.
Lawn Care In Cold Climates
Some things that you can to do to maintain a healthy lawn in Michigan is to plant cold-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue, aerate lawns in spring or fall to improve drainage and reduce compaction, apply a slow-release fertilizer in late fall to strengthen roots before winter dormancy and avoid walking on frozen or snow-covered lawns to prevent damage.
Seasonal Maintenance
- In the spring, you can clean up debris, prune dead brances, divide perennials, check for frost heaving and replant displaced roots.
- In the summer, you can water deeply, but infrequently to encourage deep root growth, especially during Michigan's dry spells.
- In the fall, you can plant bulbs like tulips or daffodils for spring blossoms, rake leaves to prevent mold and pests and apply winter mulch.
- In the winter, you can monitor for damage from animals, such as deer or rabbits, and use repellents or fencing as needed.
Sustainable Landscaping Practices
It is encouraged to incorporate eco-friendly practices to support Michigan’s environment:
- Using native plants requires less water and maintenance while supporting the local pollinators, like bees and butterflies.
- You can create rain gardens with plants, like swamp milkweed to manage runoff and improve water quality in areas near the Great Lakes.
- You can use compost to naturally enrich the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Challenges And Solutions
- You can extend the growing season of your plants by starting seeds indoors or using cold frames to protect early plantings.
- You can use plants that deter animals such as deers and rabbits, which are common in Michigan, or use fencing to keep them away from your plants.
- It is a good idea to use salt-tolerant plants, like Russian sage for areas near roads or walkways where de-icing salts are used.
Conclusions
Landscaping in Michigan can be a challenge, and also rewarding. By taking proactive measures, such as selecting cold-hardy, native plants, incorporating hardscaping and using protective techniques like mulching and windbreaks, you can create a stunning and resilient landscape that thrives year-round. Embrace Michigan’s beautiful, vibrant summers, colorful falls and snowy winters, and design a garden and landscape that is both functional and visually appealing through out the whole year.