Courtesy photo Julia Butch, owner of Designs by Nature - Huron Shores, LLC, is seen taking a photo of a native plant. Butch said that Northeast Michigan is a native plant nursery desert.

ALPENA — Julia Butch, owner of Designs by Nature – Huron Shores, LLC, said that Northeast Michigan is a native plant nursery desert, and she hopes by starting her own nursery, she can encourage residents to plant more native plants on their properties and in their gardens.

Butch explained that native plants are plants that are adapted to Northeast Michigan’s climate and naturally grow in the Great Lakes region. She said that native plants are hardy and are adapted to withstand native predators and pests, making them an essential building block for the region’s ecosystem.

“Native plants are the foundation of everything,” Butch said.

She explained that though native plants may not have the same aesthetic value as a rose bush, for example, she said they are more sustainable and require less maintenance.

“They are beautiful,” she added. “They have the best success rates … they are used to our climate.”

She said that many ornamental types of plants that people plant on their property or in their gardens are not native to the region and have become invasive species. She said that non-native plants also have less value for pollinators.

Butch explained that her nursery will not start out with a store front, but rather she grows her plants and then will sell them at various farmers markets and vendor events in the Northeast Michigan region. She added that her nursery will start out with a select variety of plants though her goal is to branch out in the future with a larger selection and variety.

“Down the line, I would like to grow types of native plants that are specific to Northeast Michigan,” she said.

Butch explained that her journey to starting a native plant nursery was informed by her love of nature and her conservation work over the years.

“I’ve been a huge nature person my whole life,” Butch said.

She grew up in the Long Lake area and near the Emily Min Hunt Preserve located in Presque Isle county. When she attended school at Eastern Michigan University for biology, Butch said her coursework focused on native plants and their importance in the ecosystem.

“My big focus was on native plants,” she said.

Butch explained that while attending Eastern, she was able to network with Vern Stephens who is an expert in native plants and who inspired Butch’s interest in native plants.

She said that she hopes in the future that more people in the region are encouraged to plant native plants in their gardens and on their properties.

“I’d love to see more and more native plants growing throughout the region,” she said.

Butch said that her nursery is still in its infancy stage and that she is looking forward to seeing it grow in the future.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.