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Guide to Gardening in Detroit, Michigan

Easy-Care Solutions for Beginners

Guest Author: Nancy Jones

Gardening in Detroit, Michigan can be a challenge because of our crazy climate and temperature extremes, but once you get some basics down, it's pretty easy. Read "the rules" first and then pick a few plants that are well suited to the Metro-Detroit area. All plants listed are geared toward easy-care, so no fussing allowed! And one more thing: DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL! If you haven't killed a few plants, you aren't really gardening. Try the plant in a different place next time or find a different plant.

Without further ado, here is your guide to gardening in Detroit, Michigan:

Rules for Gardening in Michigan

Photo © Howard E.

A few hard and fast rules for gardening in Southeast Michigan, including tips on and information about climate zones, soil and flower-bed size.

Bulbs

Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com

Bulbs are planted in spring or fall, and the plant grows every year thereafter.

Easy-Care Annuals

Picture of a Moonflower taken in a Vicksburg, Michigan Backyard

Photo © Dawn Ulmer

These plants live only till the first frost and then die. Their life cycle (in Michigan) is spring through fall. Since they have color the entire season, a good garden will usually have some annuals mixed in to brighten it up when no perennials are in bloom.

Perennials for Shady Flower Beds

Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com

Perennial plants generally return every year because their roots remain alive under the soil through the winter.

Full-Sun Perennials

Perennial plants should be the backbone of an easy-care garden. Generally speaking, perennials are in bloom for 2-4 weeks in Michigan.

Summer/Fall Flowering Plants

Michigan is all about experiencing the seasons. To insure a little color in late summer and early fall, be sure to include a tree, shrub, climber and/or groundcover from the list of summer and fall flowering plants for Michigan gardens.

Public Gardens in the Metro-Detroit Area

One of many display gardens at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

If you're looking for some ideas for your Michigan garden, visit one or more of the public and botanical gardens in the Metro-Detroit area. Each garden/landscape makes good use of plants -- native and otherwise -- that work in our state's variable climate.

List of Public and Botanical Gardens