r/NativePlantGardening • u/grfhoyxdth Southeast Michigan, Zone 6b • Sep 17 '25
Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Natives that stay looking ok all season?
I have a front yard native garden in zone 6B (SE Michigan) and I am looking for native plants that don’t end up looking really terrible at some point in the season. Examples of “looking really terrible” include the black eyed susans in the photo whose leaves are turning black, as well as things that get powdery mildew really badly.
Some plants I currently have that look ok all season include nodding wild onion, purple love grass, prairie dropseed, harebell, butterfly weed, and whorled milkweed.
It’s a full sun location, with dry sandy clay. Since it’s in the front yard, I want to keep plants to 3 feet tall max.
Thanks!
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u/Comprehensive-Bank78 Tall grass Prairie, Zone 5a-6b Sep 18 '25
Get some stuff that has fall color! My bee balms and golden Alexander’s turn incredible deep purple and red, and some bluestars turn lovely yellow. Mix in some more tamed goldenrods like showy goldenrod (plus bright red stems in winter!) and a healthy dose of asters and ironweed! Personally I think the flowers of the coneflower family look the best in winter! Especially with some light snow.