Planting Guide  
For Municipalities

Many plants originally introduced for use in ornamental landscapes have since become invasive. To address these challenges, the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) recommends the following planting guidelines for municipalities, homeowners associations, and other interested groups. ISN partners developed the lists of recommended and prohibited plants below based on scientific evidence, collective experience managing natural areas across the region, and with input from the City of Ann Arbor’s invasive plant list and Michigan Natural Features Inventory.  

This resource can be downloaded above.  It includes a list of suggested native plants, as well as four classes of invasive plants:
  • Class 1 List:  Many locally uncommon plants that cause serious problems in other regions have the potential to arrive through ornamental landscaping activities
  • Class 2 List:  Roughly half of northwest lower Michigan’s Top 20 Least Wanted Invasive Species are still planted in ornamental landscapes
  • Class 3 List:  Provides a catch-all for ornamental plants that pose a recognized invasive threat to the region
  • Class 4 List: Covers grass species that, although problematic, have less of an impact when regularly mowed

For identification assistance or to report a species occurrence, visit the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.  For management advice, visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ invasive species website,  Midwest Invasive Plant Network’s control database, or contact us.
ISN can also provide assistance with invasive species and planting guide ordinances. For help with this or to request templates, please contact us.