Native Gardening and Landscaping within the City

What if a City landscape could be beautiful and better for the environment?

The City of Traverse City is exploring how native plants can transform public spaces while creating valuable habitat for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

As part of this effort, the City partnered with SEEDS to create a native plant demonstration garden in the parking lot medians at Lot P off State Street. Developed with the support of AmeriCorps volunteer Kindred James Burke, the project demonstrates how native flowers, grasses, ferns, shrubs and trees can create an attractive landscape that also supports our local ecosystem.

And the idea doesn't have to stop at City property. You can do it, too. 

As of the summer of 2026:

  • The City of Traverse City’s current zoning allows for the creation of native plant lawns; these lawns do not need to be mowed, and no zoning requests need to be made prior.
  • Plants, fruits, and vegetables grown in these gardens can be sold at your home without the need for any special permissions from the city.
  • Residents may plant in the treelines, but must be cautioned that these plants may be removed for any reason, such as sidewalk or utility maintenance.

There are a variety of ways to incorporate native plants into your yard, providing benefits to the soil, local pollinators, and local plants.

This project was made possible through City Parking Funds.