Trees:
* Deciduous: Sugar maple, red maple, American beech, oak (red, white, black), basswood, elm (American, slippery), ash (green, white), birch (yellow, paper), aspen, cottonwood, butternut, hickory
* Coniferous: White pine, red pine, jack pine, eastern hemlock, balsam fir, spruce
Shrubs:
* Native: Dogwood, elderberry, blueberry, viburnum, sumac, hazelnut, honeysuckle, willow, rhododendron
* Cultivated: Lilac, rose, hydrangea, forsythia, barberry, juniper
Wildflowers:
* Spring ephemerals: Trillium, bloodroot, spring beauty, Dutchman's breeches, wild ginger
* Summer: Black-eyed Susan, coneflower, goldenrod, aster, sunflower, milkweed, wild bergamot, bee balm
* Fall: Asters, goldenrod, gentian, witch hazel
Fruits and Vegetables:
* Fruits: Apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes
* Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, squash, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, corn, lettuce, spinach
Other:
* Ferns: Lady fern, ostrich fern, cinnamon fern
* Mosses and Lichens: Various species thrive in shaded areas and forests
Factors influencing growth:
* Climate: The Lower Peninsula has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters.
* Soil: Soil types vary greatly, from sandy soils in the west to clay soils in the east.
* Elevation: The peninsula ranges from low-lying areas near Lake Michigan to higher elevations in the north.
* Human activity: Agriculture, forestry, and urbanization have all impacted the flora of the Lower Peninsula.
This is just a sampling of what grows in the Lower Peninsula. The specific plants you will find will depend on the location and the specific conditions of the site.
It is important to note that some plants are invasive species and can have negative impacts on the native ecosystem. If you are interested in planting, it is always best to choose native species that are appropriate for your area.
