Did you know that many of the plants that are most invasive in local natural areas originally arrived as ornamental garden plants? For many, a garden’s purpose begins and ends with beauty. We believe it is possible to create spaces that transcend beauty alone. You can prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by purchasing plants at local nurseries and through landscapers/designers that have committed to not selling high-threat invasive ornamental plants in Michigan.
Special thanks to KISMA's Go Beyond Beauty participating nurseries: Flowers by Sleeman (Houghton), Kismet Gardens (Baraga), and Designs by Nature (Marquette).
Learn more about KISMA as a Go Beyond Beauty hub on Go Beyond Beauty
Barberry Trade-Up Days 2026
Why care about barberry?
Japanese barberry is an invasive shrub that harms the environment and human health (not to mention our animal companions). They have escaped our gardens and now outcompete native plants in our forests. Its dense thickets also create ideal habitat for Lyme disease reservoirs, such as mice and chipmunks, and favorable microclimates for blacklegged ticks, increasing the risk of Lyme disease transmission to humans.
What can you do?
Got barberry? If you have identified a barberry shrub in your yard, dig it out, getting as much of the root as possible, and bring it to our Barberry Trade-Up Days Drop-off Sites for a $10 coupon toward a native shrub replacement from one of our Go Beyond Beauty partners. From July 20 through August 12, we are accepting barberry shrub drop-offs at two locations throughout the Keweenaw. For more information, view these drop-off instructions.
When and Where?
- Drop-off period: July 20 through August 12
- Drop-off sites:
- Houghton & Keweenaw counties: Michigan Technological University Salt Barn on Cemetery Road, Houghton, MI 49931
- Baraga county: 616 Poplar Street, L’Anse, MI 49946
Native Alternatives
Planting Guides and Local Sources
Many plants originally introduced for use in ornamental landscapes have since become invasive. To address these challenges, the Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area created a native plant species list specific to the UP and northern MI, MN, and WI. Use this list to determine if the plants you want to buy will support our native insects, birds, and other glorious members of our native food web.
Native plant lists
- Upper Peninsula specific native plant species list created by KISMA (trees, shrubs, herbaceous, ferns, grasses, sedges, and vines).
- Native Plant Finder
- MSU Extension Upper Peninsula Native Plants List
- Prairie Moon Nursery native plant cultural guide will help determine where the plants you like will grow, but not all plants on this list are native to our area, so use the native plant list above as a cross reference.
Some local and regional nurseries sources for native plants and seeds are listed below
Remember to ask for natives— increased demand will lead to increased supply.
- Flowers by Sleeman 906-482-4023 – Houghton; Go Beyond Beauty partner
- Kismet Gardens – https://www.facebook.com/kismet.gardens.up?mibextid=ZbWKwL – 14500 Korhonen Road, Baraga, MI 49908; Go Beyond Beauty partner
- Designs by Nature 906-250-9157 – Marquette; Go Beyond Beauty partner
- Richardson Landscape Design 231-838-2682 – Naubinway; Go Beyond Beauty partner
- Dennis Greenhouse 906-296-0920 – Lake Linden
- Conservation Districts: Houghton Keweenaw; Iron Baraga; Marquette
- EverGreen Nursery, Inc. 906-387-4350 – Skandia (between Marquette and Munising)
- Northern Natives EC Nursery 317-308-1027 – 5549 County Road 363, Newberry, MI 49868, US
- Prairie Moon Nursery 866-417-8156 – Minnesota
- Prairie Nursery 800-476-9453 – Wisconsin
Local Native Plant/Garden Groups
Native Planting Guides
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Native honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis) is an understory shrub Image credit: Sigrid Resh |
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Native bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a spring ephemeral Image credit: Sigrid Resh |