Native Edge, LLC

10/13/2026

It was a great day for a mussel survey! Native Edge recently conducted a mussel survey at a local marina and our initial reconnaissance found giant floaters (Pyganodon grandis)!

Did you know that native freshwater mussels are protected on the state and federal level and are critically important to the health of our lakes, rivers, and streams? In Michigan, before any lake, river, or stream work can be done where mussels may be present, a mussel survey is required.

Why should you care? Freshwater mussels improve water quality by filtering out excess dirt, algae, nutrients, and a whole variety of harmful chemicals. They also stabilize our stream and lake bottoms, provide food for wildlife like river otters, and create habitat for aquatic macroinvertebrates.

Mussels are awesome and we are grateful to do this work that helps protect these amazing creatures!

10/05/2026

Need design inspiration for your garden? Check out this native garden design for an East Grand Rapids site that will be installed this fall. The client wanted to get rid of some unneeded lawn and add more color, wildlife, and beauty to the property.

We went with a design that features repeated masses of individual species for an intentional look. The plants chosen will thrive with heavy clay soil. Excited to see this design come to life.

09/30/2026

Greenhouse plant spotlight! New England Asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) are one of many native asters that would be a wonderful addition to any garden. The purple flowers are stunning! This aster provides nectar to bees and butterflies and is a host plant to many native Michigan moths. Can handle full sun to partial shade and can grow in a variety of soil conditions but prefers consistent moisture.

09/25/2026

The garden’s at Cascade Library’s Friendship Park continue to change throughout the season but fall might be one of our favorites. Just take a seat and you might see the group of yellow finches eating seed from the rattlesnake master, the alfalfa butterflies fluttering from aster to aster, and the bees pollinating the goldenrods.

To see an area filled with so much life, when most gardens are slowing down, reminds us how important these native gardens are to us and our fellow animals. The prairie area could have been a field of mowed grass but it’s a thriving ecosystem with birds, bees, butterflies, wasps, moths, and so much more.

If you have a chance to visit Cascade Library, now is the perfect time to do some bird watching and see what native gardens can look like in the fall. 😊

09/21/2026

It’s fall y’all! As cooler fall temperatures arrive, a new palette of native plants takes center stage.

The fall landscape reminds us there is still so much life and wonder around us. As spring and summer blooms fade, their brown, tan, and black seedheads and foliage create the perfect backdrop for the asters and goldenrods putting on their fall show.

There is still plenty of work ahead and landscapes to install, but we’re enjoying the cooler days, changing colors, and all that fall has to offer along the way.

09/18/2026

Excited to be a part of this wonderful project and seeing phase 1 get underway!

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! A special thank you to the Native Edge crew for all the hard work this year! Without this team we wouldn’t be able to create these impactful landscapes for our communities. We are so grateful for the Native Edge crew, past and present, for their passion and commitment!

09/05/2026

This client‘s property in Spring Lake sits mostly in the floodplain and became a mess during high water years. The Native Edge team created a design which strategically sculpted the property with high areas for walking and lower rain gardens to help manage stormwater.

Our crew helped this client navigate the permitting process, install a new seawall, riprap, and rain gardens along the shoreline. Instead of a traditional seawall that offers very little habitat for marine life. The rain garden softens the shoreline, supports life, and benefits the entire marine ecosystem.

Plants pictured: Ironw**d, Joe pye w**d, purple coneflower.

09/03/2026

Behind the scenes with our greenhouse crew! The greenhouse is a wildlife magnet. Luke, greenhouse manager and plant expert, was trimming back some Swamp Milkw**d, and found NINE monarch caterpillars munching on them! (little helpers in the greenhouse 😊). He moved them to the older swamp milkw**d, where they are happily engorging themselves again today.

We’ve had a very successful first season and it’s exciting to see how we’re already making an impact before the plants have even left the greenhouse.

09/02/2026

We’re SO excited to see this project come to life next year!

Our team has been hard at work designing a reimagined Tassell Park that will become a true community hub and regional destination along the Thornapple River in the heart of Cascade. The plan celebrates the site’s natural character while adding new amenities, connecting additional parcels, and creating more opportunities for the community to enjoy the park.
And yes… there will be LOTS of native plant gardens!

Check out the article below to get a sneak peek at what’s coming!

The 3.2-acre Tassell Park will feature a new boardwalk, a pedestrian walkway, enhanced riverfront access along the Thornapple River, a splash pad and a natural playground.