Bringing Life to Your Landscapes

At Mitten Native Nursery, we believe your yard should be more than a chore - it should be easy to care for and rewarding to live with.

Our nursery was founded in 2025, but the journey began in 2008 when we started transforming our own traditional Michigan lawn into a thriving native landscape. Since making the switch to natives, our yard is full of vibrant wildflowers filled with butterflies, moths, native bees, and songbirds.

Now, we are here to help you do the same. Mitten Native Nursery is a franchise of Designs By Nature, LLC, who has a long-established reputation for growing only native plants of Michigan genotypes. Mitten Native Nursery is committed to that same approach. We are dedicated to growing quality Michigan native plants that restore the local ecosystems and bring the joy of nature to your doorstep. Join us in planting a wilder, better future.

Our Mission: Building a Vibrant Michigan

We believe we aren’t just selling plants; we are providing the building blocks for a healthier ecosystem. Our greenhouse specializes in species that have evolved specifically for Michigan’s unique soil and climate.

Why Choose Natives?

• Climate-Ready: Once established, our plants are hardy and drought-tolerant.

• Eco-Support: Native Plants provide the essential "life support" for local pollinators and wildlife.

• Low Maintenance: Native gardening reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, excessive watering and time spent mowing.

Our Growing Standards

We are committed to the health of our environment and your garden.

• Locally Sourced: All plants are grown from seeds sourced right here in Michigan.

• Chemical-Free: We grow 100% chemical-free to ensure your garden is safe for the bees, butterflies, and birds you love.

Your Partner in the Transformation

Native gardening doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Whether you have a small suburban plot or several acres of land, we are here to help you navigate the shift from a high-maintenance lawn to a high-joy habitat. We invite you to re-imagine and re-discover your yard. Let’s grow a wilder, more beautiful Michigan together.

Thank you Designs By Nature, LLC

DBN was established in 1997 by Vern Stephens and his wife Sue Tangora in Laingsburg, MI. We are thrilled to be part of the DBN network of native plant growers across the state of Michigan.

Thank you to Vern for encouraging us to take this leap, answering countless questions, helping secure seed, providing guidance on establishing our planting practices and general set-up requirements to get our greenhouse up and running.