Plants for Children’s Environments in the Midwestern Region

List of Favorites

There are a number of plants that are great additions to school campuses and should be readily available from a local nursery source. Here is a short list of favorites.

• Asters: There are lots of varieties available

• Black-eyed susan (Rudbekia hirta)

• Cardinal flower (Lobelia species)

• Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Coreopsis varieties (Coreopsis sp. - Tickseed, lance-leaf, moonbeam)

• Gayfeather (Liatris spicata)

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): There are a lot of varieties to choose from. Note: Goldenrods are sometimes confused with ragweed as an allergy inducing plant. Goldenrod is not an allergenic plant, and is very different from ragweed. These plants just happen to bloom around the same time of year.

• Milkweed (Asclepias varieties)

• Red-twig dogwood (Cornus serecia)

• Sedges (Carex species)

Fast Growing Shade Trees

These trees are climate-appropriate for the region and easy to find in nurseries.  

• Red maple (Acer rubrum, lots of varieties)

• Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

• Willows (Salix species), very fast growing but weak wood and the branches break easily, keep away from water lines

• American beech (Fagus grandifolia)

• Basswood (Tilia americana)

• Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

• Tamarack (Larix larincina): a deciduous conifer, with amazing yellow fall color and can tolerate wetter soils.

• Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

• Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Trees and Plants that do well in Pots

Most of the recommended plants in this list will do well in a pot that has adequate space for the root growth. One of the first considerations for using potted plants is to ensure that irrigation or regular watering can be done even while school is not in session. Relying on volunteers is great but will change over time. For short term projects (where kids take pots home), water really well on Fridays to ensure the plant will be successful over the weekend or set in a shallow tray of water.. Most of the shrubs and perennials (even annuals) will do well in planters or large pots. Follow instructions on the supplier plant tag for spacing, soil and nutrient requirements.

Plants for Dividing Spaces and Screening

These plants are typically found in local nurseries. Larger species are going to need more root growth space, so plan on larger planters, such as concrete boxes, large metal troughs, and others, that can be placed and not need to be moved. Smaller containers can be set on movable platforms with lockable caster wheels. 

• Boxwood (Buxus, lots of varieties)

• Cedar or Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

• Burning bush (Euonymus alatus)

• Red-twig dogwood (Cornus serecia)

• Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum)

* Do not use yews, as the berries are not edible.

Plants and Trees for Habitat and Pollinator Gardens

This is a collection of perennials and shrubs that will support pollinators on your site. There are many! This is just a small collection of local favorites. Select a variety of species to get blooms from early spring to late fall to maximize food source when the wildlife needs it the most.

Low (6”-3’)

• Goldenrods

• Prairie dock

• Ironweed

• Black-eyed Susans

• Coreopsis

• Joe-pye weed

• Milkweed

• Butterfly weed

• Asters

• Salvias 

Medium (3’-8’)

• Lilacs (lots of varieties)

• Burning bush

• Highbush cranberry

• Elderberry

• Ninebark

Whenever possible, select native plants for your area and provide good diversity of plants to promote healthy habitat for a wide range of pollinators. Avoid using chemicals of any kind in or around pollinator gardens. While there are many plants that provide pollinator habitat, the following list represents plants that perform well in schoolyard environments.

Plants for a Sensory Garden

Plant a variety of species to appeal to all the senses: fragrant herbs for smell, color and texture; soft grasses for touch and sound; bright colored flowers and plants with great fall color, especially that contrast with the background of a building or evergreen shrubs. Include plants that are attractive at different times of the year to provide year-long sensory effects.

Include various grasses, sedges, rushes, and herbs to smell and touch.  Many herbs are good for smell, texture, and seasonal color. Focusing on perennials and reseeding plants will reduce the need to replant.

Winners include Twister Sedge, Mondo grass, common rush, leatherleaf sedge and ice dance sedge, as well as perennial grasses.

Plants with a strong odor like mint (only in containers), lemon thyme, fragrant roses, and herbs are wonderful to expand the sensory experience.

Plants for Science or other Curricular Projects

There are many ways to incorporate plants at schools to support all curriculum goals, as well as mental and emotional health. These can be small gardens (4’x8’ raised garden boxes) or larger landscape beds. Space features so they are easy to water and weed, as well as get to for harvesting seeds, leaves and stalks. Use ADA raised beds when possible. For more information, check out the science projects here: “Which Seeds Will Germinate the Fastest for a Science Fair Project?”

GROWING FROM SEEDS OR ROOTS

Annual plants via seeds or roots are beneficial for school projects, including harvesting, seed packet making, famer’s market, school plant sales, community garden, floral bouquets, and much more.

• Flowers. Marigolds, sunflowers, nasturtium, zinnia, dahlia tubers, snapdragons.

• Veggies. Beans (with support), squash (pumpkin, yellow, gourds, etc.), corn, snap peas, carrots, potatoes

• Fruit. Orchard trees, berry bushes, strawberries*

*Strawberries are an everbearing groundcover that is a great introduction to learning about where food comes from, parts of plants, and stages of the berry, from flower to little green to larger white and then red berry). Put in raised boxes if there are concerns about the runners.

Butterfly garden

• Asters (Aster novae-angliae)

• Bee balm (Monarda spp.)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) 

• Coreopsis (lots of varieties)

• Daisies (Leucanthemum spp. - lots of varieties to choose from)

• Gayfeather (Liatris spp.)

• Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)

• Sedum

• Thyme (Thymus spp.)

• Verbenas (Verbena spp.)

• Yarrow (Achillea spp.)

Cut flower garden

Grow these for use in science, horticulture, and floriculture projects.

• Red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea)

• Yellow twig dogwood (Cornus alba)

• Birch (Betula)

• Summersweet (Clethra spp.)

• Annuals such as zinnia, sunflowers, and bulbs (tulips and daffodils, for example)

Art garden

These are great for pressing, making dyes, and other art projects.

• Ferns, such as western sword, deer, maidenhair, and others.

• Tree leaves with a variety of shapes, such as sugar maple, silver maple, gingko, oaks, and cherry.

• Plants that can be used to make dyes including acorns, indigo, mints, onions, or elderberry.

Plant structures

Use plants to make structures or forts, such as willows and dogwoods. Use branches to build supports for peas, cucumbers and climbing beans.

Specific Garden Project Ideas

Shade projects

Add more shade to the campus for retreat from the heat and glare as well as add more diversity to the campus. Trees add lots of great curriculum benefits including changes of the seasons, and diversity of textures, leaf shapes, seeds, and nuts for students to explore.

Native Habitat gardens

Use layers of habitat from tall trees such as Oaks and Hickory or American Beech and Sugar Maples, to understory trees such as common witchhazel, ninebark, alder, viburnum, chokeberry to shrubs (listed above) and perennials. Use local natives where possible and pair with habitat and ecosystem curriculum. Plant species that provide food sources and shelter for desired animals such as small mammals, insects, and birds.

Native grass garden

Use a variety of native grasses to compare and contrast such as Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Little blue stem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) and bottlebrush grass (Hystrix patula). Also consider sedges and rushes for areas that may be a little wetter, such as Hardstem bulrush (Scirpus acutus), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), rush (Juncus effusus), sedge (Carex stipata or vulpinoidea).

STORMWATER OR RAIN WATER GARDENS

If your site has detention or retention areas or can connect from down spouts, lots of sedges, rushes, red-twig dogwoods and perennials that tolerate wet toes, will do great.

Garden bowl projects

Plant pots or raised beds with favorite salad components such as a variety of lettuce, spinach, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and more. This can be done in one gallon pots. Check with local nurseries or high school green houses for pots and soils.

Herb gardens

Use a variety of herbs to encourage the exploration of smells and textures. Keep invasive plants like mint, in containers, or else they will take over via runners (rhizomes).

HEALING GARDEN — OR HAPPY GARDEN!

Gardens that are planted with different colors and textures that are fun to look at and encourages visitors to explore. Add small seating areas to sit and calm, accessible paths to wander or colorful art to enjoy. Add plants that billow in the breeze, have lots of colors throughout the seasons, perhaps some wind chimes and a small water feature to add fun and soothing sounds.

Theme gardens

There are lots of different themes that can be represented with special selection of plants. Ideas include cultural celebrations, specific animal habitat, or seasonal celebrations.

Explore adding an Indigenous Peoples food garden, such as the Three Sisters (corn, squash and beans) or local native rice, as well as common plants that are used for dyes.

Key Issues to Keep in Mind

Plants in our region often need some summer irrigation especially if they are in raised planters. Consider how far the plants are from the water source and how watering could happen for the summer months when school is often out of session. 

Note the various climate zones in the Midwest. This list is generalized for the central Midwest region. Zones include 2a in the northern part of Minnesota down to 6b in southern Ohio and Indiana. Check with your local plant nursery for specific zones in your local region, especially for appropriate planting seasons.

Schools should consider policies and practices to food production and edible foods. If food production is not approved, schools may have a “nothing goes in your mouth” general guideline. Avoid plants that look enticing to eat. For example, there are some wonderful native plants that have berries, but kids may be tempted to try to eat, such as chokeberry and viburnum.

Review plants for toxicity to ensure that any plants that may end up in kids’ mouths are non-toxic. Numerous resources are available, such as Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America, N. Turner and A. Szczawinski.

Make Sure to Contact 

Before any planting commences, check with district leadership and your principal for approval. When picking up plants, discuss your project with the nursery. They are often very knowledgeable about regionally appropriate plants. Contact local garden designers, Master Gardeners or landscape architects for plants that work for your specific site, including soil type, sun/shade requirements, water requirements and so on.

Resources

DIY Raingarden Guidance
— Friends of the Rouge, Michigan

Home Trees & Shrubs
— Michigan State University Extension: Gardening in Michigan

Farm to School
— Ohio State University Extension

Guidebook to Schoolyard Rain Gardens
— Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, Michigan

Native Plant Guide
— City of Ann Arbor, Michigan

Regional Plant Lists
— Michigan State University

Resources for building learning gardens
— Big Green, Indianapolis

School Gardens
— University of Minnesota Extension

Credits

This list was compiled and curated by Jane Tesner Kleiner, RLA, nature+play designs.

National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

The National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative supports schools and districts around the country in their efforts to reopen safely and equitably using outdoor spaces as strategic, cost-effective solutions to increase physical distancing capacity onsite and provide access to abundant fresh air. The Initiative seeks to equitably improve learning, mental and physical health, and happiness for children and adults using an affordable, time-tested outdoor approach to keeping schools open during a pandemic.