June 2024: Plant Michigan Green Month

WHEREAS, Michigan is home to over 5,000 licensed plant nurseries, retail garden centers, and landscaping firms; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is the third largest producer of floriculture crops and the largest young plant producer in the U.S., with a total crop wholesale value of $711 million; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan ranks third for Christmas tree production and 16th in nursery stock sales in the U.S., bringing the total combined value of all ornamental crops to $850 million. 

WHEREAS, Michigan ranks first in the production of geraniums, begonias, impatiens, marigolds, petunias, hardy chrysanthemums, and New Guinea impatiens; and, Michigan ranks second in the production of hostas, Easter lilies, and pansies; and,

WHEREAS, the economic impact of nursery, perennial plant, Christmas tree, and sod producers is $1.2 billion with distribution to 35 states and 40 countries, making Michigan the fourth-largest nursery industry in the nation. The landscape services and retail sectors in Michigan have an economic impact of $4.5 billion; and,

WHEREAS, the green industry employs over 36,000 Michigan residents that make up the fourth largest agricultural commodity group in the state; and,

WHEREAS, green or landscaped spaces provide countless benefits to the environment, including soil erosion control, dust prevention, rainwater entrapment and groundwater recharge, solar heat dissipation, glare reduction, organic chemical/pollutant entrapment and degradation, and noise reduction; and,

WHEREAS, trees are natural air filters and just one tree removes 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air each year; additionally, proper selection and placement of trees, shrubs, and perennials can lower heating and cooling costs by 20 percent and reduce noise pollution by 50 percent; and, 

WHEREAS, during this month, we raise awareness of the positive economic and environmental impacts that the nursery and landscape industry has had, and continues to have, in the Great Lakes State; we encourage residents to Plant Michigan Green by visiting a local retail garden center, planting a tree, having a landscape installed, or simply taking the time to enjoy the beauty of Michigan’s greenery;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 2024 as Plant Michigan Green Month in Michigan.