We were lucky to catch up with Mitchell Swindell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mitchell, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I was born and raised in metro-Detroit. In 2014, I moved into my current home located on a wooded, one-acre lot that was mostly lawn. As a first-time property owner, I felt an obligation to share my land with local wildlife and help restore the forest. However, my inexperience and naiveté only led to long grass and unhappy neighbors. A year after moving in, a noxious weed notice plastered on my front door took me to city hall to learn about something I had never heard of before—native plants.
A light bulb went off. I started listening to native plant podcasts and reading whatever material I could get my hands on. I began propagating my own plants, learned how to identify invasive species, joined my local Michigan Botanical Society chapter, and even certified my property with various organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, Monarch Watch, and Saving Birds thru Habitat.
Soon after installing my first native plant garden, I started to see wildlife that I never saw growing up as a kid. To this day, I continue to be amazed at the incredible diversity of wildlife that native plants attract. Stepping out onto my back porch has become a daily adventure.
For me, gardening with native plants is more than just gardening—it’s about creating habitat and restoring balance. I find it extraordinarily healing, grounding, enlightening, and empowering. The nursery allows me share some of that experience with my community.
Not sure where to begin yourself? A great place to start is in your own backyard. Every square foot of habitat makes a difference. Turn your landscape into a habitat for wildlife by introducing plants native to your area!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
We specialize in growing plants native to Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Our plants are organic, wild type, and grown from seed, most of which is locally harvested. We have a variety of edible, deer-resistant, and bird feeder plants available for sale online or in person by appointment only. Gift cards are also available.
Why should you choose native plants? Native plants support life and are the foundation of ecosystems. They build essential ecosystem services, literally, from the ground up such as clean air, water, food, habitat, and fertile soil. They also save time and money with less maintenance, fertilizers, and pesticides. Visit our website to learn more.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Creativity, learning new things, and being able to connect with people. I feel that these skills are essential to building your own brand.
Native plants themselves have been some of my best teachers. They’ve taught me about various thing such as biology, ecology, geology, entomology, hydrology, and mycology. They’ve taught me about indigenous peoples’ cultures. They’ve taught me virtues such as patience and perseverance. They’ve taught me about the animals that depend on them and the living soil that they depend upon. They remind me everyday that everything is connected.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Mindfulness and meditation have helped me stay sane. You don’t have to sit cross-legged or chant to do it, either. For me, being mindful can be as simple as watching your breath and listening to your body. Taking a few moments everyday to do a self-check in helps me manage feelings of anxiety and depression.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.detroitwildflowers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroitwildflowers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/detroitwildflowers
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqKjlB2fUgfXr4zjF8SjVcw
