About Ohio Native Concepts

SERVING CENTRAL OHIO

Where natural landscapes take root

Ohio Native Concepts is a Columbus-based landscape design and consulting company that specializes in sustainable landscape design, native plant landscaping, invasive species management and habitat restoration.

Native plant garden attracting Monarchs
Ohio Native Concepts founder Michael Keeler

MEET THE OHIO NATIVE CONCEPTS FOUNDER

Michael Keeler

Michael Keeler is the founder and principal of Ohio Native Concepts. Michael brings a background in natural resources management and a passion for nature and community to his work creating impactful landscapes for residential and institutional clients across Central Ohio. His design approach focuses on creating spaces that connect humans to nature and improve ecological function and biodiversity. By creatively combining art with ecology, Michael creates living landscapes that are as beautiful and meaningful as they are resilient and sustainable. 

When he isn’t designing and installing native plant gardens, Michael enjoys exploring Ohio’s many state nature preserves, leading outdoor education programs for children at Lazy River at Granville campground and reading books on natural history.

“I can’t say enough good things about my experience working with Michael at Ohio Native Concepts. He identified and removed invasive honeysuckle plants and helped me source some beautiful native shrubs for my yard. Michael is a great communicator, always arrived on time, and went above and beyond to help me make my landscape more pollinator-friendly.”

—Tracee L.
Granville

Butterflies on purple coneflower in native plant garden

OUR COMMITMENT

Sustainable landscape designs from the ground up

We use native plants in all of our landscape designs and prefer to use straight species whenever possible. These indigenous plants grow naturally in Ohio and are resilient to our local climate and growing conditions and require less maintenance than most exotic ornamentals.

We do NOT install nonnative invasive species (but we’ll happily help you remove invasive plants from your property).

We prioritize using Ohio-grown and local-ecotype plants in our designs whenever possible. We source high quality pesticide-free plants from a network of local and regional nurseries who specialize in native plants.

Our commitment to sustainability extends to the choices we make when it comes to supplies and equipment used in our work. We put a lot of thought and intention into our actions and strive to support local businesses and reduce our carbon footprint in every aspect of our business.  

Queen of the prairie in native plant garden

HOMEGROWN HABITATS

Creating landscapes with intention

We specialize in creating resilient native plant landscapes that are designed to welcome nature, not work against it. In other words, we are NOT like most traditional landscape companies. That means:

  • NO boring cookie cutter landscape plans.

  • NO loud, polluting leaf blowers & equipment.

  • NO plants treated with neonicotenoids or other toxic insecticides.

  • Native plant garden flowers

    ETHICAL

    Honesty and integrity are at the core of our company and we are committed to using the most sustainable plants and practices possible.

  • Tiger swallowtail butterfly in native plant garden

    PROFESSIONAL

    We uphold the highest standards of ecological landscaping and are committed to providing excellent customer service & client communication.

  • Purple coneflower in native plant garden

    CREATIVE

    We design beautiful, functional landscapes that enhance your property and provide vital habitat for pollinators & other wildlife.

  • "I highly recommend Ohio Native Concepts if you are looking to get started on your native garden journey. Michael came out and did a thorough consultation of my yard and I was so impressed! He is incredibly knowledgeable and took his time to explain processes and options. A week later, I received the comprehensive report Michael prepared and was blown away. It’s detailed and specific to the needs of my space and the aesthetic we discussed. I am starting to prep my yard and am so much more confident having the report to refer to as needed. Thank you again!”

    —Kelly C.
    Upper Arlington


  • "We hired Michael to remove lots of invasive honeysuckle in the woods which surround our property. He did a great job, very efficiently and at a very fair price. We highly recommend his company!"

    -Marlene S.
    Westernville

  • "Michael has designed three native garden plots for my front yard. I challenged him to make the last two into a Yin Yang design. He exceeded all expectations! He provided instructions so that I could do the work myself as I am in northwest Ohio. His selected native plantings were perfect for my soil conditions and his instructions were easy to follow. His guidance has helped change my front yard into a bee, bird and butterfly haven utilizing native plants along with grass paths and a small water feature. A non-productive stretch of grass has turned into a native wonderland. Thanks Michael!"

    -Robert J.
    Tiffin

  • "We were incredibly impressed with Ohio Native Concepts. They walked us through all the invasive plants on our property, which turned out to be an eye-opening majority of the established plants. The extensive guide of native plant suggestions for different sun and water conditions has been incredibly useful, and we've already planted a dozen native trees to replace the honeysuckle, with plans to extensively replace the current grass lawn with native groundcover as time goes on. We are working on the property of our dreams with ONC's guidance."

    -Matt O.
    Fairborn

COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

Ohio Native Concepts proudly supports: