Native plants occur naturally and adapt over millennia to live successfully in a particular areas’ soil and climatic conditions. Once established, they can be better equipped than non-natives to handle stressful environmental conditions such as drought, floods and temperature extremes. They also support our region’s pollinators, birds and wildlife. Choosing plants that prefer growing conditions (habitats) that most closely match your own will help to ensure their success. We carry both local and Midwest region native species as well as cultivars of native species (nativars). Listed here are species native to Illinois and the Midwest. Please consult with a salesperson if you have specific native plant needs.
| Botanic and Common Name | HxW | Light | Description | Habitat |
| Allium cernuum Nodding Wild Onion |
18”x12” | Full Sun | Grass-like foliage with pink flower heads from May to September. Deer resistant and easy to grow. | DP, MP |
| Amorpha canescens Lead Plant |
36”x24” | Full Sun | Shrub-like perennial with blue-gray foliage that may appear to be dusted with lead. Spikes of purple pea-like flowers in early summer lasting for 3 weeks. | DP, MP |
| Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed |
36”x24” | Full Sun | Clustered, umbel-like deep pink flowers rise above smooth green foliage June to August. Attracts many insects, including Monarch butterflies. Prefers heavy, wet soils. Deer resistant and easy to grow. | E, WP |
| Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed |
48”x8” | Full Sun | Clustered, fragrant, purplish pink flowers in summer are very popular with many types of insects. Monarch caterpillars eat the leaves. Deer resistant. Invasive. | DP, MP |
| Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed |
24”x18” | Full Sun | Flat clusters of tiny orange or yellow flowers in bloom early to mid summer. Best in soil that drains well. Attracts Monarchs. Deer resistant. | DP, MP |
| Aster azureus Sky Blue Aster |
36”x18” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Arrow-shaped leaves. Large and showy lavender to light blue daisy-like flowers in late summer lasting about a month. Attracts pollinators. Easy to grow. | DP,MP |
| Aster ericoides Heath Aster |
24”x24” | Full Sun | Needle-like bracts near the top of the plant give it a heath-like appearance. Numerous white, daisy-like flowers in late summer well into fall. Easy to grow. | DP, MP |
| Aster laevis Smooth Blue Aster |
36”x18” | Full Sun | Profusion of blue-violet flowers in fall. Average, well-drained soil. Attracts pollinators. Easy to grow. | DP, MP, S |
| Aster novae-angliae New England Aster |
18”x18” | Full Sun | Pink or purple daisy-like flowers in late summer. Tolerates wet soil. Attracts pollinators. Easy to grow. | MP, WP |
| Baptisia australis Wild Indigo |
36”x36” | Full Sun | Clusters of deep blue sweet pea-like flowers in spring. Black seed pods in the fall. Easy to grow. | MP, S, WL |
| Baptisia leucantha White False Indigo |
48”x24” | Full Sun | Pretty white spikes of pea-like flowers in late spring over attractive blue-green foliage. Black seed pods in fall. Easy to grow. | DP, MP |
| Callirhoe involucrata Wine Cups |
6”x18” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Sprawling plant with pretty cutleaf foliage and wine-red cup-shaped flowers blooming late spring to summer. Tolerates poor, dry soil. Looks great cascading over walls. | DP, MP |
| Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold |
18”x12” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Bright yellow flowers in early spring lasting one month. May form loose colonies by reseeding itself. Deer resistant. Prefers wet, mucky soil. | WP |
| Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf Tickseed |
24”x24” | Full Sun | Golden yellow blooms rise from wiry stems and basal cluster of bright green foliage. | DP,MP |
| Coreopsis palmata Stiff Tickseed |
18”x18” | Full Sun | Large yellow gold flowers bloom early summer on unbranched stems. Black seed heads in winter. |
DP, MP |
| Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover |
24”x18” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Royal purple flowers in dense spikes bloom July to August on slender stems. Attracts many types of pollinators. Protect from deer. | DP, MP |
| Dodecatheon meadia Shooting Star |
18”x8” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Stunning white to pinkish flowers in late spring rise on wiry stems above low foliage. The plant is ephemeral, going dormant in summer. Good on slopes. | DP, MP, S |
| Echinacea pallida Pale Purple Coneflower |
36”x24” | Full Sun | Downward drooping pale purple ray petals surrounding large raspberry red dome-shaped cones on stout stems in early to late summer. | DP, MP, S |
| Echinacea paradoxa Yellow Coneflower |
28”x24” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Similar to its purple cousin, yellow petals encircle a bristly brown center on sturdy stems. | DP, MP, S |
| Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower |
36”x24” | Full Sun | Rosy pink-purple ray petals surround bristly brown center cones on sturdy stems. Long blooming and drought resistant. Attracts butterflies. | DP, MP, S |
| Eryngium yuccifolium Rattlesnake Master |
48”x24” | Full Sun | White flowers clustered as dense balls at the top of blue-green stems in summer. Stiff, sharply pointed, blue-green leaves with spines along the edge. | DP, MP, S |
| Eupatorium maculatum Joe Pye Weed |
72”x48” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Stately plant with large leaves and pinkish purple flower heads in mid to late summer. Butterfly friendly. Prefers moist to wet soil. | E, WP |
| Eupatorium perfoliatum Common Boneset |
60”x36” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Large clusters of fragrant white flower heads in late summer, blooming up to 2 months. Light green, lance-shaped leaves are not bothered by disease. | WP, WW |
| Euphorbia corollata Flowering Spurge |
36”x24” | Full Sun | Airy, flat-headed sprays of tiny white flowers in mid-summer. Light gray-green foliage. Best in loose, well-drained soil. | DP, MP, S |
| Filipendula rubra Queen of the Prairie |
72”x48” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Large pink flower plumes in early to mid summer on a tall, elegant plant. Easy to grow in moist soil. | WP |
| Geranium maculatum Wild Geranium |
18”x24” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Pink, purple or white flowers in early summer over a dense mound of fragrant lobed foliage. | S, WL |
| Geum triflorum Prairie Smoke |
12”x12” | Full Sun | Nodding rose pink flowers in early summer, followed by feathery magenta seed heads. | DP, MP |
| Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed |
48”x18” | Full Sun | Bright yellow ray florets surround a yellow cone. Blooms from mid summer to fall and attracts many pollinators. Easy to grow in moist to wet soil. | WP |
| Heliopsis helianthoides False Sunflower |
60”x42” | Full Sun | Very long-blooming native with bright yellow, sunflower-like flowers from early to mid summer. | DP, MP |
| Heuchera richardsonii Prairie Alumroot |
24”x18” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Mounds of green leaves with 2-4’ stems of greenish flowers in summer. Best in well-drained soil. | DP, MP |
| Hibiscus moscheutos Swamp Mallow |
72”x48” | Full Sun | Large, 5-petaled, pink or white flowers with a purple eye in mid summer to fall. Attracts hummingbirds. Best in constantly moist to wet soil. | E, WP |
| Iris virginica shrevei Blueflag Iris |
36”x12” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Moisture-lover with fragrant blue-violet flowers in late spring through early summer. Spreads by rhizomes and can form colonies. | E, WP |
| Liatris aspera Rough Blazing Star |
24”x18” | Full Sun | Long pinkish purple flower spikes bloom mid-summer. Flowers attract pollinators and seeds attract finches and other songbirds. Prefers well-drained soil. | DP, MP, S |
| Liatris pycnostachya Prairie Blazing Star |
36”x18” | Full Sun | Slender, dense 18” spikes of tiny pinkish purple flowers mid to late summer. | MP, WP |
| Liatris spicata Marsh Blazing Star |
48”x12” | Full Sun | Upright spikes of purplish pink flowers in mid to late summer. Prefers wetter habitats than other Liatris. | MP, WP |
| Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower |
36”x12” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Spikes of brilliant scarlet red flowers bloom in summer to early fall on purple-red stems. Glossy bright green foliage. Attracts hummingbirds. | E, WP, WW |
| Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue Lobelia |
36”x12” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Spikes of long lasting, bright blue flowers in late summer to mid autumn. Erect stems with green lance-shaped foliage. Can spread aggressively. | WP, WW |
| Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot |
36”x36” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Balls of lavender-pink flowers bloom in early summer lasting for several weeks. Attracts hummingbirds. Aromatic foliage is deer resistant. | DP, MP, S |
| Opuntia humifusa Eastern Prickly Pear |
24”x36” | Full Sun, Part Sun | One of the few native cacti found in the Midwest. Yellow flowers at the top of the pads in early to mid summer. Easy to grow because of its tolerance of moisture, humidity and cold winter temps. | DP |
| Parthenium integrifolium Wild Quinine |
24”x18” | Full Sun | Small white flowers clustered together like little pearls mid-summer. Tolerates moist or dry soils. | DP, MP, S |
| Penstemon digitalis Foxglove Beardtongue |
24”x24” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Clusters of white flowers with a violet throat in late spring through mid summer. Attracts bees and hummingbirds. Easy to grow. | DP, MP, S |
| Phlox glaberrima Smooth Phlox |
24”x12” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Large dome-shaped clusters of lavender flowers in late spring, lasting up to 2 months, are visited by butterflies for their nectar. Prefers moist soil. | MP, WP |
| Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant |
36”x24” | Full Sun | Rosy purple flower spikes in mid summer lasting 6 weeks. Can spread aggressively in moist soil. Attracts hummingbirds. Deer resistant. | MP, WP |
| Potentilla arguta Prairie Cinquefoil |
36”x18” | Full Sun | Upright stems with hairy leaves, the whole plant appearing light or whitish green. Tight clusters of small white flowers with yellow centers at the stem tips in mid to late summer. Easy to grow. | DP, MP, S |
| Pycnanthemum virginianum Mountain Mint |
36”x24” | Full Sun | Many dense clusters of small white flowers in summer. Narrow gray-green foliage has a strong minty scent that deer dislike. Easy to grow. | DP, MP, WP |
| Ratibida pinnata Gray-headed Coneflower or Drooping Yellow Coneflower |
36”x24” | Full Sun | Golden yellow blooms with droopy petals rise from bright green basal foliage on wiry stems. Blooms early to late summer. Easy to grow in clay soils. | DP, MP |
| Rudbeckia fulgida Orange Coneflower |
24”x18” | Full Sun | Large gold daisy-like flowers with brown centers bloom mid to late summer on unbranched stems. Long blooming. Black seed heads in winter for birds. | DP, MP, S |
| Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan |
18”x18” | Full Sun | Large yellow gold daisy-like flowers bloom late summer. Birds like the black seed heads in winter. | DP, MP, S |
| Rudbeckia submentosa Sweet Coneflower |
60”x24” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Golden yellow horizontal ray petals on daisy-like flowers in late summer into fall. May grow 5’ tall. | DP, MP, S |
| Ruellia humilis Wild Petunia |
18”x24” | Full Sun | Lovely soft lavender petunia-like flowers bloom June to August. Great as an alternative groundcover. | DP, MP, S |
| Silene stellata Starry Campion |
24”x12” | Part Sun | Lovely, white star-like flowers with fringed petals on an upright, unbranched plant. Blooms in mid to late summer. Best in part sun in well-drained soil. | S, WL |
| Silphium laciniatum Compass Plant |
36”x18” | Full Sun | Large yellow daisy-like flowers bloom June to August on stiff hairy stems that can reach up to 10’ tall. Deeply lobed leaves often orient themselves north-south, hence the name. | DP, MP, S |
| Silphium perfoliatum Cup Plant |
48”x24” | Full Sun | Yellow daisy-like flowers bloom July to October on erect stems that can reach over 9 feet tall. Cupped leaves hold water for wildlife. Aggressive spreader. | MP |
| Silphium terebinthinaceum Prairie Dock |
96”x36” | Full Sun | Huge (up to 18” long), spade-shaped leaves similar to rhubarb’s. Yellow daisy-like flowers on 3-10’ tall stalks rise above the foliage in mid to late summer. Bee and hummingbird friendly. | DP, MP, S |
| Solidago speciosa Goldenrod |
24”x24” | Full Sun | Showy, golden yellow plume-like flowers bloom August to October. Great for late season color and attracting pollinators. Does not cause hay fever. | DP, MP, S |
| Tradescantia ohiensis Spiderwort |
36”x24” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Violet-blue flowers in late spring to mid summer. Strappy blue-green foliage may need a trim in summer. Attracts bumblebees. | DP, MP, S |
| Vernonia fasciculata Ironweed |
72”x24” | Full Sun | Very ornamental violet flowers on highly branched stems bloom late summer to autumn. Attracts many types of pollinators. Deer resistant. | MP, WP |
| Veronicastrum virginicum Culver’s Root |
72”x18” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Spikes of tiny blue, pink or white tubular flowers bloom mid to late summer and attract butterflies. Lobelias are good companion plants. | MP, S, WP |
| Zizia aptera Meadow Parsnip |
18”x12” | Full Sun , Part Sun | Airy, open umbels of bright yellow flowers in May and June over heart-shaped basal foliage. | DP, MP |
| Zizia aurea Golden Alexanders |
30”x18” | Full Sun, Part Sun | Round, flat clusters of yellow flowers in late spring to mid summer are attractive to many insects, including bees. Easy to grow in moist soil. | MP, S, WP |
| E = Emergent Sun. Marshy, standing water most of year | DP = Dry Prairie Sun. Well-drained soil through growing season | MP = Mesic Prairie Sun. Moist soil through growing season | S = Savanna Sun to part sun. Dry to mesic, average soil | WL =Woodland Part sun to shade. Dry to wet, rich soil | WW = Wet Woodland Shade. Dry to wet, temporary flooding, can be dry in summer | WP = Wet Prairie Sun. Surface water in winter and spring |
| Sun = 6 hours or more direct sun | Part Sun = 4 hours direct sun | Shade = Less than 3 hours direct sun |
| Attracts Pollinators | Attracts Butterflies | Attracts Hummingbirds |
| Amorpha Aster Coreopsis Dalea Echinacea Geranium Helenium Heliopsis Liatris Monarda Penstemon Ratibida Rudbeckia Solidago Vernonia Zizia aurea |
Asclepias Aster Baptisia Coreopsis Echinacea Eupatorium Liatris Lobelia Monarda Pycnanthemum Solidago Vernonia |
Aquilegia Asclepias syriaca Hibiscus Lobelia Monarda Penstemon Physostegia |
| Deer Resistant | Easy to Grow | Likes Moist to Wet Soil |
| Allium Asclepias Baptisia Eryngium Filipendula Geranium Monarda Physostegia Pycnanthemum Rudbeckia Solidago Vernonia |
Allium Aster Baptisia Coreopsis Echinacea Filipendula Geranium Heliopsis Liatris Penstemon Potentilla Pycnanthemum Ratibida Rudbeckia Solidago |
Asclepias incarnata Aster novae-angliae Caltha Eupatorium Filipendula Galium Helenium Hibiscus Iris virginica shrevei Liatris spicata Lobelia Phystostegia Vernonia Veronicastrum |
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