Native Plant Garden Design in Illinois - Prairie State Landscapes

Illinois once held vast tallgrass prairies, now 99.9% destroyed. Recreate prairie landscapes with native grasses like big bluestem and wildflowers like compass plant and prairie dock. Prairie gardens preserve this threatened ecosystem while providing low-maintenance beauty.

Combine native oaks with prairie plants in the understory to recreate Illinois' oak savanna ecosystem. This transitional habitat supports exceptional biodiversity while providing shade and open sunny areas in one landscape.

Native plants provide critical habitat for declining monarch butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators. Include milkweeds for monarchs, native sunflowers for bees, and diverse wildflowers for continuous bloom. Illinois is on the monarch migration route.

Many Illinois natives evolved in heavy clay soils and thrive in these conditions. Choose clay-tolerant species rather than fighting soil. Deep-rooted prairie plants break up clay naturally over time. Avoid excessive amendment.

Use native wetland plants to manage Illinois' increasingly intense rainfall events. Rain gardens with joe pye weed, cardinal flower, and native iris filter stormwater naturally while supporting wildlife. Deep roots reduce flooding.

Design for year-round interest with spring ephemerals, summer prairie blooms, fall seed heads and color, and winter grass structure. Illinois native gardens provide beauty through all seasons, not just summer.