Landscaping Ideas in Indiana

Indiana's Midwest climate offers four distinct seasons with cold winters and hot, humid summers. From prairie remnants to woodland gardens, the state supports traditional perennial borders, productive vegetable gardens, and native plant restorations.

Indiana native garden landscape

Indiana Climate Snapshot

Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden

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Hardiness Zones

5b, 6a, 6b

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Annual Rainfall

40-45 inches annually

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Frost Window

May-October

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Water Notes

Regular rainfall; humid summers

Popular Landscaping Styles

Discover design styles perfectly suited to Indiana's unique climate and landscape

Hoosier Perennial Border landscaping style
🌺Hoosier Perennial Border

Classic mixed perennial garden

Key Features:

  • •Coneflowers and daylilies
  • •Peonies
  • •Ornamental grasses
  • •Layered heights
Prairie Garden landscaping style
🌾Prairie Garden

Native prairie restoration

Key Features:

  • •Big bluestem
  • •Prairie wildflowers
  • •Pollinator plants
  • •Low maintenance
Woodland Shade landscaping style
🌳Woodland Shade

Shade garden with natives

Key Features:

  • •Native ferns
  • •Spring wildflowers
  • •Hostas
  • •Naturalistic design
Cottage Garden landscaping style
šŸ”Cottage Garden

Informal cottage style

Key Features:

  • •Mixed perennials
  • •Climbing roses
  • •Herbs
  • •Picket fences

Recommended Plant Palettes

Native and adapted plants that thrive in Indiana's climate

🌸Indiana Natives
Peony

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

State flower; fragrant blooms

Tulip Tree

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

State tree with unique flowers

Cardinal Flower

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Scarlet red spikes

Spicebush

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Yellow spring flowers

🌺Hardy Perennials
Daylily

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Countless varieties

Hosta

Hosta

Hosta spp.

Shade-loving

Purple Coneflower

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Drought-tolerant

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Golden flowers

🌾Native Grasses
Little Bluestem

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Copper fall color

Switchgrass

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

Upright architectural

Big Bluestem

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Tall prairie grass

Indian Grass

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Golden plumes

Seasonal Garden Checklist

Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful Indiana garden

1

Plant bulbs

September-October
2

Mulch beds

November
3

Plan garden

January-February
4

Start seeds

March-April
5

Plant vegetables

May
6

Harvest crops

July-September

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about landscaping in Indiana

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