We all have different sources of inspiration. Sometimes you just have to like something a little before you’ll try it. Other times you have to kick the tires and thoroughly research the matter before you dive in. So it is with gardening.
It may only take one instance of spotting a hummingbird feeding on your neighbor’s deep red cardinal flower blooms to get you hooked. Or seeing a monarch perched atop blazing orange butterfly weed. It might seem too complicated to find native plants to attract such shows of beauty and wildlife to your garden, but our popular annual spring native plant sale at Mayslake Peabody Estate takes much of the guesswork out of it.
Monarch on butterfly weed
Like any new venture, it involves a little risk-taking and a little leap of faith. But the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to native plants. They are far more forgiving than annuals during the hot summer months and require far less maintenance and watering. And soon you’ll be the talk of the neighborhood when your beautiful blooms attract local wildlife, have more time on your hands and are saving money on water, pesticides and fertilizers. Your native flowers will be different, blooming all summer and into the fall, while the neighbors short-rooted annuals will constantly thirst for water and die out under the hot summer sun.
Native plants have grown in Illinois soils for hundreds of years. Planting native plants helps bring back biodiversity and restore the plants that thrive in Illinois soils. Gardeners of all levels are encouraged to dive into planting native Illinois species. The roots are much longer and help aerate the soil. They are hearty and help pollinators thrive.
The botany-loving experts at the Forest Preserve District have put together a few easy “recipes” to help you get started on your garden this summer. Whether you want to attract birds, butterflies or other pollinators to your yard, follow our easy how-to ideas for a successful season.
Silver-spotted skipper on bergamot
Remember that native plants increase the biodiversity — or assortment of life — in an ecosystem. It’s the wide variety of plants, insects and animals in a highly diverse area and the native plants they need to survive. By planting one or more of these packages, you’ll have a beautiful landscape that supports life and restores balance.
Butterfly Garden (sun/part sun garden) Butterfly weed Swamp milkweed Prairie milkweed Sullivan’s milkweed Blazing star Purple coneflower Columbine Bergamot
Butterfly weed
Hummingbird Gardens Columbine Butterfly weed New Jersey tea Blazing star Cardinal flower Great blue lobelia Sky-blue aster
Columbine
Woodland Shade Gardens Jack-in-the-Pulpit Wild geranium Virginia bluebells Wild blue phlox Jacob’s ladder Solomon’s seal Culver’s root
Wild geranium
Rain Garden (moist/wet soil) White turtlehead Boneset Tall Joe pye weed Queen of the prairie Bottle gentian Blue flag iris Cardinal flower Great blue lobelia Obedient plant Marsh phlox Culver’s root
Go Native in Your Garden!
Once you've mapped out your native landscaping, you can shop in person for native flowers, shrubs and trees at our annual Native Plant Sale May 13 and 14 at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook!
This year's sale will be in-person only. Details, including a list of plants and info on tickets for theMay 12 exclusive pre-sale, are available at dupageforest.org/native-plant-sale. Ticket sales begin April 11 at 8 a.m. for the exclusive early-bird shopping event.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County welcomes more than 6.2 million visitors a year; and manages nearly 26,000 acres in 60 forest preserves containing prairies, woodlands and wetlands.