Native Plants for Illinois — What to Plant, and When

'Angel Wings' Foamflower

Tiarella hybrid 'Angel Wings'

Zones 4a–8b · native to 27 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

'Golden Jubilee' Agastache

Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee'

Zones 4a–9a · native to 17 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Agastache

Agastache foeniculum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 17 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Alum Root

Heuchera americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 35 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a

American Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis

Zones 2a–7b · native to 19 states

American Bellflower

Campanula americana

Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

American Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Zones 2a–7b · native to 25 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

American Linden

Tilia americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

American Lotus

Nelumbo lutea

Zones 4a–10b · native to 29 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

American Plum

Prunus americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6a

American Wisteria

Wisteria frutescens

Zones 5a–9b · native to 24 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

American Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 31 states

Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 6a

Amsonia

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 29 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Atlantic Camas

Camassia scilloides

Zones 5a–9a · native to 14 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Baldwin's Ironweed

Vernonia baldwinii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 15 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Black Ash

Fraxinus nigra

Zones 2b–6b · native to 17 states

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Black Chokeberry

Aronia melanocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Black Oak

Quercus velutina

Zones 4b–9a · native to 35 states

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 6a

Blackhaw Viburnum

Viburnum prunifolium

Zones 3b–9a · native to 27 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

Zones 3a–10b · native to 22 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a

Blue Mistflower

Conoclinium coelestinum

Zones 5a–9b · native to 30 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 49 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Blue Waxweed

Cuphea viscosissima

Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Blue-fruited Dogwood

Cornus obliqua

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

Bluebead Lily

Clintonia borealis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 21 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 6a

Bottle Gentian

Gentiana andrewsii

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Zones 3a–7b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Bulblet Bladder Fern

Cystopteris bulbifera

Zones 3a–8a · native to 28 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6a

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Campfire Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'

Zones 3a–7b · native to 47 states

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 6a

Canadian Burnet

Sanguisorba canadensis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Aug – Dec in zone 6a

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 6a

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina

Zones 4a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Zones 2a–7b · native to 44 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Mar – Oct in zone 6a

Clove Currant

Ribes odoratum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Clustered Field Sedge

Carex praegracilis

Zones 4a–9b · native to 19 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Clustered Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states

Blooms Aug – Jan in zone 6a

Cream Wild Indigo

Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Creeping Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 15 states

Cucumber Tree

Magnolia acuminata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 22 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Deceitful Pussytoes

Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6a

Doll's Eyes

Actaea pachypoda

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Downy Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6a

Eastern Prickly Pear

Opuntia humifusa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Zones 5a–9a · native to 32 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia

Zones 3a–8b · native to 27 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Fringed Gentian

Gentianopsis crinita

Zones 3a–7b · native to 19 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 6a

Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Ghost Pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Giant Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

Zones 5a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Goat's Beard

Aruncus dioicus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

Golden Alexander

Zizia aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Golden Ragwort

Packera aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 50 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Grape Honeysuckle

Lonicera reticulata

Zones 4a–8a · native to 15 states

Blooms Sep – Oct in zone 6a

Gray Dogwood

Cornus racemosa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 6a

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states

Ground Phlox

Phlox subulata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Hairy Alumroot

Heuchera villosa

Zones 3a–9a · native to 19 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Hairy Sweet Cicely

Osmorhiza claytonii

Zones 3a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Hardy Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos

Zones 4a–9b · native to 31 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Harebell

Campanula rotundifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Hay-scented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6a

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Zones 4a–7b · native to 30 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 6a

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 50 states

Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 6a

Hyssop-leaved Thoroughwort

Eupatorium hyssopifolium

Zones 4a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6a

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6a

Jack Pine

Pinus banksiana

Zones 2a–6a · native to 13 states

Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium reptans

Zones 3a–8b · native to 27 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a

Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium purpureum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 34 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Juniper Bush

Juniperus communis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 25 states

Juniper Tree

Juniperus virginiana

Zones 2a–9a · native to 38 states

Kinnikinnick

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Zones 2a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a

Limber Honeysuckle

Lonicera dioica

Zones 3b–8a · native to 32 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6a

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Viburnum acerifolium

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Meadow Phlox

Phlox maculata

Zones 3b–8b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Michigan Lily

Lilium michiganense

Zones 3a–8a · native to 14 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Missouri Ironweed

Vernonia missurica

Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Nannyberry

Viburnum lentago

Zones 2b–8a · native to 28 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states

Blooms Dec – Feb in zone 6a

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Zones 2b–7b · native to 34 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Zones 3b–8a · native to 33 states

Northern Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 32 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Zones 2b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 6a

Orange Coneflower

Rudbeckia fulgida

Zones 4a–9a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6a

Overcup Oak

Quercus lyrata

Zones 5b–9b · native to 19 states

Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

Zones 3a–7b · native to 30 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Pale Gentian

Gentiana alba

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Zones 6a–9b · native to 24 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Pennsylvania Sedge

Carex pensylvanica

Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Pin Cherry

Prunus pensylvanica

Zones 2a–6b · native to 32 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Pin Oak

Quercus palustris

Zones 4b–8b · native to 28 states

Pink Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Zones 6a–9b · native to 25 states

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 6a

Post Oak

Quercus stellata

Zones 5b–9a · native to 29 states

Prairie Blazing Star

Liatris pycnostachya

Zones 3a–9a · native to 17 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Prairie Crabapple

Malus ioensis

Zones 3b–8a · native to 11 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Prairie Ironweed

Vernonia fasciculata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Prairie Phlox

Phlox pilosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Zones 3a–9b · native to 35 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Purple Lovegrass

Eragrostis spectabilis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 38 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Red-twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Zones 2a–7b · native to 39 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Zones 4b–9a · native to 31 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6a

River Birch

Betula nigra

Zones 4a–9a · native to 26 states

Rose Mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Rose Pink'

Zones 4a–9b · native to 31 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Roughleaf Dogwood

Cornus drummondii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a

Round-leaved Dogwood

Cornus rugosa

Zones 3a–7b · native to 19 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Round-lobed Hepatica

Hepatica americana

Zones 3a–8a · native to 29 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6a

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6a

Rusty Blackhaw

Viburnum rufidulum

Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Scarlet Oak

Quercus coccinea

Zones 4b–9a · native to 27 states

Seersucker Sedge

Carex plantaginea

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 49 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6a

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states

Blooms May – Sep in zone 6a

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Zones 5b–9b · native to 23 states

Silky Dogwood

Cornus amomum

Zones 5a–8b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

Smooth Beardtongue

Penstemon calycosus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

Zones 3a–9b · native to 33 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a

Soapwort Gentian

Gentiana saponaria

Zones 5a–9b · native to 22 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 49 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a

Solomon's Seal (Native)

Polygonatum biflorum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Zones 4a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6a

Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 6a

Spotted Bee Balm

Monarda punctata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6a

Sundial Lupine

Lupinus perennis

Zones 3a–8a · native to 33 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6a

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a

Swamp Dogwood

Cornus foemina

Zones 6a–9b · native to 17 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 39 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

Zones 4a–8b · native to 30 states

Sweet Crabapple

Malus coronaria

Zones 4a–8a · native to 22 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Sweet Fern

Comptonia peregrina

Zones 2a–6b · native to 25 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6a

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Tall Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 6a

Tall Tickseed

Coreopsis tripteris

Zones 4a–9b · native to 27 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6a

Tickseed

Coreopsis lanceolata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a

Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 31 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 29 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 6a

Turtlehead

Chelone glabra

Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 6a

Two-leaf Miterwort

Mitella diphylla

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Virgin's Bower Clematis

Clematis virginiana

Zones 3a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 6a

Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

Zones 3a–8a · native to 27 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6a

Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica

Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6a

White Ash

Fraxinus americana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 32 states

White Oak

Quercus alba

Zones 3b–8b · native to 35 states

White Snakeroot

Ageratina altissima

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 6a

Wild Aster

Symphyotrichum pilosum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 6a

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 45 states

Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 6a

Wild Blue Indigo

Baptisia australis

Zones 3a–9b · native to 23 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 6a

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Wild Geranium

Geranium maculatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6a

Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states

Wild Leek

Allium tricoccum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 27 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Wild Quinine

Parthenium integrifolium

Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Zones 3b–9a · native to 40 states

Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 6a

Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos

Zones 6a–9b · native to 20 states

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 29 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Wood Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6a

Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6a

Wreath Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

Zones 4a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6a

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6a

Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost

Yellow Giant Hyssop

Agastache nepetoides

Zones 3a–8b · native to 26 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6a

Yellow Honeysuckle

Lonicera flava

Zones 5b–8b · native to 10 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6a