Native Plant Finder

While all native plants are beautiful, not all are appropriate for smaller residential landscapes. This plant selector only includes plants that are an appropriate size and growth habit for an urban landscape. Overly tall or competitive plants are not included in this tool. All plants in this native plant selector are native to the Chicago region. They are dependable and easy to grow in the right location.

Plants

Sweet Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia subtomentosa
Plant type:
Flowering Perennials
Sun exposure:
Full Sun (6+ Hrs), Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs)
Height:
Tall (>5′)
Moisture needs:
Normal
Season of interest:
Summer (Jun-Aug), Fall (Sep-Nov)
Ecological significance:
Native Bee Friendly, Butterfly Friendly, Bird Friendly
Smooth Phlox
Phlox glaberrima subsp. interior
Plant type:
Flowering Perennials
Sun exposure:
Full Sun (6+ Hrs), Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs)
Height:
Medium (3-5′)
Moisture needs:
Normal
Season of interest:
Spring (Mar-May), Summer (Jun-Aug)
Ecological significance:
Native Bee Friendly, Butterfly Friendly, Hummingbird Friendly
Pale Beardtongue
Penstemon pallidus
Plant type:
Flowering Perennials
Sun exposure:
Full Sun (6+ Hrs), Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs)
Moisture needs:
Drought Tolerant
Season of interest:
Spring (Mar-May), Summer (Jun-Aug)
Ecological significance:
Native Bee Friendly, Butterfly Friendly, Bird Friendly
Calico Beardtongue
Penstemon calycosus
Plant type:
Flowering Perennials
Sun exposure:
Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs), Shade (0-3 Hrs)
Height:
Medium (3-5′)
Moisture needs:
Normal
Season of interest:
Spring (Mar-May)
Ecological significance:
Native Bee Friendly, Hummingbird Friendly
Western Sunflower
Helianthus occidentalis
Plant type:
Flowering Perennials
Sun exposure:
Full Sun (6+ Hrs)
Height:
Medium (3-5′)
Moisture needs:
Drought Tolerant, Normal
Season of interest:
Summer (Jun-Aug), Fall (Sep-Nov)
Ecological significance:
Native Bee Friendly, Butterfly Friendly, Bird Friendly
Tufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia caespitosa
Plant type:
Grasses & Sedges
Sun exposure:
Full Sun (6+ Hrs), Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs)
Height:
Short (1-3′)
Moisture needs:
Normal, Flood Tolerant
Season of interest:
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Ecological significance:
Bird Friendly
Straight-Styled Wood Sedge
Carex radiata
Plant type:
Grasses & Sedges
Sun exposure:
Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs), Shade (0-3 Hrs)
Height:
Short (1-3′)
Moisture needs:
Normal
Season of interest:
Spring (Mar-May), Summer (Jun-Aug)
Ecological significance:
Bird Friendly
Plantain-Leaved Sedge
Carex plantaginea
Plant type:
Grasses & Sedges
Sun exposure:
Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs), Shade (0-3 Hrs)
Height:
Short (1-3′)
Moisture needs:
Normal
Season of interest:
Spring (Mar-May), Summer (Jun-Aug)
Ecological significance:
Bird Friendly
Long-Beaked Sedge
Carex sprengelii
Plant type:
Grasses & Sedges
Sun exposure:
Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs), Shade (0-3 Hrs)
Height:
Short (1-3′)
Moisture needs:
Normal
Season of interest:
Spring (Mar-May), Summer (Jun-Aug)
Ecological significance:
Bird Friendly
Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle
Diervilla lonicera
Plant type:
Shrubs
Sun exposure:
Full Sun (6+ Hrs), Part Sun / Shade (3-6 Hrs), Shade (0-3 Hrs)
Height:
Short (1-3′)
Shrub Height:
Under 3′
Moisture needs:
Drought Tolerant, Normal
Season of interest:
Summer (Jun-Aug), Fall (Sep-Nov)
Ecological significance:
Native Bee Friendly, Bird Friendly, Hummingbird Friendly