Illinois Gardeners Commonly Cultivate These Plant Species

In the glorious land of Illinois, gardening brings a unique set of rewards and challenges - welcoming those who dare to step into the Prairie State's embrace. With seasons that shift dramatically, soil rich with nourishment, and a climate ever-changing, Illinois offers the perfect stage for certain plants to flourish.

Every year, Illinois gardeners discover their tried-and-true favorites, plants that defy Illinois' sweltering summers and bone-chilling winters to deliver stunning blooms, mouthwatering harvests, and eye-catching foliage. Here's a look at the plants that have etched their names in the hearts of Illinois gardeners.

Hostas: The Reigning Champions

Hostas rule supreme in Illinois shade gardens, offering an abundance of lush, vibrant foliage that catches the eye throughout the growing season. Thriving under the dappled light of mature trees, these hardy perennials create waves of texture with their distinctive leaves. Their resilience is unparalleled, as they return year after year, even in the face of Illinois' harsh winters. The hosta family is incredibly diverse, offering gardeners an array of options to fit any spot - whether small or large, bright or deep in shade. From Miniature varieties just inches wide to giants spanning several feet, there is a hosta for every corner of your IL garden.

Hostas Shining in Illinois: The Top Performers

'Sum and Substance' hostas have earned themselves a spot in the spotlight, with their chartreuse leaves that span up to 2 feet wide. These giants make a bold statement with their remarkable resistance to slug damage compared to their smaller counterparts. 'Blue Angel' offers gardeners an elegant blue-hued option that preserves its color exceptionally well, even in the state's climate. With its powdery blue coating that intensifies in partial shade, many gardeners report their 'Blue Angel' hostas performing better in Illinois than they do in warmer southern states.

Daylilies: The Unfading Blooms

Daylilies captivate Illinois gardeners with their remarkable hardiness and persistent blooming habits. Brushing off Illinois' temperature extremes like a pro, they grace the landscape year after year with minimal care. Their ability to thrive in the clay soil common throughout Illinois makes them particularly valuable. Their spectacular displays of color in the summer, when many other perennials have called it a year, keep gardeners loyal to these remarkable flowers.

Daylilies to Keep You Smiling in the Land of Lincoln

'Stella de Oro' daylilies remain a garden mainstay in Illinois, with their dependable re-blooming habits and the delicate golden flowers that adorn them from late spring through fall. Clocking in at just 12 inches tall, these petite powerhouses are great for borders and smaller spaces. Their adaptability to Illinois' fluctuating rainfall patterns makes 'Stella de Oro' a mainstay that will never let you down.

Coneflowers: A Prairie Tradition

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea) host a special connection to Illinois' prairie heritage while performing exceptionally well in the garden. These native perennials have evolved in tandem with the state's climate and soil, resulting in exceptional garden performance. Their deep taproots provide stability during both the occasional drought and the summer downpours, while their blooms attract countless butterflies and bees during the summer months.

Blooming Beyond Purple: The Dazzling Shades of Coneflowers

'PowWow White' coneflowers have gained widespread popularity for their ability to outshine their purple counterparts. Displaying the same tough constitution with a brilliantly fresh appearance, they create a striking contrast against green foliage. In university trials at Illinois' research stations, 'PowWow White' has proven itself sufficiently adaptable to the state's climate.

Yellow and orange coneflower hybrids like 'Cheyenne Spirit' bring the warmth of sunset colors into Illinois prairie gardens. These newer varieties have the same drought tolerance as traditional coneflowers, but with the added advantage of expanded color options. Their strong stems stand tall in the face of summer storms, keeping your garden looking clean and tidy.

Hydrangeas: The Reliable Bloomers

Hydrangeas have stolen the hearts of Illinois gardeners with their delightful blooms and unmatched versatility. These woody shrubs provide structure to the landscape year-round, with spectacular flowers on display during the growing season. Their resilience in Illinois' climate, particularly in areas with morning sun and afternoon shade, makes them perennial favorites. The extended bloom time of hydrangeas gives you tremendous value from an investment that will continue to grace your garden for years to come.

Hydrangeas in Illinois: The Best Performers

'Annabelle' hydrangeas have proven their mettle in Illinois, producing enormous white flower clusters that appear reliably each year. These hardy perennials handle the cold of Illinois winters like champions, yielding beautiful blooms without fail. Their ability to bloom on new wood means that late frosts don't kill their bloom potential. Panicle hydrangeas like 'Limelight' and 'Little Lime' offer Illinois gardeners solid-white blooms that transform into pink tones as they grow older. Panicle hydrangeas can tolerate more sun than many other hydrangeas, making them versatile options for gardens with varying light conditions.

Tomatoes: Illinois' Garden Treasures

Tomatoes continue to claim the top spot in Illinois vegetable gardens, thanks to their scrumptious summer harvests. These warm-season fruits flourish in the hot and humid summers, ensuring abundant yields from June through September. The unparalleled flavor of homegrown tomatoes keeps gardeners coming back for more, despite the challenges they may encounter. From cherry tomatoes that ripen early to juicy beefsteaks that are worth the wait, there's a tomato for every taste and purpose.

Tomatoes to Delight in Illinois

'Early Girl' tomatoes have earned themselves a place in Illinois gardens, with their dependable harvests arriving before many other varieties. These medium-sized fruits take roughly 50 to 60 days to ripen after transplanting, making them the perfect solution for tomato cravings earlier in the season. Their excellent disease resistance makes them more hospitable to the humid conditions prevalent in Illinois. 'Celebrity' tomatoes put on an outstanding display in Illinois gardens, with their exceptional productivity and disease resistance. Not only do they yield abundant medium-sized fruits, but they also resist cracking, even after heavy rains. The combination of their acid and sweet balance makes them a fantastic choice for both fresh eating and preservation.

Peonies: The Everlasting Garden Gems

Peonies have adorned Illinois gardens for generations, with some lasting for decades or even centuries. These spring-blooming perennials thrive in Illinois' cold winters, which provide the necessary chill hours for bountiful blooms. With minimal care, a properly planted peony can remain a cherished part of your garden for years, even centuries. Many gardeners delight in peonies that hail from their ancestors' gardens, creating a connection that spans generations.

Caring for Peonies in Illinois

Herbaceous peonies like 'Sarah Bernhardt' and 'Karl Rosenfield' reign supreme in Illinois gardens, returning reliably year after year despite the cold winters. These traditional varieties produce massive, fragrant blooms in late spring that often require staking to prevent them from flopping after rains. Their arrival in late spring perfectly aligns with the blooming season in Illinois, creating breathtaking Memorial Day displays throughout the state.

Tree peonies offer gardeners a different peony experience, with woody stems that remain aboveground all winter. These architectural plants produce enormous flowers up to 10 inches across, with hues unavailable in herbaceous varieties. Their ability to handle Illinois' cold winters while standing up to summer storms makes them excellent additions to the landscape.

Zinnias: The All-American Bloomers

Zinnias bring vibrant color to Illinois gardens when many spring perennials have finished their season. These annual flowers excel in the hot and humid conditions of Illinois, providing new blooms during heat waves in July and August. With blooms that delight the eye and long stems that serve well as cut flowers, these versatile flowers never disappoint. In addition to their eye-catching beauty, their pollinator-friendly nature makes zinnias an ecological treasure in Illinois gardens.

Zinnias: The Stars of the Show

'Benary's Giant' zinnias have been the gold standard for Illinois cut flower gardens, with their robust growth, massive blooms, and striking colors. These impressive plants grow to 3 or 4 feet tall, with 6-inch blooms that last exceptionally well in arrangements. Their resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue in Illinois' humid conditions, makes them a valuable choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance solution. 'Profusion' series zinnias deliver an outstanding showing as well. Compact in size and consistent in blooming, they bloom nonstop with minimal deadheading and thrive in the intense heat of an Illinois summer.

In the heart of Illinois' home-and-garden scene, Hostas and daylilies reign supreme for their adaptability and resilience in the state's varied conditions. For shade gardens, Hostas offer an abundance of lush, vibrant foliage, while daylilies bloom brilliantly in the sun. In the category of all-American bloomers, Zinnias dazzle Illinois gardeners with vibrant colors and heat-resistant beauty, providing a much-needed burst of color in midsummer. Meanwhile, Peonies boast a rich heritage, returning reliably year after year to grace Illinois gardens with their massive, fragrant blooms in late spring. Lastly, Tomatoes remain the top choice for culinary enthusiasts, with tried-and-true varieties like 'Early Girl' and 'Celebrity' delivering scrumptious harvests throughout the summer months.

Illinois Gardeners Commonly Cultivate These Plant Species