Create a sustainable and vibrant landscape while supporting local biodiversity with the Best Chicago Native Plants!
Explore the remarkable diversity of Chicago Native Plants, perfectly suited to grow in the city’s unique climate and soil. Discover the ideal selection to create a thriving, sustainable garden.
Read about the Common California Native Plants here
Chicago Native Plants
1. Oakleaf Hydrangea
Botanical Name: Hydrangea quercifolia
USDA Zones: 5-9
First on the list of Chicago native plants is Oakleaf hydrangea. Ideal for borders or informal hedges, it features creamy white pyramidal flowers with oak-like leaves.
Learn about Growing Hydrangeas from Cuttings here
2. Black Cherry
Botanical Name: Prunus serotina
USDA Zones: 3-9
The black cherry, a native tree highly valued for its wood, offers year-round beauty with white spring blooms, purple fruit, and vibrant autumn foliage.
3. Wild Bergamot
Botanical Name: Monarda fistulosa
USDA Zones: 3-9
Wild bergamot, with its lavender or pink petals surrounding upright tubes, adds vibrancy to any garden, blooming in the middle of summer.
4. Foxglove Beardtongue
Botanical Name: Penstemon digitalis
USDA Zones: 3-8
The next on the list of Chicago native plants is foxglove beardtongue. It grows delicate bell-shaped blooms in late spring to early summer with beautiful autumn foliage.
5. Garden Phlox
Botanical Name: Phlox paniculata
USDA Zones: 4-8
Garden phlox brings bursts of purplish-pink flowers to your yard, with delicate symmetrical petals that bloom in July. Some taller varieties may require staking for support.
Read Maryland Native Plants List here
6. Culver’s Root
Botanical Name: Veronicastrum virginicum
USDA Zones: 3-8
Culver’s root, a striking perennial, thrives with some sun, adding height and texture contrast to your garden with its tall spikes of light blue or white flowers.
7. Sweetgum
Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua
USDA Zones: 5-9
The sweetgum is a narrow tree that transitions into a round form. Its vibrant star-like leaves come in shades of orange, yellow, red, and purple.
8. Elderberry Bush
Botanical Name: Sambucus
USDA Zones: 3-8
This Chicago native plant thrives in sunny conditions. Fragrant white flowers form clusters, followed by edible black elderberries that attract various bird species.
9. Butterfly Weed
Botanical Name: Asclepias tuberosa
USDA Zones: 3-9
With brilliant yellow to bright orange flower clusters, it offers long-lasting color from early spring to the first frost.
Look at the list of European Native Plants here
10. New England Aster
Botanical Name: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
USDA Zones: 4-8
Native to most of North America, this purple-pink flowering plant is a low-maintenance perennial. It attracts honey bees and monarch butterflies.
Check out 18 Native European Plants here
11. Dense Blazing Star
Botanical Name: Liatris spicata
USDA Zones: 3-9
This tall and slender perennial showcases stunning purple flowers from July to September. Thriving in full sun and preferring moist soil, it can also tolerate dry conditions.
12. Dutchman’s Breeches
Botanical Name: Dicentra cucullaria
USDA Zones: 3-7
With its distinctive upside-down breech-like blooms, this white flowering plant thrives in indirect sunlight and is also easy to look after.
13. Wild Quinine
Botanical Name: Parthenium integrifolium
USDA Zones: 4-8
Adding elegance to your garden, this Chicago native plant features pearl-like buds that beautifully complement its dense green foliage.
14. Pale Purple Coneflower
Botanical Name: Echinacea pallida
USDA Zones: 3-10
This native flower can reach heights of up to three feet. It is low-maintenance, requiring minimal watering and care.
15. Red Columbine
Botanical Name: Aquilegia canadensis
USDA Zones: 3-8
Wild Columbine showcases delicate light pink flowers. With low maintenance needs, this plant is adaptable to sandy and clay soils, requiring minimal watering.
