Complete List Of 26 Illinois Native Plants

Sheri Dorn is a versatile homesteader and culinary artist with a strong focus on organic and heirloom gardening. Holding a Master's degree in Culinary Arts, she combines her love for cooking and gardening in a unique way. Sheri is an active contributor to online gardening communities and enjoys quality outdoor time with her family and pets.
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Here’s a complete list of Illinois Native Plants that will help you explore the indigenous specimens of the state!

Illinois has a wonderful biodiversity. It is the habitat to many species of plants that harmoniously live and adapt to each other. This article will provide a Complete List Of Illinois Native Plants. Jump right in and lets start this journey!

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USDA Hardiness Zones in Illinois

Illinois covers several USDA Hardiness Zones, ranging from Zone 5a in the northernmost parts of the state, down to Zone 7a in the extreme southern part of Illinois. The majority of the state lies within Zones 5b to 6b. Here’s a brief overview:

  • Zone 5a: This is the coldest zone in Illinois, with minimum temperatures reaching between -20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is found in the northernmost regions of the state.
  • Zone 5b: This zone experiences minimum temperatures between -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. It covers a large portion of northern Illinois.
  • Zone 6a: Most of central Illinois falls within this zone, with minimum temperatures between -10 to -5 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Zone 6b: This zone includes parts of central and southern Illinois. It has minimum temperatures between -5 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Zone 7a: This is the warmest zone in Illinois and covers a very small area in the southernmost part of the state. Minimum temperatures range between 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

List of Illinois Native Plants

1. Big Bluestem

Illinois Native Plants 1
wilsonbrosgardens

Botanical Name: Andropogon gerardii

First on the list of Illinois Native Plants, it is a tall and majestic prairie grass, known for its attractive blue-green foliage that waves gracefully in the wind.

2. Purple Coneflower

zone5gardening

Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower boasts showy, purple-pink daisy-like flowers with prominent raised centers, attracting butterflies and bees to its nectar-rich blooms.

3. Black-eyed Susan

Illinois Native Plants 3
aaronpicar

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta

This classic wildflower displays bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with distinct black centers, making it a favorite among pollinators and a staple in prairie landscapes.

4. Prairie Dropseed

Botanical Name: Sporobolus heterolepis

These Illinois Native Plants form graceful airy clumps in prairies, adding texture and movement to the landscape with its fine-textured leaves.

5. Wild Bergamot

Illinois Native Plants 5

Botanical Name: Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot features lovely lavender-pink flowers that are highly fragrant and popular among bees and butterflies. Its aromatic leaves are often used for herbal teas.

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6. Eastern Red Columbine

sciotogardens

Botanical Name: Aquilegia canadensis

Eastern Red Columbine showcases unique red and yellow flowers with distinct spurs, making it a favorite of hummingbirds and an eye-catching addition to woodland gardens.

7. Ohio Spiderwort

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Botanical Name: Tradescantia ohiensis

With its delicate purple-blue flowers that close in the afternoon, these Illinois Native Plants thrive in sunny prairies and adds a splash of color to natural landscapes.

8. New England Aster

Botanical Name: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

New England Aster brightens late-season prairies with its vibrant purple flowers, providing a vital nectar source for bees and butterflies.

Here are 8 Secret Master Gardener’s Tips to Get the Most Colorful and Vibrant Flowers

9. Yellow Coneflower

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Botanical Name: Echinacea paradoxa

Yellow Coneflower‘s sunny disposition stems from its cheerful, drooping yellow petals that surround a dark cone, attracting a variety of pollinators to its blooms.

10. Butterfly Milkweed

goodfangsm

Botanical Name: Asclepias tuberosa

A must-have for monarch butterflies, these Illinois Native Plants boast bright orange flowers and is known for its resilience in drought-prone landscapes.

11. Leadplant

Illinois Native Plants 11
blazingstargardens

Botanical Name: Amorpha canescens

Leadplant captivates with its silvery, aromatic foliage and attractive spikes of blue-violet flowers, making it a valuable resource for native bees.

12. Wild Indigo

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Botanical Name: Baptisia tinctoria

Wild Indigo’s tall spikes of blue to yellow pea-like flowers contribute to nitrogen fixation in the soil, benefiting the surrounding ecosystem.

13. Wild Quinine

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naturalcommunities

Botanical Name: Parthenium integrifolium

Clusters of white, button-like flowers characterize Wild Quinine, a plant with historical uses in traditional medicine and a preference for prairies.

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14. Joe-Pye Weed

Botanical Name: Eutrochium purpureum

Joe-Pye Weed stands tall with large, pink-purple flower heads that act as a magnet for butterflies and other pollinators during the summer months.

15. Showy Goldenrod

Illinois Native Plants 15
REDDIT

Botanical Name: Solidago speciosa

Showy Goldenrod adds a burst of bright yellow plumes to prairies during late summer, providing an important nectar source for bees and other insects.

16. Cardinal Flower

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Botanical Name: Lobelia cardinalis

The striking red flowers of Cardinal Flower adorn tall spikes, and these wetland Illinois Native Plants are a favorite among hummingbirds seeking nectar.

17. Shooting Star

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birgittag3

Botanical Name: Dodecatheon meadia

Graceful and enchanting, these Illinois Native Plants display pink or white flowers with reflexed petals, often found in woodland areas and adding charm to natural settings.

18. Wild Ginger

Botanical Name: Asarum canadense

With its heart-shaped leaves and low-growing habit, Wild Ginger thrives in the shade of woodland areas, offering a unique addition to native plant gardens.

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19. Prairie Smoke

Illinois Native Plants 19
biltonlaneway

Botanical Name: Geum triflorum

Prairie Smoke’s unusual pink, feathery seed heads resemble smoke, creating a captivating sight and adding interest to prairies and meadows.

20. White Snakeroot

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Botanical Name: Ageratina altissima

White Snakeroot features clusters of white, flat-topped flowers, and its presence along woodland edges attracts numerous pollinators.

21. Swamp Milkweed

Illinois Native Plants 21
wildrosemallow

Botanical Name: Asclepias incarnata

Thriving in wetland gardens, these Illinois Native Plants display fragrant, pink flowers that serve as a vital source of nectar for butterflies and other pollinators.

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22. Little Bluestem

Botanical Name: Schizachyrium scoparium

A shorter prairie grass with bluish-green leaves, adding texture to natural landscapes. It doesn’t need a lot of care too!

23. Virginia Bluebell

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Botanical Name: Mertensia virginica

A spring wildflower with bell-shaped blue-purple flowers, these these Illinois Native Plants thrive in woodland areas.

24. Wild Geranium

minnesotawildflowers

Botanical Name: Geranium maculatum

A woodland plant with pinkish-purple flowers and deeply lobed leaves. If you want a flowering specimen that blooms without much effort – this is it.

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25. Compass Plant

Illinois Native Plants 25

Botanical Name: Silphium laciniatum

A prairie plant with deeply cut leaves that align themselves north to south. The blooms of these Illinois Native Plants resemble a lot to the sunflowers.

26. Prairie Dock

Botanical Name: Silphium terebinthinaceum

Tall and handsome are what these Illinois Native Plants are! They have large, rough leaves, providing habitat for insects.

Note: This list provides a glimpse of the rich and diverse native plant life in Illinois. Keep in mind that the availability of native plants may vary based on local ecosystems and conservation efforts. For more comprehensive information and resources on native plants in Illinois, consider consulting local botanical gardens, nature centers, or native plant societies.

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