Nursery: 8216 White Oaks Rd, Harvard, IL 60033 Another benefit to the Illinois heritage of native plants is that our certain creatures – butterflies, birds, bees, etc, recognize them as a food source! An enriching force in the landscape, native shrubs are ideal for creating sheltering habitat for birds along with a bounty of berries or nuts in the fall. With that said – let's take a look at some interesting Illinois native trees. When insect populations are not healthy, neither are the populations of certain birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Magnolia scale Tulip tree scale Many are food sources for Mesic. One of the most popular choices of Illinois residents is the Common Purple Lilac. Bur Oak, Q. macrocarpa 50-100' h and w. Full sun. (Note: Wm. Native plants are becoming a larger part of our built environment each year as more and more gardeners begin to recognize their value. low and bottomland woods; margins of ponds and lakes. Examples of Native Plants Illinois Native Plant Species Points to Consider. Native trees and shrubs are any species that could have been found in your area prior to European settlement. They need less fertilizers, pesticides or use less water. From a more subjective viewpoint, gardeners need to consider what … Miller, P.C. Once a native plant is established, it can tolerate feeding from our native creatures with no problem. 1986. Pollination 3. American Hophornbeam (Osrya virginiana) – This tree is considered one of Illinois' toughest native hardwoods resistant to a variety of insects and diseases. You have an opportunity to create a natural ecosystem in your own backyard! Search results appear alphabetically by … This Illinois native produces yellow flowers in upright clusters measuring up to 6 inches tall. Buckeyes are known for their flower displays in May; yellow buckeyes are no exception. I want to preface this article with something that I feel is very important in regards to trees â and that's the idea of tree diversity. ©2020 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | College of ACES | Web Privacy Notice | EEO | Accessibility | Staff Login | myExtension, Extension Educator, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, College of Agricultural Consumer & Environmental Sciences, Serving Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren Counties, Serving Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Morgan and Scott Counties, Serving Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler Counties, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. October 3: Invasives Track: Native plants are the topic of many magazine & newspaper articles, garden shows and seminars lately. Mesic, but won’t accept wet soil. A native plant to an environment is a plant that occurs naturally, or "grew up," in that environment. Native or indigenous plants naturally occur in the region in which they evolved. Plant in part-shade to full sun in well-drained soils in the spring to allow it time to establish in the soil. Little, Brown and Company. Copyright © 2020, Website Design and Development by Illini Tech Services. Acer negundo (Box Elder) Acer nigrum (Black Maple) Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) Acer rubrum (Red Maple) Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple) Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) Aesculus glabra (Ohio Buckeye) Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Central Illinois Native Trees and Shrubs – Includes each plant’s common name, scientific name, sun level requirements, soil needs, height, and bloom time and color. Also remember that there are certain plants, both native and introduced, that can be harmful because they are poisonous or toxic. From our soils to our weather, plants that are native to Illinois are more tolerant of seasonal conditions. This small tree native understory tree can reach 20-30 feet tall with available cultivars such as The Rising Sun only reaching 12-15 feet tall and provides peachy-tangerine colored leaves throughout the growing season or Forest Pansy with distinctive purple-red colored leaves all season. With proper planning and proper plant choices, your outdoor living space can be a functioning ecosystem. ILLINOIS NATIVE PLANTS This brochure is a guide to the characteristics and benefits of selected Illinois plants to help home gardeners choose native . Some of the best remaining examples of native Illinois ecosystems are right here in the forest preserves in Cook County. Reaching 30-40 feet, it is a slow grower, growing less than a foot each year but worth the time. Iroquois Beauty™ chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa ‘Morton’) is starting to ripen. River Birch are prized for their cinnamon colored exfoliating bark â providing wonderful winter interest in the landscape. Swamp White Oak. This is a subjective decision that each gardener must make, but something to keep in mind before planting. From our soils to our weather, plants that are native to Illinois do more than tolerate our conditions; they seem to enjoy them! Downy Serviceberry can reach 15-25' tall and can grow either as a multi-trunk or single stem tree that blooms white in the spring with yellow-orange to red fall color. Trees & Shrubs Native to NE Illinois Oaks, Quercus sp. As mentioned above, humans have done quite a bit to modify the natural landscape through the creation of cities and the residential and commercial development that has filled our populated areas. Recommended resources for plant identification in Illinois and surrounding regions. Native plants "grew up" in Illinois. Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) â This tree has a number of different names including Juneberry, Shadbush, and Servicetree. Possibility Place (specializes in native trees and shrubs has some perennials) 7548 W. Monee Manhattan Rd — Monee, IL 60449 — 708-534-3988 www.possibilityplace.com. Acer saccharinum. This tree is better suited to a larger area where it's drooping, horizontal branches have room to show off its beauty. By using native plants in your landscape, you help support healthy ecosystems on land and water. They are well adapted to your region’s climate. Illinois is home to hundreds of species of native plants! Insects are like the bottom of the natural food pyramid. Copyright Garden Illinois. River Birch (Betula nigra) â Did you know that River Birch is actually an Illinois native? You may have heard about certain invasive plant material that can overtake not only your garden area, but can spread to become a pest all over. It is characterized by its alternate, elliptical, toothed leaves and by sharp spines at the tips of the branches. Pollinators will find easy, ample foraging on the blooms, and shrubs are often host plants for lepidoptera as well. You can even plant material that attracts the type of activity you would like to observe on a regular basis – Monarchs, hummingbirds, etc. Because of our unique soils and climate, plants that are native to Illinois are able to strive and survive through our seasonal conditions, diseases, and even predatorial… Illinois holds a great diversity of natural habitats and communities, from cypress swamps in the south, beech-maple forests in the east, tallgrass prairies in the central region, steep bluffs and palisades along the western rivers, bogs and wetlands in the northern counties, and numerous other unique natural communities in between. Presenter: Ryan Pankau, Extension Educator, Horticulture, University of Illinois. Regions Where Native in Illinois 2. Occurrence records, taxonomy, phenology, and plant traits are described for all Illinois plants. This trees pushes the boundary of being considered a medium size tree (medium is usually up to about 50') but can range anywhere from 40-70' and there are cultivars available that are much shorter. Located on a farmstead in rural Peoria County, Pleasant Prairie Nursery was founded in 2010 to provide native grasses and wildflowers for those desiring to include native plants in their landscaping, reduce erosion, or restore prairies. Additional webinars. Species include native flowers, shrubs, trees, bunch grasses, and herbs. Illinois state tree. The other day I was teaching a group about native Illinois trees and of course I was all excited because I was teaching about trees which is my number one passion. It produces a very tasty fruit, ripening early to mid-summer, for which you must be speedier then the birds to harvest or provide some level of protection (netting) to keep the birds from getting the fruit first. "These include a desire to maintain or restore some of the original landscape; an interest in attracting birds and wildlife to the area; and satisfying a desire to connect with the natural environment," said Sharon Yiesla. They are usually defined as plants recorded as growing wild in an area at the time that scientific collection began in that area. Wildlife Attracted 5. A rain garden is a planted depression that is designed to take all, or as much as possible, of the excess rainwater run-off from a house/building and its associated landscape, where native plants soak up some of the water allowing the rest to percolate slowly (within one to five days) into the ground. Natives make sense because they “grew up” in Illinois. One example is the Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias Incarnata) which can be nearly defoliated by monarch caterpillars and the plant will be no worse for the wear! Tolerates light shade, 20 - 30 feet tall. It should be noted that American Hophornbeam is very sensitive to salts so avoid areas where salt sprays or salt run off from deicer salts can occur. Before you select a plant, know the plant. Many experts agree that if you only plant one tree in your lifetime, let it be an oak. The interest in native plants is growing, but just because it’s considered native to our state does not mean it’s a perfect match for your garden. To attract the most wildlife, you need native trees, shrubs, groundcover, vines and wildflowers, many of which will provide food and shelter. However, if your goal is to naturalize your outdoor space, some of the aggressive growing natives could be a desirable choice. They need trees and shrubs native to northeastern Illinois because of intricate food chain requirements. So I figured this time around I would focus on some small and medium sized native Illinois trees considering Baldcypress has the potential to reach 50-70 feet tall! Plants included on the website are native to one or more of those states (some may also be native to states outside the scope of this website). It is susceptible to leaf blotch and may be difficult to find in nurseries. McClain is currently working on a new edition.) silver, soft, or white maple. Spring Lake Pub. 2001. Select your location, site conditions, and preferences to get a side-by-side comparison for choosing the best tree for your circumstances. All trees found on the Northern Illinois Tree Selector are hardy for zones 5 and 6. The state tree was decided in 1907 by a vote of school children and in that tradition, another vote was held in 1973, effectively changing the state symbol to Quercus alba, White Oak. Illinois Native Plants: A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. Far from “common”, this fragrant gem of floral perfection will enliven your yard each spring with a multitude of … Whether your home resides in the heart of “the prairie state”, the Chicagoland of northern Illinois or the “downstate” regions of southern Illinois, Nature Hills Nursery has a shrub to fit your unique soils and conditions. Both have the traditionally recognized flower color of the common Eastern Redbud but with a few spiced up features â shorter height and interesting leaf color. There are a lot of gardeners interested in using native plants, and there are good reasons for doing so, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. Special Features 6. With a name like chokeberry, people aren’t exactly chomping at the bit to plant this native shrub. I know in the past I've talked about native plants and have of course mentioned my number one favorite tree that just happens to be an Illinois native â Taxodium distichum Baldcypress. As is implied in the name River Birch preferred moist well-drained soils â so avoid planting them on high and dry locations such as berms. Canker Verticillium wilt Scorch Chlorosis Wet wood Wood rot Root rot. All Right Reserved. The beautiful black fruit stays on the plant longer than some other varieties. Black locust is native to southern Illinois and commonly planted elsewhere in the state. common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) Common buckthorn is a shrub or small tree native to Eurasia. Illinois Native Grasses & Wildflowers. You may find that you are planting in subsoil or a mix of subsoil and transplanted topsoil mix, which is inadequate for plant group because it’s missing the critical microbiology needed to help plants perform at their optimum level without synthetic supplements or fertilizers. Many of these features are subtly timed to synchronize with other species. Shrubs - white flowers, 15 - 20 feet tall. If your soil is not healthy, even though you have selected native Illinois plants, they may have difficulty thriving in the altered environment. General Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris. Adaptability & Growth Rate 6. Our backyard gardens have never been more powerful and more needed, than they are today. 1977. Newcombs Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this rings true, as not all gardeners will consider every native plant an attractive choice for their outdoor space. — Our most important native species. Other plants are considered introduced. American Hophornbeam (Osrya virginiana) â This tree is considered one of Illinois' toughest native hardwoods resistant to a variety of insects and diseases. You might be thinking… what does any of this have to do with me and my yard? There are native plants that can be aggressive in their growth patterns, causing them to wreak havoc in a small garden. So why is everyone talking about natives? Native shrubs and trees provide food, places to hide and rest, and places to lay eggs and raise young. Visit your local garden center and speak with an Illinois Certified Nursery Professional to ask us how you can make your yard a healthier place to be. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) â How can you talk about native Illinois trees and not include the iconic Eastern Redbud? With that said â let's take a look at some interesting Illinois native trees. Trees, Shrubs, & Wood Vines in Illinois. In fact, from 1907 to 1973, this was reflected by of the state tree simply being 'native oak'. Many of our “natural” areas are over-run with invasive plant materials like Russian Olive, Japanese Honeysuckle, Garlic Mustard, Tree of Heaven, multiflora rose, crown vetch, tall fescue, and the list goes on. TREES. Many animals, birds and reptiles depend on insect protein for food. A side benefit is that you may not have to use fertilizers, insecticides or fungicides because these plants should possess a natural immunity. Not all magnolias hardy inNorthern Illinois. Native plants also often provide habitat, shelter and food for birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. The essential elements that you must provide in your habitat are food, water, cover and a place to raise a family. Native plants are essential to the web of life that includes birds and other wildlife, beneficial insects, and important microorganisms living in native soils. Fruit Type 4. 95% of our land in the lower 48 states has been modified over time…approximately 42% through agriculture and approximately 54% by creating the cities and towns where we live. Make sure to plant this tree in the spring to allow time for it to establish in the soil and it will even tolerate some shade but avoid alkaline sites as it can cause iron chlorosis to occur. Also included are notes about the plant’s structure or growth habits to help you make an educated selection. In fall, the leaves display a yellow-orange color. Light pink flowers. You might be thinking that you want to keep “critters” out of your garden but that’s not true. Culture and Maintenance of Native Trees and Shrubs. These natural communities evolved together, over a long period of time, into what are often called ecosystems. Natural Habitat in Illinois 1. Find trees that thrive in northern Illinois. The scope of Wildflowers covers several Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin). Trees - Low branching slightly. Springfield, IL: Illinois Department of Conservation [now part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources]. A comprehensive database that lists the flora of Illinois including plants native to the Prairie State as well as those that have recently found a home in Illinois natural areas. The right animal life adds a healthy balance to your ecosystem and many of them can be quite beautiful. White Oak, Q. alba - 50-80' h and w. Mildly shade tolerant. The microbiology that naturally occurs in healthy soil helps native plants to absorb the necessary nutrients and water from the soil, leading to peak performance. A slightly acidic part shade site in moist, well-drained soils is the perfect location for Carolina Silverbell. Realize, however, that even native plants will undergo more stress in a residential landscape than in their natural habitat, such as a forest. Ryan Pankau reviews a list of favorite Illinois native trees and shrubs in this presentation, including ornamental attributes of each plant, planting requirements, and the relative wildlife value of each native. Much of the soil in the areas where we reside has been disturbed. Moist, acid, organic soils. plants appropriate for site-specific conditions. Fox Valley River Birch (Betula nigra 'Little King') only reaches 8-10 feet tall which is much smaller and more space friendly for small yards. About 55,000 acres of the 70,000 acres of preserves are in a natural state (the other 14,000 is used for parking lots, picnic groves, nature centers, and such). In the landscape and urban forest we want to diversify our trees to include both natives as well as non-native/non-invasive tree species (of which there is a huge number) so that we don't face the devastation our urban forests have suffered from Dutch Elm Disease and Emerald Ash Borer due to overplanting of the same genus or species. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. Natives support local ecosystems and wildlife habitat in ways that are increasingly important as our human footprint on the landscape grows. The interest in native plants is growing, but just because it’s considered native to our state does not mean it’s a perfect match for your garden. Pollinators: High Value Pollinator Plants – These one-page factsheets offer information about the best plant species to consider when designing landscapes and gardens that successfully support food and habitat needs of pollinators in Illinois. Establishment & Problems 6. White Oak is one of twenty oak tree species native to Illinois. As gardeners, we have the power to restore a portion of our land to the native Illinois ecosystem. Since native plants enjoy our climate and soils they can grow vigorously and fight off most disease organisms and fungal pathogens without our help. Northern Illinois Native Plants Midwest Native Woody Plants Container Grown Native Trees, Shrubs and Evergreens 2Gallon up to 20Gallon Liner Production to Pot-in-Pot Production Contract Growing. This tree is also tolerant of poorly drained sites and black walnut. There are many benefits in growing native plants. ... Perennials & Grasses and Trees & Shrubs. There are native plants that can be aggressive in their growth patterns, causing them to wreak havoc in a small garden. Daylily – A perennial plant that is adaptable, daylilies can endure many years in a garden with very … For fun tree trivia the tallest River Birch on record is 145 feet tall. 45-50 feet. It’s unfortunate, because the chokeberry is one of the best shrubs you can grow in Illinois. Reaching 30-40 feet, it is a slow grower, growing less than a foot each year but worth the time. This tree also has another interesting feature â hop-like looking fruits . Host trees for: imperial and polyphemus moths, red-spotted purple and several species of hairstreak butterflies. Carolina Silverbell (Halesia Carolina) â This is considered a medium sized tree reaching 30-40 feet tall providing white flowers in the spring time and yellow leaf color in the fall but it is known for dropping leaves early. Since they enjoy our climate and soils, they can grow vigorously and are more apt to fight off disease, organisms and fungal pathogens. By sharp spines at the time can you talk about native Illinois trees and are... Perfect location for Carolina Silverbell hairstreak butterflies are like the bottom of the natural food pyramid Oak Q.! Another interesting feature â hop-like looking fruits fungal pathogens without our help but to. A long period of time, into what are often host plants for as. 'Native Oak ' plants naturally occur in the spring to allow it time to establish in the state talk. 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