Native Plant Initiative

Want a gorgeous garden that also protects the environment? Trade in your lawn, your mower, and invasive plants for low-maintenance native plants that improve our ecosystem. Native plants typically require no fertilizer, no pesticides, and far less water than non-native species.

Have problems with flooding? With their deeper roots, native plants do a superb job of absorbing stormwater. You may already have native plants growing in your yard without realizing it! You can use free online databases or apps to identify plants and determine whether they should stay or go.

While creating a native plant garden can seem overwhelming, getting started is often the hardest part. The first step is researching and selecting plants that are well-suited to your local climate, soil, and growing conditions. Fortunately, the resources below can help you find garden designs, choose the right plants for your area, and answer questions throughout the process.

If you are a Township of Lyons organization seeking to add native plants to your landscape, assistance is available. Our interns can help maintain plants during the summer. The Lyons Township Mental Health Commission will soon be offering a first-come, first-served reimbursable grant program. Once you establish the garden, we will include you on our Township of Lyons native plant map!

Contact our Sustainability Coordinator, Rose Naseef, at rnaseef@lyonsts.com to learn more about how the Township can support you in adding native plants to your landscape.

 

Resources for Getting Started

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

  • This website lists the requirements and steps on how to plant several different types of native gardens. For example, you can learn how to build a pollinator garden in dry or medium soil, based on what plants you want.
  • It explains how to weed and prevent weeds in your gardens, depending on the location and types of plants.
  • Whether you are planting seeds, bulbs, shrubs, or even a tree, this resource explains how to maintain and plant them properly to ensure a long, healthy life for your plants.
  • Looking for inspiration? You can visit a local park near you or one of the Illinois state parks listed on this website to view their native plants.  

Illinois Native Plant Society  

  • This website has a long list of local plant nurseries from which you can source your native plants.  
  • The society also hosts educational events and advertises regional plant sales.

Native Garden Designs – Wild Ones                       

  • Instantly download expertly crafted, region-specific garden plans and detailed plant lists, taking the guesswork out of the initial research and design phases.
  • Follow a step-by-step interactive guide at your own pace through every season, and watch instructional videos led by professional landscape designers to learn how to plant and maintain your space.
  • Access customized, region-specific guides for metro areas like Chicago, Chattanooga, and Boston, and read inspiring stories/profiles of local gardeners who have successfully transformed their own yards.

Plant Databases/Manuals

Not sure if you have native plants? Don’t know which ones you want? These plant guides and data bases are filled with thousands of beautiful native plants to Illinois including trees, shrubs, flowers, berries, and so much more!

 

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