Why Do We Use Native Plants?
Native plants are functional & low maintenance.
Native plants support a healthy ecosystem.
Native plants are beautiful!
Information compiled by Nikki Melin and Shannon McEnerney of Midwest Groundcovers
How to Support Native Bees
Provide pollen and nectar sources – they are used for different things!
Provide Water
Install “Native Bee Nesting Houses”
Plant native grasses – they provide an overwintering habitat
Don’t cut your garden back too early!
How to Support Butterflies
There are over 2,000 species of months and butterflies in IL
Most only live a few weeks – main goal is to support reproduction
Provide nectar sources for energy until late fall
Use native plants or fruit
Water & minerals – shallow container with sand/pebbles & water
Provide shelter – broad-leafed trees/shrubs & dense conifers
– protection from wind, rain & predators
Host plants are needed for specific species
How to Support Birds
Provide food sources through native shrubs, forbs & grasses
Provide water
Have nesting & protection sites – evergreen and larger border shrubs or bird houses
Keep cats indoors – domestic cats are #1 leading human – caused threat to birds – they kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds / year
Best Plants for Bees
Asclepias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed
Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush
Dodecatheon meadia, Shooting Star
Echinacea pallida, Pale Purple Coneflower
Pycnanthemum muticum, Blunt Mountainmint
Rudbeckia hirta, Black-eyed Susan
Solidago caesia, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod
Best Plants for Butterflies
Antennaria plantaginifolia, Plantain-leaved Pussytoes
Asclepias spp., Butterfly Weed; Milkweed
Eutrochium purpureum, Purple Joe Pye Weed
Lindera benzoin, Spicebush
Monarda fistulosa, Wild Bergamot
Zizia aurea, Golden Alexanders
Best Plants for Birds & Hummingbirds
Aronia melanocarpa ‘Elata’ & Iroquois Beauty™ Black Chokeberry
Carex spp., Sedges
Coreopsis spp., Tickseed
Iris versicolor, Blueflag Iris
Liatris spp., Blazing Star
Lobelia spp., Cardinal Flower Great Blue Lobelia
Mimulus ringens, Monkey Flower
Ruellia humulis, Wild Petunia
Sambucus canadensis, American elderberry
Symphyotrichum oolentangiense, Sky-blue Aster
Verbena stricta, Hoary Vervain
Viburnum, Autumn Jazz® Arrowwood Viburnum
