A preferred cultivar of this tough and adaptable species, featuring very showy white-green variegation on the palm-shaped leaves; good as a feature shrub or in a large garden

In early summer, Tufted Hair Grass erupts into a shimmering cloud of fine, airy flower panicles that catch the light and sway with the slightest breeze, lending soft movement to the garden. Below, it forms a neat, fountain-like clump of slender deep-green blades that stays tidy throughout the season. A cool-season grass native to our region’s moist meadows and open woods, it settles easily into local gardens and thrives with steady, moderate moisture. The golden seed heads hold their beauty into fall and feed visiting songbirds, while its fibrous roots make it a fine choice for stabilizing slopes. Deer and rabbits pass it by, so the planting stays full and graceful. Sweep it through a bed as a flowing groundcover, or let a single clump shine as a textural accent.

A large, vigorous shrub with attractive clusters of small, white flowers in spring followed by purplish-black berries and thick, pithy stems, quite coarse in winter; very adaptable, survives with minimal care but tends to sucker

Highly ornamental spring, summer and fall, with attractive fruit, leaves and berries; emerging foliage has reddish hue; this low growing spreader makes a good groundcover. Muskingum Gray Dogwood is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. It features an abundance of magnificent white berries in late summer. It has clusters of creamy white flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. It has grayish green foliage which emerges burgundy in spring. The glossy pointy leaves turn an outstanding dark red in the fall.

A fine-textured native sedge with delicate, arching foliage that brings movement and elegance to garden beds and borders. Indigenous to Illinois and the Midwest, James sedge thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens, rain gardens, and shaded perennial combinations. Its compact, clumping habit and year-round interest provide structure without overwhelming neighboring plants. Perfect for adding softness and visual flow to native plant landscapes and restoration projects.

Little Boy Garden Phlox features bold fragrant conical lilac purple star-shaped flowers with white eyes at the ends of the stems from early summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Staghorn Sumac is a bold, architectural native that earns its name from the velvety, antler-like branches that give the plant a distinctive year-round presence. The dramatic tropical-looking compound leaves — sometimes 18–24 inches long — turn an extraordinary range of scarlet, orange, and gold in autumn, making this one of the most spectacular fall color shrubs native to the Great Lakes region. Dense, upright cones of deep red velvet fruit persist through winter, drawing birds and providing an ornamental focal point when the landscape is otherwise bare. Exceptionally tough, drought tolerant once established, and spreading naturally into colonies, it’s ideal for naturalizing slopes, banks, and areas where erosion control with a native plant is the goal.

An exotic yet hardy shrub with stout, pithy stems and fronds of tropical-looking leaves, can be rather leggy; very interesting upright spikes of red-purple fruit lasting into winter and brilliant fall colors; suckers vigorously, ideal for naturalizing

Smooth Alder features showy clusters of yellow catkins hanging below the branches from early to mid spring before the leaves. The dark brown fruits are held in abundance in spectacular cones from late summer to late winter. It has dark green foliage with grayish green undersides which emerges light green in spring. The glossy oval leaves turn outstanding shades of yellow and in the fall. The smooth gray bark and dark brown branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Tuliptree has buttery yellow cup-shaped flowers with yellow eyes and orange centers held atop the branches from mid to late spring. It has emerald green deciduous foliage. The square leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The furrowed gray bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Trembling Aspen has rich green deciduous foliage on a tree with an oval habit of growth. The round leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up. The smooth white bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

American Hazelnut is a native multi-stemmed shrub that earns its place in the landscape many times over — with fuzzy yellow catkins in early spring, lush summer foliage, excellent golden fall color, and a nutritious crop of hazelnuts in autumn that birds and wildlife prize as much as we do. Growing 9–15 feet tall and spreading generously, it naturally forms a dense, mounding thicket that makes an outstanding hedge, screening border, or naturalized planting in sun to partial shade. Fully resistant to deer, rabbits, insects, and disease, it’s one of the most carefree native shrubs available. It tolerates Black Walnut and handles erosion-prone sites with ease. A genuinely rewarding plant that gives back to the garden and to local wildlife every single season.

Siouxland Cottonwood is a fast-growing native shade tree prized for the rapid relief it brings to new landscapes. A seedless male selection, it produces none of the cottony fluff that makes other cottonwoods messy. Its glossy, triangular leaves flutter in the slightest breeze and turn golden yellow in fall. Plant it in full sun, where it tolerates wind, wet soils, and tough conditions with ease. Reaching a grand size quickly, it’s ideal for screening and shade on larger properties. For fast, carefree shade, Siouxland Cottonwood delivers in a hurry.

Fox Valley River Birch features subtle chartreuse catkins in early spring. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding yellow in the fall. The peeling tan bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Rosin Plant is a true prairie original, prized by gardeners who love a landscape with authentic native character. A Midwest prairie native, it forms sturdy, upright clumps of bold green foliage that hold their presence from spring through summer. It settles in happily in full sun with average moisture and, once rooted, stands up to heat and lean soil with classic prairie resilience. Deer and rabbits typically leave it alone, making it an easygoing choice for naturalized plantings and restoration-style gardens. Use it as a structural accent among grasses and other natives, where its upright form lends height and backbone to the planting. It’s a wonderful way to bring a piece of the tallgrass prairie home.

A sturdy and beautiful evergreen with a dense, columnar habit; rich, dark green foliage turns russet red in fall; takes pruning exceptionally well; perfect as a trimmed hedge, vertical accent, or dense screen; adaptable to different soil conditions