Create a Garden That Gives Back
Bring beauty, biodiversity, and resilience to your landscape with native plants. Adapted to local growing conditions over thousands of years, native plants provide essential food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while thriving in Chicagoland gardens with less intervention.
Whether you're planting a single pollinator bed or transforming your entire landscape, native plants help create a healthier ecosystem right outside your door.
At Chalet, you'll find two types of native plants: Straight Spieces and Navitar.
Straight Spieces Native
These are the original, naturally occurring forms of native plants found in the wild. They have not been selectively bred for ornamental traits and offer the highest ecological value for supporting local wildlife.
Nativars (Native + Cultivar)
A "nativar" is a cultivated variety of a native plant selected for specific ornamental characteristics such as flower color, compact size, stronger stems, or longer bloom time.
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Explore all native plants and discover the possibilities for a more beautiful, wildlife-friendly garden.
FAQs
A native plant is a species that naturally occurs in a region and has evolved alongside local wildlife over thousands of years. A nativar is a cultivated variety of a native plant that has been selected for desirable traits such as flower color, compact size, improved disease resistance, or longer bloom time. Both can benefit pollinators and wildlife, though straight species natives generally provide the greatest ecological value.
Not at all. Native plants can be incorporated into gardens of any style, from naturalistic prairie-inspired landscapes to formal foundation plantings and containers. Many native species and nativars offer attractive flowers, colorful foliage, structured forms, and long seasons of interest. With thoughtful design, native plants can be both beautiful and beneficial.
Native plants are often well-suited to local soil, climate, and weather conditions, making them resilient and relatively low-maintenance once established. However, like any plant, they perform best when matched to the right growing conditions, including sun exposure, soil type, and moisture levels. Choosing the right native plant for your site is the key to success.