Plant Combinations
Working landscapes use the right plants in the right places!
An important element of any working landscape is using the right plant in the right place. These benefit-based plant combinations answer specific landscape challenges and are composed of attractive and easy-to-grow species for native-inspired Midwest landscapes
Native plants--those which evolved in a region before civilization--are the core of each collection and any working landscape palette. And for sensitive restoration projects, use of local-source native species is imperative. But, there are also great natural selections and cultivars which combine the durability of their native counterparts with the dependability of key physical features such as uniform height, increased (or no) fruiting, extended bloom and unique or intensified color.
The purpose of this plant showcase is to educate gardeners and landscapers about native species and cultivars that have distinguished themselves as easy-care and garden-worthy. All are commercially available from a number of sources.
Annuals (4)
Colorful garden plants that can change the look of a landscape on a dime. Great for freshening sun-worn summer borders and containers or filling in sparse areas.
Butterfly Attracting (59)
Nectar-rich flowers with open structure are butterfly magnets. These species are not only beautiful, they attract watchable butterflies, hummingbirds and other interesting pollinators.
Drought-Defiant (74)
These colorful, easy-care plants thrive in dry, sunny locations and are natural choices for parched planting sites that border buildings and pavement, or where rainfall is scarce or undependable.
Midwest Native (83)
Midwest native plants have evolved over thousands of years to tolerate local soils, seasons and weather changes.
Ornamental Grass (27)
Grasses give lasting interest in all four seasons and are at home in contemporary or cottage-style designs.
Rain Gardens and Bioswales (49)
These moisture-loving, deep-rooted natives and native cultivars help infiltrate stormwater into the ground and offer extravagant flowers with lush growth.
Salt-Tolerant (18)
Use of de-icers as well as saline soils create physiological drought for plants. These plants have high tolerances to salt.
Shade-tolerant (28)
Add color and interest with these plants that thrive in the shade or that gain their best color with less light.
Summer Color for Sunny Sites (44)
Long-blooming flowers perfect for adding color and extending interest in sunny, summer landscapes.
Trees & Shrubs (68)
Woody species provide the architectural bones of any landscape. These all-stars also offer extra durability, spring blooms, dense summer shade, excellent fall color and/or fruit.
Vines and Groundcovers (32)
Resilient low-profile plants play key roles in successful landscapes for coverage, color, textural contrast and borders. Vines can also be used effectively as ground covers.
Wetlands and Streambank Stabilization (49)
Colonizing native plants, shrubs and trees are effective soft armor solutions for wetland mitigation projects and for stabilizing streambanks and lakeshores.