Showing results for Illinois, US
Idk if this will be a controversial opinion or not, but I think there are a couple issues with what you're asking for. First, there aren't really any native plants (grasses, clover, etc.) that are going to give you a lawn mowed look. Second, even if there were, I don't believe there would be a lot of benefit to having a native lawn if you wanted to keep it mowed. Native grasses, sedges, and ground covers are hosts for insects, nesting sites for insects and birds, and their seeds/fruits provide food for animals. If that were mowed, it would only provide a small fraction of their ecological potential. For me I try to first reduce lawn and create new garden patches. Then with the yard I keep I supplement it with Dutch white clover. I also keep certain spaces with minimal flowers because my kids sometimes don't have shoes and step on bees. Answer from robsc_16 on reddit.com
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Outdoor Illinois Journal
outdoor.wildlifeillinois.org › articles › landscaping-with-native-grasses
Outdoor Illinois Journal: Landscaping with Native Grasses
River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is another smaller (1.5-4 feet tall) grass, native to southern Illinois, that works well in a wide range of light and soil conditions. It has a neat and interesting seed structure, similar to oats, that matures into a beautiful purplish color by late summer.
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Illinois Extension
extension.illinois.edu › blogs › garden-scoop › 2020-06-13-landscaping-native-grasses
Landscaping with native grasses | The Garden Scoop | Illinois Extension | UIUC
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is another very tall native grass used for both its ornamental appeal and its tough adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions. However, one issue with switchgrass is its innate ability to spread and take ...
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LawnLove
lawnlove.com › home › 14 illinois native plants for home landscapes
Illinois native plants
July 9, 2025 - ... Box elder is found throughout Illinois and is a perfect native tree for central Illinois homes. The light-brown bark becomes more and more creased as the tree matures. Opt for a male tree, as they are less messy than female ones.
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Cultivating Flora
cultivatingflora.com › home › illinois: lawns › types of native grasses to consider for illinois lawns
Types of Native Grasses to Consider for Illinois Lawns | Cultivating Flora
August 19, 2025 - Buffalograss is a short, sod-forming warm-season grass native to the Great Plains. In Illinois it can be used in low-maintenance lawn applications where summers are warm. Best sites: Full sun, well-drained soils; performs best in southern Illinois.
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Illinois Extension
extension.illinois.edu › blogs › ilriverhort › 2015-04-10-lawn-alternatives
Lawn Alternatives | ILRiverHort | Illinois Extension | UIUC
Cedar sedge (Carex eburnean) is described as producing three inch tall "pocket-sized emerald green tufts of hair-like leaves" that form a dense mat in dry, shady places. Oak sedge (Carex albicans) is a "shade to part sun-loving sedge that grows 8-10 inches on dry to moist soils."
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Cicada-idnr
cicada-idnr.org › residential › plant-management › landscape-with-native-plants
CICADA—Conservation Inclusive Development-Residential-Landscape with Native Plants
Native plants add beauty to the landscape as well as food and shelter for wildlife. Native plants include the tree, shrub, grass, and flower species that evolved over thousands of years to be best adapted to the Illinois climate and soils.
Find elsewhere
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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
wildflower.org › expert › show.php
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin
These grasses are best grown from seed, which can be purchased online or from a plant nursery near you. Good luck in finding the perfect match. Here are photos of some of the suggested grasses. ... Plants for Shady Clay soil in Illinois June 18, 2012 - Could you recommoned native plants for clay soil and shade near Chicago?
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Dave's Garden
davesgarden.com › community › forums › t › 1313585
Beginner Gardening:Illinois Native Groundcover/lawn replacement suggestions?
Invasive native species are fine by me, I want it to take over the spotty, awful, crunchy old grass eventually. Post #9527133 · Quote · themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) May 20, 2013 · Here is some general and specific info for you...hope this helps http://urbanext.illinois.edu/groundcovers/tips.cfm http://www.stepables.com/ http://urbanext.illinois.edu/groundcovers/directory/index.cfm http://urbanext.illinois.edu/lawnchallenge/lesson2a.html This lists all native plant recommendations for Illinois http://www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?start=0&collection=IL&pagecount=10&pagecount=50 ·
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Sheldon Landscape
sheldonlandscape.com › home › uncategorized › popular lawn alternatives in the midwest you should know about
Popular Lawn Alternatives in the Midwest - Sheldon Landscape
July 15, 2024 - But prairie is much more than grass. Native forbs and a variety of grasses and legumes are all native to Illinois. Keep in mind, grass species that appear naturally and are untamed by lawnmowers may not resemble your idea of lawn grass.
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Billslawn
billslawn.com › blog › how-to-choose-the-best-native-plants-for-illinois-landscaping
How To Choose the Best Native Plants for Illinois Landscaping | Bill's Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping
April 14, 2025 - In this guide, we'll walk you through how to choose native plants for Illinois landscaping. We'll also highlight some of the best native species for the Frankfort area to help you achieve a beautiful landscape that's easy to maintain.
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Local Native Plants
pleasantprairienursery.com › grasses
Shop Illinois Native Grasses
Illinois native plants - no cultivars, no Neonicotinoid use, locally sourced propogation, grown onsite and weathered outdoors. Order online and pay when you pick up, or call ahead and shop outdoors!
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Prairielandconservancy
prairielandconservancy.org › native-plants.html
Native Plants - Prairie Land Conservancy
This is what we refer to as larval host plants. Native grasses are excellent larval host plants. For example, Little Blue Stem is known for being a favorite among multiple species of skipper butterflies. In Illinois, the Cobweb and Ottoe Skipper are both endangered.
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Bright Lane Gardens
brightlanegardens.com › home › native plants › midwest native plants › illinois native plants
Native Lawn Alternatives in Illinois for Eco-Friendly Yards - Bright Lane Gardens
October 13, 2025 - In this guide, we’ll explore a range of natural options that can transform your yard while supporting Illinois’ unique flora and fauna. Switching to native lawn alternatives in Illinois offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond just aesthetic appeal. By choosing plants that are naturally adapted to the local environment, your garden becomes a model of sustainability.
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Illinois Extension
extension.illinois.edu › blogs › ilriverhort › 2024-02-20-choose-native-plants-ecological-benefits-and-wildlife-resources
Choose native plants for ecological benefits and wildlife resources | ILRiverHort | Illinois Extension | UIUC
Consider species like oak, maple, hickory, and dogwood, which are native to Illinois. Plants that produce berries, like serviceberries, elderberries, and raspberries, provide food for birds and other wildlife.
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Wiki Lawn
wikilawn.com › lawn-care › il › native-plants-illinois
15 Native Plants for Illinois Landscapes
Discover the top 15 native plants for Illinois landscapes, including vibrant blooms, resilient perennials, and ecological benefits.
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University of Chicago
mag.uchicago.edu › law-policy-society › rip-out-your-lawn
Rip out your lawn
In her family’s one-bedroom apartment ... Illinois, still prairie in those days, which she remembers for the “magnificent” cottonwood trees and bobwhite quail in the backyard. But over the years, Adelman noticed her and her neighbors’ lawns and gardens were strangely devoid of birds, butterflies, and the like—though they did need defending from rabbits and deer. When she found a small planting of native flowers, she ...
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Gardenia
gardenia.net › home › united states › midwest › illinois
Illinois Native Plants
Embrace the flora of Illinois with native plants like purple coneflower, prairie dropseed, wild bergamot, compass plant, and marsh marigold, adding beauty and resilience to your garden.