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
Outdoor Illinois Journal
outdoor.wildlifeillinois.org › articles › landscaping-with-native-grasses
Outdoor Illinois Journal: Landscaping with Native Grasses
I believe it’s a highly underused landscape plant that deserves more attention given its overall low maintenance requirements and well-behaved habit. 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.
Illinois Extension
extension.illinois.edu › blogs › garden-scoop › 2020-06-13-landscaping-native-grasses
Landscaping with native grasses | The Garden Scoop | Illinois Extension | UIUC
Recently, there has been a growing interest in incorporating our native prairie grasses, given their inherent adaptability to our climate and their exceptional ecological value. Since Illinois is, in fact, the “Prairie State” it makes sense ...
Videos
Reddit
reddit.com › r/nativeplantgardening › native lawn grass for northern illinois?
r/NativePlantGardening on Reddit: Native Lawn Grass for Northern Illinois?
October 24, 2021 -
Hi, so I desire to have a lawn in Northern IL but also desire native plants. Are there any kinds of grasses or mix to use so I can that mowed lawn look?
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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.
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How much sun do you have? Buffalo grass is possible, it'll take some time though
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
dnr.illinois.gov › content › dam › soi › en › web › dnr › conservation › crep › documents › grassland-nativeprairieplanting.pdf pdf
Native Prairie Establishment Conservation Cover – NRCS Practice code 327
Native grass and forb seed can also be spread using an air spreader.
Complete Gardening
completegardening.com › home › illinois native grasses for eco-friendly lawns
Illinois Native Grasses for Eco-Friendly Lawns - Complete Gardening
October 16, 2025 - These grasses not only enhance biodiversity but also require less maintenance and water, making them perfect for sustainable landscaping. 1. Little Bluestem Little Bluestem, with its vibrant bluish-green ...
Cicada-idnr
cicada-idnr.org › residential › plant-management › landscape-with-native-plants
CICADA—Conservation Inclusive Development-Residential-Landscape with Native Plants
Without these native plants the insects, birds, and other animals that co-evolved with them cannot survive. Landscaping with native plants brings beauty and biodiversity to your yard or property. Since native plants are adapted to the Illinois climate, they require little care once they are established.
Wildones
illinoisprairie.wildones.org › resources › handouts-and-guides
Handouts & Guides – Wild Ones Illinois Prairie Chapter
This page provides links to a variety of handouts, guides, and articles to help you learn about native plants and how to incorporate them into your landscaping project. How to Start Native Seeds Indoors – Prairie Moon Nursery’s guide and Prairie Nursery’s guide . Propagating Woodland Plants (pdf)– Selected resources recommended by John Marlin from his presentation on March 10, 2014. Designing Wild With Wildflowers and Natives (pdf) – Key points covered in Bob Streitmatter’s presentation to our chapter. Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape (pdf) – Guide developed by the University of Illinois Extension that nicely summarizes various characteristics of Illinois native plants that can be used in the home landscape.
PlantNative
plantnative.org › home › native plants › illinois native plants for landscaping
Illinois Native Plants for Landscaping - PlantNative.org
October 5, 2025 - Is there suitable List of native plants of Illinois for landscaping? Certainly! Some native plants of Illinois for landscaping include Eastern Redbud, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, American Beech, Box Elder, and Ohio Buckeye.
Wildones
westcook.wildones.org › home › where to get native plants and landscapers
Where to Get Native Plants and Landscapers - Wild Ones West Cook Chapter
October 8, 2025 - Cande Native Landscape (worked with Art and Linda’s Wildflower Gardens) DigRightIn: a local landscaping company and partner in our Wildlife Corridor; uses sustainable landscaping practices (specializes in organic lawns) and when requested will use native plants.
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 - Transform your lawn into a sustainable haven with native lawn alternatives in Illinois. Learn about eco-friendly plants that enhance biodiversity and conserve resources. Maintaining a traditional turf lawn in Illinois can be labor-intensive and environmentally taxing.
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 - No, native plants for Illinois landscaping are naturally adapted to the local climate and soil, making them low-maintenance. They need minimal watering and little pruning, making them a great long-term choice.
Lake County
lakecountyil.gov › 2227 › Native-Plants-Trees
Native Plants & Trees in Business/Campus Landscaping | Lake County, IL
More versatile for Illinois weather conditions - native plants are climate appropriate plants · Much deeper root systems than typical lawn species thereby offering greater soil stability, higher evapotranspiration, and better infiltration of stormwater
Prairielandconservancy
prairielandconservancy.org › native-plants.html
Native Plants - Prairie Land Conservancy
Watch the video to see what six types of trees we planted and how they benefit wildlife. Next time you plant a tree, be sure to choose a native species to your area that provides a food source to wildlife. Follow this link to see a comprehensive recommendation for native trees and plants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
guides.library.illinois.edu › green-living › lawn-and-garden
Lawn and Garden - Green Living - LibGuides at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Native species are adapted to the Illinois climate. They require little or no watering and are resistant to drought, insects and most diseases. Because they are perennials, you can welcome their presence year after year. Browse the list or search by species type.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
dnr.illinois.gov › idnr › education › for your garden
For Your Garden - Illinois Department of Natural Resources
November 6, 2025 - For more information about native Illinois plants, including where to purchase them and planting guides, view the following publications at our publications page. You can access more information on the Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant page, too. Prairie Establishment and Landscaping Landscaping for Wildlife Butterfly Gardens
Reddit
reddit.com › r/nativeplantgardening › native landscaping act passes in il!
r/NativePlantGardening on Reddit: Native landscaping act passes in IL!
April 27, 2024 -
The Homeowner's native landscaping act protects native landscapes from HOAs and prohibits height restrictions on native plantings in Illinois. It is a huge step forward!
And on a personal note, it may save our native plant garden from a developer trying to force us to rip it out.
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Oh my gosh! This is so impressive. I hope they serve as a model for other states. Like Michigan.
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You know what else I would love? If Idot sowed native flowers and grasses along roadsides and limited mowing (they've done it in places as an experiment and those spots are so pretty and alive with color and texture). There's so much potential insect and bird habitat along our highways and byways.
Spacetogrowchicago
spacetogrowchicago.org › green-infrastructure-at-home › native-gardens-landscaping
Native Gardens + Landscaping : Space to Grow
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has native garden resources that include podcasts, native plant information, images and descriptions. They also have a Kids for Conservation page for children to enjoy! The Center for Neighborhood Technology RainReady Program has homeowner information on sustainable landscaping tips for native gardens.
University of Illinois Extension
extension.illinois.edu › cook › native-plants
Native Plants | Illinois Extension | UIUC
Salt-Tolerant Native Plants: Discover plants that can handle salt runoff from adjoining driveways, sidewalks, and roads.
LawnLove
lawnlove.com › home › 14 illinois native plants for home landscapes
Illinois native plants
July 9, 2025 - In this article, we bring you 14 beautiful Illinois native plants to add to your home landscape: columbine, river birch, creeping juniper, and more.
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 - They generally require less supplemental irrigation and fertilizer, support native insects and birds, and tolerate the wide seasonal swings of Illinois weather. When incorporated into a lawn design, native grasses can produce a more sustainable, lower-input landscape that still functions for recreation, curb appeal, or habitat enhancement.