Links For Using Native Plants in the Landscape
The first European settlers to arrive in Illinois encountered a fabulous natural landscape. The northern part of the state was a mosaic of many prairies types, wetlands, forests, and savannas. Along the magnificent natural shoreline of Lake Michigan were beaches, sand dunes, swales, and cliffs dissected by wooded ravines. The central part of Illinois was primarily tallgrass prairie, spectacular at all seasons, dotted with isolated woods known as prairie groves. Towards the west and south the prairies gave way to mature forests and tall cliffs of sandstone and lime-stone. Occurring at the extreme southern part of the state were swamps filled with giant bald cypress and tupelo trees, reminiscent of places much farther south and lacking only Spanish moss and alligators. What a sight this original and wild Illinois must have been!
The rapid settlement and subsequent economic development of Illinois has dramatically affected the biology of Illinois. Most of this development has been based on the conversion of original native habitat to agricultural fields and areas for industry and urban development. Logging, mining, and pollution have degraded the remaining natural habitats. Alas, only a tiny fraction of the original prairies, forests, savannas, and wetlands have survived. Today, Illinois ranks 49th among the states in the percentage of presettlement vegetation remaining today (Iowa is 50th).
Today, however, many people are concerned about how human activities are modifying the very nature of our world. Climatic changes, toxic pollution, erosion, diminishing water quality, food shortage, and depletion of our non-renewable energy resources affect everyone's life. Native vegetation soaks up pollution, captures and store carbon dioxide, filters and dilutes noise, dust, and exhaust pollution, retards erosion and loss of top soil, and prevents siltation of our streams, rivers and lakes. Cultivated landscapes that use native species require less maintenance, such as mowing and the application of fertilizers and herbicides. Using native landscaping also helps activate local interest in environmental issues and stimulate grassroots efforts for an environmentally sound Illinois.
There are numerous books and magazine/journal articles on this subject that are available in bookstores and in libraries. Below are some links about natural landscaping and sources for native plants that you might find useful. These sites are not listed in any particular order.
*Disclaimer: The listing of companies or individuals below does not represent an endorsement of these organizations or their products by the author, the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Prairie Research Institute, nor the University of Illinois.
Native Plants in the Home Landscape, a book published in 2004 by University of Illinois Extension
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Book recommendations from Grand Prairie Friends of Illinois
A list of nurseries that sell prairie plants from Grand Prairie Friends of Illinois
The complete text of Bill McClain's excellent booklet entitled Prairie Establishment and Landscaping
Green Landscaping with Native Plants, from the US Environmental Protection Agency
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Natural Landscaping for Public Officials: A Source Book prepared by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission
Native Plant Guide for Streams and Stormwater Facilities in Northeastern Illinois from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Homepage for the McHenry County Defenders
Landscaping With Native Plants from The Wild Ones
Weed Laws and Native Plant Landscaping from The Wild Ones
Grow It! Don't Mow It! from The Wild Ones
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, formerly the National Wildflower Research Center
Native Plant Information Network from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
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Gardening with Native Plants from the Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society
Landscaping with Native Plants from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Landscaping With Native Plants, from the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping from the Virginia Natural Heritage Program
Native Plants for a California Garden, Gardening and Landscaping with Native Plants
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Transcending the Garden: The American Prairie Experience, Ecological Gardening with Native North American Flowers and Grasses (pdf)
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Got the lawnmower blues? On sustainable turf carefrom the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
links last updated 10 May 2011