Living in Northern Illinois, you know how harsh winters can be. Summer, however, makes for the perfect time to incorporate a variety of flora into your yard for lush gardens all year long. We’re here to discuss some of the best plants for your yard that can make it through our harsh winters to create the perfect backyard oasis.
Plants For You
Certain plants and flowers possess remarkable resilience and can endure winter’s chill to survive or regrow in the spring and summer. Evergreen varieties like Holly, Juniper, and Boxwood maintain their greenery throughout the cold season, providing year-round greenery and structure to gardens. Perennials such as Lavender, Coneflowers, and Ornamental Grasses retreat into dormancy during winter, emerging in the spring. Then there are bulbs like Daffodils and Tulips that store energy underground and bloom with vibrant colors as soon as the frost clears. A beautiful way to welcome in the warm weather.
Annuals, plants that only last one season, offer the chance to change your garden vibe regularly. Summer flowers that grow annually include Sunflowers, Zinnias, and Dahlias. These plants attract pollinators and provide pops of color. Common winter plants include Evergreen Hollies, Winter Jasmine, and Hellebore. These plants offer quiet elegance against the backdrop of snow and frost.
Seasonal Gardening Tips
There are seasonal tasks to complete in your garden to optimize plant health and garden vitality. A beautiful garden can be achieved through easy and regular maintenance.
Fall is the best time to plant cold-hardy plants and bulbs while harvesting ripe fruits and vegetables. Layering bulbs for Tulips, Daffodils, and Crocuses can create a constant array of flowers in your garden the following spring. Protect bushes and plants from frost with covers and bring sensitive plants indoors during severe cold snaps.
In late winter and early spring prune shrubs and perennials and cut back ornamental grasses to just above the ground. This includes cutting down or pulling out stalks from Hydrangeas and Peonies or mowing over Hostas. You can also start weeding when the soil starts to thaw.
Through spring and early summer, focus on planting annual flowers and vegetables. Trimming Yew and Burning Bushes is essential to maintaining your gardens and avoiding overgrowth through the summer. Regular watering and fertilizing throughout the season support vigorous development during the growing season.
In the summer, deadhead perennial and annual flowers to encourage more growth. As temperatures rise, protect plants from heat waves by mulching to retain moisture and provide shade where possible. Lastly, weeding regularly helps your landscaping from being overrun by invasive species.
Plant Care
Pruning is essential for maintaining plant health and promoting optimal growth. For shrubs and trees, prune dead or diseased branches in late winter to early spring before new growth begins, ensuring clean cuts to prevent further damage. Throughout the summer, you should also be pulling away yellowing or dead leaves and flower buds from your plants.
Weed management starts with proactive measures such as mulching to suppress weeds and hand-pulling or using tools to remove them before they mature and spread. Throughout the summer it will be essential to monitor your gardens and remove weeds as you find them.
For pest management, think of using beneficial insects, natural predators, or non-toxic sprays to control pests while minimizing environmental impact. Other methods to reduce pests such as Aphids and Slugs could be improved fertilization, removal of affected plant parts, or removal of the plant itself. There are also options like bio-rational treatments that include horticultural oil sprays, insecticidal soap sprays, or Bacillus sprays. Only when all alternatives have been considered or failed should you use a true pesticide.
Need help determining what plants to use around your home? Martin John Company’s team of landscaping designers and horticulture experts can help. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experts today.