Modern/Minimalist Garden Ideas for Chicago, Illinois

Native plants from the Central US forest-grasslands transition (Zone 6a)

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USDA Zone 6a

Hardiness zone for Chicago

Central US forest-grasslands transition

Native ecoregion

Zone 6a

USDA Hardiness

Central US forest-grasslands transition

Ecoregion

27+ Plants

Available for this style

Humid continental (hot summer)

Dfa climate

Why Modern/Minimalist Gardens in Chicago?

A modern/minimalist garden in Chicago, IL takes advantage of Zone 6a's unique growing conditions. The Central US forest-grasslands transition offers diverse plant options that bring this popular style to life in your landscape.

Featured Trees & Shrubs for Modern/Minimalist Gardens

See all 27 plants

Native

American Black Currant

Ribes americanum

Native shrub that grows to 5 feet, white,yellow blooms in spring. Attracts hummingbirds.

Native

Clove Currant

Ribes odoratum

Native shrub that grows to 6 feet, yellow blooms in spring. Attracts hummingbirds.

Native

Fragrant Sumac

Rhus aromatica

Native shrub that grows to 4 feet, yellow blooms in spring. Attracts butterflies.

Native

Golden Currant

Ribes aureum

Native shrub that grows to 6 feet, yellow blooms in spring. Attracts hummingbirds.

Featured Grasses & Groundcovers for Modern/Minimalist Gardens

Native

Eastern Gamagrass

Tripsacum dactyloides

Native grass that grows to 6 feet, green blooms in summer. Drought-tolerant.

Native

Northern Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium

Native grass that grows to 4 feet, green blooms in fall. Easy care.

Kentucky Bluegrass

Poa pratensis

This turfgrass compact and green blooms in spring. Brown fall color.

Featured Flowers & Perennials for Modern/Minimalist Gardens

Native

Cup Plant

Silphium perfoliatum

Native flower that reaches 7 feet tall, yellow blooms in summer. Attracts butterflies.

Native

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

Native flower that grows to 3 feet, white blooms in spring. Attracts hummingbirds.

Native

Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Native flower that grows to 3 feet, multi blooms in summer. Attracts hummingbirds.

Native

Gloriosa Daisy

Rudbeckia hirta

Native flower that compact, yellow blooms in summer. Attracts butterflies.

Bloom Calendar for Chicago

spring

Foxglove Beardtongue, American Black Currant, Clove Currant

summer

Cup Plant, Garden Phlox, Gloriosa Daisy

fall

Northern Sea Oats

winter

Limited blooms

Design Tips for Zone 6a

Choose plants rated for Zone 6a or colder to ensure winter survival
Group plants with similar water needs for efficient irrigation
Include native plants from the Central US forest-grasslands transition for best results