What to Plant Around Your Patio in Northern Illinois

Best Perennials to Plant Around Your Patio

Low-Maintenance Blooms

If you want color that comes back year after year without constant replanting, perennials are a perfect choice for plants around patio Illinois homeowners love. Consider adding:

– Black-Eyed Susan: Bright and cheerful yellow flowers that bloom through the summer and into fall.

– Coneflowers (Echinacea): These drought-tolerant flowers boast purple petals and attract pollinators.

– Daylilies: Wide-ranging in color with extended bloom periods, these plants are easy to care for.

– Hostas: Excellent for shaded patio edges, hostas offer lush foliage and pair well with other shade plants.

Tips from Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery

When arranging your perennials, Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery recommends placing taller plants toward the back of your beds and shorter varieties in front to create layering and depth. This not only looks appealing but also ensures each plant gets enough sunlight and space to grow vigorously.

Adding Shrubs for Structure and Year-Round Appeal

Hardy Shrubs for Illinois Weather

Shrubs offer structure to your patio garden and give your outdoor space a polished look, even in the off-season. The following shrubs are ideal for Northern Illinois patios:

– Boxwood: A classic choice for landscape borders and hedging. Evergreen and low-maintenance.

– Hydrangea: Offers big, colorful blooms in summer and early fall with varieties suitable for sun or shade.

– Ninebark: This native shrub features interesting bark texture and colorful foliage that adds appeal throughout multiple seasons.

– Dwarf Korean Lilac: Perfect for a pop of color and fragrance in late spring.

Incorporating Shrubs into Your Design

Strategically placed shrubs act as natural dividers or windbreakers for your patio. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery suggests using shrubs along the perimeter to define the space while also providing a transition between the patio area and the rest of your garden.

Bringing in Colorful Annuals

Seasonal Variety and Vibrancy

Annuals are ideal for homeowners who want to change their patio’s look each season. Though they only last a year, their bright flowers and fast growth make them incredibly popular. Popular choices in Northern Illinois include:

– Petunias: Wide color variety and extended blooming season make petunias a patio favorite.

– Marigolds: Good for sunny spots, their bright orange and yellow blooms withstand heat well.

– Begonias: A solid choice for partly shaded patios, adding color and texture with minimal effort.

– Impatiens: Dependable flowers for fully shaded areas, perfect for containers or border planting.

Annuals in Containers and Hanging Baskets

For flexibility and a pop of color exactly where you need it, Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery recommends placing annuals in pots, hanging baskets, or planter boxes. These containers can be rearranged to suit your patio’s changing use and seasonal needs.

Enhancing Your Patio with Greenery

Grasses and Evergreens

Greenery keeps your patio looking alive and vibrant year-round. Grasses and evergreen plants are excellent for adding height, movement, texture, and structure. Try these options:

– Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass: Graceful vertical growth and attractive seed heads.

– Little Bluestem: A native grass that changes color throughout the seasons.

– Junipers: These low-maintenance evergreens range from low-spreading groundcovers to tall privacy screens.

– Arborvitae: A good screening plant that can also be shaped for aesthetic appeal.

Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery Greenery Strategies

Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery recommends mixing greenery with your flowering plants to provide both contrast and year-round interest. Placing evergreens in the background lets your seasonal flowers really pop while ensuring there’s always something attractive to see outdoors—even in winter.

Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Patio

Inviting Bees and Butterflies

Adding pollinator-friendly plants around your patio not only beautifies your space but also supports local ecosystems. In the Northern Illinois region, helpful pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds can be drawn in with the right plants, such as:

– Bee Balm

– Liatris (Blazing Star)

– Milkweed

– Lavender

Designing a Natural Habitat

Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery emphasizes the importance of native plants to support local wildlife. By planting native species, you help establish a healthy, balanced outdoor environment right in your backyard. These plants are adapted to local conditions and often require less water and maintenance.

Shade vs. Sun: What to Know Before Planting

Assessing Your Patio’s Light Conditions

Sunlight plays a major role in determining which plants will thrive around your patio. Before planting, observe how much sun each section of your patio receives throughout the day:

– Full Sun (6+ hours): Great for sun-loving plants like lavender, sedum, and yarrow.

– Partial Shade (3–6 hours): Ideal for astilbe, bleeding heart, and columbine.

– Full Shade (<3 hours): Go for hostas, ferns, and impatiens.

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Conditions

Once you’ve assessed how much sun your patio gets, Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery can help you select suitable plants that not only survive but flourish based on those conditions. This tailored approach leads to a healthier and more dynamic patio garden.

Design Tips for Patio Planting

Balance, Layers, and Color Harmony

Creating a cohesive and eye-catching patio garden takes more than just purchasing pretty plants. Follow these design principles recommended by Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery:

– Use odd numbers of plants for a more natural look.

– Vary plant height to create visual layers.

– Limit your color palette to avoid overwhelming the eye.

– Repeat key plants or colors across the space for unity.

Integrating Hardscapes and Furniture

Your patio is more than a garden—it’s a place to relax, entertain, and enjoy. Make sure the furniture and hardscape features like planters, retaining walls, and lighting work with your plant choices. For example, stone walkways pair well with ornamental grasses and succulents, while wooden decks can be softened with spilling flowers or container plantings.

Why Choose Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery

Expertise You Can Trust

With over 50 years of experience, Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery offers the landscaping knowledge you need for your perfect patio garden. From perennials to shrubs and evergreens, our team understands which plants thrive in Northern Illinois and how to artfully arrange them around your patio space.

Custom Landscaping Solutions

Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating your current layout, Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery provides tailored design and installation services to help bring your vision to life. Our expert staff can also guide you in the long-term care and seasonal management of your plants for a healthy, vibrant outdoor environment year after year.

Additional Tips for Landscaping Success

Understanding Soil and Drainage

In Northern Illinois, soil type can vary, so it’s important to test and amend your soil as needed. Good drainage is essential for plant health. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery recommends adding compost and organic matter to improve moisture retention and fertility. For patios with poor drainage, consider raised beds or container gardening to ensure your plants don’t suffer from root rot.

Using Mulch for Health and Beauty

Mulching helps retain moisture, reduce weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use natural materials like bark or wood chips for an attractive finish that also benefits your plants. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery advises applying mulch in a 2–3 inch layer and keeping it away from the base of plants to prevent rot.

Seasonal Planting Calendar

Timing matters when planting around your patio. In Northern Illinois, spring and fall are the best seasons for planting shrubs and perennials. Annuals should be planted after the last frost in spring. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery can guide you with a seasonal calendar to help you get the timing right for optimal plant performance.

Plan Your Patio Garden Today

Creating a beautiful and functional patio starts with choosing the right plants for your climate, soil, and lifestyle. From vibrant annuals and sturdy perennials to structural shrubs and greenery, there are many ways to improve your outdoor space with plants around patio Illinois gardens are known for. Let Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery help you select and design the perfect combination of plants to elevate your home’s outdoor living area. Contact us today to begin your landscaping transformation in Northern Illinois!