No Fail Plants for a Suburban Chicago Garden

I’ve done a lot of trial and error with perennials over the last 4 years and today I’m going to share my no fail plants for a suburban Chicago garden. These are the plants that I put in 4 summers ago and are still thriving, or the plants that I have found need minimal care. Everyone’s soil is a little bit different, but suburban gardens in Chicago tend to have clay soil. I have done very little amending to my soil beyond spreading mulch every year. The mulch has definitely broken up some of the heavy clay, but only in the first couple inches of soil, so assume that my soil is still considered clay. Although I have learned a lot over the past few years, you can also assume that I am an amateur gardener. These plant suggestions are what has worked for me – a person with zero formal training but a ton of passion for gardening.

Shasta Daisy

The Shasta Daisy is a super popular perennial in the area and you have probably seen many backyards full of these flowers. They are so popular because they are easy to care for, drought tolerant, and spread easily, but not aggressively. I have already been able to split my daisies that I planted a couple years ago and move them to other parts of the yard. Daisies grow best in full sun, and although you don’t have to prune them, it is possible to get a second smaller bloom if you do. Finally, they have a long bloom time and are a great addition to bouquets if you have a cutting garden.

Black Eyed Susan

This native perennial is another popular choice for the area because it is incredibly hardy. I have Black Eyed Susans in the driest hottest part of my yard and they bloom happily year after year. My mom has some in dappled shade and they look just as good as the ones in full sun. They are a beautiful backdrop for smaller perennials and their bloom time extends well into early Fall. Black Eyed Susans are also a nice choice for a summer or fall bouquet. Like the daisy, these plants are easy to split and transplant, so no need to be delicate!

Veronica (Speedwell)

Veronica is a newer to me plant that I got last year, and I couldn’t be happier that I took a chance on it. It blooms in early June and lasts into July, but I pruned the spent blooms and it shot up a tiny second bloom in August. At the end of the season you can trim these down to the ground and they will come back with twice as many blooms the next year. My Veronica plants have about 30 buds each right now! I was so impressed with this plant that I got three more this Spring. My variety is Royal Candles, but there are quite a few gorgeous options. Veronica is so easy to care for and will give you the most beautiful bluish-purple spiky blooms.

Red Switch Grass

Karl Forester Grass has become a highly desired staple in landscaping recently, and even though I have and love using this grass, I am going to suggest a lesser known option instead. This being Red Switch Grass, and particularly, Prairie Winds Cheyenne Sky. Cheyenne Sky is green throughout the summer, but the tips start to turn red in July and get more red throughout Fall. The color looks stunning with other Fall perennials. I love this grass because it makes an impact, but stays in a neat clump. I have not found it wandering yet, unlike many perennial grasses. It also provides nice texture in the winter. Simply cut this grass down in late winter and it will grow right back starting in early spring.

Astilbe

I didn’t know the appeal of a shade garden until I found Astilbe. Prior to that, I assumed shade gardens were mostly hostas and ferns. My mom introduced me to Astilbe and I have bought more every year since. The leaf has a great lacy texture and the colorful flowers last all summer. It’s so nice to see a little pop of red, pink, purple, or white in a shade garden! Not only are they attractive, but they are quite easy to care for. You can cut them down at the end of the season and they come back up in early spring. Astilbe require zero pruning and are tolerant of both dry and wet soil. How much more could you ask for in a perennial?!

I hope these no fail plants for a suburban Chicago garden will inspire you to get out in your own gardens and plant something new! If the garden center prices scare you, I recommend checking to see if your town has a plant sale. It’s worth mentioning that I didn’t cover many great no fail options. I might have to make a part two that includes plants like Bee Balm, Phylox, Blanket Flower, Aster, and Coral Bells. These are some of my favorite plants, but I would love to know what yours are! Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram and share your garden favorites!