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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Chicago, Illinois

📍 Chicago, IL 🌡️ USDA Zone 6a/6b 🌱 331+ compatible plants

Gardening in Chicago

Chicago falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a/6b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the −10°F to 0°F range. The 331+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Chicago

Wisteria
Wisteria
Wisteria sinensis
Cascading clusters of pink and white blooms dazzle from June to September, creating a stunning summer display. This low-maintenance vine thrives in full sun, attracts pollinators, and grows well in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Pennsylvania Sedge
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
The best native lawn alternative for dry shade. Pennsylvania Sedge forms a fine-textured, low-growing carpet under trees where traditional lawn grasses fail. Rarely needs mowing and tolerates foot traffic.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Bartlett Pear Tree
Bartlett Pear Tree
Pyrus communis 'Bartlett'
Showcasing fragrant white blossoms in spring and juicy, sweet fruit in late summer, this tree brightens any landscape. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it’s low maintenance and attracts pollinators.
Zone 5–7🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Delightful pink and white blooms carpet the ground from June to September, adding vibrant color and texture to sunny spots. This low-maintenance, pollinator-attracting groundcover thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is both dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Coleus
Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
Vibrant, multicolored foliage brightens summer gardens with shades of red, green, and purple that last through USDA zones 10-11. This low-maintenance, shade-tolerant plant adds striking color without attracting deer.
Zone 2–11🦌 Deer-Resistant
Serviceberry
Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Delicate white spring blooms and vibrant fall foliage make this shrub a seasonal standout. Thrives in USDA zones 4-9, it's low maintenance and attracts pollinators year-round.
Zone 4–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Daylily Stella de Oro
Daylily Stella de Oro
Hemerocallis Stella de Oro
Vibrant golden-yellow blooms brighten gardens from late spring to fall, offering nonstop color and charm. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Muscari Grape Hyacinth
Muscari Grape Hyacinth
Muscari armeniacum
Vibrant blue-purple blooms light up gardens in April-May, creating a stunning spring display. This low-maintenance bulb thrives in zones 4-9 and attracts valuable pollinators.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Paperbark Maple
Paperbark Maple
Acer griseum
Striking cinnamon-red bark peels beautifully year-round, adding vibrant winter interest and rich autumn foliage. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Swamp White Oak
Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
Bright green leaves turn stunning golden-yellow in fall, adding seasonal interest from spring through autumn. This hardy oak thrives in USDA zones 3-9, tolerates wet soils, and resists deer damage.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Kniphofia Red Hot Poker
Kniphofia Red Hot Poker
Kniphofia uvaria
Fiery red and orange blooms burst from tall spikes in summer, creating a dramatic garden focal point. This drought-tolerant beauty attracts hummingbirds and thrives in USDA zones 5-9.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Smokebush
Smokebush
Cotinus coggygria Royal Purple
Rich, deep purple foliage and airy pink flower plumes create a stunning summer display that lasts into fall. This low-maintenance shrub thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and is drought tolerant.
Zone 5–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

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Other Cities in Zone 6a/6b

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Browse All 331+ Plants for Zone 6a/6b

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 6 Plants →

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.