by Platt Hill Nursery | Apr 13, 2026 | Annuals, DIY/How to, Newbie Gardener, Perennials
How to Create a Grandma Garden in Chicagoland & Rockford There’s something timeless about a grandma garden. Maybe it’s the overflowing flowers spilling across pathways, the scent of peonies and roses drifting through the air, or the feeling of stepping into a...
by Platt Hill Nursery | Sep 23, 2025 | Newbie Gardener, Perennials, Trees & Shrubs
What Makes Native Plants a Smart Choice? Native plants are perfectly adapted to Chicagoland’s Zone 5 climate, meaning they thrive with less maintenance. They offer food and shelter for birds, bees, and butterflies, enrich biodiversity, and help safeguard water...
by Platt Hill Nursery | Jul 24, 2025 | DIY/How to, Healthy Living, Newbie Gardener, Trees & Shrubs
What Is a Common Pawpaw Tree? The Common Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a native North American fruit tree known for producing custard-like tropical fruit—right in your own backyard. With flavor notes of banana, mango, and vanilla, this small tree adds exotic appeal to...
by Platt Hill Nursery | Jun 11, 2025 | DIY/How to, Landscaping, Lawn & Garden, Newbie Gardener, Winged Friends
Why Pollinator Gardens Matter Pollinators, like bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds, and more, play a vital role in the health of our ecosystems and food systems. But across the globe, these essential creatures are in trouble. Populations are shrinking due...
by Platt Hill Nursery | Jun 9, 2025 | DIY/How to, Landscaping, Lawn & Garden, Newbie Gardener, Trees & Shrubs
When it comes to adding romance, drama, and vertical beauty to a garden, climbing roses are a timeless choice. With their arching canes and generous blooms, they bring old-world charm to fences, trellises, arbors, and walls. But while their impact is grand, growing...
by Platt Hill Nursery | Jun 1, 2025 | Newbie Gardener, Perennials
Common Milkweed in Chicagoland: A Zone 5 Native Plant for Pollinators If you’re gardening in Zones 4-9, especially in the Chicagoland area, common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) deserves a place in your landscape. This hardy native perennial is more than just a pretty...
