by Platt Hill Nursery | Mar 27, 2026 | DIY/How to, Hydrangeas, Perennials
Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) are some of the most dependable, easygoing flowering shrubs you can grow in Chicagoland gardens. If you’ve ever admired massive white blooms that show up every summer without a ton of fuss, chances are you were looking at a...
by Platt Hill Nursery | Dec 15, 2025 | Hydrangeas, Perennials
There’s something quite striking about oakleaf hydrangeas in their unique way of drawing attention without trying too hard. For example, their tall, cone-shaped blooms open in creamy whites, then shift toward soft pink as summer rolls on. In fall, their leaves take on...
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 | 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...
by Platt Hill Nursery | May 9, 2025 | Annuals, Landscaping, Lawn & Garden, Perennials
Choosing between annuals and perennials comes down to more than just plant preferences, it shapes how your garden grows, evolves, and flourishes through the seasons. Picture bold, bright blooms popping up all summer, only to say goodbye come fall. Now imagine another...
by Platt Hill Nursery | Jul 30, 2024 | DIY/How to, Lawn & Garden, Perennials
Of all the shade-loving perennials that you could plant in your garden, hostas are some of the most attractive, easiest plants you could select. Hostas are not generally grown for their flowers but for their large, shapely leaves and varied foliage colors. These...
