Last Updated: April 2026

If you are looking to create the type of yard where you can easily enjoy the beautiful Aurora-area summers, selecting the right plants for your garden is crucial.

You want your yard to look beautiful, and be a place the whole family can enjoy stay-cations for years to come. This involves some planning, and this is the perfect time of year to consider your plans for the spring planting season.

It’s time to look at the types of flowers and plantings that you will enjoy looking at, because planting your garden is a personal endeavor. But there are also some practical steps to making sure that you get this right.

Here are 5 tips for Selecting the Right Plants for Your Garden or Landscaping:

Consider Sun and Shade – How much sun shines on the area you are looking to plant? Some plants thrive with little light and some require more. Make sure you check how much sunlight a plant or flower will require before you purchase it. This is something a professional landscaper can help you with.

How Big Will It Grow? Make sure you consider a plant’s full-grown size before you purchase and plant. Some may become considerably larger than the size you buy it at. Make sure that it won’t be competing for sunlight or water with surrounding plants as it grows in size. What looks like a beautiful arrangement now could cause problems down the line.

Are You Looking for Annual or Perennials? Perennials come back year after year. Annuals grow for the season and then die out. Some require more care or attention than others. If you are unsure make sure you talk with either the store or the landscaper.

Consider Native Plantings – Native plantings are easier to grow because they are native to the area, and have already thrived in the Illinois climate. With native plantings you will still need to consider sunlight restrictions, and how much watering the plants will need. You will still want to make sure the plant is an ideal size. But native plantings are easier to keep, and are better for the environment.

Wet or Dry Soil – If you have a spot that tends to stay dry, it might not be a good idea to plant something that requires moisture. If you have a location that receives a lot of rain moisture, then it might not be a good idea to plant something that requires dry conditions.

Do you have other questions about selecting the right plantings for your home? Contact a local landscaper today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What plants grow best in the Aurora and Fox Valley area summers?
Illinois USDA Hardiness Zone 5b–6a plants thrive in the Aurora area. Native perennials like purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, and daylilies handle summer heat and drought well. For shade areas, hostas and astilbe are proven performers. Annuals like petunias, zinnias, and lantana add continuous color from May through first frost.
How do I choose plants that will survive an Illinois winter?
Always select plants rated for Zone 5 or 6 to be safe in the Fox Valley. Ask your nursery or landscaper for the hardiness zone rating before purchasing. BLC Yardworks sources plants locally and only recommends species proven to overwinter successfully in the Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, and Aurora region — avoiding the disappointment of losing plants in the first cold snap.
How many plants do I need to fill a garden bed properly?
Spacing depends on mature plant size, but a common rule is to divide the square footage of your bed by the plant’s mature spread in feet — that gives you the number of plants needed. For a naturalistic look in Fox Valley gardens, slight overcrowding at planting time is fine since plants can be divided as they mature. BLC Yardworks can design a planting plan that fills in properly over one to two seasons.

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Written by BLC Yardworks — Fox Valley hardscaping, landscaping, and water feature contractors serving Oswego, Yorkville, Plainfield, Naperville, and surrounding communities since 1999.