10 Garden Ideas for your Chicago Area Home

landscaper in western Chicago

Whether you live in the city or suburbs, we can provide unique and eye-catching garden ideas to make your home stand out. The good news is that many of these ideas are also simple to implement. These simple, do-it-yourself projects can help you transform your yard into a functional space.

1. Plant a vegetable garden

One of the biggest joys of gardening is putting food on the table. If you are growing a vegetable garden, be sure to choose plants that are suitable for the Chicago area, like lettuce, peppers, and cilantro. They can withstand our long, cold springs and hot, dry summers.

2. Add some height to your backyard with trees

Adding trees to your backyard can provide shade, beautiful blooms, and great fall colors. If you are unsure of which trees to plant, consult an arborist to determine which ones would be best for your location and the amount of sunlight your backyard gets.

3. Use containers and planting beds

If you have a small backyard, consider using containers to add depth and texture. They are a great way to keep your vegetables fresh until they are ready for harvest. You can buy containers in all shapes and sizes, as well as seeds and planting kits.

4. Add color and contrast with edging

Creating borders in your garden can make it look more defined, and give you the opportunity to include some of your favorite flowers or other plant specimens. There are a variety of materials you can use to create edging, including stones, wood, metal and plastic.

5. Add a rain garden

Having a rain garden is a good way to ensure your garden gets supplemental water when you need it most. You can plant a variety of plants in a depression in your yard, and water them with your roof drainage water during times of heavy rainfall.

6. Grow native plants

Using native plants in your garden is an easy way to save time, and money and reduce environmental impacts. They are also a great way to attract pollinators and wildlife.

7. Create a natural-looking front yard

Your front yard is your entry point to your home, and you want it to be a reflection of you and your personality. Whether you have a large, traditional front yard or a small, cottage-style porch, a few easy landscape ideas can turn it into a beautiful and welcoming space.

8. Build a DIY backyard oasis

Aside from adding a pool or fire pit, another way to turn your backyard into an oasis is to create a garden. Vegetable gardens can be a great addition to your landscaping as they can bring color and provide you with a healthy supply of fruits, veggies, and herbs.

9. Design a garden from nature

A quality Chicago landscape design incorporates elements from the natural world, such as trees, shrubs and flowering plants, to give your home a sense of place. The best way to design a garden is to create a plan on paper. This will give you a clear idea of how to best utilize your yard, and it will also guide you when making selections for your plant beds.

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Erica – Premier Dermatology     
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Carol – Naperville     
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Kathy & Frank – Hoffman Estates     
"Please send our thanks and appreciation to Scott Hutchings. He worked with us on our landscape project from design to completion. He took the time to revisit us three different times to answer questions and help us make changes to achieve our goal. We could not be more pleased with the final outcome and I am happy to say that many people have come by to ask who we worked with and tell us how beautiful our landscape looks."
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"Ben, Thank you for all your hard work and planning for the installation of our patio and front walk. We greatly appreciate your professionalism and dedication to seeing the project through with great results. It turned out so well, and I could not be happier with the end result."
Joseph – Lake Zurich     
"I was motivated to write because the quality of the product and service exceeded my expectations. To Jenny Ubben who provided a superb design and Ben Ubben whose customer service and follow through were much appreciated and to the crew who completed the landscape, I want to extend a sincere thanks."
Brad – Fox River Grove     
"The design of our patio was unique and outstanding. He took the time necessary to determine what would be best for our needs and he always made us feel like the job at our house was his top priority."
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Cathy and Bob – Downers Grove     
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Joe and Jan – Wayne     
"The entire experience has been enjoyable. We want to thank Jan, Elias Hernandez, Pedro Miranda, Alberto Hernandez and Miguel Monnarez. Each one had a part in making our dream come true. The entire installation process was done with care."
Fernando and Sandra – Wayne     
"All of our neighbors comment on the wonderful improvement we made. It actually surpassed even our own expectations. Hats off to Jan, Angel and all others who contributed to this success. What Teamwork!"
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I would like to thank you for the exceptional work that you did on our front landscape. You transformed our ideas, perfected them and gave us a unique, beautiful piece of art. We knew, the day that we met you, you were the one."
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John and Wendy – Rolling Meadows     
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Michelle and Don – Lisle     
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