"barbie.gee" wrote:

Newbie wrote:
I am new to gardening, but one thing that worries is...

On one hand I see all the wild grasses and forested areas where
vegetation grows on it own. On the other the gardening shops sell us
things that require constant attention and often fail!

I'd like to get into perennials that are suited to the native climate
of this region (Northern Illinois).

I'll appreciate any advice on suitable books as well as gardening
shops. I am Chicago but don't mind few hours' drive if necessary.

see he

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/hort.html
Cooperative Extension Service.

Also, see what programs are going on at the Garfield Park Conservatory,
and the Lincoln Park Conservatory. They will sometimes have "native
plant" classes.

Google is your friend. try "Chicago gardening" for starters. then
"native plants Illinois prairie" or some such

You can add the following:


Chicago Botanical Garden in Glencoe, just north of Chicago.

Morton Arboretum just west of Chicago.

Midwest Fruit Explorers (www.midfex.org) Many members in Chicagoland.


Sherwin