This is the ultimate, fully illustrated guide to plant selection and gardening in the Prairie State. With its northeastern edge seated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Illinois offers some of the United States' most fertile farmlands. But as any Midwesterner knows, the entire region's weather can turn on a dime, and keeping plant life alive in such a widely varying climate can be difficult for gardeners of all skill levels.

In Illinois Getting Started Garden Guide, born-and-bred Midwestern gardener Shawna Coronado showcases more than 150 plant species destined for success throughout all of Illinois –from flowers and shrubs, such as the blazing star and the beautiful early-spring-flowering witch hazel, to trees and vines, such as the ginkgo and the exquisite clematis. Each entry features full-color photography, plant-name pronunciation, helpful icons denoting sun/shade requirements and plant qualities, instructions for bringing the plant from transplant to maturity, and even recommendations for what you should plant nearby.

If you're unsure where to start, official color-coded USDA maps let you know your plant hardiness zone. So whether you're planting in a windy Chicago suburb, prepping for a frigid winter in Galena, or anticipating a rainy spring in Mt. Vernon, Illinois Getting Started Garden Guide gives you all the information you need for a colorful, diverse home landscape.