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These are the features of the Illinois’ Best Plants site.  Start with our Plant Search to find plants that meet your needs and grow well in Illinois.

• Plant Search - Enter criteria for the plants you want and receive a list of your matches. Find out about each plant -- its characteristics, care and recommended cultivars. Check out great photographs too.
  
• Plant Index - Want to know which plants are recommended as the best for Illinois? In the Plant Index, you’ll find an alphabetical list of woody and herbaceous plants arranged by scientific name. Links take you to photographs and descriptions.
  
• Glossary - Need to know a definition of a plant term? Consult our glossary.
  
• Resources - This list steers you to select books, periodicals, videotapes and Web sites that provide more information about the plants and gardening.
  
• Zone Maps - Do you know your zone? Using maps of Illinois and the United States, you can tell which plants are hardy where you live.
  
• Help/Navigation Tips - If you want some additional help finding your way around the Illinois’ Best Plants site, click here. Macintosh users might be interested in our tips for browser settings before digging in.
  
• Credits - The people whose expertise contributed to this site are identified here.

Note: Illinois’ Best Plants will be growing. Annuals, ground covers, bulbs, roses, native plants and vines will be added soon!