spring blooms are back in the western suburbs

spring has officially arrived in the western suburbs of chicago, and it feels good to breathe it all in again. the sunshine is warmer, the soil’s waking up, and everywhere you look, something new is blooming, budding, or stretching toward the sky. after a long, gray winter, this burst of life is everything.

this is the time of year when being a landscape designer feels like pure magic. i get to walk properties and see what’s coming to life, dream up plans with clients, and plant the kinds of gardens that bring joy, color, fruits, and vegetables to the backyard.

if you have a yard in zone 5 and you’re wondering what’s blooming right now—or what you could have blooming next spring—here’s what’s stealing the show around oswego, plainfield, naperville, wheaton, batavia, and all of the western suburbs:

viburnum
these are some of my favorite early spring bloomers. their clusters of creamy white flowers smell clean and soft, and they’re a solid choice for anyone looking to add structure and year-round beauty to their yard. plus, they have gorgeous fall color and the pollinators love them.

lilacs
classic, nostalgic, and totally worth the wait every spring. lilacs don’t just smell good—they are spring to so many of us who grew up near them. if you’ve got a sunny spot, adding a lilac shrub is a no-brainer.

azaleas
the color of my favorite azalea is bright pink and stunning. azaleas thrive in partially shaded areas and can turn a sleepy corner of your yard into something that makes you stop and smile.

magnolias
those big, soft petals feel almost tropical, even though they’re right at home here in zone 5. magnolias have this wild way of looking delicate but being super hardy—kind of like spring itself. the form of the tree itself is gorgeous as well so that even without flower, these trees are beautiful to look at.

serviceberries
not only are serviceberry trees early bloomers with soft white flowers, but they also give you edible berries in early summer that even all my kids have liked. we make jam out of them in my more industrious years. if you’re into edible landscaping or want to bring more birds into your yard, this one’s a must. it also has stunning orangish fall color.

forsythia
talk about a wake-up call! forsythia is one of the first to bloom, and those bright yellow flowers basically shout “spring is here!” i love using it to create bold color contrast and a little structure in more naturalistic designs. old varieties have been too large and unruly, but there are new varieties out now that need way less maintenance and take up less space.

whether you’re looking to bring more scent, more color, or more life into your landscape, this is the time to dream big. spring is all about new beginnings, and i love helping homeowners tap into that energy with outdoor spaces that feel wild, welcoming, and full of heart.