Native Trees, Grasses, and Wildflowers

At the Peck Homestead, all trees, prairie grasses, and wildflowers were native to Illinois. In spring, wildflowers including jack-in-the-pulpit, trillium, columbine, and bluebells bloomed. Perennial flowers such as daylilies, bleeding heart, and hollyhock grew by the outhouse or privy. In summer, grasses such as tall and short bluestem, side-oats grama, and northern drop seed with long root systems grew alongside flowers such as coneflower and cardinal flower. Native trees included walnut and maple, and family lore tells of tapping maple trees for syrup. Wood was cut for stove fuel to cook and keep the house warm.

Lombard, Illinois · United States