Garden calendar

Green thumb club

• The Hoffman Estate Garden Club hosts Kay Moats for a presentation on "Rhododendrons and Azaleas" at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Guests are welcome. Call (847) 490-3713 for more information.

Garden lectures and workshops

• The McCormick Foundation's Horticulture Department at Cantigny Park hosts an open house called "Cantigny's GreenhousEffect" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The event allows visitors behind the scenes to see where more than a thousand varieties of flowers are propagated. There are also container planting workshops ($40 in advance) and workshops for kids (nominal fees). General admission is free. Call (630) 260-8162 for more information.

• Knupper Nursery hosts a planting party workshop seminar on creating container gardens from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Admission is $10. Please bring only two containers and your own gloves and pruners. Registration required.

A kids bouquet workshop is held in time for Mother's Day at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9. Suitable for kids ages 6 and above. Preregistration is required and the fee is $10. Call (847) 359-1080.

• Historic downtown Geneva hosts a "Gardenology Event" from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9, between Third Street and State Street in Geneva. Specialists and master gardeners are on hand to give advice, while there are a few kids activities as well. Free. Call (630) 232-1172 for more information.

Garden event

• Chalet's free annual Garden Faire for families is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3 at 3132 Lake St., Wilmette. There are gardening demonstrations, face-painting and more. Call (847) 256-0561 for more information.

Garden tour

• Guided walks through Millennium Park's Lurie Garden, near Monroe Street and Columbus Drive, Chicago, are held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays from May 10 through Sept. 20. The 20-minute tours are led by University of Illinois Extension master gardeners. Free and no registration required. Call (312) 742-5519.

Chicago Botanic Garden

• The Glenview/North Shore African Violet Society Show & Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3.

• The Central States Dahlia Society Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3.

• An art exhibition by Peggy Macnamara on "Architecture By Birds & Insects" runs through Monday, Sept. 28.

• A one-day seminar on "Gardens That Heal: A Prescription of Wellness" is held Wednesday, May 6. Call (847) 835-8261 for more information on registration fees and hours.

• Chicago Botanic Garden celebrates National Public Gardens Day on Friday, May 8 by offering a hands-on workshop on summer bulbs and a "Tropical Paradise Garden" class.

• The American Rhododendron Society Show & Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10.

• The Model Railroad Garden showcasing "Landmarks of America" reopens for the season starting Saturday, May 9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and admission is $5 and $3 for kids ages 3-12.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Admission is free; parking is $15. Call (847) 835-5440 or visit chicagobotanic.org for more information.