Home & garden calendar, July 20-26
Send events for this calendar to homes@dailyherald.com with “calendar listing” in the subject line. Deadline is two weeks prior to the event.
Upcoming
Starting Native Plants from Seed Online: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, online via Lake Bluff Public Library. Starting native plants from seed can be challenging, but with the right techniques, it becomes much easier. Learn how to stratify and scarify seeds — and discover which native plants require each method — in this informative program presented in partnership with Lake County Forest Preserves. Register: lakeblufflibrary.org.
Saving Monarchs Garden Party: 2-7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Charlotte Street and Harding Avenue, Lombard. Saving Monarchs is once again opening up their yard for their annual garden party. Learn about monarch butterflies, native plants, conservation, flood control issues, and more. The Conservation Foundation, The River Prairie Group of the Sierra Club, DuPage Monarch Project, DuPage Organic Garden Club, Wild Ones Greater DuPage, Sustain DuPage, Jan’s Stepping Stones, and Prairie Wind Native Plants will have natives for sale. Come talk with Prairie Food Co-op, on track to open soon. Refreshments will be served. Free raffle tickets to win garden signs. facebook.com/savingmonarchs.
Pottawatomie Garden Club: 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 28, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. Guest speaker Mary Rossi on “Palmer House Holiday Decor and More.” Visit pottagardenclub.org.
Cantigny’s Fall Preview Greenhouse Tour: 3-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The greenhouse manager will unveil a curated selection of plants destined for the fall gardens. Explore the greenhouse and discover an array of autumnal treasures, from richly-hued foliage to late-blooming flowers. Gain insights into the cultivation and care of these seasonal beauties, and learn how they contribute to the tapestry of colors that will adorn Cantigny in the coming months. Space is limited. $25 (includes one canned or bottled beverage). Register: cantigny.org.
South Barrington Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at South Barrington Park District, 3 Tennis Club Lane. Anita Bierbaum and Marlene Taheny present “Make Your Own Topiary.” Visit sbgclub.org.
Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Natasha Norris of Trees the Feed Foundation will discuss how tree crops are nutritious, yet require less input of labor, agrochemicals, fertilizers and space than field crops. They also restore ecological balance to land damaged by misuse or neglect, capture and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and create habitats for small animals and birds. Visit gardencluboflakezurich.org.
Lombard Garden Club, “Language of Flowers”: 12:30-3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the Lombard Community Center, 433 E. St. Charles Road. Unlock the secrets of the Victorian era with Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh. Explore the captivating art of floriography to decode the hidden messages behind beautifully arranged blooms. Learn the Victorian language of flowers and see how to construct a mini bouquet called a tussie mussie. Participants will learn the language then interpret displayed bouquets, and one lucky member will take a bouquet home. Public is welcome; no charge. Visit lombardgardenclub.org.
Blooms & Bites-Water Gardens: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Cantigny Park Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. An evening of all things water gardens. $40; includes a drink and admission to the park. Register: cantigny.org.
Garden shows
Cactus & Succulent Society of Greater Chicago Show & Sale: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, in the Burnstein Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. A show and sale presented by the Cactus and Succulent Society of Greater Chicago featuring hundreds of exotic and unusual plants, including cacti and succulents typically found in deserts, tropical jungles, and mountain highlands. Plants from expert growers will be for sale. Society members will be on-hand to answer questions and offer advice on proper plant care. Cash is preferred at the sale; ATM near the garden gift shop. Admission to the show is free with general admission to Chicago Botanic Garden. Visit facebook.com/cssgc.
Prairie State Bonsai Society exhibition: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2-3, at Morton Arboretum’s Sycamore Room, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. During the annual Destination Asia Festival, society members from all over the Chicago area display trees that they have been developing over the years. Also, see bonsai trees in progress. Register for beginner to advanced bonsai workshops for additional fee. Show admission included with Arboretum fee. mortonarb.org.
Garden Clubs of Illinois Inc. District IX Flower Show: Noon-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, in the Burnstein Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Garden Clubs of Illinois, this show features judged flower arrangements and exhibits, as well as a cut horticulture competition. The Garden Clubs of Illinois has nearly 10,000 members from nine districts. Admission to the show is free with general admission to Chicago Botanic Garden. Visit www.districtix-gci.org/events.
32nd Antique Tool Show & Sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Mid-West Tool Collectors & Early American Industries Association features over 30 different collectors with tools on display and for sale. Tours of the 1846 teamster inn and tavern begin at 10 a.m. and continue after the show until 4 p.m. Light refreshments available. $8 or $3 for age 12 or under. garfieldfarm.org.
Mid-America Bonsai Show & Sale: noon-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Midwest Bonsai Society. 47th annual judged show including 200 bonsai trees reflecting all types of bonsai styles in Nichols Hall. Over a dozen vendors selling bonsai trees, raw nursery stock, pots, tools, and supplies in the Searle and Runnells Courtyards. Free demonstrations and lectures in Alsdorf Auditorium with workshops for beginners and accomplished bonsai growers to collect growing information. Admission is free with general admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden. To register and see the full list of workshops, visit midwestbonsai.org.
Ongoing
Private Garden Tour: John Richter has opened his private garden in Warrenville to share the beauty of his various grafted trees and variegated bushes, thousands of day lilies from 10 different hybridizers, and over 750 different varieties of hostas, as well as numerous beautiful sculptures. There is no charge for you to go and stroll through his garden — just call him at (630) 393-3279 to schedule a time.
Healing Gardens: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month through October, at Stone Hill Farm, 37W249 Dean St., St. Charles. Come enjoy the natural wooded setting and perennial gardens. Admission is $5 per person; $10 per family; cancer survivors are free. Donations of time/money for upkeep are welcome. Special programs monthly. The Healing Gardens is cultivated and hosted by Deborah Marqui, owner of Stone Hill Farm with her husband, Buzz. Marqui leads day retreats, hosts Silent Saturday Mornings, Yoga in the Garden. For information, call (630) 740-2597 or visit www.healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com.