Home & garden calendar, July 14-25

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

Plant Giveaway: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, to Sept. 27, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Volunteers or staff in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden share information about the featured plant and encourage visitors to take a seedling home to plant. A care sheet with growing information and use tips is available for visitors to photograph. Note: seedlings or seeds are distributed each program day while supplies last. Featured plants: July 15-31 Siam Queen Thai basil; Aug. 1-30 Greek oregano; Sept. 2-13 Senposai Komatsuna mustard; and Sept. 16-27 Amish Deer Tongue lettuce. chicagobotanic.org.

Garden Club for kids: 3:30-4:15 p.m. Fridays, July 17 and Aug. 14, at Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St. Young gardeners entering third to fifth grade explore the magic of planting, learn how things grow, and get their hands a little messy as they plant seeds and create garden-inspired projects. Registration required via gpld.org.

Saving Monarchs Garden Party: 2-7 p.m. Saturday, July 18, in Lombard. Learn about monarch butterflies, native plants, wildlife, conservation, and simple ways to care for our planet. Chat with local experts and organizations, including: The Conservation Foundation, River Prairie Group of the Sierra Club, DuPage Monarch Project, DuPage Organic Garden Club, Wild Ones Greater DuPage, Sustain DuPage, Jan’s Stepping Stones (with items for sale), and Prairie Wind Native Plants (native plants available for purchase). Meet Prairie Food Co-op and learn about their new store in Lombard, and talk with the McKee Preservation Group about their vision for the historic McKee House as a Native American Cultural & Environmental Center. Refreshments will be served. ️Free raffle tickets for a chance to win garden prizes. Stop by anytime between 2 and 7 p.m. facebook.com/savingmonarchs.

The Buzz on Bees: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19, at River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. See the beehives and meet the beekeepers to learn about bees, pollination and honey. Free. fpdcc.com.

Bloomingdale Garden Club: 6:15-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. In “Don’t Squash That Bug!” with Jim Rowan, learn about insects and spiders, how to distinguish them, and separate some of the “good guys” from the “bad guys.” Rowan, who has a degree in natural science from Northeastern Illinois University, has been associated with North Park Village Nature Center in Chicago and the Ft. Dearborn Audubon Society. He has lectured to many organizations and schools over the past 25 years. Join this interesting look into the fascinating world of insects and their impact on our environment. Visitors are welcome. Social time begins at 6:15 p.m., announcements at 6:45 p.m., and meeting at 7 p.m. Visit bloomingdalegardenclub.org.

Pottawatomie Garden Club: Monday, July 27, at Aquascape, 901 Aqualand Way, St. Charles. Aquascape, which creates ponds, waterfalls, pondless streams, and fountains, also has designed water features for Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium and Brookfield Zoo. Tour their facilities inside and out, including the Pond Shop, Inspiration Center, and Aqua Gardens and hear a brief educational talk. Visit pottagardenclub.org or facebook.com/pottagardenclub/.

Insects After Dark: 8-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Ages 5 or older with an adult can learn how to identify insects at night, using an old sheet and a light. It starts with a quick overview of how to attract insects before going outside. Wear dark clothing, and apply some bug spray. The evening ends with s’mores around the campfire. It is $8 or $10 for nonresidents. Registration is required via elginil.gov/248/Hawthorne-Hill-Nature-Center.

Sulky Bird Count: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 4-25, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join a naturalist in exploring this preserve while looking for local birds. A limited supply of binoculars available for loan at select events. All levels of birding skills welcome. Free. fpdcc.com/series/sulky-bird-count/.

Garden Club of ​Lake Zurich: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Learn about turtles with Kathryn McCabe, a wildlife ecologist for the Lake County Forest Preserves. She has participated in long-term, state-endangered Blanding’s turtle research, including monitoring movements via radiotelemetry and managing threats like fungal disease. Become a member and receive a $25 garden nursery gift card. Refreshments and business meeting follows program. Visit gardencluboflakezurich.org.

Hoffman Estates Garden Club’s “Ask Our Experts”: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Township of Schaumburg, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Get answers to those pesky questions you’ve been asking yourself. Maybe you don’t know where to start, or don’t have time to research, get conflicting information. This is a chance to pick the brains of the club’s gardening experts on an array of topics. Nonmembers welcome. The club offers several presentations and field trips throughout the year. The club meets on the first Thursday of the month, starting in August. hoffmanestatesgardenclub.com/events/.

Plant Bingo fundraiser: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. An adults-only Plant Bingo night! Play to win plants and gardening stuff, with proceeds benefiting local horticulture nonprofits. 21-or-older event. $15. online or $20 at the door. Register: thegrowingplace.com.

Create a Lego Garden: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lenhardt Library, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Create a Lego garden with artist Alysa Kirkpatrick. Lego bricks will be available throughout the exhibition for attendees to create their own dream garden from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Lego creations stay at the garden. Free with admission; no registration required. chicagobotanic.org/america-grows.

Fall Preview Greenhouse Tour: 6-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Cantigny Greenhouse, Schaffner Road entrance, Wheaton. The greenhouse manager will lead you through the greenhouse, where you’ll discover a curated selection of plants destined for the gardens. Space is limited. $25 (canned or bottled beverage included). Register: cantigny.org/event/greenhouse-tour-8/.

Give a Sip fundraiser: 3-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at the Country Bumpkin Garden Center, 27691 N. Gilmer Road, Mundelein. Lake County Extension Foundation offers an afternoon of raffles, prizes, shopping, and socializing. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a Master Naturalist, or a 4-Her, this garden social fundraising event supports all Illinois Extension programs in Lake and McHenry County. $30 through July 31; $35 after. extension.illinois.edu/events/.

Meet a Lego Garden Artist: Saturday, Sept. 19, at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Krehbiel Gallery, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Find out how artist Rocco Buttliere created the Farm on Ogden Lego model. Lego bricks will be available throughout the exhibition for attendees to create their own dream garden from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Lego creations stay at the garden. Free with admission; no registration required. chicagobotanic.org/america-grows.

Garden walks

Grayslake in Bloom: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Self-guided tour featuring six neighborhood gardens and a public garden. Meet the gardeners who design and nurture the featured gardens. Share landscaping and gardening ideas with fellow community residents. Net proceeds will help fund scholarships, civic plantings, and other garden club programs to support the local community. Advance tickets are $10 or $15 day of; free for under age 12 with paid adult. Tickets available online via grayslakegardenclub.org/garden-walk or at Grayslake Farmers Market from 3-7 p.m. July 15, or from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 18, near Centennial Plaza on Center St.

Lincolnshire Garden Club Garden Walk: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18, rain or shine. Six gardens will be paired with local artists. All proceeds go toward grants to the community. Tickets ordered online at lincolnshiregardenclub.com for $20 in advance or $25 day of walk. Pick up tickets the day of the walk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Drive where you get a brochure with the addresses of the gardens.

Lake County Master Gardeners’ 40th Anniversary Garden Tours: 10-11 a.m. Friday, July 24, at Deerfield Area Historic Village Gardens, 450 Kipling Place, Bannockburn. In partnership with the Deerfield Area Historical Society, Lake County Extension Master Gardeners have helped to establish and maintain multiple gardens in and around the village's five historic buildings, which date from the mid-1830s and include the oldest log house in Lake County. Vegetable and native plant gardens are supplemented by a small orchard that features three, semi-dwarf heirloom apple trees. Potato barrels and native black currant shrubs are also featured. To commemorate the 40th anniversary, they are hosting a series of public tours of Master Gardener project sites around Lake County that showcase the public service and outreach provided by Master Gardener volunteers. Register: extension.illinois.edu.

America 250 Garden Walks: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Join a 90-minute stroll through the gardens with horticulture director Jamie Burghardt. This year’s display theme is America 250. Several key components of modern everyday Americana either debuted or gained fame at Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition. From architecture to snack foods to the democratic sense of what being part of America meant, the fair inspires props that are further interpreted with Cantigny’s renowned seasonal summer displays. Also, learn about the fabrication of the fabric art piece, Gallantly Streaming, in the patriotic-colored Upper Garden. $25 (includes one canned or bottled beverage). Tickets: cantigny.org/event.

Garden shows

Cactus & Succulent Society of Greater Chicago Show & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19, 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 plants grown by members of the society. Included in general admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Celebrations Around the World Flower Show: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at American Legion Post 911, 515 S. Main St., Wauconda. Presented by Grayslake Greenery Garden Club and Wauconda Garden Club. Celebrating festivals, traditions, and celebrations from around the globe expressed through floral designs and horticultural exhibits. Free. grayslakegardenclub.org.

Prairie State Bonsai Society exhibition: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-2, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. As part of the Destination Asia Festival, society members from all over the Chicago area will be displaying trees that they have been developing over the years. Also featuring a section of trees in training, so that guests can see bonsai trees in progress. Included in general admission. mortonarb.org.

48th Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition: noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Sponsored by the Midwest Bonsai Society, one of the largest regional shows in the nation featuring over 80 world-class trees from across the Midwest and beyond. Trees will be judged by bonsai professional Boon Manakitivipart. Thirty vendors selling thousands of trees, tools, pots, stands, scrolls, soil/fertilizers, etc. Workshops, demonstrations, bonsai tour, tree raffle and society gear available. Included in general admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Ikenobo Ikebana Society Chicago Chapter Show: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23, in the Burnstein Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Ikenobo Ikebana Society, Chicago Chapter. Ikenobo is the origin of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Included in general admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Heirloom Garden Show: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Museum antique flower, vegetable gardens and prairie plots on display with growers of heirloom varieties displaying and selling. $8 or $3 children under 13. garfieldfarm.org.

Illinois Mycological Association Display & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, in the Burnstein Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. The show celebrates the richness of fall mushrooms in Illinois. Exhibits 50 to 100 varieties of mushrooms foraged from area forests in the days prior to the show. Members of the Illinois Mycological Association provide information and answer questions regarding mushrooms and fungi. Mushroom-related books, T-shirts and other items are for sale. Included in general admission. Visit chicagobotanic.org.

Central States Dahlia Society’s 59th annual Dahlia Show and Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Included in general admission. Visit centralstatesdahliasociety.com/dahlia-show-2026.

BioBlitz

Food Forest Trail Bioblitz: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Apple Creek Food Forest, 3210 Dean St., Woodstock. Interested in learning more about our local flora and fauna? Join The Land Conservancy of McHenry County in walking the Creekside trail and help document as many species of plants, insects and any other wildlife you see. Free. Register: conservemc.org/event/food-forest-trail-bioblitz/.

Nature walks/bike rides

America Grows walking tour: 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. weekdays, to Sept. 25, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Join a guided walking tour of the garden and get a closer look at the Heritage Garden, Fruit & Vegetable Garden, and more. This tour features “America Grows: 250 Years of Garden Stories.” Hear about the garden’s history and development, including the Skokie River Corridor and current initiatives. Free with admission; no registration required, 45 minutes and covers 0.6 miles. Register: chicagobotanic.org/america-grows.

Morning Prairie Walk: 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays, July 15 and Aug. 19, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join a hike around Phantom Prairie for ages 12 or older. Free; no registration required. fpdcc.com/event/morning-prairie-walk-3/.

Moonlight Moth Walk: 9-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, at Wood Dale Grove, 895 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. Join a guided walk through the woods to learn about moth conservation efforts and how the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County monitors moths to study biodiversity. Then help with a nighttime science project. This is for ages 12 or older; those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person. To register, call (630) 933-7248 or visit dupageforest.org. It will be offered again from 8-9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at West DuPage Woods, off Route 59 in Winfield.

Summer Blooms Hike: 7:30-9 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at Raven Glen, 41080 N. Route 45, Antioch. Whether you are a beginner or looking to deepen your native plant identification skills, join an environmental educator on this cool summer morning. Explore and learn about the local native plants that call Raven Glen Forest Preserve home. For 18 or older. Meet at the parking lot off Route 45 for the 1.4-mile hike. Wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather; this program is held entirely outdoors. $5 or $7 for nonresidents. Register: lcfpd.org/calendar/.

Sunday Stroll: 9-10:15 a.m. Sunday, July 19, at Lakewood Forest Preserve, 27277 Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda. Join an environmental educator for a leisurely stroll, offering a closer look at plants, birds and other wildlife. Meet at the parking lot off Route 176. Free. Register: lcfpd.org/calendar/.

Bike Tour of the Gardens: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 22 and Aug. 12, at Cantigny Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Bob Carr, greenhouse grower at Cantigny, will lead a small group ride, stopping at garden spots along the way to discuss the plantings. Biking through the gardens is only allowed on these tours. One child (no charge) may be included with each paying adult. $15. Register: cantigny.org/event/.

Moonlight Moth Hike: 8-9:15 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park. During National Moth Week, a naturalist will show ages 8 or older how to attract moths for data collection. Learn how to bait moths, as well as make your own moth bait, while learning about the marvelous wonders of this nighttime insect in Illinois and worldwide. Children must be accompanied by a paid registered adult. It’s outdoors so dress for the weather. $14. Registration is required via pdhp.org.

Walk on the Wild Side: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26, in a Bull Valley prairie off Marshland Way. The landowners began their native prairie restoration project in 2017. After clearing invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle, they began seeding small areas with native seeds. Each year, additional sections were added to their native prairie restoration project which currently stands at 2.5 to 3 acres. Maturing native plant areas, as well as new sections, are still undergoing seed bank depletion and clearing. Mowed walking paths meander through the different prairie areas. The colorful blooms of many of the native plants are at their peak in July. This is not an open house; two guided walks begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Free and no pre-registration required. Hosted by Wildflower Preservation & Propagation Committee. For directions, go to thewppc.org.

Prairie Walk and Talk: 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take a guided walk through the native shoreline and Dixon Prairie. Observe areas not visited by most and learn about the Illinois native plants and the wildlife that depend on them. Dress for the weather. $30. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Forest Invaders Hike: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Fullersburg Woods, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Ages 18 and up can take a short hike with plant experts, and learn how to identify nonnative and invasive species in the wild by leaf, root, and stem. $5. Register: dupageforest.org.

Family Evening Hike-Sounds of the Evening: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Join an adventure with short stops along the way, kid-friendly activities, and a take-home spotlight card. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $10 per family. Register: dupageforest.org.

Seasonal Tree Walk: 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Enjoy a morning walk exploring the trees at the garden. Each month, visit a different section of the garden and learn about the trees unique to that area. Dress for the weather. Led by Mark Zampardo, horticulture educator. Meet at Visitor Center. $36. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

CCC at Fullersburg, A Guided History Hike: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 22, at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Visit trails and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps on a 2.5-mile hike that explores the legacy of the World War I veterans who helped shape the preserve during the Great Depression. Ages 16 and up; under 18 with an adult. $10 per person. Register: dupageforest.org.

Family Evening Hike-Trees & Trails: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Join an adventure with short stops along the way, kid-friendly activities, and a take-home spotlight card. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $10 per family. Register: dupageforest.org.

Workshops

Insects and Invertebrates: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 17, at Avon Township Center, 433 E. Washington St., Round Lake Park. Kids in kindergarten to fourth grade can join University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists to explore the tiny but amazing world of insects and other invertebrates. Kids can discover cool characteristics and species through photos, preserved specimens, and live critters, as well as by catching their own bugs. Free. Register: extension.illinois.edu/global/events.

Growing a Tea Garden: 6-7 p.m. Monday, July 20, at Waukegan Public Library, 128 N County St., Waukegan. Learn what plants you can grow in this area to create or enhance your own tea blends. It will focus on a vast array of plants that can be used for making tea. Comprehensive plant list provided. Presented by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, in partnership with the Waukegan Public Library. Free, Register: extension.illinois.edu/events/.

American Native Plants-The Favorites of European Gardeners: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Contemporary garden designers worldwide are embracing American native plants as integral components of their landscapes. Reexamine some of the best American native trees, shrubs, perennials, and spring ephemerals. Learn how to integrate these plants into gardens traditionally dominated by nonnative species, creating landscapes that are both beautiful and ecologically resilient. Dress for the weather. $49. chicagobotanic.org.

The Gravel Garden: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Explore the art of gravel gardening with Jeff Epping, as he shares insights, designs, and techniques from his new book, “The Gravel Garden: Visionary, Drought-Defying, Naturalistic Design.” Discover insights of leading naturalistic designers, as well as practical techniques for various scales and applications, from intimate home settings to small and large public and commercial spaces. The book will be available for purchase in class. $74. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Evening Mothing!: 8:30-10 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. For National Moth Week, learn about this elusive night-time pollinator with naturalist staff and visit two of the “moth traps” on the nature center grounds. It is for ages 8 or older with adult. Registration required; contact organizer at (708) 366-6530 to to sign up. fpdcc.com/event/.

After Hours-Moth Talk: 8-10 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Hennen Conservation Area, 4622 Dean St., Woodstock. What really happens when the sun goes down? Adults, age 18 or older, can celebrate Moth Week by hanging out, enjoying s’mores and campfire games while waiting for our nocturnal insect friends to join the party. Bring a chair and bug spray. Register: conservemc.org.

Gardening for Moths: 7-8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, online. Native moth caterpillars and adults play an essential role in local ecosystems. Discover the importance of moths and how to make your landscape moth-friendly. Native plant selection and sustainable garden maintenance will be discussed. This program is most appropriate for adults. Free or $5 for nonresidents. Registration required via lcfpd.org/calendar/.

Plan Your Native Plant Garden: 7-8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at Cary Area Library 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary. Planning on starting a new native plant garden? Sarah Michehl from The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will talk about site preparation, favorite plant choices, the pollinator connection, and vital maintenance tips to make any garden a success. Free. Register: conservemc.org.

Hydrangeas 101: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 1, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Learn about the most commonly planted hydrangeas in northern Illinois and techniques for pruning and caring for them in this introductory class. A garden walk to examine the various types of these dependable and ornamental garden gems will follow the talk. Dress for the weather. $59-$74. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Welcome to Birding: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Gail Borden Public Library’s Elgin Room, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Daily Herald “Words on Birds” columnist Jeff Reiter will discuss birds, birding and birders. Get fun insights about the nature of birdwatching and why it’s so popular. The talk is based on Reiter’s new book, “The Best of Words on Birds.” Copies available for sale and signing. Free; register at gailborden.info.

The World of Edible Flowers: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Journey through the world of edible flowers with this photo-based presentation from Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh of Backyard Patch Herbs. Discover the delicious flavors and beneficial properties of many common garden plants. Learn about over 20 edible flowers — like daylilies, anise hyssop, and flowering herbs — and get tips on how to harvest, preserve, and prepare them. Also learn the culinary and medicinal properties of purslane and garlic mustard. Receive suggested plant lists and a selection of recipes to try. $42-$49. Register: mortonarb.org.

Designing for Change in the Native Perennial Garden: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. In this interactive program, learn how to keep your native garden from getting away from you. It covers: how native perennials are different from traditional garden perennials; how to emulate natural plant communities by planting in layers; how to think about plant sociability; how to prepare a site for new planting. Led by Angela Bowman, Bowman Gardens Ecological Garden Design. $32-$39. Register: mortonarb.org.

Garden Mandala Making: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday Aug. 13, at the Cantigny Education Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Meet the guide in the Visitors Center. Hands-on workshop shows how to create your own botanical mandala using items from your garden. Led by Director of Horticulture Jamie Burghardt, learn how to balance your colors and patterns before choosing materials gathered by the horticulture team to create your own mandala. $40 (includes one canned or bottled beverage). Register: cantigny.org/event/mandala-making/.

The Ecology of Oaks: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Cary Area Public Library meeting room, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary. Native oaks are a keystone species that many other species rely on. How do they connect with other woodland plants, and what can you do to help our native oak trees? Sarah Michehl of TLC will share more about the fascinating life of oak trees. Register: conservemc.org.

Reaping the Harvest: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at University of Illinois Extension office, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake. Learn about collection, processing, and sowing of native seeds with Luke Dahlberg, native seed program manager at Citizens for Conservation. Hosted by Wild Ones Lake-to-Prairie Chapter and the University of Illinois Extension Lake County. Seeds are key for restoring our ecosystems and adding native plants to our yards. As diverse as our native plants are, they are equally diverse in how they disperse their seeds. Participants will look at different approaches for seed collection, equipment, and techniques to clean that seed, and sowing to get the best results out of those seeds. Register: extension.illinois.edu/events/.

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 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 healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com.