Home & garden calendar, Sept. 7-19

Posted September 07, 2026 9:30 am

Daily Herald report

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

Geneva Garden Club: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Stephen R. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. The topic will be “How Did Our Gardens Grow?” Guests are welcome. Visit genevagardenclub.com or facebook.com/GenevaGardenClub/.

Gardens, Et Cetera of Wheaton: 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. “Ikebana: Japanese, Art of Flower Arranging” will be presented by floral artist E-Ling Lou. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome. Call Kathryn at (630) 408-5487.

Rooted in Elgin native planting ribbon cutting: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Pioneer Park, southwest corner of Kimball Street and the Fox River Bike Trail in Elgin. Join Elgin Sustainability Commission for the installation of native milkweed and pollinator-friendly plantings. It will include brief remarks, a sign unveiling and ribbon cutting, and a “Take Habitat Home” seed ball giveaway, giving attendees an opportunity to learn more about native plants and take a small step toward creating habitat in their own yards. facebook.com/cityofelgin.

Buffalo Grove Garden Club: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. Mary Cantrell, who has over 30 years of experience in the floral design industry, will demonstrate professional techniques while creating fresh fall flower designs. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome. Visit bgparks.org.

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: Sept. 2-13 Senposai Komatsuna mustard; and Sept. 16-27 Amish Deer Tongue lettuce. chicagobotanic.org.

Rolling Meadows Garden Club: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Rolling Meadows Community Center’s Laurel Room, 3705 Pheasant Drive. In “Photographing Fall Colors Using Your Cell Phone,” photojournalist Erica Benson, who teaches a variety of photography classes at the College of DuPage and Triton College, will show how to take better landscape pictures and capture fall colors using our cell phones; cameras welcome as well. Learn composition, lighting and techniques to capture fall colors. Speaker presentation at 6:30 p.m. with club business at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. Visit rollingmeadowsgardenclub.com for more details.

Schaumburg Community Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at new meeting location, Township of Schaumburg, 1 Illinois Bldg., Hoffman Estates. Jim Rowan will discuss the insects and spiders found in backyards, and how to distinguish between beneficial “good guys” and destructive “bad guys.” Only 3% of known insect species are actually agricultural or nuisance pests. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Visit schaumburggardenclub.org or facebook.com/schaumburggardenclub/.

Gardening on a Budget: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, online. Part of Illinois Extension’s Lessons for Living webinar series. Starting a container garden can benefit your budget and be a fruitful hobby that satisfies your taste buds. Learn about the start-up expenses for a container garden and plan your produce to supplement your budget. Free. Register: extension.illinois.edu/events/.

Roselle Park District Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Roselle Park District, 10 N. Roselle Road. Dave Hodge of the Turning Leaf Foundation will cover the ins and outs of collecting seeds from different types of vegetables, the challenges that come with each variety, and how to store them so they last. Also, a live demo on how to save tomato seeds, step by step, so you can see the process in action. Guests welcome. facebook.com/RPDgardenclub/.

Seed Saving Secrets: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville and online. Saving seeds is a great way to plan for next year's garden! Some are easy, while others require a little extra care and knowledge. Learn all the specifics from the Illinois Master Gardeners. Register: cooklib.org.

Healing Gardens: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 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.

Herbal Tea Party: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Learn about native plants you can grow in the garden then sample different infused teas made from them. Free. fpdcc.com/event/herbal-tea-party-3/.

Chicagoland Daylily Society: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at The Community House, 415 W. 8th St., Hinsdale. Society members will present “Garden Transformations.” Visit chicagolanddaylilysociety.org.

Gardeners of Central Lake County: 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, in the CrossLife Evangelical Church basement, 431 W. Austin Ave., Libertyville. Featuring a Mini Show & Veggie Tasting. Visit gardenersofcentrallakecounty.org.

Bringing the Outside In: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, online. Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series continues with “Overwintering Tender Perennial Plants” by Illinois Extension horticulture educator Nancy Kuhajda. Zonal geraniums, black and blue salvia, coleus, and lemon grass are just a few of the dozens of plant varieties northern gardeners often treat as annuals. But these plants have a secret. They are tender perennials that can be overwintered indoors to enjoy again next year. Free. Register: extension.illinois.edu/events/.

Bloomingdale Garden Club: 6:15-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. An indoor potluck with some social time and games. 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.

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at The Landings Senior Living multipurpose room, 2450 W. Fabyan Pkwy., Batavia. Note: New location and time. Amber Ross, a naturalist with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, will relay the story of the American bison's return to Kane County after more than 200 years. All are welcome; sign in at the desk and follow the signs. Visit bataviaplaindirtgardeners.org or facebook.com/BataviaPlainDirtGardeners/.

Acorns to Oaks: 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 15 or Nov. 17, and 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the operations and public safety facility, 19808 W. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. Get an insider look at how the Lake County Forest Preserves restores and protects Lake County's natural lands. During a one-hour, behind-the-scenes tour, learn how the district staff ensures every acre of habitat they restore remains ecologically healthy and provides a continuous benefit to our communities. The tour is entirely indoors, though portions of the facility have minimal temperature and humidity controls, which can feel similar to outdoor temperatures. Free. Register: lcfpd.org/preservation-foundation/event2/.

Wild Ones: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, on Zoom. Sara Weaner Cooper, owner of New Directions in the American Landscape, will guide participants through her family’s gradual transition from lawn to meadow, a project featured in The New York Times in 2024 and the BBC in 2025. She will show how the meadow has evolved through experimentation, ecological processes, changing conditions, and ongoing learning. Free; donations welcome. Register: wildones.org.

Tri-Village Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Streamwood Fire Station, 1204 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Guest Carol Cichorski returns to share “A Few of Her Favorite Things.” Visit facebook.com/TriVillageGardenClub.

Fall Artisan Series-Flower Press: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Ages 18 or older can get crafty on select evenings. Free. Register: fpdcc.com/event/.

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road in Palatine. Heather Fifarek, Little City development director, offers an overview of the Palatine nonprofit’s mission, programs, and services before highlighting the organization’s horticulture program and the meaningful role gardening plays in building vocational skills, confidence, and independence for the individuals it serves. For information, visit gardenclubofinverness.com or facebook.com/Gardenclubofinverness/.

Lincolnshire Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Station, 671 Woodlands Parkway, Vernon Hills. John Algozzini will present “Landscapes 101.” Continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. with the business meeting at 9:45 a.m. and program at 10:30 a.m. For membership details, visit lincolnshiregardenclub.com.

Composting Open House: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Lake County Extension office, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake. Master Gardeners can help you get your pile back on track. Bring your toughest questions and get real, research-based answers for home composting. Tour the extension grounds to see multiple types of outdoor composting systems in action. Get an up-close look at active indoor vermicomposting and harvesting (worm bins) and Bokashi pre-composting setups. Select a 30-minute time slot via extension.illinois.edu/events/.

From Canopy to Groundlayer, Building Soft Landings: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, on Zoom. Hosted by Natural Habitat Evanston. Pollinator conservationist Heather Holm will discuss keystone plants and the insects that depend on them. Learn how to implement “Soft Landings,” which focuses on creating mini ecosystems beneath native trees to support pollinators throughout their life cycles. Get practical strategies on site preparation methods, herbicide considerations, and building a resilient plant matrix of sedges, cool-season grasses, and flowering keystone species. Register: climateactionevanston.org.

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.

Insects of Autumn: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Look for different insects as fall begins. Free. fpdcc.com/event/insects-of-autumn-2/.

Garden Club of Downers Grove: 12:15-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at American Legion Post 80, 4000 Saratoga, Downers Grove. Radio and TV’s “Gardening Guy!” Mike Nowak will present “That Ain't No Way to Treat a Tree!” It starts at 12:15 p.m. for refreshments followed by the club's general meeting then the presentation at 1:45 p.m. Visit gardenclubofdownersgrove.net or facebook.com/gardenclubdownersgrove.

Grayslake Greenery Garden Club: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at State Bank of the Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake. In “Chemistry in Your Garden,” Rosalind Franklin University biochemistry professor Eric Walters will discuss how fertilizers fuel plant growth, how soil pH alters nutrient absorption (and why it changes hydrangea colors), when and how to use pesticides, and how selective weed killers choose their targets. Learn how plants use chemistry to talk to each other when under attack. It also covers the practical science of safely handling and storing garden products. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.

Conservation@Home-Rain Gardening 101: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Ages 13 or older can learn about rain gardening and how this water management strategy can benefit your yard. Presented by Master Gardener Sara Strother. Free. Register: fpdcc.com/event/.

Native Gardener's Club: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 24 and Oct. 22, via Zoom. Whether you are new to native gardening or a seasoned veteran, learn about native plants and how to use them in your home landscapes. Each session includes group discussions and plenty of time for questions. The Sept. 24 session will focus on using native trees and shrubs in your home garden. On Oct. 22, Will Overbeck of Pizzo Native Plant Nursery in Leland, Ill., will present “Native Plant Migrations and Contemporary Range Boundaries.” It will focus on the presence of adventive plant species and current trends in new arrivals of native plant species that can be used in climate-resilient native landscapes of northeastern Illinois. $5 or free to Lake County residents. Register: lcfpd.org/calendar/.

Lombard Garden Club: 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Lombard Community Center, 433 E. St. Charles Road. In “Bats Around the World,” Sharon Peterson will offer an overview of the 1,500 species of bats and their importance to so many ecosystems worldwide. She also will bring a few of her live bats along. All are welcome; no charge. Visit lombardgardenclub.org.

Planting Roots, Growing the Next 250 Years: 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Lincoln Marsh, Harrison and Pierce avenues, Wheaton. Join an all-ages celebration of America’s 250th anniversary on National Public Lands Day. Roll up your sleeves to plant, explore, and learn how to care for shared public lands. Free. Register: wheatonparkdistrict.com.

Pottawatomie Garden Club: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. In “Vitalizing Your Landscape,” Ann Baker will speak on ways to revitalize worn-out landscapes. She will consider a partial update or a complete landscape overhaul, giving tips on basic landscape design and creative ways to perk up your landscape. All are welcome. The fall luncheon is planned for October. Visit pottagardenclub.org or facebook.com/pottagardenclub/.

Pollinator garden ribbon cutting: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at NAMI of McHenry County, 338 Memorial Drive, Crystal Lake. Celebrate the Pollinator Garden at NAMI, donated by the Rotary Dawnbreakers and Rotary of Algonquin/Lake in the Hills. Free. facebook.com/NAMIMcHenryCounty.

Oak-tober: 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Learn what makes oak trees special. Free. fpdcc.com/event/oak-tober/.

Plant sales

Go Green Winnetka Fall Native Plant Sale: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Indian Hill Park, 131 Wilson St., Winnetka. It offers more than 40 varieties of native plants. These plants attract pollinators, enhance stormwater management, and thrive with minimal fuss in a Midwest climate. Native plant experts will be on hand to guide you in choosing the perfect additions for your garden. Zelle, PayPal, and credit cards accepted. No pre-orders. For planning tips and plant details, go to gogreenwinnetka.org/fall-native-plant-sale.

Bulk Bulb Sale: Order by Sept. 27. Hosted by Woman’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society. Online orders cannot be shipped. Orders will be ready for pickup in the Regenstein Center during the Fall Bulb Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday, Oct. 10-12. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Botanic Garden, its research and programs. chicagobotanic.org/bulb/sale.

Garden walks

America 250 Garden Walk: 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.

McHenry County Farm Stroll: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. A self-guided tour of 11 McHenry County’s family farms in Harvard, Marengo, Woodstock, and Bull Valley. Choose the farms you wish to visit and go during the Stroll’s time frame. Some farms offer tours and demonstrations. Follow the farmers’ instructions, respect the animals, and watch your children. Do not bring pets. Free; bring cash as some farmers will be selling products and produce. mchenrycfb.org/farmstroll.

Nature walks

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.

Hike Lake County: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Ray Lake, 23275 W. Erhart Road, Wauconda. Join one of this year’s Hike Lake County events and experience the magical time of day when the diurnal animals settle in for the night and the night shift begins. Trail distance: 2.6 miles. Free. Register: lcfpd.org/calendar/.

Walk with a Naturalist: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Van Patten Woods, 15838 W. Route 173, Wadsworth. Age 18 or older can join a naturalist for a leisurely stroll. Learn about the history of this site and take a close look at some of the interesting plants and animals. Meet at the Shelter A parking lot. Registration is required. $5 or $7 for nonresidents. Register: lcfpd.org/calendar/.

Golden Prairie Walks: 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 16 and 30, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join an afternoon stroll. Free. fpdcc.com/event/fall-hiking/.

Seasonal Tree Walk: 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 and Oct. 8, 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.

River Trail Nightlife: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Learn about nocturnal animals and more on a guided hike. Ages 6 or older. Hosted by Forest Preserve District of Cook County. $5 per person. Register: fpdcc.com/event.

Walk on the Wild Side: 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Blue Farm, 9513 Reese Road, Harvard. The 80-acre conservation and agricultural easement owned by Kevin Yapp and Alisha Mowbray. Since purchasing the property in 2019, the couple has developed an ornamental garden to replace some of the lawn with native plants. They have begun to reseed one of the two fields previously in a corn-soy rotation with local wildflowers and grasses. The walk also will cover oak forest, remnant prairie and a unique fen centered around four seeps currently being restored with the assistance of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County. See several species of aster, rudbeckia, sedges and liatris as well as possibly cream, bottle and fringed gentian and many other plants. Wear sturdy shoes as the paths can be uneven. This is not an open house; two guided walks begin at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free and no pre-registration required. Hosted by Wildflower Preservation & Propagation Committee. For directions, go to thewppc.org.

Full Moon Guided Hike: 7:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. A naturalist will offer moon facts and lore, and discuss how animals are adapted for nighttime. For 16 or older. $26. Register: mortonarb.org.

Rust at Dusk: 5:45-7:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Explore an old farm trail surrounded by tallgrass prairie and relics of the past. Ages 12 or older. Free. Register: fpdcc.com/event/rust-at-dusk/.

Workshops

Pollinators at Home Workshop: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Gail Borden Public Library Grove Room, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Hosted by Elgin Sustainability Commission. Learn how to choose native plants for different yard conditions. Get simple planting and maintenance tips. Find out how to apply for the Pollinators at Home grant. Free. Register at ElginIL.gov/Sustainability.

Restoring Our Relationship With Soil: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Adam Schwartz, Compost Club engagement coordinator for The Urban Canopy, leads this introductory class on the basics of home composting. Bring all of your composting questions and come learn about local food systems, the circular economy, and more. $32. Register: mortonarb.org.

How to Divide Perennials: 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Learn tips and tricks on dividing perennials in the fall. Explore the basics, then head outside to put these skills into practice. Bring gloves. Dress for the weather. Led by Heather Sherwood, senior horticulturist. $36. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Cultivating Mushrooms in Your Garden: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Discover how multiple species of fungi improve your garden through increased weed suppression, nutrient cycling, and pest deterrence. Learn to identify common mushrooms in gardens and yards, with an emphasis on safe recognition and understanding their ecological value. Take home a wine cap mushroom (Stropharia rugosoannulata) grow kit. $74. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Colorful Flowers for the Fall Garden: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Explore perennials that bloom in autumn and add color to your late-season garden. Learn how these late bloomers play an important role in feeding pollinators before hibernation or migration. Class includes a walk in the garden to see fall blooms in person. Dress for the weather. $49. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Fall Garden Wrap-Up: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Prepare for the upcoming winter by learning the essential tasks to ensure a healthy and successful garden for years to come. Explore a variety of tips and techniques for flower beds, lawns, and tree and shrub care. $37. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Overwintering Tropical Plants: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Discover practical, easy-to-follow strategies for successfully overwintering tropical plants such as hibiscus, cannas, colocasia, citrus, dahlias, and herbs. Learn how to identify which plants require special winter protection, when to bring plants inside, and how to transition them without causing stress. Hands-on potting activity and take home a tuber to plant in your garden. $74. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Garden shows

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.

“A Century in Bloom” flower show: 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Wheaton Public Library, 255 N. Cross St. Floral designs, created by Wheaton Garden Club members, reflect the following themes: “Tea for Two,” “Bee My Baby,” “Age of Aquarius,” “Victory Garden,” and “Nature’s Artistry.” “Turn of the Century” horticultural display will exhibit a large variety of specimens of shrubs, trees, flowers, and plants from member gardens. Special exhibits focus on “Invasive Plants of the Midwest,” “Weeds: Friend or Foe,” “Caterpie’s Cafeteria: The Spicebush Caterpillar,” and “Host Plants for Butterflies and Moths.” Free. wheatongardenclub.org.

Illinois Orchid Society Fall Show & Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Illinois Orchid Society, this show will feature artistically arranged table top displays from the rarest of species to cultivated hybrids. Individual orchids in 128 classes will vie for red, white, and blue ribbons. Twenty-five entries will receive “best of class” green ribbons, and the best-appointed plant in the show will receive the Chicago Horticultural Society Award from American Orchid Society judges. Illinois Orchid Society also providing orchid plants for sale as well as repotting services. Included with general admission. Visit chicagobotanic.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 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.