Home & garden calendar, April 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
Northbrook Garden Club: 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Northbrook United Methodist Church, 1190 Western. Landscape designer Kim Hartmann will discuss the unique features of 2026’s best new plants thriving in our area. Email northbrookgardenclub@gmail.com to register. Questions: info@northbrookgardenclub.org.
Geneva Garden Club: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Stephen R. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Kane County/University of Illinois Master Gardener will present “Raised Bed Veggies.” The program starts at noon following lunch. Guests are welcome. Visit genevagardenclub.com.
Gardens, Et Cetera of Wheaton: 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. Kim Hartman presents “Long Blooming Perennials.” Light refreshments served. All are welcome. Call Kathryn at (630) 408-5487.
Tri-Village Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Streamwood Fire Station, 1204 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Ever wanted to ask an expert about trees in your yard or garden or even trees in parks and forest preserves? How each species impacts our environment? Or are you looking for ideas to plant trees? Forester Sarah Christensen will answer your questions. Visit facebook.com/TriVillageGardenClub.
Lincolnshire Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Station, 671 Woodlands Parkway, Vernon Hills. Alyse Burman Cohen of the Wild Bird Shack Speakeasy presents “Turn Your Garden into a B&B for Birds.” 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.
Garden Club of Inverness: 10 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 639 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Heather Prince from Fearless Gardening will speak on “Romance of Roses.” Dive into the commonly available varieties as well as explore hardy heirlooms, species, and climbers. Learn the basics of culture and care, plus how to choose what roses will best match your space and expectations. Prince has been a part of the green industry for over 25 years, working in various facets, from public to private. She currently balances a busy freelance horticultural writing and teaching schedule with her role as email marketing manager for The Garden of Words. She is a trained horticulturist specializing in trees, shrubs, and native species, with a passion for connecting people with plants. Free. Visit gardenclubofinverness.com.
Bloomingdale Garden Club: 6:15-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. Club members are preparing for the annual Flower & Plant Sale on May 8-9. It’s the major fundraiser for the year with proceeds supporting local charities. Learn about the schedule, pre-sale orders, food and equipment, and working the sale. Also, contribute ideas to make this an event everyone can enjoy. 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: 6:45 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Jay Womack, senior landscape architect with GZA GeoEnvironmental, presents “The Light Bulb Revolution.” He will review how a light bulb can improve your health, support increased insect populations, protect bird migrations, make neighborhoods safer, and reduce tensions between adjacent residents. All are welcome. Visit bataviaplaindirtgardeners.org or facebook.com/BataviaPlainDirtGardeners/.
Lunch & Learn: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 200 S. Wille, Mount Prospect. Join the folks from B(older) U for a presentation on “Understanding, Encouraging and Protecting Butterflies and Other Pollinators.” Whether you have extensive gardens, pots on a patio, or no gardening space, you will leave with lots of new information and seeds to plant. Presenter will be Sherry Grobe, founder of the Mount Prospect Monarchs. Suggested $10 donation to cover the cost of lunch. RSVP to (847) 253-0631 or stmarkmp@stmarkmp.org by April 20.
Garden Gatherings, A Culinary & Cultural Journey: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in Le Jardin, Cantigny Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Trace the history of one spring’s most iconic flowers, the tulip, at this seated dining experience. Director of Horticulture Jamie Burghardt will host a presentation detailing the tulip’s path from Asia Minor to Europe and ultimately the U.S. while highlighting the political, artistic, trade, and cultural forces that shaped its rise. And enjoy curated culinary pairings inspired by each region on the tulip’s route, offering a taste of the cultures that carried this flower across the world. Get a pass for free parking to return to the park on another day and wander the tulips after learning about their journey. $125. Reservations: cantigny.org.
Arlington Heights Garden Club: 6:30-8:15 p.m. Monday, April 27, at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 717 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Landscape architect Marcus de la fleur will discuss the stunning possibilities of sustainable stormwater management at the residential scale. This includes green roofs, porous pavement, rain gardens and bioswales, using native plants, as well as resilient landscape solutions that add value to the local ecology. Soil is one such important aspect that is instrumental in the management of floods and poor drainage. Marcus will touch on the natural history of soils of the Midwest, to demonstrate the underlying principles of sustainable stormwater management. He has created successful pilot projects to demonstrate that garden aesthetics can be combined with sustainable practices and still solve stormwater management issues. Social time at 6:30 p.m. with meeting and program at 7 p.m. Guests welcome. Visit facebook.com/AHGardenClub.
Wild Ones: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 28, on Zoom. Author, photographer, and educator Rick Darke presents “What Is Wild and Why It Matters.” Discover how inviting a bit of authentic wildness can create a vibrant landscape that sustains you and local biodiversity. Fundraiser for Wild Ones and Homegrown National Park. $10-$25. Register: wildones.org.
Grayslake Greenery Garden Club: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at State Bank of the Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake. Landscape designer Catelyn Crawford will demonstrate how to create a container garden arrangement, followed by a drawing for the container garden arrangement. The $5 per ticket funds the club’s scholarship program. Crawford specializes in container and annual bedding planting. She creates landscape designs for clients and landscapers in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.
Spring walks
Walk on the Wild Side: 10-11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Schietzelt property, 4419 Walkup Road, Crystal Lake. Explore woodlands with bluebells and celandine poppies while walking forest trails. The pine forest in front and the oak-hickory forest in the back have many species of ephemerals. Many wildflowers such as trillium, wild ginger and may apples to name just a few. This is not an open house. Guided walks begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Walks are free and no pre-registration is required. Parking limited so park on Vermont Trail north of the driveway. Hosted by Wildflower Preservation & Propagation Committee. thewppc.org.
Wildflower Walk: 1:30 p.m. Sundays, April 26 and May 10, at River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Learn about spring woodland wildflowers on a casual walk. All ages. Hosted by Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Free. fpdcc.com/events/tag/wildflowers/.
Spring wildflower walk: 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at 301 31st St., Westchester. Hosted by Sustain DuPage. In this outdoor walk, botanist Pat Armstrong will teach how to identify our early native wildflowers and their natural histories. $30. Tickets: eventbrite.com.
Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk: 1 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Discover what’s blooming. All ages. Hosted by Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Free. fpdcc.com/events/tag/wildflowers/.
Woodland Wildflower Walk: 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Delight in the beauty of spring ephemeral flowers on a guided walk. Hosted by Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Free. fpdcc.com/events/tag/wildflowers/.
Plant sales
Arbor Day Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, April 23-25, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. One of the largest seasonal plant sales in the Chicago region. It offers thousands of carefully chosen plants, including hundreds of species and varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, ferns, vegetables and herbs. Many are grown at the Arboretum. Expert Plant Geniuses are available throughout the sale to answer questions and suggest plants. Timed-entry tickets to the sale required to be purchased in advance. $47 for early access Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. $32 for regular access beginning Thursday at 1 p.m. through noon on Saturday. April 23-24 includes general admission to the Arboretum for the day and a $15 credit toward a purchase at the sale. $17 access from 1-4 p.m.; includes general admission to the Arboretum. Tickets will be available to the public April 15 at mortonarb.org.
Heritage Prairie Farm Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, April 25, May 9, and May 16, Saturday, at Heritage Prairie Farm, 2N308 Brundige Road, Elburn. Featuring USDA Organic Certified vegetables and herbs. With three dates available, they have a big variety for everyone's preferences in one spring date and two summer ones. Check out the full brochure online at heritageprairiefarm.com/produce.
Weed Ladies Spring Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, April 30-May 2, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Featuring creative seasonal floral arrangements for sale. Proceeds benefit the Naperville Heritage Society. Admission to the sale is free. napersettlement.org.
Central States Dahlia Society’s annual Dahlia Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, in Burnstein Hall at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Admission to the dahlia sale is included in admission to the botanic garden. centralstatesdahliasociety.com.
Friends of the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission’s inaugural Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, at 9 E. Marion Ave. in Prospect Heights. All of the native plants are grown by PHNRC volunteers, mostly from the seed collected at the restoration sites. They also offer vegetables, herbs, and non-native garden plants. All proceeds will fund the creation and protection of natural areas in the city’s neighborhoods. Plant experts will be available for consultations. For a list of plants, visit phnrc.com/plant-sale.html.
Wildflower Preservation & Propagation Committee annual Native Plant Sale: noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Huge selection of native plants at the best prices in the area. They have native plants for a variety of habitats. Check out the plant list online for what’s available. Line starts forming before 11:30 a.m. thewppc.org.
MCC Spring Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 6-7, in the McHenry County College greenhouse, Building D, 8900 S. Route 14, Crystal Lake. Shop for all your vegetables, herbs, annual and perennial flowers, blooming containers, and hanging baskets. mchenry.edu/events/.
CLC Horticulture Department Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 8, at College of Lake County greenhouses, Building H, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Great selection of perennials, annuals, natives, and veggies. All proceeds go to support the horticulture department. facebook.com/clchorticulture.
Lombard Garden Club’s Lilac Sale: noon until 7 p.m. or sold out Thursday, May 7, at the pavilion on the north side of Lilacia Park, near the park district administration building at 227 W. Parkside in downtown Lombard. Choose from 16 different lilacs of varying sizes. Colors of the blooms range from deep violet, magenta and lilac to pink, blue and white. Proceeds support the Lombard Garden Club’s scholarship program, community beautification projects and educational outreach about the environment and gardening in our region. Order and schedule pickup online at lombardgardenclub.org.
Lombard Park District's plant sale: noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 8, in the park greenhouse, 150 S. Park Ave. Choose from a selection of perennials, hanging foliage baskets, mangaves, and large and small succulents. lombardlilactime.com.
Des Plaines Garden Club’s Plant & Garden Flea Market: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 9, at the GEN-Center (formerly known as the Frisbie Senior Center) at 52 E. Northwest Hwy in Des Plaines. Pick up some annuals, perennials, vegetables, a hanging basket or maybe a houseplant. Master Gardeners will be there to answer your questions and help you select your plants. Or find garden tools or yard art donated by a club member. Also, a selection of home-baked desserts for sale. Cash sales only. Visit desplainesilgardenclub.com or facebook.com/DesPlainesGardenClub/.
Bloomingdale Garden Club Spring Flower & Plant Sale: noon to 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at Bloomingdale Park District maintenance building, 259 Springfield Drive, north end of Springfield Park, quarter-mile south of Route 20. It will feature nursery grown annuals in flats, 4- and 6-inch pots, hanging baskets, vegetables and herbs, accessory plants, grasses, tropicals, and perennials from members’ gardens. They also will have a Master Gardener Help Desk, raffles, and gently-used garden items for sale. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted ($2 service fee is charge for credit card use). Proceeds will support local charities. Visit bloomingdalegardenclub.org.
Palatine Garden Club Perennial Plant Sale: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, May 9 and 16, at the Palatine Farmers Market in the Metra station parking lot, 137 W. Wood St. Choose from a variety of perennial plants sourced from club members’ gardens and area native-plant nurseries. Flowering and foliage plants, many varieties of pollinator-friendly native plants, ground covers, and ornamental grasses will be available. Also this year, several varieties of milkweed — native plants that support and attract monarchs and other butterflies — will be sold, as well as Illinois prairie-garden starter flats. Cash or check only. Questions? Call Gail at (708) 744-3446 or visit facebook.com/palatinegardeners.
Gardeners of Central Lake County plant sale: 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Crawford Warming House, 817 Lake St. in Libertyville. It will be held rain or shine. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, the club has a wide variety of plants to suit your needs. Offering natives, vegetables, perennials, annuals, herbs, and more. Plants grown from seed, cuttings, and bulbs. Also, browse the garden treasures shop. Proceeds benefit the club. Visit gardenersofcentrallakecounty.org.
Green Garden Fair: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 9, at First Congregational Church, 235 S. Kenilworth, Elmhurst. Pick up pre-ordered, certified organic seedlings. Additional organic vegetable and herb seedlings, beautiful flower seedlings and bagged organic mushroom compost and potting mix will be available for purchase at the Fair. Bring your garden tools, knives and scissors and Custom Edge Sharpening will sharpen them while you wait. Also, Prairie Wind Natives will be selling native plants and City Bee Savers will have their local raw honey, just to highlight a few of the many exhibitors at the Fair. Learn how to live more sustainably from a variety of “green” exhibitors. For information, visit elmhurstucc.org.
McDonald Farm’s annual plant sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at McDonald Farm, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. A wide variety of native plants, organic veggie and herb seedlings, rain barrels, organic compost, and more. theconservationfoundation.org/plant-sale.
St. Hugh’s annual Plant, Patio & Craft Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church, 36W957 Highland Ave., off Randall Road in Elgin. Homegrown herbs and vegetables ready for the garden or containers; pre-owned patio and yard decor and lawn and garden tools. Also featuring handcrafted Mother’s Day gifts and homemade bakery goods. Visit sthugh.net.
Tri-Village Garden Club Plant Sale and Garden Boutique: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at Bartlett Park and Log Cabin, 102 N. Eastern Ave., Bartlett. Sale of native plants, sun and shade loving annuals and perennials, hanging baskets, vegetables and garden related craft items. Prices vary on sale items. Visit facebook.com/TriVillageGardenClub/.
Northbrook Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 15; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday May 16, or until sold-out at Northbrook Village Green Park Center, 1810 Walters Ave. Shop local for homegrown and nursery grown native plants, cultivars and other favorite. Experienced and Master Gardeners available for gardening tips. Email questions to info@northbrookgardenclub.org or visit northbrookgardenclub.org.
Dundee Backyard Garden Club plant sale: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Grafelman Park, Fifth and Main streets in West Dundee. It will be held rain or shine; no early birds please. Annual sale features a wide variety of perennials, grasses, native plants, vegetables, herbs and more from the gardens of club members. Garden “Junque” and gently used garden items available for sale. Proceeds fund an annual scholarship.
Garden Club of Lake Zurich Plant Sale: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16, at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The club offers hundreds of home-grown perennials, annuals, natives, saplings, vegetable seedlings, groundcovers, houseplants, herbs, plus garden books and decor. Plants are in sterilized soil to deter the spread of invasive worm species. Get expert advice from Master Gardeners and garden club members. It will be held rain or shine. Pay by cash, check or credit card. Come early as plants go quickly. Visit gardencluboflakezurich.org.
Green Gate Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16, at Colonel Palmer House, 5516 Terra Cotta Road, Crystal Lake. Purchase plants grown from some of the best gardeners in the area. Rain date: May 17. Visit crystallakeparks.org/colonel-palmer-house.
Lincolnshire Garden Club’s Spring Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Community Christian Church, 1970 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Flats of annuals, gallon size perennials and natives will be available for sale. Funds raided allow the Lincolnshire Garden Club to continue its tradition of providing grants to community organizations. Visit lincolnshiregardenclub.com.
Master Gardeners' Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the University of Illinois Extension grounds, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake. Featuring a selection of nursery-grown varieties not readily available at traditional garden centers – natives, new cultivars of perennials, grasses and pollinator-friendly plants. Many varieties of home-grown tomatoes, along with other vegetables and herbs, will be available. In addition, shop “Garden Treasures” for new and gently used items to enhance your landscape and home, including yard art, garden tools, decorative containers and gardening books. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions, help with plant selection, and offer gardening advice. All proceeds support projects and programming for volunteers, youth and adults in Lake County. For details, call (847) 223-8627 or visit extension.illinois.edu/lm.
Mount Prospect Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Mount Prospect Historical Society Campus, 101 S. Maple St. Rain date May 17. Plants are grown by garden club members and Master Gardeners. They include a great variety of perennials, annuals and vegetables. Also house plants for sale. Come early for the greatest selection. These healthy plants have been screened for pests (sometimes a problem in plants from stores). Visit gcmp.weebly.com.
Park Ridge Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Cumberland Park, 101 S. Cumberland Ave., a half-block south of Touhy Avenue, in Park Ridge. For sale will be annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, geranium pots and many member-grown plants. Cash or credit cards only. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Rain or shine. Parking is located east of the park. Visit parkridgegardenclub.org.
Wheaton Garden Club Plant Sale: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at 504 Hamilton Drive, Wheaton. The sale will feature professionally grown annuals many of which are Proven Winners. A wide selection of red white and blue flowers are available in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Proceeds support area community organizations and scholarships for College of DuPage, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South students. Cash or check payments. Visit wheatongardenclub.org/plantsale/.
Evanston's Highland Garden Club annual Backyard Botanicals Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Ackerman Park, 2500 Central St., Evanston. A variety of perennials, including native plants that work in residential gardens for bees and butterflies, will be available from gardens of club members and friends. Experienced Gardeners will be there to answer your questions. All proceeds support community projects. Cash, checks and Zelle, please. Visit facebook.com/evanstonhighlandgardenclub/.
Hoffman Estates Garden Club’s annual plant sale: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 5, at the Schaumburg Farmer’s Market, 190 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Members will offer locally grown plants from their own gardens as well as some grown from seed. There will be a wide variety of sun and shade plants including perennials, annuals, dahlias, grasses, hostas, vegetables and herbs. A limited number of native plants like milkweed and coneflower will be available to help support pollinators. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry. Visit hoffmanestatesgardenclub.club.
Garden shows
Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 17 (opening reception) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Enjoy a juried art exhibit that celebrates the beauty of nature, hosted by Morton Arboretum’s Nature Artists’ Guild. With works featuring plants, wildlife and landscapes from the Arboretum and beyond. Many art pieces, all produced by local artists, available for purchase. Included with Arboretum admission. mortonarb.org.
American Daffodil Society National Convention: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See a floral design show and displays featuring daffodils (as blooms permit). Learn about the 13 divisions of daffodils, many of which are featured in garden display beds. Included in admission. Tickets: chicagobotanic.org.
Central States Dahlia Society Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Annual plant and root sale features dahlias in an array of sizes, shapes, and colors. An opportunity to purchase dahlias seen on display at the annual show in September. Society members on hand to answer questions about planting and care. Included in admission. Tickets: chicagobotanic.org.
Midwest Bonsai Society Spring Show & Sale: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Midwest Bonsai Society. Hundreds of bonsai specimens will be on display or for sale. Free demonstrations and lectures will be held in Regenstein Center. Workshops for beginners and accomplished bonsai growers will be held in various locations. Additional fee and registration is required for workshops. Visit midwestbonsai.org or chicagobotanic.org.
Iris Society Show: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday, May 25, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Experience nearly 100 varieties of blooming irises, with some available for purchase in the Arboretum’s Sycamore Room. Presented by the Northern Illinois Iris Society, the event also offers opportunities to speak with iris experts, learn the meanings behind iris colors, and discover new and novel varieties for home gardens. Included with Arboretum admission. Tickets: mortonarb.org.