Home & garden calendar, April 21-May 2
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
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. Learn about the schedule, pre-sale orders, food and equipment, and working the sale. Social time begins at 6:15 p.m., announcements at 6:45 p.m., and meeting at 7 p.m. 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/.
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.
Northbrook Garden Club: 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, at Northbrook United Methodist Church, 1190 Western. Author, photographer, and Master Gardener Cindy Crosby presents “Dragonflies & Damselflies.” Discover the fascinating and bizarre lives of these fliers – with plenty of group fun and lively interaction. From their unusual life cycle of transformation, mystifying migratory habits, and their struggle for survival. Hear their cultural history, including some of the myths and superstitions that surround them. Discover how you can garden to attract these remarkable creatures. Email northbrookgardenclub@gmail.com to register. northbrookgardenclub.org.
Hoffman Estates Garden Club: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at the Schaumburg Township building, One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Columnist, radio host and gardening expert Mike Nowak will present “I’m Not Really a Garden Expert, I Just Play One on the Radio.” Social hour with refreshments at 6 p.m. and a short business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nonmembers are welcome. Visit hoffmanestatesgardenclub.club.
Spring walks
Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Hike: 2-3 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at West DuPage Woods in Winfield. A guided hike where you’ll learn about the first wildflowers of the year. Spring ephemerals aren’t here for long, so catch them while you can! Ages 12 or older; under age 18 with an adult. $5 per person. To register, visit dupageforest.org or call (630) 942-6200.
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 mayapples to name just a few. This is not an open house; two 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/.
Woodland Walk: 9 a.m. Saturday May 2, at Garfield Farm Museum in Campton Hills. Museum director Jerome Johnson will lead a walk through the museum's Garfield Harley Pond and Woods. Impacts of the recent rains and swings in temperature have sped up the warming of the soils and activity in the ephemeral pond. Traditionally rue anemone should be blooming but the wild hyacinth may be coming two weeks early into its glory. A car caravan will leave the museum for the woods. Appropriate clothing and shoes for muddy ground and spray for hitchhiking ticks is encouraged. $8 a person. Sign up by contacting info@garfieldfarm.org or (630) 584-8485.
Spring Wildflower Walk: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. The woods at Knoch Knolls Park explode with colorful wildflowers. Join a naturalist to view the annual Virginia bluebells display along with many other spring wildflowers. Free but registration is required via napervilleparks.org.
Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Hike: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Meacham Grove, off Circle Avenue in Bloomingdale. A guided hike where you’ll learn about the first wildflowers of the year. Spring ephemerals aren’t here for long, so catch them while you can! Ages 12 or older; under age 18 with an adult. $5 per person. To register, visit dupageforest.org or call (630) 942-6200.
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.
Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Hike: 2-3 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Wood Dale Grove, 895 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. A guided hike where you’ll learn about the first wildflowers of the year. Spring ephemerals aren’t here for long, so catch them while you can! Ages 12 or older; under age 18 with an adult. $5 per person. To register, visit dupageforest.org or call (630) 942-6200.
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/.
Fullersburg Wildflower Walk: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, May 22, or Saturday, May 22, at Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook. Meet a plant expert for a leisurely walk through the first blooms of spring. Learn about spring flowers, how to identify them, and what varieties you can grow at home. Ages 18 and up. $5 per person. To register, visit dupageforest.org or call (630) 850-8110. It also will be offered at the same times June 19-20.
Wildflower Walk: 8-9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 4, at Grant Woods, 25405 West Monaville Road, Ingleside. Enjoy a relaxing walk and discover the diversity of early summer wildflowers at Grant Woods. It’s 1.8 miles at a leisurely pace on crushed gravel. Lightweight long sleeves and pants, closed-toe shoes, and a hat are recommended. Registration is required. $5 or $7 for nonresidents. Register: lcfpd.org/calendar/.
Plant sales
Arbor Day Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, 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. $32 for regular access through noon April 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. April 24; includes general admission to the Arboretum. Tickets: 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.
Citizens for Conservation’s 30th annual Spring Native Plant, Shrub and Tree Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, at CFC’s Hill ‘N Dale Preserve, 11801 Ridge Road, Barrington Hills. Visit citizensforconservation.org or contact (847) 382-7283.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/.
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.
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.
Geneva Garden Club's biennial plant sale: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at 2360 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Proceeds benefit local and community beautification. Visit genevagardenclub.com or facebook.com/GenevaGardenClub/.
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.
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.
Prospect Heights Garden Club’s annual perennial sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, in the north parking section of Tony’s Fresh Market at 1241 E. Rand Road in Prospect Heights. Besides many perennials from members’ gardens, there will be houseplants, baked goods and crafts. Visit phparks.org/affiliates-2/.
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.
Arlington Heights Garden Club plant sale: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 6, on the Arlington Heights Historical Museum grounds, 110 W. Fremont St. in Arlington Heights. The club’s second largest fundraiser of the year. Due to the increased incidence of jumping worms found in our area, all of the plants are raised by club members in a greenhouse from seed, cuttings, or plugs – nothing dug from the ground. The sale will include natives, perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, houseplants, books, and yard decor. Visit ahgardenclub.com.
Workshops
Bargain Gardens: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., or on Zoom. Don't let a limited budget keep you out of the garden. Find out how gardens can be simple, fun, and inexpensive. You'll learn gardening tips and ideas that will save you time and money. Register: elmlib.org/events or call (630) 279-8696.
Gardening for Moths: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at Dunn Museum, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. 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 but registration required via lcfpd.org/calendar/.
Garden shows
American Daffodil Society National Convention: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 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.
Garden walks
Petals, Ponds & Pathways Garden Walk: 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, June 26, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27. Grow Wellness Foundation’s second annual self-guided event invites guests to tour six private gardens throughout Naperville, showcasing landscapes, water features, and creative outdoor living spaces. Rain or shine. Tickets, valid both days, are $15 in advance through June 23, or $20 day-of, on site. Tickets: visit growwellnessfoundation.org/events.
Park Ridge Garden Club Garden Walk: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28. 31st annual event featuring six gardens, five local artists plus raffle baskets at each garden. Proceeds go to horticultural education at local schools as well as the planting and maintenance of several public areas. $15 in advance or $20 day of; kids under age 10 free. Rain or shine. Ticket sales start June 1 at select merchants and online via parkridgegardenclub.org.
Roselle Park District Garden Club Garden Walk: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Self-guided tour of six private gardens and one public garden throughout the community. Master Gardeners available at select locations to answer questions and share insights. Note: strollers are not permitted in the gardens. Rain or shine. Advance tickets are $20 or $25 that day until 1 p.m. (cash only). Proceeds support the Roselle Garden Club Youth Scholarship Fund, Roselle IMPACT Garden, and other local community projects. For questions, contact Valerie at dellapennav@comcast.net. facebook.com/RPDgardenclub/.