Morton Arboretum plans Arbor Day Plant sale

Sales

•Arbor Day Plant Sale, May 1-2, Morton Arboretum. More than 400 varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 1, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 2. Arboretum members have access to the sale on April 30.

Tours, walks

•Revealing Ridgeland: Hidden Gems in East Oak Park," 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17. House tour highlights mid-19th century residential architecture in the "new" Ridgeland Historic District. On the tour will be the home of nationally renowned cartoonist and graphic artist Chris Ware, whose collection of antique cartoon, toy, music, movie memorabilia will be of interest to collectors. Tickets are $25-$30 in advance; call (708) 848-6755 or e-mail oprfhistorymatters@sbcglobal.net. Day of tickets are $35 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park.

•The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners is looking for unique, mature gardens for their 2011 garden walk. The group has been showcasing gardens for nearly 20 years. Garden walk participants will share their creative vision and tireless passion and enjoy the appreciation of the gardening public. To have your garden considered for the walk, call Chairwoman Melissa Hyams at (639) 879-9638 by May 15.

•Healing Gardens public tour, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 11. Two acres of woodland and perennial gardens created by cancer survivor Deborah Marqui, owner of Stone Hill Farm off Dean Street in St. Charles. Includes an outdoor yoga class from 1 to 2 p.m. taught by Nancy May; register at yogarfromtheheart.org, or call (630) 587-0966. No cost; donations accepted.

•"Accenting with Perennial Foliage," noon-1 p.m. April 11. Mike Mennenoh, perennial grower from Mariani Nurseries will present a collection of perennials known for showy foliage in the shade garden. Pesche's, 170 S. River Road, Des Plaines. (847)-299-1300.

•"Native Perennials for Home Garden," 10-11 a.m. April 24. Marlene Frisbie of Hoffie Nursery will speak on using native plants in existing perennial borders. Pesche's, 170 S. River Road, Des Plaines. (847)-299-1300.

Seminars, workshops

•Watering Can Workshop, 9 a.m. April 17, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Plant up an antique-looking watering can with spring flowers; materials provided; bring your gloves and pruners. $35, due when you register. (847) 359-1080.

•Spring Fest, April 17-18, Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. Begins at 9 a.m. and includes greenhouse tours, grilling demonstrations, free popcorn and punch. Classes on both days for kids and adults; see thegrowingplace.com for details. (630) 355-4000.

•Rain gardens, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 24: Learn how to create a garden that saves water, prevents erosion and minimizes pollution. Hosted by Citizens for Conservation at Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. To register, call (847) 382-SAVE. Donations accepted.

•Growing a Spring Vegetable Garden, 9 a.m. April 24, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Free. (847) 359-1080.

•Planting Party Workshop, 5-7 p.m. April 29, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Bring empty planters and work with designers to create your own container garden. $10 per container, plus cost of plants you use; maximum of two containers. Bring gloves and pruners. Register by calling (847) 359-1080.

Expos, shows, festivals

•The Backyard Expos, scheduled for April 17-18 at Lake County Fairgrounds and April 24-25 at Harper College in Palatine have been canceled.

•Annual Open House, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 24, Spring Bluff Nursery, 41W130 Norris Road, Sugar Grove. Includes workshops on emerald ash borer and Japanese beetles, new perennial, shrub and tree cultivars, bunny-proofing plants, kids events, how to make a spring arrangement out of a gourd and free garden hand tool sharpening all day. Free; bring canned good for Sugar Grove Pantry and receive a voucher for a free tomato plant in May. (630) 466-4278.

Chicago Botanic Garden

•Antiques & Garden Fair, April 16-18. Features antique garden furnishings, botanical art and home and garden design from 100 dealers from Europe and U.S. Advance tickets available starting March 1 from www.chicagobotanic.org/antiques. $10-$12 in advance, $15 at door. Children under 16 free with paid adult. No strollers. Parking $20. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

Garden clubs

•Garden Club of Mount Prospect: May 12, 11:30 a.m.: Annual spring luncheon at St. Emily Church, 1400 E. Central Raod, Mount Prospect. Cost $18. Call (224) 234-0327 for reservations by May 3.

•Naperville Garden Club: April 28: "Flower Show 101: You Can Do This," by club members Judith, Diane, JoAnn and Mary. Programs follow business meeting and continental breakfast, which starts at 8:45 a.m. at White Eagle Golf Club. Cost for breakfast is $12 for members, $13 for guests. Reservations due 10 days before program; call Joyce at (630) 357-4022. Membership $35 annually. Call Gale at (630) 898-9560. napervillegardenclub.org.

•Tri Village Garden Club: April 21: "Edible Ornamentals," by Kelly Bryant. April 24: Club will have a table at James Pate State Park Nature Center to celebrate Earth Day. May 1: Plant sale at Banbury Fair in Bartlett; call Bruce at (630) 837-1727. June 16: "Trees - Their Needs and Pests," by Peggy Spector of the Morton Arboretum. July 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Benefit garden walk; call Carol Ann at (630) 289-8592. Meetings held third Wednesday of the month at Poplar Creek Public Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Annual dues $15. Call (630) 830-0118 or visit trivillagegardenclub.org.

•Tri Village Garden Club: April 21, 7 p.m.: "Edible Ornamentals," by Master Gardener Kelly Bryant, at Poplar Creek Public Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. May 1: Plant sale at Banbury Fair, 211 Railroad Ave., Bartlett; call Bruce at (630) 837-1727. July 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Benefit Garden Walk featuring six gardens starting at Banbury Fair; call Carol Ann at (630) 289-8592. Meetings held third Wednesday of the month; annual dues $15. Call (630) 830-0118 or visit trivillagegardenclub.org.

•Wheeling Garden Club: The Wheeling Garden Club is looking for gardeners to participate in the annual garden walk on June 27; call Jan at (847) 909-0335. The club is accepting applications for scholarships for local residents to attend classes dealing with horticulture, entomology, trees, landscaping or residential gardening; call Joyce Stemp at (847) 537-0567.

Flea markets, antique shows

•Wolff's Indoor Flea Market, 1775 N. Rand Road, Palatine (old Menard's store), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $1, 50 cents for seniors and children ages 6 to 12. Call (847) 524-9590 or visit wolffs.com.

•Grayslake Antique Market, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at Grayslake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Plus vintage clothing show and sale. Admission $6; free parking. zurkopromotions.com.

•Wheaton Antique Market & Civil War Show and Sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester, Wheaton. Antique market continues the third Saturday of the month through December 2010. Admission $5. Early buyer, $15, for admission starting at 6 a.m. zurkopromotions.com.

•Barrington Antique Show & Garden Sale, April 21-25. Features 25 antique dealers who specialize in garden items, vintage jewelry, antique furniture, china and porcelain. Hours for free admission are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, April 22; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 23-24; and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, April 25. Preview night to benefit Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois costs $35 for admission to sale from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21; call Kristin at (224) 770-2151 for tickets. For event information, call Tivoli Garden Antiques at (847) 756-4174.