Native plants provide many benefits, such supporting wildlife, maintaining biodiversity and requiring less resources, such as water and maintenance, because they are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. However, when you think of native plants you may envision wide open prairies or dense forested areas, not a maintained, well kept home landscape. Whether you’re looking to support native wildlife, solve a problem spot in your yard or simply reduce the amount of turf, there’s a native for that! Keystone Natives Keystone plants are native plants that are critical to the food web ..read more

By Brandon Hough, Executive Director, Homegrown National Park In such a busy world with numerous problems, the concept of conservation and our role in supporting it can sometimes feel distant and overwhelming. We may admire the efforts of national parks and wildlife reserves, yet the idea of actively contributing to conservation efforts ourselves often seems beyond our reach. However, what if I told you that every individual possesses the power to make a significant impact right in their yard? Welcome to the Homegrown National Park concept – a grassroots movement that emphasizes the importan ..read more

The state of Illinois is set to experience a natural phenomenon that hasn’t happened since 1803. It’s the simultaneous emergence of two distinct broods of cicadas. It’s been all over the news but, will it live up to the hype? And, what do you really need to know about these periodical cicadas?  Should you be worried? The answer is maybe but also maybe not. It all depends on where you live. Here’s what you need to know about these periodical cicadas and what to expect when they emerge. What Makes 2024 a Significant Year for Periodical Cicadas?   This year, two large broods of pe ..read more

We are all eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring, and this February warm up is giving us a taste of what is yet to come. However, unexpected challenges can arise when flowering trees and shrubs bud out too early due to a mild late winter. Here are some proactive measures you can take if Mother Nature decides winter isn’t over yet to ensure a vibrant display of blooms in spring. APRIL FOOL’S Early spring flowering trees and shrubs, such as forsythias and magnolias rely on a delicate balance of temperature and light cues to determine when to bloom. A mild late winter can deceive these p ..read more

Each year, our department managers strive to bring new varieties that offer beauty and function to your garden. Here are a several new varieties for 2024 that we are particular excited to offer. From annuals to ornamental trees and everything in between, we’re looking forward to get you growing this season. EDIBLE LANDSCAPING   Lavender Scentsational!® // Lavandula x intermedia ‘Tesseract’ This perennial lavender can be used for ornamental, culinary, tea and medicinal purposes. Thick, silver foliage emerges in spring, creating a tidy mound. From the same breeder of Lavender Phenomenal ..read more

Bareroot trees are exactly as the name suggests: a tree sold without soil around their roots. These trees are sold during the dormant season, typically in early spring. Read on to learn why purchasing bareroot trees offer several advantages to gardeners over a standard container-grown tree as well as how to plant them in your yard. Pre-Order Your Bareroot Trees Pre-order your bareroot trees through our online store and pick up in April when the soil is ripe for planting. Quantities are limited on select varieties so get your order in early while availability is good. Full payment is due at ..read more

Whether you’ve been gifted one of our holiday houseplants or you want to gift one to yourself, this is your comprehensive guide to all of the festive flowers and foliage we carry during the holiday season so you can nurture these seasonal beauties year-round. Schlumgera truncata // Thanksgiving Cactus  Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) are often confused with each other because they look very similar and are seen in bloom around the same time. We most often carry the Thanksgiving cactus, but regardless of which one you have, the care will be the same. Th ..read more

Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or just discovering your crafty side, we have a sneak peek of all that is in store to create your own welcoming wreaths and porch pots, showstopping centerpieces, and one-of-a-kind nature inspired holiday décor. From fragrant pine, cedar and spruce to decorative berries, pine cones, branches and embellishments, you are sure to find some festive inspiration in store. TYPES OF GREENS Designing containers using fresh cut greens follows the same proven recipe of the thriller, spiller and filler. We offer a wide selection of fresh-cut greens in bundles a ..read more

Garlic is a relatively low-maintenance crop to grow in home gardens, making it a great choice for any level of gardening expertise. You can successfully grow your own garlic, whether you have a large in ground garden or patio containers, with our growing tips and guidelines.. Benefits of Growing Garlic Homegrown garlic often has a more robust and fresher flavor compared to store-bought varieties, and being relatively low-maintenance, garlic is an ideal crop for novice and expert gardeners alike. A single garlic bulb yields multiple cloves that can be planted along boarders or in corners o ..read more

We asked our employees what their favorite fall plant is as well as their tips for planting and care, because yes, you can still plant in fall! Get the inside scoop from our staff on their autumn must-haves and how to keep them looking great. Annuals Obviously, we love our extensive variety of annual mums that we grow at our Aurora location, so we asked our annuals department what their other fall must-have is, besides mums. Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’, Indian Summer Rudbeckia Not to be confused with the perennial Rudbeckias we carry, this annual variety is not winter hardy in our ..read more