It all started at our 2017 seminar about how to plant a rain garden with native plants to prevent stormwater damage to your home. After attendees asked us where they could buy native plants around Chicago (especially near the South Side where plant sources besides big-box stores are hard to find), we compiled a list of community plant sales, nurseries, and other places in or near Chicago where you can buy quality native plants and perennials for your garden, and it has become an annual tradition!
Since then, native plants have been growing in popularity as people learn their many benefits:
Native Illinois prairie plants can help prevent flooding because they have deeper root systems than turf and most non-native annuals, meaning better absorption of rain into the ground.
Deeper roots also means healthier soil and better stabilization.
Native plants can require less long-term maintenance once established because they are more tolerant to Illinois conditions.
Native landscapes cost less money to maintain than turf.
Native landscapes have winter interest and are attractive all year long.
Native plants can be just as beautiful as the exotic plants more commonly found at big-box stores.
Native plants attract birds and butterflies that add interest to a garden.
Native landscapes lend to a healthy natural ecosystem by offering critical benefits to endangered bees and butterflies that other non-native plants cannot.
This year, we added a new map feature so you can easily see which plant sales and nurseries are near your home! (Click the button in the top left of the map below to view the categories and names of each point. Click the button in the top right to open larger in a new window.)
(If the embedded map does not appear on your device, click here.)
Share this list with your friends and neighbors to spread the word about native plants and support local organizations and businesses!
If you know of any plant sales or nurseries that we missed, please let us know so we can add them.
2019 Chicagoland Plant Sales
Gibson Woods Wild Ones 19th Annual Native Plant Sale
When: Saturday, May 4
9am-2pm
Where: Gibson Woods Nature Center
6201 Parrish Ave
Hammond, IN 46323
More info: www.gw-wildones.org
DuPage Forest Preserve District Native Plant Sale
When: Friday, May 10
11am-7pm
Saturday, May 11
9am-2pm
Where: Mayslake Peabody Estate
717 31st St
Oak Brook, IL 60523
More info: www.dupageforest.org
Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center Native Plant Sale
When: Order online by Wednesday, May 1
Pick up Saturday, May 11
9am-12pm
Where: Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center
20000 Western Ave Olympia Fields, IL 60461
More info: www.ironsoaks.com
Go Green Wilmette Native Plant Sale
When: Saturday, May 11
9am-12pm
Where: West Park
3555 Lake Ave Wilmette, IL 60091
More info: www.gogreenwilmette.org
Garfield Park Conservatory Annual Seedling Sale
When: Saturday, May 11
12pm-4pm
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Ave
Chicago, IL 60624
More info: www.garfieldconservatory.org
Wicker Park Garden Club Plant Sale
When: Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 12
10am-4pm
Where: Wicker Park Field House
1425 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
More info: www.wickerpark.org
Lake Katherine Native Plant Sale
When: Saturday, May 11
10am-2pm
Where: Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
7402 W Lake Katherine Dr
Palos Heights, IL 60463
More info: www.lakekatherine.org
Hyde Park Garden Fair
When: Friday, May 17
Saturday, May 18
Time TBD
Where: Hyde Park Shopping Center
55th Street & South Lake Park
Chicago, IL 60615
More info: www.hydeparkgardenfair.org
Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale
When: Order online between Friday, April 5 & Sunday, April 28
First pop-up shop Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18
Second pop-up shop Friday, May 24 & Saturday, May 25
10am-3pm
Where: 31610 N Almond Rd
Libertyville, IL 60048
More info: www.openlands.org
Organic Plant Sale at Kilbourn (cash only)
When: Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19
10am-2pm
Wednesday, May 22 (Half Price Sale)
5-8pm
Where: Kilbourn Park
3501 N Kilbourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
More info: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com and www.chicagoparkdistrict.com (Half Price Sale)
West Cook Wild Ones Native Plant Sale
When: Pre-ordering started Friday, March 15 Pick-up Saturday, June 1
10am-2pm
Where: Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church
405 S Euclid Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
More info: www.westcook.wildones.org
Nurseries & Garden Centers
South
Alsip Home & Nursery
Where: 20601 S LaGrange Rd
Frankfort IL, 60423
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9am-8pm Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-6pm
Website: www.alsipnursery.com
Melka Landscaping & Garden Center
Where: 11606 179th St Mokena, IL 60448
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am-4pm
Website: www.jimmelkalandscaping.com
Possibility Place Nursery
Where: 7548 W Monee-Manhattan Rd Monee, IL 60449
Hours: By appointment only
Website: www.possibilityplace.com
Ted's Greenhouse, Inc.
Where: 16930 84th Ave
Tinley Park, IL 60487
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-3pm
Sunday: 10am-3pm
Website: www.tedsgreenhouse.com
Woldhuis Farms Sunrise Greenhouse, Inc.
Where: 10300 E 9000 N Rd
Grant Park, IL 60940
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am-4pm
Website: www.woldhuisfarms.com
West
Christy Webber Farm & Garden
Where: 2833 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
Hours: Everyday: 10am-6pm
Website: www.cwfng.com
City Escape Garden Center & Design Studio
Where: 3022 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60612
Hours: Everyday: 9am-6pm
Website: www.cityescape.net
Good Earth Greenhouse
Where: 7900 W Madison
River Forest, IL 60305
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am-5pm
Website: www.goodearthgreenhouse.com
McAdam Nursery & Garden Center
Where: 2001 Des Plaines Ave
Forest Park, IL 60130
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 8am-4pm
Website: www.mcadamlandscape.com
North
Chalet Landscaping & Garden
Where: 3132 Lake Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
Website: www.chaletnursery.com
Farmer’s Market Garden Center
Where: 4110 N Elston Ave Chicago, IL 60618
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10am-7pm
Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
Website: www.gardenchicago.com
Ferraro Garden Spot
Where: 826 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
Hours: Monday: 8:30am-5pm
Tuesday to Friday: 8:30am-5:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Sunday: 9:30am-4pm
Website: www.ferrarogardenspot.com
Gethsamane Garden Center
Where: 5739 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60660
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
Website: www.gethsemanegardens.com
Delivery Plant Sources
Agrecol LLC Based in Evansville, WI
Website: www.Agrecol.com
Heritage Flower Farm
Based in Mukwonago WI
Website: www.heritageflowerfarm.com
Homan Grown Nursery
Based in Chicago, IL
Website: www.homangrown.org
Nursery in North Lawndale coming soon
Native Wildflowers & Seeds from Ion Exchange, Inc.
Based in Harper’s Ferry, IA
Website: www.ionxchange.com
Natural Communities Native Plants
Based in Batavia, IL
Website: www.naturalcommunities.net
Prairie Moon Nursery
Based in Winona, MN
Website: www.prairiemoon.com
Prairie Nursery Based in Westfield, WI
Website: www.prairienursery.com