New arrivals and our upcoming Open House

Welcome!

Our greenhouses are brimming with unusual, sought-after houseplants and tropicals. We have an amazing array of annuals, patio pots, and hanging baskets! Some customers requested smaller houseplants, so we have added a nice selection of smaller houseplants this year, including some from the adorable Proven Winners "Leafjoy Littles" line. In 3.5" diameter pots, these "littles" selections from Proven Winners retail for $10.99 and give houseplant enthusiasts a chance to add variety to their collection and an affordable price point. We hope you can visit soon!

Trees and Shrubs

Trees & Shrubs Re-stocked with Fresh Selections

Five new semi loads of trees and shrubs have arrived and our selection has been replenished and expanded! Make sure to check our live inventory online to see what's new and exciting. Come out to talk to a tree specialist. If you can't make it to the gardens, purchases can be made via phone or email. Call us at 815-659-3282 and choose option 3, or send us an email for assistance with any order. Click on the Tri-Color Beech images below to learn more. Their intense pink spring leaves turn bronzed green with creamy margins. We currently have these in stock in three sizes!

Back to Our Roots: New Native Fruit and Nut Trees

Hornbaker Gardens began as a berry farm in the 1980s, and Dave and Molly have continued the family legacy by expanding their offerings in 2025 to include native fruit and nut trees. In this new blog post, Dave Hornbaker introduces chestnuts, hazelnuts, and pawpaw as valuable additions to Illinois’ natural habitats- supporting local wildlife while also providing exciting opportunities for home food production.

Read Dave's Article

Don't Miss Out on Annual Grasses

Later in the season, these grasses put on a spectacular show—eye-catching and full of life. Every year, visitors ask us in late summer and fall where they can find these stunning plants from our containers and display gardens. The answer is: Right here at Hornbaker Gardens - in Greenhouse B - but only if you catch them early! Be sure to look for Ruby Grass, which we often plant around the fountain across from the retail checkout in front of our shop. You can see Melinis 'Pink Crystals' Ruby Grass sparkling pink/silver all late summer and fall. We also have a nice selection of the "Tut" family of Cyperus grasses, as well as Juncus 'Spiralis' (Corkscrew Rush.) Tucked near those grasses you might catch a glimpse of Rudbeckia MiniBeckia™ Flame . An annual in our area, it produces continuous blooms of intensely colored, double blossoms for over 8 weeks. Its compact habit reaches 18-22".

Upcoming Workshops and Events

Art Installation in the Heart of the Hosta Ravine

Porthole Portal is an outdoor installation artwork created by Tara Jaggers for the Flowing Connections group exhibition, presented during the 2024 Boneyard Arts Festival in Urbana, Illinois. Commissioned by the City of Urbana, the project invited eight artists each to transform a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood into a site-specific artwork for temporary installation along the Boneyard Creek walkway.

Porthole Portal introduces an imagined landscape into the physical one, inviting the viewer to reconsider the boundaries between reality and imagination, and to reflect on how we experience and relate to the spaces around us. Hornbaker Gardens is thrilled to host this temporary art installation. See Porthole Portal in the heart of our Hosta Ravine, beginning June 13th (our Open House and Hosta Walk Weekend.) Porthole Portal will be on site to enjoy through our 12th Annual Artisan Market on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Sound Healing in Nature by Unwind at Westclox

Coming to Hornbaker Gardens this June

Visit Hornbaker Gardens on Saturday, June 14th to experience a unique and deeply nourishing way to connect with nature, relax, and realign. Crystal bowls, chimes, and gentle vibrational tones guide you into rest, clarity, and harmony.

Enjoy a Mini Sound Healing Session anytime from 10am-1pm on that day. Follow our Facebook page or watch our Events page for more information (coming soon.) For questions about sound healing or the mini sessions, please reach out to Unwind at Wesclox via their website.

All workshops requiring registration are located on our website. View more information or purchase tickets for workshops by visiting our Events page or clicking on the workshops below.

Follow our Facebook Event and our Events page for more information as we get closer to Bob's visit.