Get an idea of what HEGC members and guests have enjoyed during past events!
Perennials: New Varieties and Late Blooming Cultivars That Bring Color to the Fall Garden
Jennifer Brennan is a renowned horticulture and gardening expert in Chicagoland. Jennifer has degrees in Ornamental Horticulture and Botany from University of Illinois, Champaign. She serves as the Horticulture Info Specialist and Manager of the Education Center at Chalet Landscape, Nursery and Garden Center in Wilmette. She often appears as the Horticulture Correspondent for ABC, Ch7 Morning News anchor Tracy Butler. Jennifer is very active in the Perennial Plant Association and is a frequent speaker at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show and the Chicago Botanical Garden.
Members Only Field Trip to The Gardens at Ball
Wow, what a treat to be able visit Ball Horticultural’s West Chicago gardens at our leisure. There are 9-acres of display beds of annuals, perennials, vegetables, and cut flowers, including the newest plants from the industry’s leading breeders and marketers. The visit was amazing!
Members Only Garden Forum
6:00 – 8:00 PM at Nancy Schaefer’s home. Nancy showed us around her beautiful garden and told us all about her large variety of native plants.
Members Only Garden Walk
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM We are fortunate to have 4 of our members offer their gardens for all of us to enjoy. Thank You Debbie, Carol, Steve, and Susan! Please see the Members Only site for the details. Don’t forget to get your lunch order to Nancy R. by July 6th.
Member Field Trip to Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL
Cantigny is a 500 acre park with formal and informal gardens on the former estate of Colonel Robert McCormick (former owner and publisher of the Chicago Tribune). It was named after the World War I Battle of Cantigny in which Colonel McCormick fought. These world class Display Gardens contain 160,000 annuals, perennials, ground covers, flowering shrubs and trees.
Member Field Trip to Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL
Lilacia Park is an 8.5 acre horticultural showcase featuring 700 lilacs and 25,000 bulbs. In 2019, the park was recognized and placed on the official list of National Register of Historic Places. Members enjoyed tours of a Victorian Cottage & Carriage House as well as the grounds of Lilacia Park. After a group lunch, members attended the Lombard Garden Club Lilac and Perennial Sale, before returning home.
Solving Water Problems in the Landscape
Tired of battling wet areas in your lawn? Come and listen to Amanda Arnold discuss how to solve these problems with rain gardens, swales, drainage ways, and plantings. Amanda has a BS in Landscape Architecture from Ball State University and is an Adjunct Faculty member at College of DuPage. She is the owner of PlanIt Landscape Perspectives specializing in eco-focused designs and landscapes. Her past experiences of serving as Chair of several landscape design and education organizations have steered Amanda to concentrate her passion on native and natural spaces.
Growing Lilium Lilies in the Garden
Donna Mack, a member of the Lily Society, will share her expertise on the many lily varieties that she grows and explain how to successfully plant, grow, and care for them. Also learn how to protect your bulbs from animals.
Seed Starting Demonstration with speaker Debbie Kalasa
Debbie Kalasa is a Master Gardener Intern and club member. Debbie, who has successfully started seeds for over 30 yrs, will share tips and best practices on seed starting mixes, lighting, and demonstrate how to successfully take a seed from planting through the hardening-off process.
Attracting Birds to the Landscape
Jeff Miller has been selling and formulating wild bird seed for 49 years. He has been constantly testing different bird seeds and grains to attract colorful birds to the backyard. Questions about bird feed seeds will be welcome.