Garden Centers in Chicago

By MrBrownThumb, April 21, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Garden Centers in Chicago.png

Garden center in Chicago

A good garden center can be like a second home to a gardener. Sometimes we go there when we need to buy something and oftentimes we go there just to get away from life- hoping we find some inspiration, an amazing plant, or someone who just "understands." Finding the right garden center in Chicago can depend on several factors. How close is it to where you live? Can you take a bus or ride the L there? How crowded does it get? And most importantly in today's economic climate- How expensive is it?

Below you'll find a selection of independent garden centers in Chicago. I've visited and shopped at a few of them in the past, but in all honesty you're more likely to find me shopping in a big box store because that is what my gardening budget allows. I'm listing independent garden centers because they are harder to find than the big box counterparts and even if your gardening budget only allows you to go there and look, they should be stops on your plant buying adventures. In no particular order they are:
Sprout Home
745 N Damen Ave
Tel 312.226.5950

City Escape
3022 W. Lake Street
Tel 773.638.2002

Grand Street Gardens
220 W. Grand Ave
Tel 312.829.8200

Gethsemane Garden Center
5739 N. Clark St
Tel 773.787.5915

Old Town Garden
1555 N. Wells St
Tel 312.266.6300

Soukal Floral & Greenhouses
6118 Archer Ave.
Tel 773.767.7055

If you know of other garden centers or nurseries in the city that you think should be listed feel free to leave me a note in the comments section and I'll see about adding them. Below the map you'll find some suggestions by readers and other gardeners. 

I've put together a map of the most commonly blogged about garden centers here at Chicago Garden. 


View Chicago Garden Centers in a larger map



In the suburbs in Chicago

Urhausen Greenhouses
6073 N. East Prairie Road
Lincolnwood, IL


Lurvey
2550 E.Dempster St.
Des Plaines, Illinois 
847.824.7411
Anton Greenhouses
1126 Pitner Avenue
Evanston, IL 
847.864.1134

Filed under: Chicago Garden Centers, Chicago Gardener Resources

Tags: @featured, Chicago Garden Centers

Comments

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  • carolyngail said May 26, 2009 at 12:00 am

    The one that I work at part-time and one of the largest in Chicago : Gethsemane Garden Center, 5739 N. Clark St., Chicago.

    Great post, MBT. Keep up the good work.

  • carolyngail said May 26, 2009 at 12:00 am
    In reply to carolyngail:

    Oops! Didn't see that you'd listed Gethsemane.

  • MrBrownThumb said May 26, 2009 at 12:00 am
    In reply to carolyngail:

    Carolyn,

    No worries. I appreciate you coming over and signing up for an account and commenting. You rock!

  • naxn said July 5, 2009 at 12:00 am
    In reply to carolyngail:

    Staying within the city limits? Because there is an amazing greenhouse in Lincolnwood, Urhausen Greenhouses, at 6973 N. East Prairie Road (2 blocks south and 4 blocks west of the Lowe's on Touhy west of McCormick). Urhausen grows everything it sells on site; staff is scarce and dour, but the prices are incredible and the plant quality and selection unmatched.

  • naxn said February 27, 2010 at 12:00 am
    In reply to carolyngail:

    Anton's, 1126 Pitner, Evanston. Very knowledgeable, friendly staff.

  • MrBrownThumb said March 2, 2010 at 12:00 am
    In reply to naxn:

    Thanks Xan.

  • MrBrownThumb said March 2, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Thanks Joe. That greenhouse looks awesome. I'll have to make it there soon.

  • Lizziesflowers said November 27, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Hi Mr. Brown Thumb,
    West End Florist and Garden Center
    3800 Old Glenview Rd
    Evanston, Il 60201
    Filling your life with flowers since 1908.
    Have a groovy day!

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