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.
View Chicago Garden Centers in a larger map
Urhausen Greenhouses
6073 N. East Prairie Road
Lincolnwood, IL
Filed under: Chicago Garden Centers, Chicago Gardener Resources
Tags: @featured, Chicago Garden Centers
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.
Oops! Didn't see that you'd listed Gethsemane.
Carolyn,
No worries. I appreciate you coming over and signing up for an account and commenting. You rock!
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.
Anton's, 1126 Pitner, Evanston. Very knowledgeable, friendly staff.
Thanks Xan.
Thanks Joe. That greenhouse looks awesome. I'll have to make it there soon.
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!