The Growing Place
2000 Montgomery Rd., Aurora (630-820-8088) and 25 W 471 Plank Rd., Naperville (630-355-4000.) Info: www.thegrowingplace.com. All events are at 10 a.m. at the Aurora location unless otherwise noted. Free unless otherwise noted.
May
May 4
Herbal Potting Party. Create a container with herb combinations for various uses. 1 to 3 p.m. Cost of materials. At both locations.
May 11
Bountiful Blooms Potting Party. Build a flowering container for sun or shade. 1 to 3 p.m. Cost of materials. At both locations.
May 12
Plant a Mini Garden for Mom. Perfect for kids! Make a miniature garden with accents and tiny plants. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $10. At both locations.
May 18
Tropical Potting Party. Create a dramatic container with lush foliage and bright tropical flowers. 1 to 3 p.m. Cost of materials.At both locations.
May 25
Succulent Potting Party. Create a low-maintenance elegant design. 1 to 3 p.m. Cost of materials. At both locations.
June
June 1 and 2
Magical Mini-Garden Festivals. Explore the magical world of miniature gardening with two days of fairy house hunts, refreshments, miniature crafts and gardening. Meet a “real live” fairy. Different activities each day. Saturday in Naperville and Sunday
in Aurora location.
June 8
Summer Learning Garden Stroll: Beginning Gardening. See gardens that match many of the conditions homeowners face in their own yards. 9:30 a.m. At both locations.
June 15
Bird Walk. Stroll the gardens and look for birds. Bring binoculars and a bird book if you have one. 9 a.m. At Aurora location.
June 15
Landscaping 101: Beneficial Landscaping Trio. 10 a.m. Beneficial Landscaping—Using basic design principles, learn how to incorporate natives into your garden.
10:45 a.m. Plants That Attract Birds and Butterflies. Find out which plants attract specific songbirds. Also: design tips for butterfly gardening
11:30 a.m. Plants That Are Water-Wise. Explore how to place natives for four-season interest. Attendees will receive a $10 coupon towards a plant purchase. Limit 40. Registration recommended. Call 630-355-4000. At Aurora location.
June 22
“Enjoy the View,” the annual Gardeners’ Art Festival. More than 40 garden artists, live music, talks and refreshments. The Nature Artists Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be painting and drawing in the gardens. Also: a presentation by garden designer Amanda Thomsen, author of Kiss My Aster: A Graphic Guide to Creating a Fantastic Yard Totally Tailored to You. At Naperville location.
June 29
Unusual Succulents for Easy-Care Gardening. 10 a.m. Aurora.
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Cantigny Park
1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. To register call 630-260-8162 or email
register@cantigny.org. www.cantigny.org.
May
May 5
Greenhouse Open House. Demonstrations, tours, exhibits, kids’ activities and plant sale. Staff available to answer gardening questions. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission and parking in the main lot off Winfield Road. Free tram service to the greenhouse.
May 10
National Public Gardens Day. Tours focus on Cantigny’s colorful spring
plantings will be offered at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. “Experts on Location” will answer gardening questions and provide advice. Visit www.nationalpublicgardensday.org to download
a voucher for free admission; good all
day until 3 p.m.
May 19
Botanical Printing with Watercolor
and Gouache. Students will work on high-quality watercolor paper with
watercolor paints and metallic powders. No art experience required; all supplies included. Instruction by artist JoAnne Laudolff. Meet at the Education Center. Noon to 2:30 p.m. $45. Parking free. Advance registration required.
May 23
Summer Container Workshop. Liz Omura from Cantigny Horticulture will instruct. Bring in a container of your choosing and Cantigny will supply the soil, a flat of plants, plus the know-how to keep your container pretty. Meet at Cantigny Greenhouse; enter at Shaffner Road. 6:30 p.m. $45. Parking free. Advance registration required.
June
June 1
Neighbor to Neighbor: Grow It Forward. A lecture on vegetable gardening by Liz Omura; then take home two tomato plants and two pepper plants. Guests who send in a photo of themselves giving their plants or vegetables to a needy neighbor will receive a free one-day pass to Cantigny Park. Education Center. 11 a.m. Free with paid parking ($5). Advance registration requested.
