GARDEN CENTER • ARBORETUM • BOTANIC GARDENS

Our Call for Artists is happening now…fine artists are invited to apply through March 2nd.

Opening day next year is Friday, April 10th, 2026!

Welcome!

Hornbaker Gardens, Inc. is a family owned and operated nursery located five miles southeast of Princeton, Illinois. Our large collections of hostas, daylilies, trees and shrubs, grasses, aquatics, annuals, and other perennials draw plant enthusiasts from not only the Midwest, but from all across the country.

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WE DELIVER AND PLANT

Children's Garden

The children’s garden area was created in memory of our beloved Kathy Hornbaker. It consists of a large, sloped, grassy play area where kids can be kids.

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Garden Tours

Every year we host many garden clubs and tour groups. We are happy to greet your group upon arrival and provide a history and overview of Hornbaker Gardens.

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Hornbaker Highlights

Elevating the Garden – 2026 Perennial of the year Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’

Feb 9, 2026 | Perennials

The Perennial Plant...

Hornbaker Gardens’ Favorite Compact Hydrangeas

Feb 3, 2026 | Trees & Shrubs

If you’re gardening in the Midwest—especially here in Zone 5—you know the weather can feel like a dramatic television series: surprise plot twists, emotional highs and lows, and the occasional stormy season finale. That’s why choosing hydrangeas that stay compact, bloom reliably, and hold up to Central Illinois nonsense is essential.

10 Stunning Perennials for Shade

Jan 27, 2026 | Perennials

Brighten Low-Light Areas with these 10 stunning Perrenials

Not every garden basks in full sun. Some spaces live in soft morning light, beneath tall trees or beside north-facing walls where shadows linger long after the day has brightened. These corners may seem quiet, even challenging, but they hold a magic all their own. Shade gardens invite a different kind of beauty—calm, textured, and endlessly intriguing. This is where some of our favorite perennials shine.

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Hornbaker Gardens is such an oasis for the serious gardener. The family who owns it, puts their heart and soul into everything they touch and it shows. Whether you just want to add a perennial or a piece of lawn art, they have everything to assist you in creating your own oasis.

Neil, 2024

Hornbakers is an amazing place to buy perennials, annuals, shrubs and art for your garden. The staff is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The grounds with various varieties of plants in their natural settings are absolutely beautiful. We’ve been there several times over the past few years and are never disappointed with their stock or help in picking out plants.

Craig, 2024

We just received our shipment of Hostas! Thank you for an amazing selection of quality and size!! They arrived healthy and beautiful, and we are so excited about adding them to our garden! We have purchased hostas in the mail from other sources and been so disappointed. Your plants, however, were amazing! We will order again soon!

Meg - Traveler's Rest, SC

Got my two Krossa Regal hostas today! Wanted to complement you on the quick delivery and the excellent condition of the plants! They were much larger than I had expected…such a good value. I will be most happy to keep ordering from you! Best wishes!

Sue - Bartlett, IL

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Annual Artisan Market

Join us in our beautiful country setting for a day filled with 30+ fine artists, craft beer, delicious home baked items, live music, wine tasting, fresh-picked local produce, local lunch fare, ice cream and more. Saturday, September 19, 2026! Mark your calendars now and plan to spend a beautiful, fall day in the country. Free Admission.

Call For Artists

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