HOURS: Closed for 2025. 

GARDEN CENTER   •   ARBORETUM   •   BOTANIC GARDENS

Reminder…Hornbaker Gardens Gift Certificates make great holiday surprises!

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.

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. 

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. 

Hornbaker Highlights

‘Skywriter’ Honored as 2025 Hosta of the Year

The American Hosta Growers Association has honored 'Skywriter' as the 2025 Hosta of the Year. This medium-sized hosta, bred by Chicago-area hybridizer Dr. Dan Wols, forms a semi-upright mound approximately 15 inches tall and 30 inches wide. Its deeply corrugated,...

Over 20 New Hostas Arrive for the 2025 Season

We have over 20 new varieties of hostas this season, some in very limited supply. The full collection of New Hostas can be found on our website, but we’ll entice you here with several not-to-miss varieties, starting with a mini and working our way up in size. H....

Hornbaker Gardens Welcomes Over 120 New Perennials in 2025

With the start of a new spring season, we have dozens of new perennials to offer. While this article highlights many of our new selections, you are welcome to browse the full collection of New Plants for 2025 on our website. We’ll start with perennials for the sunny...

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. 

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. 

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!

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!

Hosta 'Mini Skirt'

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.

Gift Certificates Available

The perfect gift for any gardener