GARDEN CENTER • ARBORETUM • BOTANIC GARDENS
We are open for the season! Monday-Saturday from 8-5 and Sundays from 12-5.
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
Hornbaker Gardens’ Favorite Compact Hydrangeas
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
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.
Hosta ‘Halcyon’: 2026 Hosta of the Year
Hosta ‘Halcyon’ has earned its place in the spotlight as the 2026 Hosta of the Year, and it’s easy to see why. This classic blue hosta is prized for its thick, heart-shaped leaves in a rich steel-blue tone that holds its color well throughout the growing season. With a tidy, medium-sized habit and excellent slug resistance, ‘Halcyon’ is both beautiful and reliable in the shade garden.
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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.
Gift Certificates Available
The perfect gift for any gardener
