GARDEN CENTER • ARBORETUM • BOTANIC GARDENS
Holiday Hours : July 3 open 8-5, July 4th CLOSED, July 5th noon-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
Elevating the Garden – 2026 Perennial of the year Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’
The Perennial Plant Association has named Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ — commonly known as Blackhawks big bluestem — the 2026 Perennial Plant of the Year! This award highlights plants that excel in beauty, resilience, and ecological value, and Blackhawks delivers on all three.
Native to North America’s tallgrass prairies, this striking grass offers dramatic seasonal color. Its foliage emerges green in spring, develops reddish-purple tips in summer, and matures to a deep, almost-black hue by fall. Signature “turkey-foot” seed heads rise above the foliage in late summer, adding vertical texture and interest. Despite its bold appearance, Blackhawks remains relatively compact, reaching about 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, making it ideal for both structured borders and prairie-style plantings.
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.
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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
