Hornbaker Highlights
Back to School, Back to the Garden
The Back to School Garden Reset
There is something about the start of the school year that resets everyone’s schedule, gardeners included. Buses start running again, lunches get packed, and somewhere in the middle of all
that shuffling, a lot of us realize we have not touched a trowel since the Fourth of July. Late August and early September turn out to be one of the best stretches of the whole year to get back into the garden after a busy summer, and there is a real window here worth taking advantage of before it closes.
What to Plant in August and Why
Soil temperature is the key factor most people overlook. By August, the ground has been warming all summer and holds onto that heat well into fall, even after air temperatures start to cool. Warm soil keeps roots actively growing, and root development, not top growth, is what determines how well a newly planted tree or shrub survives its first winter. A tree planted now has roughly two and a half months of strong root-building weather before the ground starts to cool in earnest, which gives it a real head start over something planted next spring.
Daylilies Are Having a Moment
Part of what makes daylilies such a forgiving plant for new gardeners is how little they ask for. They tolerate a wide range of soil types, shrug off heat that would stress out more delicate perennials, and come back reliably year after year without much fuss. If you have a spot in full sun that has been hard to fill with anything else, there is a good chance a daylily would be perfectly happy there.
How to Choose the Right Hosta for Your Shade Garden
If you have a shady spot in your yard that has stumped you for years, hostas are probably the answer you have been overlooking for your garden. They are one of the most reliable, low maintenance perennials for shade, and once you understand the basic categories, picking the right one for your space gets a lot easier.
Surviving the July Heat: What Actually Needs Watering Right Now
By the time July rolls around, the questions we get start to shift. It is not “what should I plant” anymore, it is “is my garden going to make it.” Fair question. Heat and humidity in Illinois can be brutal on anything that went into the ground this spring, and even established plants can start showing stress when the temperatures sit in the 90s for days in a row.Here is the part that surprises people: not everything in your yard needs the same amount of attention right now.
Rooted in Place: Native Perennials, Trees & Shrubs for Illinois Gardens
We’re passionate about offering plants that support local ecosystems, thrive in our region, and provide long‑lasting beauty. Last year we introduced a new collection of native perennials as well as more natives in our tree & shrub department. For 2026, we’re excited to expand on those collections even further, adding many more native species to the lineup. Below is a brief look at a sampling of standout plants you’ll find in our Native to Illinois collection at hornbakergardens.com.
The Poppies That Always Came Back
Mom loved poppies.
She didn’t love them in an “oh, those are pretty” casual way. She loved them in the way you love something that feels like part of who you are. Wherever there was a garden, there were poppies. Especially in the front yard. They showed up along edges, in beds, tucked between perennials, and sometimes in places no one remembered planting them at all. That was the magic of them. They cheerfully reseeded themselves every year, as if they had been invited. These were the heirloom poppies like Papaver somniferum. The old varieties that carry stories in their genetics. Lavender, white, pale or hot pink, and endless variations in between. Mom helped them along, of course. Some years intentionally, some years without even realizing it. In the fall she gathered the dried pods. I remember watching her shake them, listening to their hollow rattle. She knew what it meant. Some seeds were carefully saved, others passed along, and many simply slipped away as she moved through the garden. They fell where they wanted, and she let them.
2026: Our Most Exciting Tree & Shrub Year Yet
We’ll be honest — we say this every year. But 2026 really is different. This is the largest and most diverse tree and shrub selection we’ve ever offered, and putting it together has been genuinely exciting for our whole team. Whether you’re planting a single specimen tree or building a serious collection, there has never been a better time to see what we have growing.
One of the biggest stories this year is our expanded native selection. We’re offering more native trees and shrubs than ever before — plants that support pollinators and wildlife while being perfectly at home in our Midwestern climate. We’ve devoted a separate article entirely to natives, so if that’s your passion, make sure you read that one too.
2026 New Hostas & Perennials
Every year, as we pore over plant catalogs and study offerings from our trusted growers, we find ourselves imagining what will feel fresh and exciting in your gardens for the year ahead. We want our selections to provide plants that not only have a strong garden performance, but that also have that collector-worthy detail or extra little spark that makes you say, “I have to find a place for this.”
In the Shade Garden
There’s something especially satisfying about a shade garden that feels layered and textural—where blues sit next to golds, smooth leaves contrast with corrugated ones, and every turn offers a subtle surprise. This year’s new hostas help create exactly that feeling.
A Season of Hostas: Our 10 Bestsellers for 2025
Each year, a few hostas rise to the top as clear favorites among gardeners, and 2025 was no exception. Our best selling hostas of 2025 reflect what growers value most: dependable performance, standout foliage, and varieties that thrive in real gardens. From bold blues and vibrant golds to classic greens with striking texture, these hostas earned their popularity through season-long beauty.
Whether you’re designing a new shade garden or adding to an established planting, these top-selling selections have proven themselves time and again. Chosen by both seasoned hosta enthusiasts and first-time gardeners, they offer a balance of visual impact and easy care—making them trusted staples for shade landscapes everywhere.