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.
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.
The Jane Morris Pollinator Paradise at Hornbaker Gardens
In 2023, we embarked on a mission to reimagine our entrance garden—and the results have been nothing short of transformative. Thanks to the thoughtful design work of Garden Designer Jane Morris, this once-simple space has evolved into a stunning pollinator’s paradise, brimming with color, texture, and life from early spring through winter. To honor Jane’s contributions to Hornbaker Gardens over the years, we have decided to name this work of art after her, The Jane Morris Pollinator Paradise.
Back to Our Roots: New Native Fruit and Nut Trees
Before we were a garden center, a botanic garden, or an event space, we were Horn's Berry Farm—an organic berry farm started by our parents, rooted in strawberries, raspberries, and a deep love for growing good food. Molly and I grew up surrounded by an orchard of...
Hornbaker Gardens Named a Proven Winners Certified Garden Center
Behind the scenes in early 2025, twenty (new and returning) Hornbaker Gardens staff members gathered in The Barn at Hornbaker Gardens for our annual Proven Winners Garden Center training. Hornbaker Gardens has once again been named a 2025 Proven Winners Certified...
‘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...