Events

Houseplant Help Desk

Have a plant that’s struggling—or just want to up your plant-parent game? Join us every Saturday from April 18 through June 13 at 9:00am for our Houseplant Help Desk, hosted by Carol. Bring your questions, concerns, or photos of your plants and get expert, personalized advice on care, troubleshooting, and plant health. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned plant lover, this is a great chance to learn and grow with your houseplants

Discover What’s New for 2026 at Hornbaker Gardens!

Join us for an informational workshop highlighting some of the most exciting new plants arriving for the 2026 season. Molly will walk you through a selection of new perennial introductions, sharing insights on performance, design uses, and what makes each one stand out. Dave will then cover new and noteworthy trees, discussing their key characteristics, growth habits, and ideal landscape applications. This workshop is perfect for gardeners, landscapers, and plant enthusiasts who want an early look at what’s coming next and expert guidance straight from the source.

Flo’s on Pulaski

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Camp Aramoni Boutique Bagel Truck

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Repot & Refresh: A Houseplant Styling Bar

Refresh your indoor plants at our Houseplant Restyling Bar! Browse a curated selection of houseplants, containers, and soil available for purchase and create a freshly styled plant ready for your home. You can also bring your own plant and/or container and we will provide fresh soil based on your plant’s needs. Our team will be on hand to offer tips on pairing plants with pots, proper repotting techniques, and styling ideas to help your houseplants thrive and look their best. Whether you’re upgrading a favorite plant or starting something new, this relaxed, drop-in experience is a fun way to give your indoor space a fresh update.

Flo’s on Pulaski

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Thumbprint Treasures: Mother’s Day Terracotta Pots

Little hands make big memories in this special Mother’s Day kids workshop! Children will decorate terracotta pots using their own thumbprints to create colorful lady bugs and butterflies—each one a unique, handmade gift for Mom or a loved one. Finished pots will be filled with an annual and ready to take home and treasure. 

The Blind Bite

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Sound Healing in the Gardens

Join Abby Zukowski from Unwind@Westclox for a deeply nourishing Sound Healing experience held outdoors, nestled within the serene beauty of Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton, Illinois. Surrounded by open land, blooming gardens, and the quiet wisdom of nature, this gathering invites you to slow down, soften, and return to your natural rhythm.

We will begin with gentle breathwork to ground the body and settle the nervous system, allowing you to arrive fully in the present moment. From there, you’ll be guided through a guided meditation designed to open awareness, release tension, and create space for clarity and restoration.

The heart of the experience is a sound journey, where healing frequencies from voice and instruments move through the body like ripples through water. Sound becomes a bridge connecting breath, body, and landscape supporting emotional release, energetic clearing, and deep rest.

Held on the property of Hornbaker Gardens, this session honors the connection between sound and earth, reminding us that healing is amplified when we allow ourselves to be held by nature.

Come as you are. Leave feeling grounded, expanded, and gently retuned.

Donations are greatly appreciated.

Spring Container Porch Pots

Welcome Spring with a hands-on container gardening workshop at Hornbaker Gardens! In this session, participants will learn how to design and plant a beautiful container using fresh spring annuals. We’ll cover plant selection, color and texture combinations, proper planting techniques, and care tips to keep your container thriving all season long. You’ll leave with a custom-planted container ready to brighten your porch, patio, or entryway—perfect for celebrating the start of the growing season.

Five Points Apiculture – Inside the Hive; an introduction to beekeeping

Join us for an engaging workshop with Five Points Apiculture exploring the fascinating world of bees and honey. This workshop blends science and storytelling to explain honeybee behavior, pollination, and how honey is made from flower to hive. Participants will gain insight into the care of honeybees, the relationship between bees and plants, and what makes honey such a remarkable natural product. Ideal for gardeners, nature lovers, and the honey-curious alike, this session offers a deeper appreciation for the tiny pollinators behind every drop of honey.

Top That

Food Truck Alert — May 16th!
We’re excited to welcome Top That to Hornbaker Gardens. This family-owned food truck brings big, comforting flavors on wheels with gourmet mac & cheese, loaded baked potatoes, and other crave-worthy favorites — all made fresh to order and customizable with tons of delicious toppings. It’s the perfect grab-and-go meal to fuel your plant shopping and garden strolls.

Cow’s Coffee on Wheels

Cows Coffee on Wheels is rolling in! Swing by for expertly crafted coffee, cozy vibes, and a little caffeine happiness on wheels. Grab a cup, wander the gardens, shop, and make a day of it.

Year Round Porch pots with Carol

Learn how to create porch pots that look great in every season—and don’t stop thriving when the weather changes. In this session with Carol, you’ll design versatile porch containers using houseplants and select annuals that can transition indoors to overwinter when temperatures drop. Carol will walk you through plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and tips for successfully moving plants from porch to home. Perfect for anyone who wants beautiful containers now and lasting plants all year long.

Open House and Hosta Walk

This annual 3-day event offers many items with special pricing including a long list of hostas. There will be refreshments, door prizes, and we will have the gardens looking exceptionally beautiful!

Friday: The Bite Grilled Cheese Truck will be here from 11-2.

Saturday: Lunch will be available from 11-2 at The Bite Grilled Cheese Truck. 

Open House Hours will be Friday and Saturday 8am-5pm, and Sunday 12pm-5pm.  Join one of our three daily strolls to check out our favorite hostas in our Shade Gardens and Hosta Ravine. Those with mobility limitations can view the ravine from above. Hosta Walks begin at 9am on Friday and Saturday, and 1pm on Sunday. Meet in the Garden Center.

The Bite

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