Get ready to shake off winter and welcome spring! Picture a lively gathering of gardeners eager for the season ahead, hallways filled with local vendors and exhibitors showcasing their products and services, and engaging presenters sharing their expertise on everything from new plant varieties to rain gardens and tree care. It’s a day no garden lover will want to miss.
This year’s event will be held at a new location—the Parke Regency Conference Center in Bloomington—offering the perfect setting to celebrate the arrival of spring in Central Illinois.
The morning kicks off with an entertaining presentation from the hosts of Illinois Extension’s hottest podcast, Good Growing, with Ken Johnson and Chris Enroth. Every gardener has a few plant regrets, and Ken and Chris are no exception. In this lively session, they’ll share the plants they’ll never grow again—along with the tried-and-true favorites they return to year after year. Stick around for a live Q&A where you can get answers to your own gardening questions.
Throughout the morning, you can attend a variety of breakout sessions covering topics from trees and vegetables to shrubs, lawns, ornamentals, and even composting. As you explore the event, enjoy browsing booths from local gardening vendors and community organizations. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a new plant or garden tool or discover valuable local resources to support your gardening journey.
Feeling creative? Join me, your local horticulture educator, for a hands‑on workshop ($15 fee) on pressing and drying flowers and foliage from your garden to create uniquely beautiful art. You’ll learn how to select and prepare blooms, build your own sustainable plant press, and craft your own pressed-flower artwork to take home—along with the skills to keep creating all year long.
Our keynote speaker, Bob Streitmatter, Garden Manager at Luthy Botanical Garden in Peoria, will share insights on “Nature‑Inspired Gardens.” Throughout history, nature has influenced art, architecture, and garden design—and that connection is stronger than ever today. Bob will guide you through this evolving relationship, from Japanese and English gardens to Jens Jensen’s work and modern landscapes like the Lurie Garden and the High Line. He’ll wrap up with practical concepts you can apply to your own garden.
Enjoy the day for $40, which includes four gardening presentations, refreshments, and access to over 20 local vendors and exhibitors. Visit go.illinois.edu/HLGD for more information and to register for the event. Sign up today to save your spot!
Invite your fellow garden enthusiasts for a day of inspiration, learning, and swapping stories — both victories and oversights! While winter may still linger for a little longer, this is the perfect time to dream of lush lawns, vibrant blooms, and the joy of time spent in the garden.