June 2 & 3, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Northern Illinois Hosta Society presents this show in Burnstein Hall in the Regenstein Center. The show includes a cut leaf display of various shapes, sizes, and colors of hosta grown in the Midwest. Unusual and difficult to find varieties of hosta are available for purchase.

June 16, noon – 4:30 p.m.
June 17, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Ikebana Sogetsu Exhibition will feature flower arranging demonstrations and 50 Ikebana on display. Sogetsu School of Illinois members will be on hand to answer questions.

July 14, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
July 15, noon – 4:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Northshore Iris and Daylily Society, this show features more than ten artistic arrangements and more than 50 daylily varieties in bloom. The sale features iris and daylily plants, available for purchase on both Saturday and Sunday. The show is on Sunday only.

July 21 & 22, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Bromeliad Society of Greater Chicago show and sale features plants such as pineapples and Spanish moss, which are generally easy to grow, require little care, and reward the grower with brilliant, long-lasting blooms and ornamental foliage. Society members will be on hand and information on growing bromeliads is provided. Various bromeliads will be for sale. 

August 11, noon – 4:30 p.m.
August 12, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Gardeners of the North Shore host this annual show, which includes a judged exhibition with more than 500 entries of anything a home gardener can grow, including flowers, vegetables, herbs, and houseplants.

August 25, noon – 4:30 p.m.
August 26, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Among the daintiest and most vivid petite flowering houseplants, African violets are treasured for their ease of growing and continuous blooms. This event features more than a hundred judged exhibits. African violets and supplies will be sold, and tips and advice on culture and propagation will be offered throughout the show.

September 2, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Illinois Mycological Association celebrates the richness of fall mushrooms in Illinois with an exhibit of 50 to 100 varieties of mushroom foraged from area forests. Members provide information and answer questions regarding mushrooms and fungi. A children's education area is available, and mushrooms, books, and t-shirts will be for sale. Mycology is the study of fungi and their use to humans as a source for medicine and food, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or infection, and their benefits to natural ecosystems.

September 7 – 9, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Chicago Botanic Garden volunteers host the annual Roadside Flower Sale. This one-of-a-kind sale of natural plant and dried floral arrangements in the Regenstein Center showcases gifts from the Garden's specially collected dried flowers, pods, and grasses. More than 300 flower arrangements and wreaths are available for purchase.

September 22, noon – 4:30 p.m.
September 23, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Central States Dahlia Society is hosting their 81st Dahlia Show featuring exhibitors from all over the Midwest. Thousands of dahlia blooms ranging in size from a silver dollar to a dinner plate will be judged and on display, with floral designs and photography completing the show. Dahlias are known for their bright, vibrant colors and perfect petal arrangements. Society members will be on hand to provide written information and to answer questions about dahlias.

October 13 & 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Special photographers' hour on Sunday at 9 a.m.

The Illinois Orchid Society presents this show, in which individual orchids in 128 classes will vie for red, white, and blue ribbons. Twenty-five entries will receive "best of class" green ribbons, and the best- appointed plant in the show will receive the Chicago Horticultural Society Award from American Orchid Society judges. Tabletop displays, from the rarest of species to cultivated hybrids, will be artistically arranged. The Society will provide an orchid sales area and repotting services. For more information, visit www.iosoc.com.

October 20 & 21, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Midwest Daffodil Society's bulb sale features many varieties of unique and easy-to-grow daffodils for the gardener who wants some early color next spring.