On a very hot and steamy July day, representatives of the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Plant Sale Committee took a journey out to the western suburbs to explore the Ball Seed headquarters. For two days every July, Ball Seed Customer Days welcomes growers and customers to visit their sprawling 9 acres of land.
Thousands of dazzling plants are in full bloom. Committee members viewed new varieties, talked with representatives about plant trends, and collected catalogues featuring all of the available plants for the coming year.
Plant Sale Committee Chair Mary Ellen Murphy shared her reflections. “Our annual visit to Ball Horticulture in West Chicago is so much fun. We toured the test gardens featuring annual flowering ornamentals grown in a natural setting just as they would in your home garden. Designed formal gardens showed drifts of jewel tones highlighted by massive containers displaying a glorious array of color combinations only an artist could conceive.”
“Ball Seed Day is always an inspiring and energizing day spent with so many gardening enthusiasts, said Plant Sale Committee member Loretta Wolak. “The Ball Seed family is welcoming and so knowledgeable. It is incredible to see how the plants are arranged and is an inspiration for future garden plans. I am always excited to see what is new on the market for 2026 and if it is something our Plant Sale shoppers would be interested in planting.”
With this fresh knowledge of the new plants available, the Plant Sale Committee is beginning the process of developing a suggested list for the coming year. Top sellers from the past year are taken into consideration. As The Friends will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2026, there will be some new and exciting items for the community. Stay tuned for more updates.
For more information about the upcoming 2026 Plant Sale visit us here.
