Many say Evanston isn't really the North Shore, but here I am anyhow. I don't have a speck of clay--I garden in sand. I do believe lake proximity lets one push the zone. In my six years here, I've never seen the mercury fall below zero. I grow some things that are usually listed as zone 6 plants, and I have had fleeting succeess with a zone 7 thing or two. Probably more valuable for me is that I don't worry too much when I forget to mulch the roses.

I can't even think of too many area nurseries beyond the Chalet. There's Geimer, way west (Long Grove area) just off of Lake Cook Road, and if you're willing to cross into Wisconsin, there's Craig Berman's, which is fun to visit even if you don't end up buying anything.

I don't live in the North Shore, but I would higly recommend Craig Bergmann's Country Garden in Winthrop Harbor. I have bought several plants there. The nursery itself is beautifully landscaped and the staff is very knowledgeable. I doubt that you will leave without buying something since they have such a great variety of plants - perennials, roses, shrubs, etc.

One really good source for listings of nurseries in the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs is Chicago Gardening Magazine. They sell it at Borders. I'm sure that nurseries such as: Planter's Palette and The Growing Place,
are featured.

Hi I am in Deerfield!!

I like Red's on Dundee. I like Anton's in Evanston.
Sometimes I will go by the Chalet for "bargins", but their prices seem very high. I also like one in Wilmette on the border of Evanston but forgot her name, nice place but expensive. Also expensive but more variety can be found at Lurveys in DesPlaines. I mail order, using gardenwatchdog.com for many of my plants. I just moved to Deerfeild from Evanston, so I am busy with many projects.
Cheers, Matt.

Good to hear from guys! Dirtdiver, you garden in sand?? I always assumed most Chicago folks had clay. You know, I have often wondered if those zone maps are actually wrong. Because their temp averages make us Zone 5 people look 6-ish. I have often been afraid of buying tender roses but I might get my paws on 'Mutabilis' now. Bellarosa, I will google Craig Bergmnann's and maybe go over on a nice sunny day. Matt, where is Anton's? I go to Main Street,Evanston every weekend for my violin class so I could easily swing by.

MILAEGERÂS in Racine is fantastic and worth the trip. Well, not more than once a year, because it is quite far.Just make sure you use a SUV or stationwagon to bring it all home. They have all the usual stuff, and then everything else. Quite a variety.
Also like Jamacian Gardens in Morton Grove, right off Edens. You have to exit at Dempster and get to frontage road.
Red's on Dundee Rd, not bad. I also end up at Chalet. Always say I am not going back because it is so pricey, but am always passing it buy and just "pop" in to see what they have.
BTW, just keep working compost into your clay soil.
Good luck.

Anton's is off Dempster on a little street that I can not recall. Going East on Dempster after you cross the canal (McCormick) and go through the first light. You should see a sign on the right hand sign. Go right and it is about a half mile down on the right. Sort of hidden in a residential area.
My soil in Deerfield is about 2-3 inches topsoil and then clay all the way down. I am installing several french drains today because of standing water. I have put 4-5 inches of topsoil/compost /manure on all my old beds and on new ones I have created. I am running out of room to find places for all the clay as my pond and patio are slowly evolving.
I think I am in solid zone 5 now, I do notice things are coming up earlier within a mile from the lake. I would not call it zone 6. There is a lake affect, global warming, ect... But we are still getting the same number of hours of sun that we were getting a thousands years ago. So... I have heard that "Chicago is Zone 6" and question those claims. Although, we all may have a zone 6 nich in our gardens.
Cheers, Matt.

Anton's is on Pitner. They're kind of a small place, but it seems they do a certain amount of their own propogation. Their spring annuals are particularly nice, and I always find some herbs I want. I think their perennial prices are very fair. And yes, I garden in sand, but I'm really, really close to the lake. If I lived farther west, I'd undoubtedly be in clay as well.