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Contrary Mary’s Plants & Designs

Picture: Tomato Grouping

You know how a group of crows is called a murder, a group of finches is called a charm, a group of Blue Jays is called a party, and a group of owls is called a parliament??? Welllllll…..What do you call a group of tomatoes…???? Give???
Spaghetti Sauce!

Daylillies   Cucumbers   Eggplants   Herbs   Melons   Peppers   Squash.Zucchini   Tomatoes   Other Veggies   Hostas   Peonies   Succulents

Update 5/12/2020

As Contrary Charlie and I have re-evaluated the conditions, we have decided to open for walk-in business. Starting Saturday, 5/16/20, we will be open from 10A-4P daily except Mondays (closed).
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We ask that all of our Plantheads abide by the following:
  • Masks must be worn 
  • Please, no children or pets (sorry!) 
  • Obviously goes without saying but will say it anyway,: Social Distancing is the new norm so yep, that’s what we expect! 
  • Only five customers allowed in the greenhouse at any one time. We will be trying to put plants outside (IF we don’t get any snow….snorrrrt!) so more customers can be accommodated.
  • I am not digging Hostas or Daylilies until June, sorry! Please continue to give me your “wish lists” and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
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We will still be offering preorder/pickups, so please let me know if that is what you want to do.
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Appointments can be made to come at times outside our normal open hours; just call (815)521-9535 or email contrarymary@contrarymarysplants.com to make an appointment SOOOOOO another New Adventure!!! I am excited that all the plantlets are waking up, and I am confident we shall all have a maaaaahvelous growing season!!! Everyone chins up,trowels out, and smiles on!!!
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Please check out our newly created ANNUALS/PERENNIALS 2020 PAGE for more plants we will be offering for pickup this year. We also have a new CUCUMBER page, a new EGGPLANT page, a new SQUASH/ZUCCHINI page, and a new MELON page for all my Plantheads to check out and order from!!! And don’t forget about our TOMATO page for all our maaaahvelous Heirlooms, our PEPPER page, and our OTHER VEGGIES (cuz ya know ya gotta try something different!).  We of course continue to offer our HOSTAS, DAYLILIES, PEONIES and SUCCULENTS.
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I know everyone is stressed, worried and unsure. Gardening will ground us (pun intended!), and hopefully relieve some of our stress and anxiety. Mom Nature surely knows how to comfort us! I hope all my Plantheads are keeping safe and being sensible; hope to see you (at a Social Distance of course) soon! PLEASE take care of yourselves and remember to be EXTRA kind. We SHALL get through this. We so very much appreciate and are grateful for your support and patronage.

Stay SAFE and think GREEN!

Contrary Mary, Contrary Charlie, Duncan, Finnegan and Lexie

Welcome to Contrary Mary’s! We are a small, family-owned greenhouse located southwest of Chicago, and we specialize in unusual perennials, hostas, peonies, daylilies,  and unique fruits and vegetables that you won’t find at big chain nurseries. We can help you find the perfect plant for your sunny (or shady, damp, dry, etc.) spot to provide color and texture. Our plants are perfectly suited to our Midwest environment in Chicagoland; all of our perennials are hardy to at least Zone 5, and are plants that I think are excellent additions to everyone’s garden (gotta haves!) We pride ourselves in our HUGE selection of Heirloom veggie plants that, although we are not certified organic, grow with only organic fertilizers with NO pesticides (gotta protect our precious Bee Buddies!)

Also an update on our online ordering/shipping of our Hostas, Peonies, and Daylilies: Due to the nature of plants and the fact that I grow my Hostas, Peonies, and Daylilies in propagation beds, it is very hard to predict how they will overwinter, when they will be ready, how quickly they will increase…. I am asking interested customers to call me at (815) 521-9535 or email me with their “wish list” and then I will get back to you with availability and payment. Thanks for your understanding!!!

AND PLEASE REMEMBER…..IF YOU ARE COMING OUT FOR ANYTHING SPECIAL, CALL OR EMAIL FIRST!!! JUST BECAUSE IT IS LISTED ON THE WEBSITE, IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. ALSO DIGGING PLANTS IS WEATHER-DEPENDENT (AND I SURE CAN’T CONTROL MOTHER NATURE!). I just don’t want any of my Gardening Buds to be disappointed!

Picture: Duncan

Duncan (hard at work as usual)

Picture: Jamie & Lexie taking a break

Jamie (Always In Our Hearts) & Lexie taking a break

Picture: Finnegan and Lexie - Spring 2018

Finnegan and Lexie

Picture: Mickey Always in our hearts

Mickey
Always in our hearts

Contrary Mary