Contrary Mary’s Plants & Designs

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!)

Woo Hoo ‘tis spring FINALLY! Thought she’d NEVER arrive!

As you probably have noticed (kinda hard NOT to!), we have a brand spankin’ new updated website format! Times they are a’changin, and Contrary Mary must keep up (as reluctant as she may be) with all the techie stuff she is so very thrilled with. I am in the process of TRYING to update it but as I am technically challenged I do not quite have a handle on it yet so patience please!!!!!

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!

Sooooooo,,,,,,now to the Heart of The Business, the PLANTS! I have gone just a wee bit over the top (to put it mildly) and we are now growing  100 varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes! If you don’t manage to find just a few “gotta-haves” I just don’t know what to say. I am also expanding our other varieties of Heirloom veggies, including 6 varieties of Eggcellent Eggplants, over 35 varieties of delectable peppers, gobs of Crisp and Quirky Cukes, Mountains of Maaaaahvelous Melons, Herds of Handy Herbs, and many other yumminicious veggies! I am getting Lean and Mean on our Unusual Perennials, but am expanding our offerings of Saucy Succulents and Amazing Annuals! Fear not, we still have our Hellaciously Hot Hostas, Darling and Dramatic Daylilies, and Pretty and Perky Peonies to entice you. Our Nectar From The Bee Gods (aka raw honey) will also be available.  Ya just GOTTA come out and see! I am also expanding our Better Than Fairies (remember, the underdogs of the Garden Denziens that need support too).

Speaking of coming out, our Opening Day Of The Season is (drum roll please….) April 24, 2019. and we shall have the following schedule:

CLOSED Mondays

9A – 6P Tuesday thru Saturday

10A – 4P Sunday

CLOSED on July 4, 2019

Starting on July 5, 2019 we will be open by appointment only (no regular hours).

I can’t WAIT to see all my Gardening Buds; please feel free to call me at (815)521-9535 or e-mail me with comments, questions, or orders. As always, I am very grateful for you patronage and support…..think Green!

Contrary Mary