Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Source for High-Quality, Midwest-Adapted Plants
Founded in the early 1940s, our association has remained dedicated to connecting customers with quality nursery stock acclimated to Midwest and northern climates. We represent over 6,500 acres of growing land across diverse member nurseries producing everything from liners to 20' specimens. Our organization maintains strict quality standards while preserving traditional horticultural practices through monthly meetings and collaborative initiatives. We pioneered the Chicagoland Grows Plant Introduction Program in partnership with Chicago Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum, developing cold-hardy cultivars for northern landscapes. Our team manages advanced plant breeding programs and licensing networks spanning national and international growers.We provide industry-leading access to both staple and trend-setting plant material through our comprehensive Plant Locator catalog. Our expertise extends to educational programming through seminars and tradeshows that promote best practices in ornamental horticulture. We maintain transparent business operations with clear communication channels for customer inquiries. Our membership represents the full spectrum of nursery production capabilities in northeastern Illinois. We continue evolving while honoring our original mission to support both commercial landscapers and home gardeners with reliable plant solutions.
Services
Plant Locator Service
Nursery Grower Network
Chicagoland Grows Program
Plant Introduction Services
Horticultural Seminars
Shade Tree Availability
Perennial Plant Sources
Details
- Year established: 1940
Highlights and features
- We represent quality nursery stock from 6,500+ acres of Midwest growing land
- We pioneered the Chicagoland Grows plant development program with major botanical institutions
- Our organization maintains traditional horticultural practices through monthly expert meetings
- We offer comprehensive Plant Locator services for commercial and residential applications
- We connect customers with both staple and trend-setting plant material through diverse growers
Services
Plant Locator Service
Connect with premier northern Illinois growers through our online plant catalog. We help commercial landscapers and home gardeners locate specific plant material from perennials to 20' specimens. Our database includes shade trees, evergreens, shrubs, and specialty plants acclimated to Midwest climates.
Chicagoland Grows Program
Access cold-hardy cultivars developed through our partnership with Chicago Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum. This program delivers proven plant varieties with exceptional winter hardiness and ornamental value to the horticulture industry. Proceeds support ongoing plant breeding research in northern climate adaptation.
Nursery Grower Network
Tap into our member network of Midwestern nursery professionals producing quality plant material for commercial and residential applications. Our growers specialize in everything from staple landscape plants to emerging market trends across 6,500+ acres of Midwest growing land.
Horticultural Seminars
Participate in educational programming covering plant development, growing techniques, and industry trends. Our monthly meetings and tradeshows provide networking opportunities while our seminars deliver practical horticultural knowledge from field experts to both professionals and enthusiasts.
Perennial Plant Sources
Locate diverse perennial selections through our grower network specializing in Midwest-adapted varieties. We offer access to both common and specialty perennials suitable for various landscape applications, including those featured in the Chicagoland Grows program.
Questions
What is OGA's Plant Locator service?
Our Plant Locator helps customers find specific plant material from premier northeastern Illinois growers through an online search catalog.
What plant types can I source through OGA?
We connect customers with perennials, evergreens, deciduous trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, and fruit trees through our member network.
What is the Chicagoland Grows® program?
This plant introduction program develops cold-hardy cultivars through partnerships with Chicago Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum.
How can I become a licensee for Chicagoland Grows plants?
Contact Angela Treadwell Palmer at Plants Nouveau to request licensing information for propagating our cold-hardy plant cultivars.
What educational resources does OGA provide?
We host seminars and tradeshows covering latest developments in ornamental horticulture and Midwest plant cultivation techniques.
