Hi! Looking for a high quality plant store in the chicago area. something that’s locally owned by lifelong plant lovers, has a large outdoor selection of both plants and pots, and has employees that are knowledgeable about all plants and can give advice / tips! Basically, the total opposite of The Sill on Roscoe.

I’ve seen a few options but would love to know local favorites. Thanks!

I'm fairly new to gardening (we bought our first house in September of 2021) and while I try to buy as many native plants as possible and from as many independent, small nurseries as possible, sometimes the siren song of the big box stores is too strong to resist. I have a native plant nursery and a couple local nurseries that are my main sources, but occasionally the orange and blue stores can pleasantly surprise me. For instance, I've found oakleaf hydrangeas, ninebark shrubs, and white asters before that are at least cultivars of native plants to my area. In your opinion, which big box store has the best garden center and whose plants should you avoid? I'm in Tennessee, zone 8A, by the way.

I live in Logan and have been to Adams and Sons in the past and had a good experience. Just looking to hear about other plant nurseries/shops people love