Ball Horticultural Gardens
Aug 2025
Join MAPS for the August Photo Outing to Ball Horticultural Gardens in West Chicago. The Gardens at Ball Horticultural have been the evaluation and testing grounds for the world’s wealth of horticultural introductions and improvements for over 80 years. What began as a row trial garden for seed varieties in 1933 has grown to encompass over nine acres of display beds for annuals, perennials, cut flowers and vegetables, including the newest plants from the industry’s leading breeders and marketers. See a quick tour of the stunning gardens.
Participants should meet at 9:00 am at 622 Town Road in West Chicago. Use the parking lot across from the main building and follow the signs for visitor parking.
Please be sure to dress appropriately to safeguard against insects and provide sun protection. Also, since this is a private garden, there are no refreshments available, so plan to bring plenty of water in order to stay hydrated. You may wish to bring filters and/or diffusers as most flowers are in the sun.
Some things to note: Please meet at the entrance to the gardens behind the Main Building. Please know there is walking required (mostly on paved and gravel paths) throughout the 10 acres of landscaped gardens. Visitors are not allowed inside the building, however rest rooms are available in the gardens. There is also a prairie adjacent to the gardens.