Hacker’s Glenbard Gardens

This is a family-​owned greenhouse with so much to choose from! I’ve been out for numerous visits throughout the year, and they always have a nice selection of seasonal plants and flowers, as well as supplies for gardening. During the busy season, just about every inch of the place is crammed with beautiful flowers and plants. They always look so much healthier than what you might find at a Home Depot or Menard’s, too.
Inventory here ranges from the typical annual/​perennials, potted arrangements, fruit and veggie plants, cacti, fertilizers and potting/​planting supplies, and bulbs in fall. The staff is INCREDIBLY knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I have never once had a question that stumped them — and generally they will offer even more helpful hints and pointers once they’ve answered your initial question. They clearly all love what they do and speak with passion about their plants.
They offer trolleys and boxes to help you select and carry your plants, but as other reviewers have noted, the aisles in the greenhouse are much too narrow to navigate down with a trolley. So you will need to carry your selections out to the trolley if you’re purchasing a lot. Or, you can fill up boxes one at a time and leave them at the counter while you shop.
I’ve bumped my review down to 4 rather than 5 stars simply because of the prices here. Since you’re shopping local, you need to be prepared to pay more for it. They are small and can’t support the rock bottom prices that the big box stores have on their plants. Therefore, you might be paying a bit more for small plants, all the way up to a LOT more for larger perennials. Prices do fluctuate a bit seasonally, but they will be higher than other big box nurseries.

The wife and I happened to stumble upon Hackers a couple of years ago. We had just gotten out house and were ready to start re-​doing all the plants. The selection here blew us away. Being first time home owners, we asked the people at Hackers for a little guidance. They happily gave us advice on what, and when to plant. We’ve went back every season since. Their selection is amazing, and changes as the seasons do. The people who work here are very knowledgeable, and willing to share their experience.
No matter if you want vegetables, herbs, or flowers, this place has them. they also have a selection of fertilizer, soil, and, well, plant related accessories.
Their prices are right in line with a lot of «big box» store, if not maybe a touch higher. But the quality and variety is where they shine. You need 15 different kinds of tomatoes? They have them. Want to plant a garden of nothing but hot peppers? You can have a rainbow of peppers with their selection. Even eggplants, I believe they have at least 6 I can recall off the top of my head.
Stop in here. Use their knowledge and expertise. Buy Local. You will be glad you did.

So helpful, so knowledgeable. This is a great asset for the area.

I’ve found a nice selection of hostas here but they’re pricey compared to other places. I returned a few plants the other day and wow… they were pretty gumpy about it and I had my receipt! Kinda weird. …but I see so many rave reviews I’ll try them again and hopefully be able to soon enough sing their praises.

Very well run nursery and friendly knowledgeable staff. More varieties of tomatoes, esp Heirloom, than I’ve ever seen. As mentioned in other reviews, the indoor greenhouse has really narrow aisles and it can get tricky with flower carts and people. Best bet is to go when it first opens on the weekend, or mid-​morning/​mid-​afternoon on weekdays. and leave cart at the end of the aisles if possible. You’ll thank me later. ;-)
SHOP LOCAL!

Despite those narrow aisles, I am upping my rating.
Hacker’s has given me years of consistent quality and lovingly raised plants. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, somehow miraculously understanding exactly what I am trying to describe based on my lame descriptions of «it’s about so high and uh, I think it flowers pink».
Great selection of veggies — better than any other nursery around. I needed Chiltepin and Tabasco peppers this year. Could I be any pickier? And yes, they carried them.
By far my favorite nursery.

Hacker’s has two things going for them: 1) they have excellent plant inventory and 2) they are a local business. Unlike the big box stores, Hacker’s really takes care of their products. You can tell their plants have never been stressed out because they were under watered or exposed to early frost. Their stock is also pretty varied though can be limited in quantity and you can find some fun tropicals there to spice up the ubiquitous impatiens and hostas! I have also found their staff to be very helpful and can give you great tips about how to grow each variety… can’t get that at HomeDepot or Walmart!
We are avid gardeners and have won awards for our gardens. We trust Hackers.

My husband and I decided to plant a vegetable garden this year, and happened to pass by Hacker’s on our way home and saw a large «vegetable plants» sign. So we figured we’d check out their selection.
They had a huge variety of vegetables/​herbs. We bought lettuce, chives, tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, zucchini, green beans, basil and cilantro. But there was so much more. We would have bought up everything if we had the space!
The staff was very friendly and helpful and answered any questions we had. Since we are pretty amateur gardeners, we really needed some guidance. And Hacker’s offered it.
Although we weren’t there for any floral plants, we did notice the high quality of the flower selection. The hanging baskets were HUGE! We’ll definitely be coming back to get some of those beautiful beasts :)

Beautiful flowers and the best moss roses! If you need help — just ask! I hate the narrow aisles but love their stock!

Very knowledgeable and friendly staff, amazing selection and gorgeous flowers! We will definitely be back as we add to our gardens and for the winter items! Prices are more than comparable to large retailers but for much better quality. Shop local, shop small, you won’t regret it!

This place has a huge selection of flowers. I specifically went to get lily of the valley, but I had a feeling that they wouldn’t be in yet since it was in season a little bit later.
The staff was very friendly.

This Hacker family-​owned-​and run year round garden business is the best. They grow their own plants — does Lowe’s, Menard’s or Home Depot? I think not. The family are the only people who work here and they offer excellent customer service.
Nancy, at the counter, can be stone-​faced and unsmiling, but no one knows more about plants. Ask her about any annual or perennial and she can tell you how to grow them. She is a ROSE EXPERT, too.
Ron and his sons, Brian and Dan, round out the main crew.
I can’t wait for Spring to go there for my annuals and veggie plants. At Easter lilies perfume their greenhouses and at Christmas they have about 6 varieties of poinsettias and Christmas trees. Mums are a specialty, too.
They also make their own Christmas wreaths.
Nothing I have bought at this garden center for over 10 years has has ever died.
I heartily recommend you try this family garden center.