elcome to Contrary Mary’s! We are a small, family-owned greenhouse located southwest of Chicago, and we specialize in unusual perennials, hostas, aquatic plants, collectors conifers, and unique trees and shrubs that you won’t find at big chain nurseries. We also provide custom landscape design and installation services, including ponds, water creations, and rainwater harvesting systems. 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!)

It’s time for peonies and honey!

NOW’S the time to reserve your Fall Peonies! The jaw-dropping, absolutely stunning, multiple award-winning YELLOW peony ‘Bartzella’ will be available starting mid-September! Reserve yours NOW before they are all sold out!!! We have scads of gorgeous varieties…check out the Peony page for pictures, and call us at (815) 521-9535 or e-mail us with questions or order at our online store! AND, this year’s natural wildflower honey crop is ready (Thanks, Leon!)...and once it’s gone, we’ll all have to wait another year for more!

Heirloom Tomato, Cheese, and Wine Tasting

Contrary Mary’s and Wine and Cheese by TCC are hosting our annual Heirloom Tomato, Cheese, and Wine Tasting evening at here at the farm on Sunday, August 29 at 4 pm. This year’s menu features over a dozen varieties of ripe, homegrown tomatoes, and local artisanal cheeses. Tickets are $25 per person; call (815) 851-9535 to reserve your spot today!

Farm Hours
through August 2
	Tuesdays - Saturdays	9:00 am - 6:00 pm
	Sundays	10:00 am - 4:00 pm
	Mondays	closed
August 3 - Fall
	Tuesdays - Saturdays	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
	Sundays	10:00 am - 4:00 pm
	Mondays	closed
	Saturday, August 14 we will close at 3 pm

Come on out and visit our Minooka Farm and Nursery. We have lots of display beds filled with our unusual perennials, woodies, 300+ varieties of specimen hostas, 50+ varieties of peonies, two large display ponds and a Pondless waterfall feature that will all help you visualize the magic you can create in your own little Paradise! Also be sure to inquire about becoming a Contrary Mary Planthead — sign up to get special deals, e-mails, and learn the secret Handshake too!

Our 2010 Catalog is available here and is chock full of great information. Don’t forget that our complete selection of Hostas and Peonies are available to ship as bareroot plants—see our Online Store for details.

e are of course continuing to offer our landscape consultation service, custom water garden design and installation, and pond supplies, and continue to be Certified Aquascape Contractors. Call us at (815) 521-9535 or E-MAIL US to find out more about how we can help your landscape come to life with fabulous perennials and maybe even a water feature (or two!).

We’re located near the intersection of I-80 and I-55 (see us on a map!) To get to our farm and nursery from Chicago and suburbs, take Interstate 55 south to the Route 52 exit and go west (towards Shorewood). We are approximately 7 miles from that point. Once you reach the intersection of Route 52 and Ridge road (a 4-way stop), keep going straight. We are exactly 1.7 miles west, on the north (right-hand) side of Route 52. Our phone number at the Farm is (815) 521-9535.

As always, we are grateful for your loyalty, support and patronage—we sure couldn’t do it without you! Come see us at the farm and meet our 3 adorable Canine greeters (The Best Shelties in the World!), our crew of pygmy goat weeders, and our three new daffy ducks, Winkin’, Blinkin’, and Nod! Enjoy life, keep smilin’, and think green!

Mickey	Jamie	Duncan