Platt Hill Nursery

We got our Christmas tree at Platt Hill this year, and I was super impressed by their selection and customer service! Prices were reasonable and comparable to other area options. They had multiple varieties of tree (can’t quite remember how many), and they had a really organized system for selecting your tree, paying while they moved it and tied it up, and then picking it up toward the edge of their parking lot. We will return again next year for a tree, and I hope to visit in the spring and summer to look into their other plants and products.

Brought in my Bonsai for advice on how to better maintain. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. They took care and time to explain what and how to do. They didn’t try and up sell, just got me what I needed. I appreciated that and ended up spending more on a gift I needed because of their support.
Great service, will be back when I need help or more plants for sure!
Health of Bonsai … TBD ;)

I’ve been shopping Platt Hill years before I even got my own house and garden. We’ve found we can trust their plants to be very hardy, and they have a great selection and now drive a half hour just to get there. My husband and I even took one of their weekend seminars on lawn care and it has really helped. We buy all of our grass seed and fertilizer from them. We have a unique situation with a very finicky lawn and couldn’t get any grass to grow for years. We’d tried all commercial brands, but have had success finally with Platt’s own blend. They are not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for and watch their sales — you can get deals if you watch for them. Yes, I did stray the first year after building our house when I needed a ton of plants just to start and purchased plants from several other locations, and regret every penny I didn’t spend at Platt since only a handful of those plants survived. Three years later I’ve been able to divide plants I bought from Platt. The only complaint I have is that they don’t always carry the same plants from year to year, which is understandable, so be sure you get enough when you buy. Most are the same, but I’ve had a few they didn’t carry again.

Top quality at similar prices to a big box store. The employees are VERY knowledgable and if they don’t have the answer, they ask someone who does. So much nice than the big box store answers which are usually wrong because they don’t want you not to buy.
This is the only place I go for plants and I have only had one die and they stood behind it and replaced it with NO headaches. Five stars all the way!!!

I give the store 1 star, yet Manny gets 5 stars. He was awesome and took his time to help two novices select flowers for our garden containers. However, the same cannot be said about anybody else there. Over $ 600 in plants and nobody else was able to help us. Complete lack of courtesy, customer service, with a dash of disdain. The cashiers, what a ray of sunshine they are, barely acknowledged our presence, were rude, yet was kind enough to take our money. IF I were to ever return it would only be because of Manny’s kindness and knowledge.

We recently moved into the area so I went to Platt Hill to get inspired for what I will plant in my new yard. I left with two beautiful hanging baskets and some great ideas due to the large selection! I called about a week later and said that I thought I had killed my hanging baskets despite following the directions. I spoke with Mike and he said I should bring them in. Long story short is that I didn’t water them enough and they were wilting. This is our first home so this is my first opportunity at attempting a green thumb. Being a newby I appreciated some insight on how to keep my hanging baskets alive. What I did not appreciate from Mike was his condescending tone when telling me what I had done wrong. He asked me if the pot felt heavy, and I said, «I guess so». His response was, «This is school and you’re learning, I guess so isn’t a good enough answer». Ummm, what? Then he begins to water my flowers and I asked him to stop because I was about to put them in the back of my car. Without even taking his eyes off of the flowers he continued to water them and told me that there was plastic by the front door for my car.
Mike answered my questions and helped me to revive my flowers but I could have done without his attitude. I’ll be going elsewhere to buy from people who don’t mind passing along tips and knowledge to someone just learning how to maintain greenery.

They always seem to have the things that no one else has at a reasonable price. Employees are knowlegable and helpful. I just like to go there to look and usually come home with something unique, but then I have a bit of a problem and tend to buy plants as a hobby.

I have been go there for 20 years has all type of stuff for your yard need has all most 30 diffraction type of rose plants and trees

I know not a thing about greenery. To me, every flower is a tulip or rose, every pine needle tree is an evergreen, and every shrub is… I don’t even know. So when my very green thumbed boyfriend decided we should get our Johnny Appleseed on, I had no idea where to start. Sure, he did his research, but we needed tree experts. We went to a few nurseries in the area, but I’m definitely the most impressed with Platt Hill.
The lot this nursery sits on is pretty big. They had tons of trees. Each plant or tree had a nice description with it, telling you what kinds of environments are good for it, how big it grows, how fast it grows, and some tips on what to do with them or what they like. We had it in our minds that we would get a Baldy Cypress because it likes very wet areas and grows fast, which was good because we were looking for a tree to put in our swamp of a yard. However, we wanted an expert opinion, so the cashier called up Jim.
What a dude. We told him our yard situation and he talked us through our various options, telling us what would work really well and what wouldn’t. He talked with us for like 20 minutes. We’re actually going to end up getting some kind of Elm that my bf had completely written off since they are typically susceptible to disease, but this one was not. He even gave us directions to one of these babies that he planted in the area (he works for the forest preserve) so we could see what it looked like. He also gave us tips for leveling out the area in our yard to make things even and to give the tree a happy home. He also talked to us about some other trees we wanted to put in a different part of the yard.
We haven’t gotten the tree yet since we have some prep work to do, but I feel more at ease having heard from someone who knows what he’s talking about. We’ll definitely be back to get that tree!

TRULY ALARMED at the experience I just had at PLATT HILL NURSERY’s Bloomingdale, IL location — my «go to» garden center here in the west ‘burbs of Chicago. I made a point to visit with cash in pocket in to scope out end-​of-​season specials, and in particular to walk through the small greenhouse (which is also a production space) adjoining the showroom & take the chill off a gray clammy day with a burst of fragrant green.
I noticed as I came through the store’s front entry there was a faint smell that seemed like some sort of solvent; it became a bit stronger as I looked at the seed racks (50% off — cool! I thought) and notably stronger as I reached the back of the showroom where the bulbs were also on sale.
But I wanted my burst of green first so I went through the back doors into the greenhouse, where an employee to the right was spray painting several pieces of furniture or décor white — and another employee on the left was involved in a different task. I said to him as the other was still spraying, surrounded by a white cloud and with a dust mask on (NOT a NIOSH approved respirator, and even if it had been…), «The fumes are terrible — I came here to soak up your greenhouse on a gray day but I’m leaving — you guys shouldn’t be doing that in a closed space anyway especially with customers walking through!» He agreed the fumes were bad. Then I exited out the side door to make my way back to the showroom, ran into another employee, expressed my concern and she said it was too cold to do it outside. Meanwhile, I was looking at plenty of unoccupied plastic hoop houses in the distance where this task COULD have been more safely accomplished.
I was floored — as an industry consultant I’m a strong advocate of the Independent Garden Center channel but this just proves that IGCs sometimes need to pull their heads out of their behinds (being polite here). Having worked at some bad ones early in my career I’ve learned first-​hand many in the channel are not averse to putting employees in danger and try to get away with what they can, I’ve been placed in danger myself. I’ve also experienced this first hand with landscaping firms. I seriously doubt this would happen if I walked into a Home Depot greenhouse space (where there are safety notices posted throughout). Though not advocating Big Box stores over IGCs as there can be advantages to shopping at either, this foolish and dangerous incident reflects a level of ignorance and flagrant disregard for both employee and customer safety that is absolutely unconscionable — and which a major chain would not even try to skirt by.

There was no one at the front manager desk but a woman near there answered when I asked who was managing. She replied, «managing what?» I said. «managing the store.» As she was joined by a group of employees I explained my extreme concern and said, «I’d come here to enjoy walking through your beautiful greenhouse and did not expect to be confronted with a face full of toxic fumes» — which by this time were spreading more thickly into the retail showroom. She said, «the greenhouse has ventilation» and I replied «not enough or there wouldn’t be a white cloud» and that what they were doing was clearly a safety violation, «do you want me to call OSHA or do you want to take care of the problem yourself?»
I told them I’m a regular customer and I’ll definitely be back — but they should unequivocally know better. They also owe a clear apology to the employees that they had doing this and put at risk, and both ownership and management are at fault here. IGCs are NOT sacred cows and definitely not beyond reproach: ignorance is no excuse (nor a defense) whether it pertains to the law, to employee safety or to customer safety. This compromises the overall customer experience and will forever tarnish my impression of Platt Hill. IGCs need to be on watch or face blowback from customers — and employees — they treat poorly!
(NOTE: The photo is from November, 2012 — I did not get far enough back in the greenhouse today to see what stage the poinsettias were even at!)

I do NOT know how «Beth G» bought her hibiscus, 3 annuals and her 4pk cell for $ 30. Platt is VERY expensive but you will more than likely find what you are looking for where you won’t find it ar Lowes, Home Depot or Menards. I have spent over $ 300 just in the past month and what I bought was a rhotodendron, 2 beards tongue, 3 buglweeed, two 6 pk of celosia, a small rose bush, a hydrangea and 4 hostas. Oh, and 1 bag of soil acidifier for the hydrangea, a pair of garden gloves and 2 mosquito bands.
They are not big in the help area. My last trip I asked THREE people where to find the bugleweed as I needed 2 more. They directed me to house 2 and told me it was called «ajuga». I explained the tag on the plant CLEARLY said «bugleweed». House 2 did not have what I wanted. Found person #2 and she also told me house 2 — I explained what was there was NOT bugleweed, nor what I had described to the first person. Remembered I had a pic on my cellphone of it, zoomed in on the plant and she sent me to house 5. STILL Not the right thing! I asked person 3 — who told me house 2 or 5 — I said those were not the right ones. She said that was the only places for it. I found it myself as I was wandering around. I wanted to show all 3 people the container DID say «bugleweed»!!! Oh — and it was NOT busy because it was raining and early in the a.m.
Most times when I stop someone for help they say they can’t help me and they will call for someone and the «someone» never comes.
I have only had 3 plants from here die out on me — a rose bush and 2 bleeding hearts. I think the neighbor’s cat trampled the bleeding heart and the winter was too hars for my rose even though I had muched it and coveed it. One came back fine, the other was all black come spring.
I got an asparagus plant and a rhubarb at a nursery closer to my home for $ 5 less and healthier than what I got here last year.
Oh — and DO NOT ask about a plant that is out of season to plant!!! Last year the woman treated me like an idiot when I asked about celosia in the fall. I said I saw it in my neighbor’s yard and wanted to plant some next year. OMG I was supposed to plant in the spring before I even knew what this flower was!!!
So to sum it up —
prices = high
customer service = a joke. (and I DO understand it is hard to help everyone when it is packed and people are in planting mode!) It just is NOT difficult to be polite!

My husband and I had an awesome experience at Platt Hill working on our landscaping project with Joey the Assistant Nursery Manager. Neither my husband nor I knew where to begin with selecting shrubs, plants and trees, etc. for landscaping at our home. We went to Platt armed with photos, sketches and dimensions of our front, side and back yards. Joey Iistened to our preferences and was extremely knowledgeable about the selection. He was very perceptive in determining what we would like and was exceptionally creative in his recommendations. After walking the grounds together we came away with a selection we believe is going to make for a lovely landscape setting. We can’t wait to see everything planted!
If you are stuck or landscaping is just not your thing, you will be amazed at how easy it can be when you work with Joey. You will be very impressed by his talents. The selection at the nursery is outstanding. Our entire experience was a pleasure!
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Everything smells good, everything looks good, and they had 3 different kinds of lime trees, knew what the differences were between them and the helpful staff was able to identify the exact species that I had come looking for. Great!!!

I am a bit of a snob when it comes to nurseries and I have to say that Platt Hill is the best one that I have come across in the area. I couldn’t believe that they sold brugmansias and they were HUGE and very healthy. Prices weren’t too terrible — I came away with a two-​tone Monrovia hibiscus, 3 premium potted annuals, and a 4pk cell of annuals for $ 30 — hey, if you want $ 1.39 annual 6 pks that are dried out and tiny, go to Wally World. You want lush and vibrant and ready to perform in your garden? Come here.
Extensive selection of healthy, gorgeous plants, pots/​planters, statuary, and implements… what a wonderful way to spend a warm spring afternoon!

I love shopping for plants, or just walking through a garden. This place has the feel of a garden with an option to buy any plant you see, practically. There is something calm and peaceful about the atmosphere at a hothouse or garden, and this one definitely has it. It’s almost like going to a miniature Botanic Garden without the drive.
They’ve got annuals up the kazoo; and they have UNUSUAL ones — like white marigolds. It’s really worth poking around because you’re bound to find something lovely and unique.
Platt’s employees are friendly and knowledgeable, and I have purchased items for myself, and other family members that we have all been happy with. The prices are reasonable, and in the summer, it’s a great experience to walk among the potted trees, shrubs and flowers while thinking up ideas of how you’re going to complete your landscaping project. They also have hot houses like tents where they have perennials.
Employees will give you tips or call someone over that can help. Sometimes it’s hard to find someone, though. It all depends on how busy they are. I have always had great experiences here. There is ample parking, and they give you little wagons outside so you can add things to your cart with ease.
The inside place to shop for house plants is lovely during the colder months, and they do custom floral arrangements. They have a nice selection of orchids.
They also have just the store part where you can purchase seeds, garden ornaments, fertiilizer, tools, pots, and just about anything you’ll need for a great lawn or garden, or for enhancing your indoor houseplants.

I’ve been shopping at Platt Hill for over 16 years now and have probably spent thousands of dollars there. Today I found out that shopping locally, being loyal to a company, doesn’t really pay off. I bought a $ 50 squirrel proof bird feeder there in early April. Less than a month later not only had the squirrels beaten it up, but it fell out of the tree due to a faulty hanging system. When I went to return it today, the manager, Russell, told me that he couldn’t do anything about it because it was past their 30 day return policy! He didn’t believe that i just bought it a month ago — he said it looked like it was a year old. Yes, that’s what I thought too — not a very good product do you think? He wouldn’t refund my money because of about 14 days and because he thought I was lying! I am outraged at the service I just receieved! If you shop at Platt Hill I would suggest you stick to plants as it became quite obvious to me that they don’t stand behind their products! So much for integrity in a company!!!

This is place is primo in the nursery world.
As other Unilocalers have Unilocaled, Platt has just about everything you could ask for in a nursery. I’d specifically like to add that this place has the most expansive selection of succulents of all area nurseries. The employees are on the ball and knowledgeable. It is obvious that they work there bc they share a love for plants. They will help you pick out plants or school you on your preferred plant’s care.
They also have a cool toy train set up in the middle of one of the greenhouses. It’s decorated for the seasons, like for Halloween now. It’s a sure shot for keeping the miniature busy while I browse.
I really don’t find the prices to be outrageous. The sales tend to be pretty good, like 30% or more off, so quit yer complainin’ and recognize.

Oh geez! I remember coming here when I was little with my parents and collecting the red wagons that hook to each other from the back and trailing them with tons and tons of flowers!
This place is wonderful. You can find the most beautiful flowers, bushes, shrubs, trees, you name it! The one in Bloomingdale is smaller than the one that is in Carpentersville, but it’s equally as beautiful. I love to still come here with my parents and help pick out flowers for their home. The only thing I can ding them on is the prices. be prepared to pay!!!

I don’t know much about nurseries since I’m new to the hobby. But I can say this is a good place to shop. The prices don’t seem to be the lowest, but it is definitely a good place to shop and probably worth the extra money. I called asking for advice for a first plant and they took their time to make suggestions and tell me how to maintain it. I must have spent 30+ minutes with someone discussing plants in their greenhouse, and that was after a phone conversation.
Walking around the green house, you can tell they have a good selection and high quality plants. Everything looks healthy which instills confidence in paying another buck or two for a plant.
The first purchase I made started to wilt very quickly after I brought it home. A few months later I went in to purchase some other plants and talked to the botanist (he seems to be at least) who sold me on the first plant. Their supplier sent them a bad batch and this was documented, so he was willing to replace it for no charge to me. 3 months later and he remembered my purchase enough to know that it came in on the wrong shipment. Bad plant but they were willing to stand by it as it was a documented problem with the grower.
If you’re looking to get into the hobby or already own a few plants, don’t pass Platt Hill up.

HO-​LY COW!!! Plan on spending an entire day here. It’s HUGE!!! Anything you can want from annuals and perennials, to herbs and vegetables, to trees and shrubs, to statuary and décor, to pots and tools… whatever you want. It’s almost like making a trek to an apple orchard. There’s so much ground to cover (outside as well as in the green houses and store) and such a wide and HEALTHY selection to choose from.
Be careful, it’s easy to spend a lot of money here. Prices are not the lowest I’ve seen, but because the quality is top notch and everything is so stunning, you’ll want to grab a cart and fill it as soon as you enter the lot. Pocket book be damned!
My little check-​out lady seemed to manhandle my plants while ringing them up, so beware of how fast that one’s trying to get you out of there. The plants were so healthy, though, they were able to take the beating!
Platt Hill rules the garden center universe.