About

North Branch Natives is a home-grown, sustainable Chicago business offering gardening solutions and support for the DIY native gardener.

We believe in gardening not only for the beauty and quiet joy that comes from tending ones landscape, but for the spectacle that comes along with it. If you've ever watched a bumblebee as she visits the early season blooms of Penstemon, or sat in awe crouched down in the middle of a patch of late season asters, you understand the happiness that a natural garden can bring. We're always thinking about environment and how to make our little slice of life more meaningful and impactful. 

"Gardening with native plants has transformed my yard.  Personally, it's brought me so much joy.  Liz has taught me that a garden can constantly evolve and has given me the confidence to experiment each season.  AND, I'll always have something to look forward to!" —Dana D., Jeff Park, Chicago.

"NBN!!!! Awesome season again, Liz! I can’t believe this was our third year of the garden! Thank you for transforming our yard (and our lives and our planet, let’s be honest!). 💗"  —Jen B., Edgebrook, Chicago

So, here's the run-down...

We offer consultations, classes, and locally grown native plants as part of our planting service. Join our garden community and get regular emails on when to water, how to prep a new garden, cutting back, adding new plants, and really everything you'll need to know to make your garden buzz.

Native gardening...good for you, good for the planet!

ABOUT US

Liz & Jane 💚

We're Liz Vogel and Jane Hamill —NBN co-founders, Chicago neighbors and friends who share a love of native plants and beautiful gardens all abuzz with bees and butterflies.

One of us is a professional eco gardener and designer with a masters in landscape architecture who spouts off proper plant names like it's nothin' (Liz)...

One of us is a serial entrepreneur & business coach (seen on CNN, NPR, Entrepreneur, WWD, The Chicago Tribune, and more) who absolutely loves being in the garden, especially if there's a cozy chair and a glass of prosecco (Jane) ... 

We are a match made in heaven and our goal is to make your garden amazing!

 

Nicki

Nicki has her horticulture degree from Purdue University, with a focus on public gardens. She has amazing knowledge of Illinois native plants and all the bees, butterflies and birds that visit them. If you have booked a consult lately, then you have likely benefited from her insights, gardening know-how, and mad design skills. 

We are all so excited to be helping Chicago-area gardeners to create spaces full of nature, beauty and a sense of wonder. 

Kaleigh

Kaleigh has worked with native plants across midwest woodlands, prairies, wetlands and more! She has a passion for conservation and an understanding of the symbiosis between a native garden, our Chicagoland communities, and pollinators. With over 3 years of nursery and land stewardship experience and more to come, Kaleigh is thrilled to be bringing native plants into the city! She plans on continuing her studies in biology this fall.

Laura

Laura is an educator with over a decade of experience working with students across Chicago. She has led school garden projects at various schools and partnered with local community gardening networks to make growing more accessible to all. Laura believes that gardens can spark curiosity, build community, and reconnect us with the natural world. She’s excited to help bring more beauty, biodiversity, and native plants to the city.

Jay

Jay discovered the importance of native plants during his time in school for landscape architecture. Since then he has been learning all he can about our native plants, how they grow and interact with each other and their environment. Native plants are cool and beautiful!