Our RootsRun Deep

Ivanhoe’s goal is to provide our wholesale customers with the highest quality trees and shrubs, exceptional service, and unmatched value in the Chicagoland area, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa. We grow and maintain a diverse selection of trees and shrubs. We provide personal, prompt service to every customer. We can have your order ready for pickup in 24 hours or can arrange shipping. Our centralized location in the Midwest means lower freight costs.

History

Ivanhoe Nursery & Farms’ history dates back to 1857 when Michael Wirtz left his hometown of Luxemburg, Germany. After 38 days at sea, Michael arrived in New York City. He ventured west in search of a home of his own, finding one in Chicago. Michael worked as a farmhand and soon acquired land in Fremont Township. This land was known as Ivanhoe Farm. To this day carries this name.

Michael married Caroline Hapke and had nine children. Ivanhoe Nursery & Farms has remained a family business, with the sixth generation of Wirtz’s being the current owners. We take pride in the land that has been a part of our family for over a century and a half. We are dedicated to using the land to produce beautiful, healthy trees and shrubs.

The Ivanhoe Advantage

The trees and shrubs grown at Ivanhoe are readily adaptable to the climate and soils in the Chicagoland area and surrounding states. The soil is heavy clay, which make great root-balls. We wait to sell our trees and plants until they are stocky and have a very good root system. We constantly monitor and maintain our plants to ensure that they will enjoy a long life after they leave our nursery. Our experienced team can help you determine the best trees and shrubs for your project. We’re happy to provide instructions for the ongoing maintenance of all trees and shrubs we sell. Our priority is a long, healthy life for all of our trees and shrubs.

Team

Maria Marquez is our jack of all trades. She has many years in the nursery business with her husband owning a landscape business in the Lake Geneva area. Maria speaks fluent Spanish which is helpful to our Spanish speaking customers.

Valente Bustillos has over 25 years in the nursery/landscape business and he is our go to guy for all issues pertaining to the nursery.

Tim McKenzie is the newest addition to the team and is in charge of helping customers select the plants they need and get the customer loaded efficiently without unnecessary delays. We understand that time is valuable to our customers.