The Landscape Contractor magazine FEB.23 DIGITAL EDITION

Nina Koziol 112-129 Mark Dwyer 146

The official publication of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), The Landscape Contractor is dedicated to educating, advising and informing members of this industry and furthering the goals of the Association. The Landscape Contractor carries news and features relating to landscape contracting, maintenance, design and allied interests. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication.

Publication reserves right to refuse advertising not in keeping with goals of Association. WWW.ilca.net

Volume 64, Number 2. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND

SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630) 637-8632

Magazine Staff

Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@ilca.net

Education Manager AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@ilca.net

Events Manager Terre Houte thoute@ilca.net

Office Manager Alycia Nagy anagy@ilca.net

Rick Reuland Publisher/Advertising Sales (630) 637-8632 rmgi@comcast.net

Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com v Meta Levin Feature Writer meta.levin@comcast.net

Nina Koziol Feature Writer n.koziol@att.net

Heather Prince Feature Writer princeht@sbcglobal.net

Patrice Peltier Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net

Mark Dwyer Feature Writer mcdwyer@zoho.com

This Way to the Midway!

“Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends We’re so glad you could attend Come inside! Come inside!

— Welcome Back my Friends, Emerson Lake and Palmer

iLandscape: The Illinois + Wisconsin Landscape Show celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2023. Ten years ago, the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association and our partner the Wisconsin Nursery and Landscape Association accepted the awesome challenge of reinventing a trade show for the Midwestern market. We dared iLandscape to be different. Instead of creating another cookie-cutter pipe and drape show, we set out to create a one-of-a-kind experience - to inform, inspire, and spark the imagination.

Since then, we’ve had red carpets, fiestas, indoor ice rinks, puppy adoptions, wood and ice carvers, tree houses, mixologists, walkabouts, musicians, stilt walkers, jugglers, magicians, artists, and so much more. We have welcomed over 60,000 guests through our doors over those ten years. iLandscape remains one of the most daring and innovative shows in the entire landscape market. Instead of creating one experience, we have created thousands that all happen under one roof. We thank the professional landscape industry for the past decade of success...in every type of weather.

When most of us turned ten, it was all about fun. Whether our birthday party was at Chuck E. Cheese, the backyard, or the basement we played games that made us laugh, smile, and feel like kids again. Therefore, the theme of iLandscape 2023 is Games in the Gardens. This combines what iLandscape does best - create magical interior spaces against a backdrop of winter and have a heck of a lot of fun.

Life isn’t all fun and games, but this year’s iLandscape sure will be. The garden vignettes host interactive games to keep everyone occupied and smiling as you make your way through both show floors packed with exhibitors. It is clear that companies are bringing their entire teams to iLandscape and what better way to celebrate your full-scale return than with fun, food, and prizes.

The spirit of a boardwalk and carnival midway will guide us through the show. The flashing lights beckon you forward to test your skill, wits, and dexterity. We now have two rounds of prize drawings - a mid-day and end-of-day - to hand out cash, art, sporting goods, special surprises, jackpots, and bonanzas. One lucky winner will drive home in a brand new electric golf cart. Wednesday night will have pub trivia after the prize drawings conclude. Thursday will be a night of carnival barkers and games of chance - a jamboree of jollification, a carnival of conviviality.

The ILCA/WNLA Membership booth just got a little bigger this year with ILCA’s unification with the Illinois Green Industry Association. The membership booth has been converted into a mid-century golf country club straight out of Bushwood. Grab your foursome and your plaid pants and enjoy a cocktail or cigar before your round of putt-putt golf.

The Excellence in Landscape Awards Night has been moved to Tuesday and features a recent record for submissions. Tuesday now offers three pre-conference workshops. The first looks at the tiny levers a business can pull to ensure maximum profitability as we face choppy waters ahead. The second, focuses on professional burnout and what coping strategies are available at the height of the busy season and the late summer doldrums. The final workshop offers CE credits for registered irrigation contractors.

The educational program may not always be filled with games, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. 50 sessions in English and Spanish will be offered in 2023. For the first time, every session will be recorded and offered to educational pass holders after the event. Games are all about picking the winner, but education pass holders no longer have to select just one session to attend out of five. The entire program will be available as part of the iLandscape library.

We look forward to the next ten years. We promise that what waits for you inside our tradeshow doors will always be the experience of a lifetime!

As the man in the top hat says, “Step right up! Step right up!” The games begin on page 57.

President

Jeff Kramer Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc, (630) 293-5444 jwkramer@kramertree.com

Vice-President

Ashley Marrin

Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc. (708) 301-2225 ashley@bretmarlandscape.com

Secretary-Treasurer

Jim Cirrincione Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. (630) 323-1411 jcirrincione@hinsdalenurseries .com

Immediate Past President Scott McAdam, Jr. McAdam Landscaping, Inc. (708) 771-2299 Scottjr@mcadamlandscape.com

Directors

Eric Adams Russo Power Equipment (847) 233-7811 eadams@russopower.com

Kim Hartmann Rosborough Partners 847-404-7669 hartmannkim@comcast.net

Ryan Heitman The Fisher Burton Company (847) 566-9200 ryanheitman@fisherburton.com

Tom Klitzkie Nature’s Perspective Landscaping (847) 475-7917 tklitzkie@naturesperspective.com

Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net

Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com

Kevin McGowen Kaknes/SiteOne 31W245 Diehl Road Naperville, IL 60563

Mark Utendorf Emerald Lawn Care, Inc. (847) 392-7097 marku@emeraldlawncare.com

President’s Message —

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!

You have been waiting all year for the really, really, big show and now the wait is over. I have been attending the ILCA yearly trade shows (iLandscape and MidAm) for over 25 years now and have looked forward to every one. Each year has been so different from the year before. There have been so many people involved to make the iLandscape show what it is today. And it is spectacular. In my early days, I would work the floor each day, meeting new people and catching up with a lot of my existing clients. Having lunch and dinner each day with new people and clients, cementing relationships that I still enjoy today. It was even fun setting up our booth each year with the other sales reps helping and getting revved about all the opportunities that were coming in the following days. This show has certainly been one of the main factors that helped our company grow each year. If I found one new client at the show it was well worth my time attending.

This year’s show is packed with activities, speakers, and nightly events. The Excellence in Landscape Awards Program, Trivia Night, and Games in the Gardens are the nightly events. New for this year are the pre-show workshops. There will be plenty of sessions each day that offer continuing education units which we all need, I’m sure.

I can’t wait to see everyone this year to catch up and share many laughs. Take the time to meet new people and share experiences with each other — this helps us all get better and enjoy our part of the green industry.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all you at the Big Show!

Sincerely,

¡¡Es la época más maravillosa del año!!

Sí- han estado esperando todo el año por la feria realmente grande, y ahora ha terminado la espera. He asistido a las ferias anuales de ILCA (ILandscape and MidAm) durante 25 años y espero con ansias la celebración de todas y cada una. Cada año ha sido muy diferente al año anterior. Es el gran número de personas involucradas lo que hace de la feria de ILandscape la exposición que es hoy, y es espectacular. En mis primeros años como vendedor caminaba por el piso de la exposición todos los días para conocer gente y ponerme al día con muchos de mis clientes que asisten también. Almorzar y cenar diariamente con nuevos clientes y gente cementa relaciones de las que disfruto todavía. Incluso era divertido instalar nuestro stand cada año con los otros representantes de venta ayudando y animándonos con todas las oportunidades que nos esperan en los próximos días. Esta feria ha sido definitivamente uno de los principales factores que ayudaron a nuestra compañía a crecer cada año. Si encontraba un nuevo cliente en la feria, valía la pena el tiempo que dediqué a asistir.

La feria de este año está repleta de actividades, oradores y eventos nocturnos. Programas de Premios, Noche de Trivia y Juegos en el jardín son los eventos nocturnos. Nuevo este año son los talleres pre-feria. Habrá muchas sesiones cada día que ofrecen unidades de educación continua que, estoy seguro, todos necesitamos.

No hallo la hora de ver a todos este año y ponerme al día y compartir muchas risas. Tómense el tiempo para conocer gente y compartir experiencias, esto nos ayuda a mejorar y disfrutar más de lo que hacemos en la industria verde.

¡¡Los veo pronto y tal vez comamos juntos!!

Atentamente, Jeff Kramer

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• Lake Bluff English Walled Garden

Designed in collaboration with noted English landscape designer John Brookes but installed exclusively by us, the English Walled Garden includes six garden rooms surrounded by boundaries made of stone, brick, hedges, and trees. Each room has a unique name and distinct features; they are affectionately titled: Vista Garden, Formal Daisy Garden, Courtyard Garden, Cottage Garden, Checkerboard Garden, and Pergola Garden. Also, each

room represents a variety of English gardening styles throughout history - with the Vista Garden paying homage to the famous garden at Great Dixter in Sussex, England - while featuring plants that are best for the prairie landscape of Illinois. The client wanted visitors to feel as if they were transported to a 19th-Century English manor and took a stroll through the formal gardens.

Focus — Americano y Latino

Bridging the Culture Gap

In the 2022 February issue of The Landscape Contractor magazine, I wrote about my life-long story of navigating culture by embracing it One Person’s Mission to Foster Cultural Understanding. Highlights of my journey brought to light my passion for Latinos, the Latin culture, and why the landscape industry has become my home. Being a member of the ILCA Latino Relations Committee, I also mentioned that I am proud of what our committee has done to improve cultural relations and educational opportunities for Latinos in the industry, but we can do more. Well, we are doing more. The ILCA Latino and Americano Subcommittee is a spinoff of the Latino Relations Committee, which started during March of 2021.

As members of the Latino and Americano Subcommittee, we are diverse in ethnicity, backgrounds, and we are from different companies. Jose Garcia is the owner of Natural Creations Landscaping as well as a past President of ILCA. Bernie Carranza is with Moore Landscapes. Pete McNamara is with Dependable Lawn Care. Catalino Mendoza is with Midwest Groundcovers, Terry Holum is with Sebert Landscape. Hernan Cortez is with Kaknes Landscape Supply. Zully Arroyo is with ConservFS. I am with Chalet Landscape, Nursery, and Garden Center.

To begin, Scott Grams, Executive Director of ILCA, introduced us to a book he read by Louis E.V. Nevaer, Managing Hispanic and Latino Employees-A Guide to Hiring, Training , Motivating, Supervising, and Supporting the Fastest Growing Workforce Group. Scott presented us with lists of bullet points from the book, highlighting the differences between the two cultures. Our Latino and Americano Subcommittee then chose 4 categories and we began working on presentations for our upcoming first educational series. These presentations were designed to be given in Spanish, English, or both. All four slide-show presentations began in

common with the purpose of these presentations, definitions, statistics of Latinos in the workforce, followed by acculturation and assimilation.

For the purpose of these presentations, we needed to establish a base line. Latinos/English as a second language need to better understand the demands of American workplaces so they have greater job satisfaction and opportunity. Latinos are primarily Spanish speakers with descendants from Latin America including Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Americanos/Spanish as a second language need to better understand the Latino workforce so they work with, not against the differences in culture. Due to the lack of an English term for primarily English speakers who grew up in America’s culture, we adopted the word “Americano”. Americano denotes geographic and cultural origin in the United States.

Regarding acculturation and assimilation from our presentations. Acculturation is understanding and adapting to a different culture while still maintaining traditions. Assimilation is fully adopting and being absorbed into the mainstream culture. Latinos are the first group that does not to need to acculturate due to their massive numbers influencing consumer society. Acculturation occurs before assimilation. Without acculturation and assimilation, the future of America and the workplace will be bicultural, bilingual, with little hope for common ground. This is what we need to overcome.

iLandscape February 2022 was the debut of the Latino and Americano Subcommittee. We presented our 4-part series. Part 1 was Who We Are. The focus was values and fitting into a changing culture, personal freedom, and the value of education and training. Part 2 was How We Think, with topics of communication, tone, voice, body language, time management and ambition. Part 3 was How We Work, consisting of company and workplace culture and onboarding. Part 4 was How (continued on page 14)

Focus — Americano y Latino

(continued from page 12)

We Lead addressing management-the employee supervisor dynamic and leadership in the workplace.

Jose Garcia and I had Part 3, How We Work. I began working on our Power Point presentation with the material we had in common with the other 3 topics. When I got to the bullet points comparing the differences in culture specific to our topic it became more difficult because the bullets were not a one-toone match when contrasting Latinos to Americanos. I grouped them where it made sense. For example, on the Americano side were two bullet points but on the Latino side there were three bullet points when comparing work-life balance and wages.

Primarily in Spanish for our debut, these sessions had a mixture of cultures in attendance. Some attendees, who could not speak Spanish, had others with them that could interpret. Some asked when these topics would be presented

in English. Much like myself, some knew just enough Spanish to be socially embarrassing to their Spanish-speaking colleagues. These attendees were able to mottle through with a basic understanding. Our sessions were not long enough. Opening the floor to questions, comments, and personal stories generated a tsunami of audience participation, regardless of cultural origin. The interaction between the presenters and the audience was beyond inspirational.

Also being a member of the Latin Landscape Network Advisory Board for National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), I took the opportunity to present Part 3 How We Work at the national ELEVATE conference in Orlando mid-September. These were informal settings by comparison to the auditorium settings at iLandscape. I did both Breakfast with Champions sessions and a Campfire session. The Campfire sessions are new to ELEVATE. These sessions are on the showroom floor with

optional squishy stools and a microphone, no slides or visual aids other than a decorative backdrop.

With only the microphone and a clipboard of bullet points from our iLandscape presentation, I went forth. It started with a handful of attendees and then it grew. Some more of the squishy stools filled but the perimeter with people standing was growing faster. The squishy stools were closer in and these attendees were more inclined to take the microphone “talking stick” to share their stories. Those on the perimeter where clearly interested but less inclined to take the talking stick. Regardless, it was inspirational to see the rainbow of colors of about 40 attendees. The conversation that resulted was incredible and went longer than anticipated.

I started the session by explaining where I came from and why I was doing this from a culture in business standpoint. I ended the session with (continued on page 16)

Focus — Americano y Latino

(continued from page 14) how Latinos have affected my family. My uncle Efrain Villa came here as a young man from Puerto Rico. I grew up with my cousins Brian Villa and Julie Villa and thought they were so lucky to grow up with exposure to two cultures. Ileana Ascencio met my nephew Josh Schroeder in high school and they became sweethearts. They are currently in their mid-20’s. Our entire family adores Ileana. Ileana and Josh will be married in Guadalajara in March of 2023.

A special thank you to my fellow members of the Latin Landscape Network Advisory Board, Pam Berrios previously with Ruppert Companies and now an industry consultant, and Kiara Daniel of Kubota as well as fellow NALP Awards Committee member and Chair, Jake Leman of Singing Hills Landscape Inc. Kelly Haskett of TrueWinds Consulting was in attendance and contributing as well. It was my pleasure to have

met Kelly and Fred Haskett in person last year at the NALP annual convention LANDSCAPES, where we had a great conversation and I had introduced Fred as a speaker. Also, I am very appreciative of Chalet Landscape, Nursery, and Garden Center for sponsoring me to come to ELEVATE.

Pam Berrios is a certified bilingual trainer, consultant, and is now the President of Infinity Group. After the session, she expressed interest in the presentation itself and that she may be interested in getting involved, so I connected her with Scott Grams. Pam responded, “I was fascinated by Debbie’s topic because it’s something I’ve been building awareness about, for years! It would be my absolute pleasure to join your meeting.” However, from out of state we intend to have Pam join us for a future ILCA Latino and Americano Subcommittee meeting soon. Our ILCA Latino and Americano Subcommittee initiatives are

certainly not unique to Illinois companies. This is a national thing.

Momentum is building now for our iLandscape 2023 Latino and Americano sessions, which will be during the first week of February. We will present Como trabajamos/How We Work and Como lideramos/How We Lead. Twenty years ago, 1 in 10 workers was Latino. Today, 1 in 5 workers are Latino. By 2050, 1 in 2 workers will be Latino. This information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is my hope that those of you reading this article will attend any of our sessions, in whole or in part. It does not matter what color you are, your first language, your background, or your title. You can take the talking stick or you can stand on the perimeter. Bring your coworkers and colleagues. It is all about awareness and personal growth so we as a multicultural collective can get closer to bridging the gap between Latinos and Americanos.

A Visit to the Water Wonderland of Larry Carnes

Whenhe was in high school, Larry

Carnes excelled in natural science classes. “But I never thought I’d follow it as a career,” said Carnes, owner and president of Reflections Water Gardens in West Dundee. But he did follow his passion, joining the green industry not long after that.

Since founding his company in 2010, Carnes has created award-winning water features for small residential sites, sweeping suburban high-end properties and commercial entities. His latest—and massive—project is a commercial property in Bolingbrook, which has 600 tons of rock and boulders and eight pumps that run 1000 gallons of water per minute.

“When I started off, I didn’t want to do little stuff—I have a hard time building small projects,” he said. He was at the site in December wrapping up phase two of the project with his crew while the temperatures plunged and snow was falling.

His dedication to clients is obvious after a homeowner texted him, worried that his koi might freeze. The client’s contemporary pond faces the entryway of a midcentury modern home. “We did a quick visit,” Carnes said. “His driveway snow wasn’t melting—he has an ice-melt system with a boiler in the basement that also heats the koi pond. The good thing is that all our filtration is in the basement and the pond was doing good, the fish were happy, and the water was still 50 degrees. Even though it was on Christmas Eve, we still take care of our clients.” And it shows in his work. His projects have garnered several ILCA Gold Awards and many kudos from industry peers.

Getting His Feet Wet

Carnes grew up near Barrington and studied landscaping at Harper College. He started his own business after work-

Focus — The Pros at Home

ing as a lawn care tech at McGinty and ChemLawn. He worked as a project manager at RikRock and then became a certified arborist for The Davey Tree Expert Company where he worked for over seven years. During that time he gained knowledge in tree care and landscape design and installation.

“I bought a house in Cary in 2001 and did a landscape design for it and then began designing with a friend. I met Michael Perkaus from Aquatic Ecosystems management and he fed me small repair jobs. Perkaus was asked about doing a bioswale and we did a big outcropping wall for him.” After that, he got a call from Mariani Landscape. “From that 20,000-square-foot pond [project], things took off. It was all just networking with ILCA members.”

Flower Power meets Ponds

Carnes worked on exhibits for the Chicago Flower and Garden show starting in 2009 when he teamed up with Aquascape to build a pond-less waterfall. “In 2011, I

did the first garden show exhibit on my own.” At the 2014 show he introduced a new concept for backyard swimming pools that featured a natural, lagoonlike swimming experience. The system was revolutionary in that the plants clean and filter the water and remove impurities, completely eliminating the use of chlorine and other harsh chemicals. He later worked with Scott Stewart of Chicago’s Lurie Garden on another flower show exhibit.

Carnes credits several mentors for his success. “When I was in college, it was Greg Piercall’s books. I learned a lot from John Mariani and I was influenced by being on a Scott Byron property for Davey Tree. And, Anthony Archer-Wills—the Water Gardener— he’s like the godfather of our industry and a cool guy.”

Walking trails with his dog, Remington, and seeing grasses and shrubs in prairies provides him with design inspiration. He also credit’s Piet

Focus — The Pros at Home

Oudolf’s books. “It’s all about nature, mimicking nature—I love grasses, prairies, meadows.”

Go with the Flow

Attracted by open space, he built a home in West Dundee in 2004. The land is a big triangle, just under half an acre. “There’s no one behind us and there’s a park out front. This was a cornfield with sandy clay and we hit veins of sand when we were digging. There’s a tunnel of wind that hits the house and the 100-year-flood swale runs through the property.”

The landscape design, he says, was done on the fly. “I made it up as I went. He calls his pond a grand experiment. “I would rip it out because I know more now. I’d keep the same concept and change the circulation and I’d go deeper.” His wife Becky enjoys the pond as much as he does. “I like the reflection on the water and that’s one of the reasons we named the company Reflections,” she said.

Some of the plantings change every year. During the last Polar Vortex, he lost a large Japanese maple and GroLow Sumac. He’s cloud-pruning the boxwood into a sculpture, something he admired while working on another project. There are drifts of calamint, hellebores and wild ginger. “I try to stick to the native plants.” Redbuds in the side yard are underplanted with Jacob’s ladder and coral bells.

To celebrate his 50th birthday and 10th wedding anniversary, he planted a serviceberry. He’s planted many other native plants including bottlebrush buckeye, hackberry, sugar maples and sedges. “I’ve got plantain sedge and I’ve tried to do a big swath of oak sedge, but it browns out so I need to add more.”

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Focus — The Pros at Home

sedge. “John Mariani turned me on to June grass (Koeleria macrantha)—a native.” Golden Alexander is one native perennial he refuses to plant. “It seeds everywhere. It has to be deadheaded and I don’t have time for that.”

Challenges and Opportunities

When the couple’s hot tub stopped working during the pandemic, he couldn’t get a replacement so he added white beach sand to his pond. “I used to really be into Japanese gardens then I learned as long as you’ve got good bones and structure you fill it in with plants. I let everything grow and fill in and I like to plant tight. You can always pull it out.” He built the pergola for entertaining and he prefers green foliage to flowers, so the couple chose bright Adirondack chairs for a pop of color around the fire pit. Weeping spruce and a giant aronia attract birds. “I love the oak-leaf hydrangeas and I love the prairie dropseed—the smell.”

With three big German shepherds and a new rescue dog, he fences the beds after the snow melts to keep young plants from being trampled. A special flagstone path hugs a long fence and serves as a dog run.

“On the weekends, if I’m not doing appointments I just vegetate. Sundays are my de-stress time—I clean my pond filters, weed, do chores, but I enjoy it. The weeds are a nonissue when the plants are full.” In the fall, he lets the leaves cover the beds. Maintenance is simple: he cuts the plants back once a year and applies leaf mulch and Preen in spring. Dog number four has put a hold on new garden additions. “Last year, I

Focus — The Pros at Home

kind of gave up on my yard when we adopted Lu—she’s a little nuts—and jumps around in my butterfly garden.” The dogs also love jumping in the pond.

He built a small koi pond in the side yard next to the house. “I had fish from the garden show and nowhere to put them so I dug a pond. It was back in the day when I had time between projects.” Now he’s almost booked through 2023.

The Design Process

Carnes loves autumn and designing for winter interest. But when it comes to design, it’s not necessarily on paper. “I don’t draw bubble diagrams, I just look at the site. The process happens in my head. I’ll collaborate with someone who has more experience with plants and site lines. I just like creating and seeing people being happy with the result.”

See his work at reflectionswatergardens.com/

The Changing Face of Public Parks The Naperville Riverwalk: Maintaining a Jewel

In 1981 a hardy band of civic leaders and volunteers decided to create the first link in a chain of parkland that stretches 1.75 miles along the banks of the West Branch of the DuPage River through downtown Naperville. From that first effort, generations of residents and visitors have flocked to enjoy the green spaces by the burbling waters of the river. As the 50th anniversary of that initial effort approaches, plans are laid to add more strands to this vibrant ribbon of greenway that threads through this busy modern suburb.

A History with Deep Roots

Since its founding in 1831, Naperville has had an intimate relationship with the river. Joe Naper was drawn to the area for its fertile prairie soils and easy access to water. Grist mills

and sawmills dotted the DuPage River allowing the farmers to grind their grain and process lumber for building materials. Quarries sprung up on either bank as limestone was mined for construction. From cattle watering on its banks to cars being washed, the river watched the town grow from a sleepy farming community to a bustling suburb. In the 1930s, in celebration of its centennial, the city further channelized the river and created park spaces from the abandoned quarries. City leaders contributed funds to purchase land and worked with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to build Centennial Beach and it swiftly became a beloved watering hole for families. Quarried stone walls held the river waters and paths sprung up for residents to stroll.

(continued on page 32)

The Changing Face of Public Parks

(continued from page 30)

By 1981, the riverfront was again in the spotlight as a place to mark Naperville’s Sesquicentennial. The City of Naperville donated publicly owned riverfront property and volunteers along with community leaders and business owners raised the rest of the funds for the initial two-block section between Main Street and Eagle Street. Rick Hitchcock, now retired founder of Hitchcock Design Group and Naperville resident was tapped to design it. “Chuck George, a local architect who had worked extensively with the Riverwalk Chairman and was familiar with the San Antonio Riverwalk, was selected to design the first and second phases of the Riverwalk,” remembered Hitchcock. “In 1980, when I started my business, I asked Chuck if I could participate. After I was introduced to the Riverwalk Chairman, Jim Moser, I was selected to be the landscape architect and I prepared the planting plans that accompanied Chuck’s architectural plans.” Hitchcock became deeply involved, serving as long range master planner, Riverwalk consultant, Riverwalk Commissioner, and Riverwalk Chairman. Today, he is an active volunteer collaborating with Commission members on planning, design, marketing, and funding. Since the initial park, pieces of Riverwalk have been developed bit by bit, and now encompassing about 100 acres of riverfront park. It has won many awards over the years, including recognition from ILCA.

(continued on page 34)

The Changing Face of Public Parks

(continued from page 32)

Working with Water

The Naperville Park District manages the Riverwalk properties. Beyond the perennial challenge of finding and keeping labor, one of the biggest difficulties is working with the ever-changing river. Water levels seasonally shift from deepest flooding to dry enough you can almost walk across the riverbed. There have been a number of constructed projects with rock and cement walls to keep erosion at bay.

“What folks might not realize is the degree of slope on the banks,” observed Peggy Motta, Project Manager, PLA of the Naperville Park District. “The slopes are so steep you can’t get equipment in to do tree removals or grind stumps. We’ve gradually been removing invasives like buckthorn and honeysuckle

(continued on page 36)

The Changing Face of Public Parks

(continued from page 34)

by hand. We’ve gone in and replanted here and there with natives and that’s been working until the river floods and washes away the new plants. Depending on the section, we’ll have trees just perched on the edge of the water. It’s part of dealing with a river.”

The Park District is also always battling weeds. Whenever the river slips over the banks, it deposits a fresh load of weed seed. Winter brings new challenges, especially with ice. The lower sidewalks are only three feet wide and are closed in winter as it is too difficult to get equipment in to keep them free of snow and ice. The upper walkways and bridges are cleared and enjoyed in every season.

Maintaining the Aesthetic

The Riverwalk is aesthetically tied together by signature paver paths and shepherd-crook lighting dotted with ipe wood and iron benches. Plazas and an amphitheater that seats up to 100 are connected with the distinctive wavy pavers on upper and lower (continued on page 38)

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The Changing Face of Public Parks

(continued from page 36) pathways. “We have a stockpile,” commented Tom Stibbe, Park Operations Manager for the Naperville Park District. “There are two fundamental elements that are part of the Naperville Riverwalk signature look that are no longer being made. The pavers and the lights.” Fortunately, the town used the distinctive lampposts throughout the downtown area. As times have changed, the Park District has snapped up any discarded lights. “We’ve salvaged most of the downtown lights and stored them with the Park District. When one goes down, we cannibalize the parts from our stash. But one of these days, we will likely have to bite the bullet and figure out how to replace them or have them custom made.”

Working in a public garden space

that is always open makes caring for it sometimes tricky. “We’re charged with everything that involves the maintenance on the riverwalk from the plants to the hardscapes,” said Stibbe. “The biggest challenge to maintenance is working around the people who use the Riverwalk. You have to try and keep things open and make sure people can still get around without blocking things. It’s a balance between usage and safety.”

Planting the Park

Initially, the plant palette was extremely ornamental. The first park section was dedicated in September 1981 and Rick Hitchcock remembered, “everything at the time was intentionally very ornamental. It was also installed completely out of season.” Being the new centerpiece of downtown, the

Chairman wanted a showy, ornamental landscape that looked like it had been there for years. “We installed large trees for instant impact. They are still there for the most part,” said Hitchcock. “We planted linden, honeylocust, ash, some Austrian pine, and thornless cockspur hawthorns. The ashes and pines are gone, of course, but the rest have developed into a lasting canopy.” Seasonal plantings have brought splashes of color to the core areas from the beginning. “The chairman insisted on having some flowers for the opening day and we started that discussion back around Memorial Day for the September opening ceremony,” recalled Hitchcock. “We decided to use garden mums, but how were we going to get mums that were blooming at the right time? We flew to

(continued on page 40)

The Changing Face of Public Parks

(continued from page 38)

Holland, Michigan, and basically hand selected hundreds maybe thousands of chrysanthemums and they were jammed in shoulder to shoulder for the grand opening. It was spectacular and really captivated the community.”

The plant palette has evolved as time has gone on and more sections of the Riverwalk have been developed. “Since there was and still is nothing ‘natural’ about the original downtown segment of the Riverwalk, and because it was planted completely out of season, we simply didn’t consider the use of native plant material,” commented Hitchcock. “To be sure, as we moved farther up and downstream from downtown, we employed a more natural style using more, but not exclusively, native materials. Fortunately, the public appreciates and even expects a more natural style today than it did in the 1980s.” The Park District strives to balance the desire for

(continued on page 42)

The Changing Face of Public Parks

(continued from page 40) showy garden spaces with increased demand for plants that support pollinators and wildlife. The core is maintained with a mix of long-blooming perennials, annuals, flowering shrubs, and ornamental trees. The Park District has partnered with The Conservation Foundation on some projects away from the core to stabilize shorelines with native plants and mitigate flow rates of the river by creating riffles and pools.

The Riverwalk landscapes also evolve from highly manicured at the core to looser and more naturalistic as you move (continued on page 44)

Introducing Little Hottie

A grower favorite, this new panicle hydrangea introduction is a compact, well-branched shrub with brilliant white blooms. After multiple years of testing, Little Hottie® has proven its genetically compact size, both in production and the landscape, as well as amazing heat tolerance where it doesn’t burn in

The Changing Face of Public Parks

(continued from page 42) outwards. “Well, I think that as a park district, we’re here to provide recreation, right?” commented Motta. “So, within every park we try to provide different kinds of recreation. You have active kids and active people who like turf grass because they want to run, play football, and toss a frisbee. But they’re also those kids who want to walk through natural areas, who want to go look at the flowers and find the butterflies. I think that the riverwalk provides both of those opportunities between the open spaces and the sections that are like walking through the woods.”

From first inspiration to future planning, the Riverwalk has become the jewel of downtown Naperville. You’ll find residents and visitors strolling its charming paver paths under the shepherd-crook lamps every day of the year watching the ever-changing water. It is an excellent example of long-term planning for green space in a very built environment that is aesthetically knit together with thoughtful elements. The Riverwalk remains a leafy respite that has become only more beloved with time.

New Views in the Landscape

Crevice Garden Fundamentals

Ijust finished reading an amazing gardening book entitled The Crevice Garden by Kenton Seth and Paul Spriggs (Filbert Press, 2022). This is one of the few gardening books I’ve read cover to cover in many decades. This timely book topic allowed me to further explore this intriguing gardening style which, while trending and getting more attention in the past couple of years, already has a long history. While the installation of the crevice garden requires some “know how” and old-fashioned elbow grease, the end result is a beautiful and low maintenance garden.

My exposure to crevice gardens started a decade before reading this book. I recall visiting Allen Centennial Gardens, a 2.5 acre teaching garden on the University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI) campus when I first noticed something different. I tour this garden many times annually and remember first observing their new crevice garden, created by garden volunteer Ed Glover. Ed has a long history with alpine gardening in general and is an active member of the North American Rock Garden Society. This narrow crevice garden has a strong, architectural contribution with thin, parallel rocks jutting from the ground in a narrow, slightly mounded

Mark Dwyer is the garden manager at the Edgerton (WI) Hospital and Health Services Healing Garden, runs his own landscape consultation business and was the Director of Horticulture at Rotary Botanical Garden (Janesville, WI) for 21 years.

He has also been a frequent speaker at iLandscape.

garden space in full sun. This crevice garden was a small portion of their already amazing rock garden but the proximity to the primary path and all the notable alpine plant treasures tucked in the nooks and crannies formed by the rock placement invited closer inspection.

In my more frequent, pre-COVID travels, I later sought out and stumbled upon crevice gardens at the Denver Botanic Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden, Cantigny Garden (Wheaton, IL), Plant Delights Nursery (Raleigh, NC) and many private settings. The large crevice gardens at the Montreal Botanic Garden and Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Garden Wisley blew my mind. This style of rock gardening, inspired by layers of sedimentary rock in the mountains, steppes and tundra, really intrigued me in terms of not only the design and plant materials but appreciation for the design and construction.

(continued on page 48)

New Views in the Landscape

(continued from page 46)

“The crevice garden’s popularity is amplified by natural examples that inspire the style.” The Crevice Garden (2022)

The intent of this article is to give some crevice gardening basics although further research into this style is recommended. In a recent New York Times article (8/3/22), gardening columnist Margaret Roach explores this gardening style and describes the crevice garden as “a rock garden taken right to the edge.” She goes on to explain that crevice gardens are “pretty and functionally forward-facing and work even where water is increasingly scarce.” A crevice, simply speaking, is a gap between adjacent stones filled with a soil medium that can support growth of a plant. Use of these intentionally narrow crevices (minimally, 1” is recommended), can mimic the tougher conditions supporting alpine plants that need to adapt to cold, drought, winds, snow cover, shorter seasons and nutrient deficiencies in their native range. The orientation and configuration of the crevice garden rocks, while allowing sufficient sunlight and airflow, also creates many microclimates with variable temperature, moisture availability and sun exposure in a typically small space. Seth and Spriggs give due credit to Czech rock gardeners that popularized this style in the mid-1980s and explored the virtues and values of crevices for not only growing challenging alpine plants but beautifying tough areas. There is certainly both art and science in creating the crevice garden.

The Rocks

A crevice garden is composed of at least 50% rock coverage. These flat stones, arranged vertically or at a tilt, are meant to replicate rock outcroppings in nature. A wide range of rock can be utilized for the crevice garden and options will be dictated by your location, availability and budget. The best stones add character and tend to have two parallel sides. Appropriate rocks might be quarry sourced, hand-picked or found locally. Using the same type of stone can unite the garden although this isn’t always possible (or intentional). Interestingly, repurposed concrete slabs are finding more frequent use in crevice gardens and add a modernist twist!

Underestimating the necessary volume of rock is typical and should be considered. As should their weight for the sake of delivery, relocation and installation. A significant portion (50% or more) of the rock is sunk, embedded and secured in the ground for stability and the orientation becomes important in creating microclimates. Lighter stone reflects heat while darker stones warm adjacent soil by absorbing heat. The parallel orientation of these rock layers (strata) provides not only a structural framework and nooks for planting but can route water as desired. A topdressing of .5”-1” of crushed stone acts as a nice mulch and further separates the plants from the prepared soil. Crushed or sharp gravel matching the same “parent rocks” will tend to stay in place.

(continued on page 50)

New Views in the Landscape

(continued from page 48)

Design

The solidity and rigid nature of the crevice garden shouldn’t obscure the fact that this garden is a dynamic space. The texture and color of the plants softens the angularity and hardness of the space. While many crevice gardens attempt to achieve a “natural look”, there are very modern interpretations of this style as well. Seth and Spriggs mention that “one of the finest compliments for a crevice garden is that it appears natural and not built.” I was smitten by the new, modern crevice garden at Cantigny Gardens (Wheaton, IL) which has significant symmetry and while obviously contrived, has an amazingly diverse amount of plant material and is a component of an even larger gravel garden.

Consider the footprint for your crevice garden and pick a location with few underground or overhead obstacles and can be accessed. Every crevice garden I’ve viewed has taken advantage of existing topography and/or created some of its own with “peaks”, “valleys” and features that lend a sense of scale. Mounding the space initially can be the start of some nice verticality that also serves the purpose of bringing plants closer to the viewer. Consider how the space will be viewed when determining the layout and design. Balance and harmony is a constant goal of the crevice garden and is achieved over time and the plants are a big part of the equation.

When positioning any rock in a crevice garden, choose the nicest parts of the rocks to be exposed. A few large rocks can add instant height and scale to a garden space and are recommended first in the design process. Perimeter or edging stones will help define the space as well. Subsequently, strata should be installed and completed one row at a time and should have the same relative thickness. The strata (or “ribs”) of the garden offer scale and dimension. Tilting rocks might require more support during installation but can offer drama as well. Asymmetry in the crevice garden is fairly common with a mixture of slopes, ridges, peaks and valleys, not to mention potential pathways and other features. When the garden stones and soil have been set and settled, the rocks shouldn’t move which is why they require additional attention with bracing stones as needed. Crevice gardens in containers and troughs is also common but not addressed in this article.

Soils

The soils of a crevice garden can be variable depending on location and the needs of the desired plants. Keep in mind that a crevice garden can host a wide range of variable soil types in a small space. In general, these soils are lean and should emulate those native soils that have open texture and porosity. The use of a combination of native soil and sand (construc (continued on page 52)

New Views in the Landscape

(continued from page 50) tion or “sharp” sand) is common. Be wary of clay as it can adversely affect drainage. These soil “recipes” universally are meant to support a wide range of alpine plants that will extend deep roots into the cool recesses of these crevices.

When packing soils into the crevices and gaps, ensure no air pockets and leave some room for the later topdressing as plants are installed. A minimum of 8” of rooting depth should be provided which will encourage alpine plants to send dramatic and deep roots for anchoring and moisture. Smaller rocks and rock “slivers” may be needed to help create smaller pockets and to minimize erosion. More organic soil pockets can be created as needed for plants that require a bit more pampering. A prudent recommendation from Seth and Spriggs mentions “erring on the side of more open soil with fewer nutrients that can be modified in the future as needed.”

The Plants

Rock garden plants tend to be short (under 12”), and slowgrowing with foliage that moderates exposure to both the sun and wind. The low-profile nature of these alpine plants is a survival strategy and the crevice garden can become an effective garden for establishment due to the diverse microclimates related to rock placement, soil preparations, orientation and layout. Most crevice appropriate plants are under 6” in

height. With so many spots to include these smaller gems and treasures, a crevice garden amounts to more plants in a smaller space. The diversity of available plants is astounding although it’s likely you’ll need to connect with additional resources for plants and seeds.

Maintenance

Early weeding efforts should be consistent and when preparing your initial soil mixes, be wary of including any soils known to have weed issues or surviving plant roots (i.e. bindweed). In time, weeding needs should become minimal as the combination of leaner soils and gravel topdressing will mitigate those challenges. Watering as needed is the rule of thumb, particularly during the establishment phase of new plantings. Consider those areas that might need additional watering although thoughtful layouts with rocks and proper soil preparations will help direct water to support the garden. The demise of some plants is inevitable over time but keep in mind the importance of removing organic matter that might settle into the crevices and increase weed pressure. Keep those gaps clean and lean.

This article is certainly not comprehensive regarding the mechanics of designing and installing the crevice garden. However, I do strongly recommend the book by Seth and (continued on page 54)

New Views in the Landscape

(continued from page 52)

Spriggs mentioned in the article. Joining a local rock gardening group and observing successful examples of crevice gardens is a wonderful way to learn and be inspired by this amazing garden style.

Mark Dwyer is the garden manager at the Edgerton (WI) Hospital and Health Services Healing Garden, runs his own landscape consultation business and was the Director of Horticulture at Rotary Botanical Garden (Janesville, WI) for 21 years.

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Be in 50 different places at once!

For the first time all educational sessions will be recorded and available to watch at a later date! All session recordings are included with your education registration! Whoa!

SPANISH LANGUAGE SESSIONS ARE FREE TO EVERYONE!

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

11:15am-12:15pm

How We Work

Bernie Carranza, Moore Landscapes; Pete McNamara, Dependable Lawn Care; Catalino Mendoza, Midwest Groundcovers

Nirvana A

Thursday, February 2, 2023

11:00am-12:00pm

How We Lead

Zully Arroyo, Conserv FS; Debbie Bartsch, Chalet; Jose Garcia, Natural Creations Landscaping

Nirvana A

WEDNESDAY EDUCATION SESSIONS

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Designing for Curb Appeal

Vallari Talapatra, Eco Scapes, Inc.

Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s

We’re used to creating the backyard “oasis”. What about the front yard that makes the neighbors rubber neck as they drive by? Over the last ten years, Vallari has conducted workshops that discuss some of the common issues and challenges that homeowners face. And she’s bringing that feedback to you! We’ll learn how to design site specific front yards that use both hardscape and plants, while honoring the architecture. After all, getting the most functionality from the front yards is something that all of us strive for!

Making Landscapes that Matter

Scott Beuerlein, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Utopia AB

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s

This session takes you on a fascinating horticultural journey. Scott connects evolution, art, genetics, natural history, food, wine and more with landscapes that make us feel more comfortable, happy and secure. He will make the case that green spaces and the plants that create them fulfill basic human needs, not wants, and clearly shines light on the elements that matter the most.

Groundcovers: Great Alternatives to Turf Grass

Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine

Nirvana BC

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Groundcovers are low-growing plants that serve many different purposes in the landscape from limiting weed growth to stabilizing slopes to adding texture to your garden. Kathy Jentz, author of the forthcoming book, “Groundcover Revolution,” will cover several of these beautiful, hard-working plants and the best kinds to use for specific situations.

Onboarding New Employees: Welcome to the Team, Now Grab a Shovel!

Kevin Battistoni, Hunter / FX

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s

Finding the right employees is one of the most difficult challenges that companies are faced with today. You must hyper-focus on your onboarding processes and company culture during hiring, or else all the time you’ve spent finding those new team members will be wasted. During this presentation, Kevin will share strategic insights from green industry business owners, managers, and trainers who’ve built their companies through years of trial and error. From interviewing and onboarding to incentives and career path planning, you will learn proven tactics utilized by industry leaders today to successfully scale their workforces.

Wowing Your Clients With Exceptional Service Every Step of the Way

Lauren Howell, Stuber Land Design

Euphoria

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s We all know that keeping a client is better than having to find a new one. Taking care of our clients by providing exceptional service is a big part of keeping them! But what does good customer service look like these days? How can I deliver better service than my competitors? How do I keep my team excited about taking care of our clients? We will look at many aspects of providing customer service - from our office staff to our frontline crews and everyone in between.

WEDNESDAY EDUCATION SESSIONS

9:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Winning the Talent War

Neal Glatt, GrowTheBench.com

Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Are you ready to start winning the talent war? In this session, Neal will help you get the recruiting and retention edge by discussing a modern approach to hiring. Attendees will learn what today’s workforce really wants in a job, how to write compelling job postings, how to leverage the latest recruiting technology, where to find workers, how to keep your best employees, and how to get the best from every worker. Attracting people to work in the green industry has never been more difficult than today. Yet, proven strategies leveraged by landscapers around the country do exist. This session will give you the tools you need to effectively recruit and engage today’s workers.

Bad Ass Trees for Piss Poor Places

Scott Beuerlein, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Utopia AB

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s We put trees in some pretty difficult places, and then we ask a lot of them. This session will list some of the toughest trees for tough urban conditions. It will also discuss the importance of developing a broader list for the purpose of diversity and why we shouldn’t always rely on the toughest of the tough.

The Pros at Home: From the Tropics to the Woodland

Nina Koziol, The Landscape Contractor Magazine

Additional Presenters: Bob Hursthouse, Hursthouse; Dan Biernacki, Ted’s Greenhouse

Nirvana BC

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s The personal gardens of Bob Hursthouse and Dan Biernacki couldn’t be more different. One is a tropical paradise, the other a northwoods-inspired getaway. Both gardens have been featured in ILCA’s Gardens of the Pros series. See how an award-winning landscape architect and a long-time nursery owner shape their own outdoor spaces with unique plants. Discover their design choices based on how they want to spend time in their own home landscapes.

How Landscape Trees are Propagated and Why this is Important to You

Kris Bachtell, The Morton Arboretum

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s There are various methods used to produce landscape trees, and each method is important to understand so that you know what you are handling when maintaining a specific tree. Through demonstrations, Kris will show you how to recognize how a tree was started and how this can help you to provide the best care possible

Quick and Easy Landscape Planting Design Techniques for Crew Leaders

Lauren Howell, Stuber Land Design

Euphoria

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s With everyone wearing multiple hats these days we find Crew Leaders and other field staff needing to create and sketch up quick designs on the fly many times. But how do you know where to put what to create a pleasing plant installation for your clients? Come join us for an overview of landscape design basics and learn how to put these methods together to create planting plans that work and look great!

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Plants, Placement, Perfect! Creating Inspiring Containers

Marianne Willburn, Author

Utopia CD

If you’re staring at that cluttered jumble of pots in the basement and wondering what you can do with them this year that won’t have you yawning before you even start, let Marianne help you create something that goes beyond the tired and traditional annual combos and boring, predictable placement. Utilize edibles and perennials, discover tropical treasures, consider adding the magical element of water, and learn what to look for when grouping plants for a successful container that thrives.

Creating Organizational Culture

Mark O’Brien, Stantec

Utopia AB

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s

Every company has its own unique personality. The unique personality of an organization is referred to as its culture. In groups of people who work together, organizational culture is an invisible but powerful force that influences the behavior of the members of that group. This presentation discusses how company culture is built and how it can effect the performance of a business good and bad. Who within the organization has the biggest effect on culture and how can they build positive attitudes and a highly functioning team. We will go into depth about what are the building blocks to create a positive culture that will attract and retain quality people.

Plants for Solutions

Allan Armitage, University of Georgia

Nirvana BC

Who is kidding who? No one walks into a hardware store and asks for a delicate and dainty, pineapple-sage socket wrench. They present a problem and ask for tools that provide solutions. People who purchase plants are no different. Customers, wholesalers, installers, and designers want plants that are native, plants that deer don’t eat, plants for fragrance. etc. They want solutions. Of course, we all want to know what cultivars are the next great thing, but let’s use our plant knowledge to plainly and clearly address the landscape challenges of our customers. Let’s concentrate on Solution Gardening..

Tree Risk Assessment - How to and Why

Kris Bachtell, The Morton Arboretum

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s Trees, particularly large specimens, are an important component of a quality landscape environment. These trees have been proven to be valuable for their environmental function as well as their positive impact to human health. To provide these functions trees need to be observed and assessed on a routine basis to make sure they are strong and resistant to structure failure. This presentation will cover the basics of tree health and structure assessment to help ensure your trees will provide the positive services we desire.

Integrating Design Technology for Water Conscious Landscapes

Eric Gilbey, Vectorworks

Euphoria

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Designing landscapes with sustainability in mind is no longer a matter of preference but one of meeting jurisdictional requirements. As site designers increasingly lean on design software, online resources, and other digital tools to make their current design workflows easier, these can offer additional assists to help meet the new expectations in water-efficient irrigation and on-site water management. With the help of GIS integrations, plant databases and smart 2D/3D object design, creatively managing water in your proposed landscape design can be at your fingertips.

THURSDAY EDUCATION SESSIONS

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Reimagining an Urban Frank Lloyd Wright Landscape

Tony Gomez-Phillips, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Monona Terrace horticulturist Tony Gomez-Phillips discusses the process of redesigning Madison’s downtown convention center’s landscape on the belief that the benefit of Frank Lloyd Wright’s strong organic architecture is the ability to pursue the “wildness” of the gardens and their interpretation of the site. Partnering sustainable plantings with Frank Lloyd Wright’s design principles, learn how designed lines and forms engage the prairie plant palette to connect people with what the architect envisioned as an inviting and beautiful community destination.

State of the Green Industry

Kevin Battistoni, Hunter / FX

Nirvana BC

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s The 2022 Green Industry survey results are shared here for the first time! Once again, over 1,600 industry professionals have participated in the annual survey, providing critical measurables on all areas of concern ranging from wages to profitability and the outlook for 2023. Expanding the survey results will share relevant economic data from new construction to disposable personal income. In addition, the audience will have an opportunity to anonymously participate (via text message) in a similar industry survey with real-time results, leaving you with an accurate temperature reading on how your company lines up against the rest of the industry.

Gardens of the Pros: Prairie Two Ways

Nina Koziol, The Landscape Contractor magazine

Additional Presenters: Dean MacMorris, Night Light, Inc.; Jack Pizzo, The Pizzo Group Utopia AB

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s

The fascinating home landscapes of Dean MacMorris and Jack Pizzo were featured in the Gardens of the Pros series in ILCA’s magazine, “The Landscape Contractor.” Both rural properties feature prairies but each site is quite different. One includes a Civil War-era house, barn, outbuildings, borders and containers filled with colorful annuals. The other features a new house surrounded by more than 40 acres of restored prairie. And both properties illustrate how two green industry pros approach design at their homes based on their own needs and preferences. Discover how they plant and maintain these sweeping properties.

Why Do Trees Fail? Summary of Concerns from Industry Pros

Melissa Custic, Chicago Region Trees Initiative/The Morton Arboretum Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s

The Chicago Region Trees Initiative, including Green Industry partners, is focused on improving the health and longevity of urban trees. In December 2022, a roundtable forum was held with members of the green industry, including growers, contractors, designers, and foresters to identify and address the hurdles to tree health throughout a tree’s life. This session, will report out the outcomes of that meeting and on causes and solutions to tree stressors to improve canopy cover and longevity. including urban tree stressors including stock with poor root architecture, improper planting techniques, poor site assessment and remediation, and ineffective maintenance practices. Understanding and improving the process from growing trees to planting and caring for trees can improve the health and longevity of urban trees.

Estimating Jobs for Profit and Growth Weston Zimmerman, SynkedUP Euphoria

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Overhead is the #1 profit killer. Learn to solve that problem in your estimating to ensure that every proposal is priced for profit. Weston will cover common pitfalls that sabotage your profits when quoting jobs. Wrap it up with learning how to job cost to ensure you are on track and achieving your goals for growth.

9:45

AM – 11:00 AM

Building a Budget to Price Jobs Profitably

Weston Zimmerman, SynkedUP

Euphoria

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Ever get to the end of the year and your books show you made profit, but you have no cash in your bank account? The number one reason hardscape contractors have the “show profit- but-no-cash-in-the-bank” symptom is: overhead expenses. Overhead, if not properly accounted for, will crush you. Weston will teach you how to solve this dilemma by showing you how to build a company budget that ensures you are pricing your jobs for profit, charging the correct rate per man-hour, and making sure your overhead and all costs are factored in. And you’ll go home with free tools you can use to build your budget and start earning the profit you want from your business.

Time Management - Taking Control of Your Life

Judson Griggs, Harvest Landscape Business Consulting Group

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s How many times during your typical week do you find yourself asking, “Where did the day go?” Throughout the day, you are inundated with requests for your time and attention. Emails, texts, meetings, employee problems, client requests, project issues and so on. Join Judson, as he teaches you how to manage your time better so you can begin enjoying life again and prosper. In this session, you will understand urgent vs. important tasks, how to set and meet goals and determine where you are spending your time and where to best spend your time using tools that will help you gain control of your professional and personal life.

Gaining TRACTION™ in Your Business with EOS®

Matt Zega, EOS Worldwide

Additional Presenter: Dean MacMorris, Night Light, Inc.

Nirvana BC

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s

Based on the best selling book TRACTION: Get a Grip on Your Business, this session will get to the core of what gaining TRACTION™ in your business with EOS® (The Entrepreneurial Operating System) comes down to. Three things we call vision, traction, and healthy. Vision from the standpoint of getting everyone crystal clear on where your organization is going and knowing exactly how you are going to get there. Traction from the standpoint of instilling discipline and accountability throughout your organization so that you are gaining consistent traction. Healthy meaning helping you to build a healthy, cohesive, functional team. At EOS® we empower you to live your ideal life, the EOS Life as we call it.

Why Plant Ho-Hum Trees & Shrubs

Nina Koziol, The Landscape Contractor magazine

Additional Presenters: Mike Cook, Cedar Path Nursery; Jim Matusik, The Tree Connection; Jeff Kramer, Kramer Tree Specialists; Julie Janoski, The Morton Arboretum

Utopia AB

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s

If you’ve been using river birch, red maple, spruces or honey locust as dependable choices, you’re not alone. But, there are many good reasons to try something different, even something better. Your projects will stand out from others, especially in residential subdivisions where these trees appear again and again. And, there’s the need for diversity in plantings. If a serious new insect pest or disease affects red maples and everyone on the block has one—well, you get the picture. To provide some inspiration and encourage the use of broader plant palettes—especially in light of plant shortages for many of these often-used trees—we’ve assembled an expert panel for their recommendations.

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Building the Ultimate Butterfly Garden

Daniel Gerdes, Christy Webber Landscapes

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s

Starting with the keystone species that the ecosystem will largely depend on, you will learn about their plant profiles. Then you’ll understand where and how to use annuals and herbs. Finally, Daniel will discuss the role of host plants and which North American butterfly types are drawn to them. By the end of the session, attendees will have a stepby-step guide on designing a pollinator friendly garden.

Creating and Curating an Urban Oasis: The Meadow at the Old Chicago Post Office

Mike Ciccarelli, Ann Weiland, Shawn Weidner, Hoerr Schaudt

Nirvana BC

Hoerr Schaudt’s Horticulture, Site Works and Continued Landscape Management team share the process of transforming the rooftop of a desolate, unused industrial building into the nation’s largest private rooftop garden atop a modern workplace. The Meadow sets the standard for how rooftops can restore and protect ecosystems and improve tenant health and well-being as employees begin to navigate the return-to-work post-quarantine. Overcoming historic preservation and structural constraints, the success story of The Meadow and its four-season horticultural interest will continue to inspire for years to come. Gardens are dynamic and change over time. Much of the artistry of a landscape lay in its evolution; how it is cared for and chooses to grow.

Fountain of Maturity: What We Can Do to Grow Old, Healthy Trees

Michelle Catania, The Morton Arboretum/Chicago Region Trees Initiative

Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s

The Morton Arboretum is focused on improving the health and longevity of urban trees. Healthy, undisturbed soil is a key component to achieve future tree canopy goals. Unfortunately, soils with ideal characteristics at supporting long-lived trees are becoming increasingly rare in the built environment. As we continue to emphasize the ecosystem services our urban trees provide, understanding below-ground conditions should be a key component to this discussion. Healthy soils offer greater stormwater storage during rain events and can provide sufficient reservoirs of water to get trees through prolonged periods of drought. Improvements to urban soils in the built environment will lead to healthy trees. Healthy, diverse forests are also better at combating pest and disease outbreaks as they have greater resources to overcome a potential infestation if they are not stressed. To achieve our canopy goals and make the Chicagoland forest structure exceptional, we need you, the Green Industry, to help us improve our urban forest canopy through improved urban soils.

Practical Advantages of Concrete Pavers

Andrew Vear, AndrewVear.com

Euphoria

As co-founder of the Advanced School for Advanced Segmental Paving, Andrew has learned a thing or two about pavers. In this session, attendees will take a deeper look into pavers, including how they work, basic installation, and how they work with freeze thaw. He will also share easy sales tips that will help grow your business and your bottom line.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Growth on Purpose

Vanessa McQuade, Intrigue Media

Additional Presenter: Rob Murray, Intrigue Media Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA or 1 CEU

This session will introduce the concept of the Growth Triangle. You’ll learn how building a more purpose-driven company will attract the best customers and talent for your business and accelerate your growth.

Natural Lawn Care Practices for a Healthy Environment

Sarah Zack, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1 CEU

You don’t have to choose between an attractive lawn and protecting water quality. Many natural lawn care practices can help you work with nature to grow a healthy landscape while still protecting water resources. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant promotes sustainable lawn care practices at the household level to reduce the impact of fertilizer and pesticides in the Great Lakes Region and beyond. This presentation will dig into the science behind natural lawn care and give attendees some simple and effective natural lawn care tips.

Ponds: When is Dredging Necessary and What are Your Options?

Keith Gray, ILM Environments

Nirvana BC

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1 CEU

Do you manage the landscaping for a property with a pond that needs help? Are you wondering if it needs to be dredged and what on earth to do about it? This session will give you answers! Whether we are talking about a small retention pond or a large natural lake, decades of sediment accumulation eventually dictates the need for dredging. We will discuss how to know when it’s actually time to dredge and then consider the different methods available for removing sediment from a waterbody. Innovative options for reusing the dredge material onsite to keep down costs will be explored. Be the hero by helping your client revitalize their degraded waterbody and turn an eyesore into an amenity they will love!

Understanding Construction Impacts to Trees

Joe Hansen, Village of Wilmette Utopia

AB

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1 CEU

Many think construction projects like new developments, buildings and houses are driving forces behind utilizing tree preservation measures, however flatwork, grading and storm sewer installations may be silently causing even more damage. In this presentation you will learn why damage is occurring, what type of damage is occurring and how trees respond to damage. Joe will provide examples from a plan reviewer perspective and what we typically look for during the permit review process. By understanding how these projects may be negatively impacting your clients trees, you will know what different options may exist to facilitate these projects and be better prepared to answer their client’s questions and be ahead of the curve in the design phase.

Recovering Lost Revenues Through Hardscape Maintenance

Andrew Vear, AndrewVear.com

Euphoria

All hardscape will need some maintenance at some time. Learn how to get started with a hardscape maintenance division, cleaning, repairs and sealing. Make sure you are set up to service what you sell. This session will give you the tips to retain customer loyalty and the tools to recover revenues and profits.

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Know Your Natives on a First Name Basis

Elliott Duemler, Taylor Creek Restoration

Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Landscape design has shifted to designing based on plant communities and how plants interact with each other. This talk will focus on species that work well as the filler/ groundcover species, with a heavy emphasis on our native sedges well adapted for a designed plant community. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of what native ground cover species work well in a plant community-based design, and which species are generalist or specialist and any issues to be aware with these plants.

American Roots

Nick McCollough, McCollough’s Landscape & Nursery, LLC

Utopia AB

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Follow the journey across the US and take a closer look at gardens that designer Nick McCullough captured on his quest to celebrate the American garden in his new book AMERICAN ROOTS (Timber Press). You will explore a selection of gardens created by 20 creative gardeners across our vast land from Big Sur, California to the shores of Rhode Island. Gain inspiration, planting tips, and an expanded notion of what an American garden is.

Beyond the Shade: The Science and Business of Arboriculture

Steve Lane, Great Lakes Urban Forestry

Nirvana BC

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s

Let’s face it, trees are complicated! With over 100 different species in our region, being an arborist is more like being a veterinarian than being a doctor. And aside from the standard pests and diseases we have to deal with in our area, sometimes our own actions might be at fault for decline of trees as well. Join Steve as we take a deeper look at demystifying trees, arboriculture, and the benefits trees provide beyond just aesthetics. How we can maintain these benefits for our clients by properly diagnosing and providing the right services for the correct diagnosis will be a primary focus. We’ll also take a look at the ecology of trees, and how choosing the right tree for the right site will have tremendous benefits for the trees, as well as your business! This wide-ranging topic will give you a better appreciation for trees in the landscape, and how you can start to think about them on a deeper level in your planning and maintenance services.

Spring Clean Your Website for Higher Sales

Katie Elzer-Peters, The Garden of Words, LLC

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Two to five seconds. That’s all the time your potential customers will give you when they go to your website. The site should load within two seconds and they need to be able to locate the answer to their first question within five seconds. Otherwise, they’re out. Does your website get the job done? Find out which areas and features of your website are most important in 2023, which questions to ask yourself before embarking on a website refresh, and get details on finally adding online bill paying to your site.

Landscaping Main Street

Nina Koziol, The Landscape Contractor magazine

Additional Presenters: Dan Biernacki, Ted’s Greenhouse, Greg Stack, Ted’s Greenhouse

Euphoria

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s The hanging baskets and planters along downtown Tinley Park’s historic district burst with non-stop color from spring through fall. Discover the unique challenges and rewards of working with local municipalities, from bids and budgets to plant selection and maintenance.

9:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Designing Native Seed Mixes for Success

Jason Fritz, Stantec

Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s

Native seed mixes can be tricky. You want to get good coverage without breaking the bank, but how much of each species do you need? During this session, Jason Fritz will share 20 years of insights on native seed and teach you how to design a robust, native seed mix that is not only appropriate for the site, but also delivers value for your client. You’ll learn what makes for a good mix design, where to find references for species selection, how to calculate application rates, and how to identify site-specific conditions that may affect your final design.

Practicing New Naturalism: Site-Specific Plantings in Public and Private Places

Kelly Norris, Gardens by Kelly

Nirvana BC

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s

The shift towards ecologically driven landscapes has created new opportunities and challenges, often accompanied by big questions for how we do business and engage with our audiences. How do we sell customers and stakeholders on wilder landscapes? How do we shift the narrative of the landscape design and build professions from construction and maintenance to cultivation and stewardship? How do we cultivate new practices and knowledge that can transform our industry’s relevance and purpose? Join planting designer, artist and thought leader Kelly Norris for this vibrant exploration of recent and future work at the intersections of horticulture and ecology. His presentation will emphasize the pitch for each commission and success or progress of each project, with a preview of the seasons ahead.

Tropical Plants and How to Love Them

Marianne Willburn, Author

Nirvana A

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s

If you’re searching for plants that will add exciting accents to a hot and tired summer garden, last right up through the first hard freeze, and make you look like a horticultural rock star, look no further than tropicals. Using five memorable categories and a host of design tips from her new book, Marianne will focus on some spectacular examples that are easy to grow and much easier than you think to overwinter.

Creating a Marketing and Sales Conversion Machine

Chris Darnell, The Harvest Group

Euphoria

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Chris will discuss the framework that will drive marketing processes and turn them into conversions. You will learn functions of how to connect marketing and sales and the tools used to support them.

How to Identify Healthy and Diseased Roots in Nursery Stock and Landscape Plants and Ways to Manage Them

Stephanie Adams, The Morton Arboretum

Utopia AB

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s

This presentation will include photos and descriptions of healthy root systems and diseased root systems. It will include diseases caused by true fungi (Rhizoctonia and Fusarium) and oomycetes (Phytophthora, Pythium, and Phytopythium (aka water molds). Regulatory, mechanical, cultural, biological, and chemical integrated Pest Management (IPM) options will also be presented.

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM Planting a New Paradigm

Jeff Lorenz, Refugia Ltd.

Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s The World Wildlife Federation’s 2022 Living Planet Report confirmed what many of us with our hands in the dirt already knew - wildlife populations have experienced average decline of nearly 70% since 1970, with a chilling 10% occurring in the last 4 years. Loss and fragmentation of habitat is the driver of biodiversity loss globally. The good news? Homeowners and businesses are eager to reverse this trend by making their properties sustainable, functional and resilient. Join Jeff Lorenz of Refugia Design to hear how Refugia is shifting traditional industry norms with great success. In the ‘Garden Capital’ of the US, nurseries, growers, designers, and architects have bounced to the forefront of the ecological landscape movement, creating the opportunity to take native plants and landscapes from a trend to a new paradigm. Join Jeff to explore innovative methodologies from a practitioner and small business owner’s point of view; using real data, tips and talking points for landscapers and implementers seeking to make the shift towards ecological design-build.

Personal Observations on Plant Bloom Times Over a Career

Ed Hedborn, The Morton Arboretum

Utopia AB

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU’s Plant blooms offer more than being pretty focal points in our landscapes. They can give us information about changing weather and climate patterns. Observations of plants and when they bloom can tell us a lot about how our environment is changing. In this session, we will cover some of the observations of plant bloom times, what they have taught Ed, and some of the questions raised by those observations over Ed’s 45 year career at The Morton Arboretum.

Using Native Plants for Beauty, Cost Savings and Stormwater Management

Bill Bedrossian, Bedrock Earthscapes, LLC

Nirvana BC

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s Join Bill as he explores why using native plants should be part of your business. Attendees will review how native plants can be used in the built environment and then learn how they are installed and maintained. More importantly, how do you convert traditional landscape areas into native areas and not lose money!

Marketing to Attract Your A-Client

Vanessa McQuade, Intrigue Media

Additional Presenter: Rob Murray, Intrigue Media

Utopia CD

This session has been approved by LA CES for 1.25 CEU’s

Are you tired of not getting enough of the right leads? This session will walk you through the tools to attract more Awesome Clients - the ones you love working with, understand your value, and refer you to other A-Clients. Discover how to tailor your marketing to attract them, techniques to use to qualify them, and how to keep them as long-lasting clients that will help grow your business.

Root Wrestling: Happy Roots, Happy Shoots

Daniel Miraval, Green Extraction Technologies LLC

Additional Presenter: Brianna White, Emerald Tree Care

Euphoria

This session has been approved by LA CES + ISA for 1.25 CEU Mitigating root defects early on leads to long-term survivability. Pneumatic soil excavation is proactive plant healthcare. From nursery harvest, planting depth, to compacted soils, to girdling roots - a vast majority of a tree’s stressors start below ground. By implementing critical root zone therapy by use of supersonic air technology, alleviating those stressors is the first step of improving installation techniques.

guide to locations

PLEASE NOTE

— the iLandscape Trade Show is in two halls

Discovery and Innovation

REGISTRATION

• The iLandscape Trade Show is located on the first floor in both Discovery and Innovation Halls

• The ILCA and WNLA booths are located in Discovery Hall Booth 1138

• Educational classes are located on the SECOND FLOOR

• Excellence in Landscape Awards Night will be held in the Utopia Ballroom upstairs

SECOND FLOOR

Awards Night is in the UTOPIA BALLROOM

Nirvana Threshold

• Educational classes are conducted in:

— Euphoria

— Nirvana A, BC

— Utopia AB, CD

• Spanish language education are held in Nirvana A

• All Workshops are held upstairs in Utopia AB + CD

• The book store and signings are in the Nirvana Threshold — Check on site signage and App

Premier Sponsor

Thursday Night Party

Convention Center Doors

Education Lanyards

Promotional Bags

Aisle Decals

Beer Tasting

Food Vouchers

Hotel Card Folders

Bathroom Mirror Clings

Beverage Cup

Exhibitor Keg Parties and Hot Cocoa

friday Dining Options

Registration Hours 7:00am – 2:00pm

Exhibit Hall Hours 9:00am – 2:00pm

Educational Sessions 8:00am – 9:15am 9:45am – 11:00am 11:30am – 12:45pm

At the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel

There are dining options to fit any taste, budget, and timeframe. All menus and hours are subject to change.

RENdezvous Café & Winter Garden (Hotel Lobby)

Cuisine: Coffee and Quick Eats

Before or after a busy day of meetings at the Schaumburg Convention Center, treat yourself to Starbucks® hot and iced beverages, fast casual food, and a selection of beer and wine in the café.

Mon-Fri

6:00am-4:00pm

Cost: $

Style: Carryout concessions

Gather (Hotel Lobby Bar)

Cuisine: American

Raffles & Giveaways

Discovery Hall 1:00pm

Unwind with colleagues or socialize with friends over delicious meals and creative cocktails at this stylish hotel bar and restaurant.

Mon-Fri

Cost: $$

Style: Sit-down/Bar

Schaumburg Public House (Hotel Lobby)

Cuisine: American

SPH is an approachable urban brasserie featuring local beverage and food from northern mid-America. SPH’s inspiration comes from the cider mills and orchards of Michigan, creameries of Wisconsin, and the Illinois craft-beer brewers along route 66.

Mon-Fri

Hours: 6:30am-11:00pm

Cost: $$$

Style: Sit-down/Bar

Burritos in Bowls (Hotel Lobby and The Schaumburg Ballroom)

Cuisine: Your choice of Chicken Tinga or Pork Carnitas with assorted toppings such as black beans and rice, fresh veggies, and salsas.

Wed-Fri

Opens at 10:30am

Cost: $$

Style: Carryout concessions

Discovery Hall Concession Stands (Discovery Hall)

Cuisine: The walk-up concession stands will offer hot dogs, pizza, chicken fingers, burgers, salads, wraps, pretzels, cheese curds and more.

Located in the rear of Discovery Hall

Wed-Fri

Opens at 10:30am

Cost: $

Style: Carryout concessions

Lobby Breakfast Kiosk (Convention Center Lobby near the escalator)

Cuisine: Start your day with assorted breakfast items including the chef’s selection breakfast sandwich, fresh fruit, yogurt, croissants and muffins, bagels and danishes. Beverages include coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, juice, and more.

Wed-Fri

Opens at 7:00am -

Style: Carryout concessions

Discovery Hall Floorplan as of 1/5/23

Exhibit Hours

Keg Parties

• Green Box indicates Magazine Advertiser

Exhibit HoursWednesday 9:00am-4:30pm Thursday 9:00am-4:30pm Friday 9:00am-2:00pm

• Logo indicates ILCA Member Firm

1st Choice Equipment

Jeff Patterson 1555 Atlantic Drive

West Chicago, IL 60185

Phone: 630.510.6050

Email: info@1stchoiceequipment.com

www.1stchoiceequipment.com

AA Stone Impex

Neeraj Bhadouria

B-36 Bank Colony, Gola Ka Mandir

Gwalior, MP 474006

Phone: 336-609-1113

Email: sales@aastoneimpex.com

www.aastoneimpex.com

A Block Marketing, Inc.

Ron Jesselson

855 E. Golf Road, Suite 1133 Arlington Hts., IL 60005

Phone: 847.437.7088

Email: ron.jesselson@sbcglobal.net

Acorn Farms

John DeHaven

7679 Worthington Road

Galena, OH 43021

Phone: 614.891.9348

Email: johnd@acornfarms.com

www.acornfarms.com

Advanced Turf Solutions

Jessica Mills

282 Messner Drive

Wheeling, IL 60090

Phone: 847.258.5904

Email: goavlovcic@advancedturf.com

www.advancedturf.com

Aesthetic Metals

Mike Reinhardt

2800 S Shoshone Street

Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303.778.0925

Email: mike@aestheticmetals.com

www.aestheticmetals.com

Air-Pot USA

Chris Irving

3695 Clausen Acres Lane NE

Salem, OR 97303

Phone: 503.931.2898

Email: chris@air-pot.com

www.air-pot.com

Alert Distributing Inc

Jim Schroeder 16873 Fish Point Road SE

Prior Lake, MN 55372

Phone: 952.224.4070

Email: sales@alertdistributing.com

www.alertdistributing.com

Allendan Seed Company

Teresa Frome 1966 175th Lane

Winterset, IA 50273

Phone: 515.250.7842

Email: teresa.frome@allendanseed.com

www.allendanseed.com

Alliance Designer Products

Robert Cadieux

1800 Berlier, Suite 200

Laval, IL

Phone: 450.624.1611

Email: robert@alliancegator.com

www.alliancegator.com

Alpha Professional Tools

Mindy Wessel

16 Park Drive, Suite 9

Franklin, NJ 7461

Phone: 201.337.3343

Email: mwessel@alpha-tools.com

Booth# 1112

Alta Equipment

Shea Spence 420 Nolen Drive

South Elgin, IL 60177

Phone: 630.675.0631

Email: brad.beaulieu@altg.com

www.altg.com

Booth# 1618

www.alpha-tools.com

Booth# 945

Alta Equipment

Shea Spence 420 Nolen Drive South Elgin, IL 60177

Phone: 630.675.0631

Email: brad.beaulieu@altg.com

www.altg.com

Booth# 1615

Booth# 1305

Alta Falls Distributing

Ben Geffre

2165 Daneils Street, Suite 1 Long Lake, MN 55356

Phone: 952.476.2582

Email: sales@altafalls.com www.altafalls.com

Booth# 1411

Booth# 906

Altorfer Cat

Brian Serio 2600 SW 6th Street Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Email: brian.serio@altorfer.com www.altorfer.com

AmericanHort

Booth# 1348

Booth# 322

Booth# 1311

Mary Beth Cowardin 2130 Stella Court Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: 614.488.1117

Email: hello@americanhort.org

American Native Plants

Melissa “Rusty” Rust

Booth# 421

Booth# 122

7500 Marshy Point Road Middle River, MD 21220

Phone: 410.529.0552

Email: sales@americannativeplants.com www.americannativeplants.com

Arborjet/Ecologel

Booth# 207

Booth# 302

Robb Baughman 99 Blueberry Hill Road Woburn, MA 1801

Phone: 847.456.1756

Email: info@arborjet.com www.arborjet.com

Ariens & Gravely

Booth# 1736

Booth# 1304

Carolyn Dilger 655 West Ryan Street Brillion, WI 54110

Phone: 812.357.5561

Email: cdilger@ariensco.com www.ariens.com

Arlington Power Equipment

Booth# 930

Booth# 332

Carlos Nava 20175 N. Rand Road Palatine, IL 60074

Phone: 847.241.1530

Email: carlosn@arlingtonpower.com

www.arlingtonpower.com

Armintrout’s West Michigan Farms, Inc.

Zachary Armintrout

Booth# 1540

Booth# 1710

1156 Lincoln Road Allegan, MI 49010

Phone: 269.673.6627

Email: info@armintrouts.com

www.armintrouts.com

Arrowhead Ornamentals

Gail Coleman

Booth# 808

Booth# 223

P.O. Box 157 Hubbard, OR 97032

Phone: 503.651.2040

Email: gail@arrowheadornamentals.com

www.arrowheadornamentals.com

Aspen Fuels USA

James Armstrong

410 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 720 Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 734.277.7917

Email: info@aspenfuels.com

www.aspenfuels.us

Booth# 435

Aspire Software Booth# 211

Megan Broeckling

390 S. Woods Mill Road, Suite 200

Chesterfield, MI 63017

Phone: 866.727.7473

Email: marcom@youraspire.com

www.youraspire.com

AssuredPartners, Inc.

Steve Sturtecky

4350 Weaver Parkway

Warrenville, IL 60555

Phone: 847.745.1780

Email: steve.sturtecky@assuredpartners.com

www.assuredpartners.com

Atlas Bobcat

Matt Sobacki

1160 McCabe Avenue Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Phone: 847.678.3633

Email: llurigio@atlasbobcat.com

www.atlasbobcat.com

Azpects

Geoff Whitcher 14902 Preston Road, Suite 404-748 Dallas, TX 75254

Phone: 214.629.2757

Email: geoff@azpects.com

www.azpects.com

Bad Boy Mowers

Lindsey Keller 102 Industrial Drive Batesville, AR 72501 870.698.0090 info@badboymowers.com www.badboymowers.com

Bailey Nurseries

Kellie Baker 1325 Bailey Road St. Paul, MN 55119 Phone: 800.829.8898

Email: plants@baileynursery.com www.baileynursseries.com

Ball Seed Company

Therese LaTelle 622 Town Road West Chicago, IL 60185 www.ballseed.com

Bartlett Tree Experts

Jill Bondi

1901 N. Roselle Road, Suite 800 Schaumburg, IL 60195 Phone: 847.592.7088

www.bartlett.com

Booth# 841

Blue Grass Farms of Indiana Booth# 1609

Kevin McCart

1915 W. 53rd Street

Anderson, IN 46013

Phone: 765.649.1012

Email: kmccart@bluegrassfarms.net

www.bluegrassfarms.net

Bobbex, Inc. Booth# 1413

Brian McCall

102 Great Hill Road

Naugatuck, CT 6770

Phone: 800.792.4449

Email: info@bobbex.com

www.bobbex.com

Booth# 830

Braun Nursery Booth# 940

Paull Hopping

2004 Glancaster Road

Mount Hope, ONT 0

Phone: 905.648.1911

Email: paullh@braungroup.com

www.braungroup.com

Booth# 1943

Brickworks Supply Centers Booth# 1713

Mike Hoffman

8995 W 95th Street

Palos Hills, IL 60465

Phone: 708.237.5600

Email: info@illinoisbrick.com

www.illinoisbrick.com

Booth# 817 + 342

Bristol Equipment & Rentals Booth# 336

Curtis Tuminaro 1950 N. Mannheim Road

Melrose Park, IL 60160

Phone: 708.243.0852

Email: curtis@bearinc.net

www.bearinc.net

Booth# 1018

Buechel Stone Corp Booth# 941

Gina Waitkus

W3639 County Highway H Chilton, WI 53014

Phone: 800.236.4473

Email: gwaitkus@buechelstone.com

www.buechelstone.com

Booth# 1015

Capital Stoneworks Booth# 908

Jim Larson

180 Shepard Avenue

Wheeling, IL 60090

Phone: 847.873.0298

Email: jim@capitalstoneworks.com

Booth# 1842

Belden Brick Company, The Booth# 1642

Jim Piteo 700 W. Tuscarawas Street Canton, OH 44701 Phone: 330.456.0031

www.beldenbrick.com

Belgard

Ross Thomas 1455 Leighton Tower Road Mundelein, IL 60060 Phone: 224.242.4677

www.belgard.com

Better Bilt Products Inc.

Betsy Mostowski 900 S. Kay Avenue

Addison, IL 60101

Phone: 630.543.6767

Email: sales@bbponline.com

www.bbponline.com

Booth# 1322

www.capitalstoneworks.com

Carlin/ProGreen Plus Booth# 918

Nick Noskowiak 8150 N. Granville Woods Road Milwaukee, WI 53223

Phone: 800.657.0745

Email: info@carlinsales.com

ww.carlinsales.com

Casey Equipment Company. Inc. Booth# 1836

Jim Cox 1603 E. Algonquin Road

Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Phone: 847.437.8686

Email: jim.cox@caseyequipment.com

www.caseyequipment.com

Cassidy Tire & Service Booth# 1638

Yvonne Kolton

200 S. Church Street

Booth# 815

Blu Petroleum Booth# 01

Cindy Hart 21402 W. Ilinois Route 60 Mundelein, IL 60060

Phone: 847.566.5536

www.blupetroleum.com

Addison, IL 60101

Phone: 630.620.2300

Email: tireinfo@cassidytire.com

www.cassidytire.com

Cast Lighting Booth# 943

Greg Schramer

1120A Goffle Road

Hawthorne, NJ 7506

Phone: 973.423.2303

Email: orders@cast-lighting.com

www.cast-lighting.com

Cedar Path Nurseries Booth# 1608

Tom Kadolph 15235 W. Bruce Road

Plainfield, IL 60491

Phone: 815.838.4900

Email: info@cedarpath.net

Central Tree

Matt Damico

14N705 US Highway 20

Pingree Grove, IL 60140

Phone: 847.989.9048

Email: office@centraltree.net

www.centraltree.com

Central Turf & Irrigation Supply

Andrew Harris 960 North Ridge Avenue

Lombard, IL 60148

Phone: 630.495.5500

Email: lombard@centraltis.com

www.centralirrigationsupply.com

Chadwicks Surfaces International

Jen Phillips

28190 N. Ballard Road

Lake Forest, IL 60045

Phone: 847.680.3222

Email: info@chadwickssurfaces.net

www.chadwickssurfaces.com

CHDS

Kelly Nobbe

25199 W. Route 120 Round Lake, IL 60073

Phone: 224.289.7592

Email: kelly@chdsllc.com

www.chdsllc.com

Cherokee Manufacturing

Matt Gunderman

150 Bridge Point Drive

South St. Paul, MN 55075

Phone: 651.373.9949

Email: mattgunderman@cherokeemfg.com

Cherry Springs Nursery

Michael Lorance

P.O. Box 8155 McMinnville, TN 37111

Phone: 931.939.5062

Email: info@cherryspringstrees.com

www.cherryspringstrees.com

Booth# 111

Clesen Wholesale

Tim Clesen

316 Florence Avenue

Evanston, IL 60202

Phone: 847.826.1315

Email: sales@clesen.com

www.clesen.com

Booth# 1341

Booth# 1243

Clesens

Matt Kinnard 635 Margate Drive

Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Phone: 262.720.0251

Email: mkinnard@clesens.com

www.clesens.com

Booth# 05

Booth# 137

Coastal Source

Rebecca Oliver

1270 Glen Avenue

Moorestown, NJ 8057

Phone: 856.600.4491

Email: info@coastalsource.com www.coastalsource.com

Booth# 107

Booth# 423

Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs

Hanneke Hollander

747 Barnum Avenue Bridgeport, CT 6608

Phone: 888.847.8637

Email: sales@colorblends.com

www.colorblends.com

Booth# 1019

Booth# 909

Compeer Financial

Mark Ringhouse 1350 Prairie Drive Sycamore, IL 60178

Phone: 815.354.2775

Conserv FS

Booth# 1511

Booth# 1804

Booth# 1445

Cary Featherstone

1110 McConnell Road Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815.334.5924

Email: cfeatherstone@conservfs.com www.conservfs.com

Contree Sprayer & Equipment

Booth# 937

Chi Turf Booth# 1639

Jimmy Bastow

4042 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60605

Phone: 630.805.3800

Email: info@chiturf.com www.chiturf.com

Chicago Gas Lines

Vickie Novak

1118 W. Marion Road Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Phone: 847.414.7876

Email: zac@chicagogaslines.com www.chicagogaslines.com

Chicago Region Trees Initiative/

The Morton Arboretum

Melissa Custic 4100 Illinois Route 53

Lisle, IL 60532

Phone: 630.719.5646

Email: mcustic@mortonarb.org www.chicagoRTA.org

Chicagoland Grows

Phil Douglas

1000 Lake Cook Road

Glencoe, IL 60022

Phone: 847.835.8390

Email: pdouglas@chicagobotanic.org

www.chicagolandgrows.org

Christiansen Farms

Saul Gallardo

12151 W. Wilmington Road

Peotone, IL 60468

Phone: 708.259.7355

Email: saul@christiansenfarms.org

www.christiansenfarms.org

Clean Cut Tree Service, Inc.

Jackie Powers 31064 N IL Route 83

Grayslake, IL 60030

Phone: 847.265.0000

Email: jackie@cctreeservice.com

www.cctreeservice.com

Booth# 1936

Dave VonBehren W9898 Jackson Road

Beaver Dam, WI 53916

Phone: 920.356.0121

Email: davev@contree.com

www.contree.com

County Materials

Matthew Bunch 205 North Street Marathon, WI 54448

Phone: 800.242.7733

Email: matthew.bunch@countymaterials.com www.countymaterials.com

Craiger Custom Design

Booth# 119

Booth# 414

Booth# 437

Eric Hagen 2510 IL Route 176, Unit D Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Phone: 815.479.9660

Email: info@craigercustomdesign.com

www.craigerdesign.com

Crum-Halsted Insurance

Booth# 123

Booth# 1512

Jim Bilinski 427 N. Kirk Road, Suite 113 Geneva, IL 60134

Phone: 630.443.7300

Email: jbilinski@crumhalsted.com www.crumhalsted.com

Curv-Rite Aluminum Edgings

John Mindling

Booth# 1644

Booth#205

3603 North Main Street Wayland, MI 49348

Phone: 800.366.2878

Email: john@curv-rite.com www.curv-rite.com

Booth# 1807

Dayton Bag & Burlap

John Hendle 6604 S. Union, P.O. Box 436 Union, IL 60180

Phone: 815.923.1234

Email: jhendle@daybag.com

www.daybag.com

Booth# 1037

Decker’s Nursery

Adam Brown 6239 Rager Road

Groveport, OH 43125

Phone: 614.836.2130

Email: sales@deckersnursery.com

www.deckersnursery.com

DeVroomen Garden Products

Patrick Ramsdell

3850 Clearview Court

Gurnee, IL 60031

Phone: 847.395.9911

Email: patr@devroomen.com

www.devroomen.com

DeWitt Company

Janet Miller 905 S. Kings Highway Sikeston, MO 63801

Phone: 573.472.0048

Email: salesadmin@dewittcompany.com

www.dewittcompany.com

Diga-Talk+

Marty Savino 710 W. Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60435

Phone: 815.740.1780

Email: marty@abeep.com

www.digatalkplus.com

Ditch Witch Midwest

Jeff Patterson 1555 Atlantic Drive West Chicago, IL 60185

Phone: 630.665.5600

Email: info@ditchwitchmidwest.com

www.ditchwitchmidwest.com

Doty Nurseries

Ryan Doty

45w121 Beith Road

Maple Park, IL 60151

Phone: 630.365.9063

Email: sales@dotynurseries.com

www.dotynurseries.com

DPM/Dutchman Industries

Aaron Oltmans

306 E. 12th Street, P.O. Box 36 Davenport, NE 68335

Phone: 402.364.2186

Email: sales@nurseryjaws.com

www.nurseryjaws.com

Dutchman Tree Farms

Andrew Powell 9689 W. Walker Road

Manton, MI 49663

Phone: 231.468.6029

Email: sales@dutchmantreefarms.com

www.dutchmantreefarms.com

DYNA

Sandra Cianfarani 37 Creditstone Road Concord, ONT 0

Phone: 905.761.3309

Email: mail@dyna.ca

www.dyna.ca

ECHO Incorporated

Hailee Siegler 400 Oakwood Road Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Phone: 800.432.3246

www.echo-usa.com

Eden Valders Stone

Angelina Triscari-Piwoni

W4520 Lime Road

Eden, WI 53019

Phone: 920.477.2521

Email: angelina@evstone.net

www.evstone.net

Booth# 105

Elegance by NT Trading Booth# 1900

Ezra Bicioglu 220 Goffle Road, Suite 3

Hawthorne, NJ 7506

Phone: 201.507.9090

Email: info@elegnaceus.com

www.eleganceus.com

Emergent Safety Supply Booth# 1811

Booth# 1604

Ben Voitl 1055 Kingsland Drive

Batavia, IL 60510

Phone: 630.406.9666

Email: bvoitl@emergentsafety.com

www.emergentsafety.com

Encore Landscape Lighting Booth# 1614

Booth# 1441

Ken Rutkowski

2277 Elliott Drive Troy, MI 48083

Phone: 248.299.1919

Email: encorelandscapelighting@hotmail.com

www.encorelandscapelighting.com

Endicott Clay Products

Booth# 1544

Kevin Melvin 57120 707th Road

Endicott, NE 68350

Phone: 920.396.0640

Email: kmelvin@endicott.com

www.endicott.com

Booth# 429

Environmental Design, Inc. Booth# 1920

Booth# 1216

Ellen Lewis

23544 Coons Road

Tomball, TX 77375

Phone: 281.376.4260

Email: ellenlewis@treemover.com

www.treemover.com

Booth# 1517

Evergreen Nursery Co., Inc. Booth# 124

Vickey Vanderhoof 5027 County Road TT Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Phone: 920.743.4464

Email: vickey@evergreennurseryco.com

www.evergreennurseryco.com

EWI

Booth# 407

Booth# 942

Brett Lowman

7415 Empire Central Drive Houston, TX 77040

Phone: 713.937.4000

Email: blowman@ewipower.com

www.ewipower.com

Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply Booth# 1808

Booth# 1041

Lynn Carter 318 Arrowhead Drive Gilberts, IL 60136

Phone: 847.551.0023

Email: lcarter@ewingirrigation.com

www.ewingirrigation.com

Booth# 131

Fabriscape, Inc.

Jim Manola 6410 W. 74th Street, Unit D Bedford Park, IL 60638

Phone: 800.992.0550

Email: info@fabriscape.com

www.fabriscape.com

Fairview Evergreen Nurseries, Inc.

Booth# 406

Hagan Hetz 7463 West Ridge Road Fairview, PA 16415

Phone: 800.458.2234

Email: info@fairviewevergreen.com

www.fairviewevergreen.com

Booth# 1606

Booth# 1915

Booth# 904

Feece Oil Company

Craig Olsby 577 Twin Rail Drive

Minooka, IL 60447

Phone: 815.557.7337

Email: craig@feeceoil.com

www.feeceoil.com

Booth# 1508

Fiore Nursery & Landscape Supply Booth# 1342

Cara Furlong

16606 W. Highway 22

Prairie View, IL 60069

Phone: 847.913.1414

Email: payables@cjfiore.com

www.cjfiore.com

Fond du Lac Natural Stone

Brett King

P.O. Box 347

Fond du Lac, WI 54936

Phone: 920.923.2800

Email: reneeb@nsvi.com

www.fldstone.com

Forrest Keeling Nursery

Karissa Rhoades

P.O. Box 135

Elsberry, MO 63343

Phone: 573.898.5571

Email: info@fknursery.com

www.fknursery.com

Fortress Edging

Steve Jones

15354 Flag Avenue S

Prior Lake, MN 55372

Phone: 612.940.0370

Email: steve@fortressedging.com

www.fortressedging.com

Four Star Greenhouse, Inc.

Debbie Pearson

1015 Indian Trail Road Carleton, MI 48117

Phone: 734.654.7480

www.pwfourstar.com

Fox Ridge Nursery

Kevin Backus 23513 Streit Street

Harvard, IL 60033

Phone: 815.943.1111

Email: kevin@foxridgenursery.com

www.foxridgenursery.com

Goodmark Nurseries

Paul Ayers

8920 Howe Road

Wonder Lake, IL 60097

Phone: 815.653.9293

Email: paul.ayers@goodmarknurseries.com

www.goodmarknurseries.com

Grasshopper Company

Lee Hall P.O. Box 637

Moundridge, KS 67107

Phone: 620.345.8621

Email: show@grasshoppermower.com

www.grasshoppermower.com

Great Lakes Landscape Supply

Jon Bull 15200 Cedar Springs Avenue

Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Phone: 616.696.5665

Email: jonbull@greatlakeslandscapesupply.com

www.greatlakeslandscapesupply.com

Green Glen Nursery, Inc.

Jennifer Duenez

24900 S. Cherry Hill Road

Elwood, IL 60421

Phone: 815.723.1140

Email: greenglennurseryinc@yahoo.com

www.greenglennurseryinc.com

Greenleaf Nursery Company

Casey Rufener

28406 Highway 82 Park Hill, OK 74451

Phone: 800.331.2982

Email: greenleaf@greenleafnursery.com

www.greenleafnursery.com

GreenSpace Turf

David Kocourek

10138 S. Bode Street, Unit E Plainfield, IL 60585

Booth# 835

Phone: 262.455.0650

Email: dkoco21@gmail.com

www.greenspace-turf.com

Booth# 819

Halloran/Mowerworks

Jill Halloran 2159 N. Rand Road

Palatine, IL 60074

Phone: 847.705.1984

Email: sales@halloranpower.com

www.halloranpower.com

Halquist Stone Company

Jeff Brown N51W23563 Lisbon Road

Sussex, WI 53089

Phone: 262.246.9000

Email: info@halquiststone.com

www.halquiststone.com

Harrell’s

Michael Hall 711 Sherwood Drive Madison, OH 44057

Phone: 740.644.9020

Email: nhall@harrells.com

Booth# 824

Booth# 1006

Booth# 1016

Booth# 1740

www.harrells.com

Helena Agri

Dan Alsip 1215 Farmstone Drive

Diamond, IL 60416

Phone: 815.341.4879

Booth# 417

Booth# 921

High Format

Christian Kirkby 05481 US 31 S Charlevoix, MI 49720

Phone: 231.547.6595

www.highformat.com

Booth# 1818

Booth# 1210

High PSI, Ltd.

Terry Quandt 75 N. Brandon Drive

Glendale Hts., IL 60139

Phone: 630.893.0777

Email: terry@highpsi.com

www.highpsi.co

Hillside Lifts

Booth# 306

Booth# 844

Booth# 1204

Becky Hoefs 46735 Wintergreen Road

Perham, MN 56573

Phone: 855.455.7433

Email: info@hillsidelifts.com

www.hillsidelifts.com

Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc.

Booth# 1416

Booth# 1939

Jr. Tecza 7200 S. Madison Street

Willowbrook, IL 60527

Phone: 630.323.1411

Email: info@hinsdalenurseries.com

www.hinsdalenurseries.com

Home Nursery

Booth# 1045

Booth# 810

Hilliary Metzger

5800 Nursery Road Albers, IL 62215

Phone: 618.365.1209

Email: sales@homenursery.com

www.homenursery.com

Homer Industries LLC

Booth# 1405

Booth# 1111

Josh Doherty

13920 Archer Avenue

Lockport, IL 60441

Phone: 815.838.0863

Email: info@homertree.com

www.homerindustries.com

Hortech, Inc.

Booth# 1504

Booth# 947

Caleb Smith 14109 Cleveland Street Nunica, MI 49448

Phone: 800.875.1392

Email: sales@hortech.com

www.hortech.com

Hortica, A Brand of the Sentry Insurance Group Booth# 1011

Booth# 209

Cathy James 1 Horticultural Lane, P.O. Box 428 Edwardsville, IL 62025

Phone: 800.851.7740

Email: sales@hortica.com

www.hortica.com

Hugh Davis Horticultural Associates., Inc.

Hugh Davis 720 N. Lake Shore Drive Tower Lakes, IL 60010

Phone: 847.942.5680

Email: hdavis@hdhort.com

Hunter / FX

Kevin Battistoni

1005 Crane Point

Elgin, IL 60124

Phone: 630.418.5515

Email: kevin.battistoni@hunterindustries.com

www.hunterindustries.com

Husqvarna

Brian Spencer

9335 Harris Corners Parkway, #500

Charlotte, NC 28269

Phone: 704.517.0295

Email: brian.spencer@husqvarnagroup.com

www.husqvarna.com

Illinois Arborist Association

April Toney

P.O. Box 860

Antioch, IL 60002

Phone: 877.617.8887

Email: april@illinoisarborist.org

www.illinoisarborist.org

in-lite Outdoor Lighting

Michelle Vilera

1195 Gainsborough Road, Unit 7

London, ONT 0

Phone: 833.472.9960

Email: info@in-lite.com

www.in-sider.com

InOut Labs

Tim Thoelecke

6449 Dempster Street

Morton Grove, IL 60053

Phone: 847.657.7900

Email: tim@inoutlabs.com

www.inoutlabs.com

Instone

Kristin Moore

5141 W. 122nd Street

Alsip, IL 60803

Phone: 708.371.0660

Email: sales@instoneco.com

www.instoneco.com

Intimidator Group

Rich Kruse

1 Bad Boy Boulevard Batesville, AR 72501

Phone: 815.557.7321

Email: sales@spartanmowers.com

Intrinsic Perennial Gardens

Brent Horvath

10702 Seaman Road

Hebron, IL 60034

Phone: 815.648.2788

Email: brenth@intrinsicperennialgardens.com

www.intrinsicperennialgardens.com

Ivanhoe Nursery

Russ Stokes

22149 W. IL Route 60

Mundelein, IL 60060

Phone: 224.330.9798

Email: info@ivanhoenursery.com

www.ivanhoenursery.com

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

Booth# 1747

Jireh Brick & Stone LLC Booth# 324

Jason Demler P.O. Box 110 Dale, WI 54931

Phone: 920.574.6448

Email: jason@jirehbrickandstone.com

www.jirehbrickandstone.com

Jeff Lafrenz

P.O. Box 189

Boring, OR 97009

Phone: 503.663.4128

Email: talk-to-us@jfschmidt.com

Booth# 1812

www.jfschmidt.com

Booth# 1546

John Deere Booth# 1530

Jacob Van Horn 10789 S. Ridgeview Road

Olathe, KS 66061

Phone: 515.553.9518

Email: VanHornJacobA@johndeere.com

www.deere.com

John Holmlund Nursery Booth# 1542

Angie Holmlund 29285 SE Highway 212

Boring, OR 97009

Phone: 503.663.6650

Email: shawnl@jhnsy.com

www.JHNSY.com

Johnson’s Nursery Booth# 1418

Booth# 1914

Rob Dummert

W180N6275 Marcy Road

Menonomee Falls, WI 53051

Phone: 262.252.4988

Email: info@jniplants.com

www.jniplants.com

Jonathan Green Booth# 334

Booth# 413

Marlena Decher

P.O. Box 326

Farmingdale, NJ 7727

Phone: 732.938.7007

www.jonathangreen.com

JULIE, Inc. Booth# 1340

Barb Owen

Booth# 938

3275 Executive Drive

Joliet, IL 60431

Phone: 815.741.5000

Email: info@illinois1call.com

www.JULIEBeforeYouDig.com

Booth# 108

Kaknes Landscape Supply Booth# 912

Kevin McGowen

31W545 Diehl Road

Naperville, IL 60563

Phone: 630.416.9999

Email: kevin@kaknes.com

www.kaknes.com

Booth# 336

Kaneville Tree Farms, Inc. Booth# 1515

Paul Guzzetta

3S320 Harter Road

Kaneville, IL 60144

Phone: 630.557.2793

Email: trees@ktfinc.com

www.kanevilletreefarms.com

Booth# 1911

Kankakee Nursery Company

Pete Worth

P.O. Box 288

Aroma Park, IL 60910

Phone: 800.344.7697

Email: sales@kankakeenursery.com

www.kankakeenursery.com

Booth# 1336

Booth# 1242

Kasota Stone

Brandon Archer 820 Willow Street

Mankato, MN 56001

Phone: 612.280.4076

Email: info@kasotasf.com

www.kasotasf.com

Keen Edge Company

Booth# 1913

Booth# 405

Booth# 1514

Bill Burke II

8615 Ogden Avenue

Lyons, IL 60534

Phone: 708.447.4735

Email: sales@keenedgeco.com

www.keenedgeco.com

Keystone Hatcheries LLC

Mike Robinson

11409 Keystone Road

Richmond, IL 60071

Phone: 815.678.2537

Booth# 911

Email: info@keystonehatcheries.com

www.keystonehatcheries.com

King Nursery

Jim King 6128 E. Sandwich Road

Big Rock, IL 60511

Phone: 630.554.1171

Email: kingnursery34@gmail.com

Klyn Nurseries

Micheal Scott

3322 South Ridge Road

Perry, OH 44081

Phone: 800.860.8104

Email: mscott@klynnurseries.com

www.klynnurseries.com

Knapheide Truck Equipment Center

Darla Heberlein

2600 W. Route 120 McHenry, IL 60051

Phone: 815.385.2600

Email: knapheide@knapheide.com

www.knapheide.com

KO Supply Company, Inc.

Tim Kehoe

1500 Foundry Street, Unit 1 Saint Charles, IL 60174

Phone: 630.768.7227

Email: tim@kosupplycompany.com www.kosupplycompany.com

Kramer Tree Specialists

Alan Seal

300 Charles Court West Chicago, IL 60185

Phone: 630.293.5444

Email: aseal@kramertree.com www.kramertree.com

Kress Commercial

Seth Lipkin

929 Jay Street, Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28208

Phone: 980.867.9346

Email: seth.lipkin@kress.com www.kress.com

Kuenzi Turf & Nursery

Rick Metzger

6475 State Street Salem, OR 97317

Phone: 503.585.8337

“Brand X” bare root

Booth# 301

Lemke Stone, Inc.

Kalley Lenz 21575 W. Good Hope Road

Lannon, WI 53046

Phone: 262.502.1579

Email: service@lemkestone.com

www.lemkestone.com

Booth# 1816

Booth# 1805

Lincoln Nurseries Booth# 1013

Amanda DeWit

0-142 Lincoln Street Grand Rapids, MI 49534

Phone: 616.453.2351

Email: amanda@lincolnnurseries.com

www.lincolnnurseries.com

Lite the Nite Booth# 1009

Kristie Fijal

Booth# 922

650 E. Algonquin Road, Suite 206 Schaumburg, IL 60173

Phone: 847.496.5276

Email: info@litethenite.com www.litethenite.com

Landscape Management Network Booth# 1843

Booth# 1704

Lisa Karpiel 180 Enterprise Blv. Suite 204 Markham, ONT 0

Phone: 888.347.9864

Email: sales@golmn.com www.golmn.com

Loma Vista Nursery Booth# 818

Booth# 1518

Swamp White Oak (1 year after transplant)

Booth# 422

Kurt Everett 1107 E. 23rd Street

Ottawa, KS 66067

Phone: 795.229.7200

Email: kurt@lomavistanursery.com www.lomavistanursery.com

Longshadow

Bryan Suntrup

83 Longshadow Lane Pomona, IL 62975

Phone: 618.893.4831

Email: inquiry@longshadow.com www.longshadow.com

10" In-Ground Fabric Bag

Booth# 811

Losely & Ridge Manor Nurseries Booth# 917

Joel Allio

Booth# 1412

Which root system would you want in your spade dug ball?

Email: rick@kuenziturfnursery.com www.kuenziturfnursery.com

Lafarge Fox River Stone

Jim Slattery

1300 State Route 31 South Elgin, IL 60177

Phone: 224.213.4287

Email: jim.slattery@lafargeholcim.com

www.foxriverstone.com

Landscape Material & Firewood Sales, Inc.

Ryan Cooper

27W250 St. Charles Road

West Chicago, IL 60185

Phone: 630.231.7911

Email: ryan@LMFSinc.com

www.LMFSinc.com

LandscapeHub

Lindsay Raleigh

2045 W. Grand Avenue, Suite B

Chicago, IL 60612

Phone: 630.995.6935

Email: support@landscapehub.com

www.landscapehub.com

Leaves Inspired Tree Nursery

Jared Stroobants

N3489 Minahan Road

Chilton, WI 53014

Phone: 920.522.2765

Email: jared@leavesinspired.com

www.leavesinspired.com

Booth# 1010

4654 Davis Road Perry, OH 44081

Phone: 440.361.7924

800-285-8337

Email: kwentzel@willowbendnursery.com www.willowbendnursery.com

Lurvey Supplying Landscapes

Jason Castaneda

2550 E. Dempster Street

Des Plaines, IL 60016

Phone: 847.391.0980

Email: info@lurveys.com www.lurvey.com

Mariani Plants

Mike Mennenoh

13715 Horton Road

Booth# 1105 + 1206

Booth# 905

Kenosha, WI 53142

Phone: 847.774.6829

Email: mmennenoh@marianiplants.com www.marianiplants.com

McCann Industries

Eric Schoenfeld

543 S. Rohlwing Road

Booth# 1314

Booth# 1809

Addison, IL 60101

Phone: 630.627.0000

Email: sales@mccannonline.com www.mccannonline.com

McGinty Bros., Inc.

Sarah Van Nevel

3744 Cuba Road

Booth# 1440

Booth# 1612

Long Grove, IL 60047

Phone: 847.438.5161

Email: sarah@mcgintybros.com www.mcgintybros.com

Booth# 1109

McKay Nursery Company Booth# 1306

Dave Warning

750 S. Monroe Street

Waterloo, WI 53594

Phone: 920.478.2121

Email: wholesale@mckaynursery.com

www.mckaynursery.com

Meadowood Enterprises

Jen Gerger

P.O. Box 602

Madison, OH 44057

Phone: 440.307.4033

Email: meadowood.exhibit@yahoo.com

www.meadowoodenterprises.com

Booth# 106

Metal Pless Booth# 1744

Jason Whittemore

1683 boulevard des sucreries

Plessisville, QUE 0

Phone: 819.362.2221

Email: go@metalpless.com

www.metalpless.com

Michigan West Shore Nursery

Rick Van Dorp III

201 W. Washington Avenue, Suite 270

Zeeland, MI 49464

Phone: 800.253.2552

Email: rick@michiganwestshore.com

www.michiganwestshore.com

Midwest Arborist Supplies

Brian Barnard

P.O. Box 151455

Grand Rapids, MI 49515

Phone: 800.423.3789

Email: brian@grandarborgroup.com

www.midwestarboristsupplies.com

Midwest Groundcovers

Maggie Balistreri

P.O. Box 748

St. Charles, IL 60174

Phone: 847.742.1790

www.midwestgroundcovers.com

Midwest Salt

Amanda Foster 1300 W. Washington Street West Chicago, IL 60185

Phone: 630.513.7575

Email: sales@midwestsalt.net

www.midwestsalt.com

Midwest Trading

Maggie Balistreri

P.O. Box 398 Maple Park, IL 60151

Phone: 630.365.1990

Midwest Tropicals

Dave Biggus 747 N. Church Road, Suite G11

Elmhurst, IL 60126

Phone: 630.451.0101

Email: info@myfoliage.com

www.myfoliage.com

Miniloaders

Chris Sleurink

801 E. 2nd Street

Hereford, TX 79045

Phone: 806.283.0620

Email: csleurink@miniloaders.com

www.miniloaders.com

Modeco Systems LLC

Lynn Olson 1468 American Eagle Drive

Slinger, WI 53086

Phone: 262.677.8184

Email: sales@gettimescape.com

www.gettimescape.com

Monroe Truck Equipment

Rosie Katzenberger

1051 W. 7th Street

Monroe, WI 53566

Phone: 608.329.8107

Email: rkatzenberger@monroetruck.com

www.monroetruck.com

Booth# 1047

Morris Trailer Booth# 838

Ruth Bunzel

1805 Ashley Road, Building B Morris, IL 60450

Phone: 815.941.2800

MTI Booth# 1446

James Stange

4830 Azelia Ave N, Ste 100

Brooklyn Center, MN 55429

Phone: 763.592.5640

Email: james.stange@mtidistributing.com

www.mtidistributing.com

Mulch Magic Booth# 330

Ken Kayser

P.O. Box 26

Willow Springs, IL 60480

Phone: 708.200.7845

Email: mulchmagicinc@gmail.com

Mulch Mate/Dawson MFG Booth 843+845

Craig Carlson

899 Airport Park Road, Suite E

Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Phone: 888.776.8524

Email: craig@mulchmateusa.com

www.mulchmateusa.com

National Nursery Products Booth# 318

Booth# 821

Brian Aaron 3650 Golfview Drive

Williamston, MI 48895

Phone: 309.258.1630

New Growth Designs Booth# 1536

Douglas Orians

225 Martin Street

Booth# 1520

Greenville, NC 27834

Phone: 252.752.6195

Email: douglas@newgrowthdesigns.com

www.newgrowthdesigns.com

Northern Family Farms

Dan Stetzer

Booth# 1141

Booth# 102

W10757 Jeffrey Road

Merillan, WI 54754

Phone: 800.826.7094

Email: sales@northernfamilyfarms.com

www.northernfamilyfarms.com

Northland Farms

Booth# 822

Booth# 1420

Brian Boyink 11161 120th Avenue West Olive, MI 49460

Phone: 800.253.1812

Email: bboyink@northlandfarmsllc.com

www.northlandfarmsllc.com

Nursery Supplies

Booth# 1310

Booth# 132

Jeff Pissocra 1415 Orchard Drive

Chambersburg, PA 17201

Phone: 800.523.8772

www.nurserysupplies.com

NYP Corp.

Booth# 202

Booth# 434

Jerry LaBelle 805 E. Grand Street

Elizabeth, NJ 7201

Phone: 800.524.1052

Oly-Ola Edgings, Inc

Booth# 1605

Booth# 839

Aymie Clayton 124 E. Saint Charles Road Villa Park, IL 60181

Phone: 800.334.4647

Email: edgings@olyola.com

www.olyola.com

Onarga Nursery Company

Booth# 806

Booth# 1044

Lindsey Ishmiel 608 N. Oak Street

Onarga, IL 60955

Phone: 815.268.7244

Email: onarganursery@gmail.com

www.onarganurseryco.com

Open Air Living

Sean Kelley

1120 Oak Street

DeKalb, IL 60115

Phone: 630.388.8372

Email: info@openairliving.us

www.openairliving.us

Oregon Pride Nurseries

Jackie Wisenburger

5380 SE. Booth Bend Road

McMinnville, OR 97128

Phone: 503.472.9147

Email: sales@oregonpridenurseries.com

www.oregonpridenurseries.com

Paradise Robotics/Max Distr/BCS

Kathy Moseler

28080 W Commercial Avenue, Unit 7 Lake Barrington, IL 60010

Phone: 847.960.8520

Email: orders@max-distributing.com

www.paradiserobotics.com

PBI-Gordon

Brett Rieck 22701 W. 68th Street

Shawnee, KS 66226

Phone: 816.392.5060

Email: brieck@pbigordon.com

www.pbigordon.com

Peerless Fence Group

Nina White

200 W. River Drive

St. Charles, IL 60174

Phone: 630.584.7710

Email: info@peerlessfence.com

www.peerlessfence.com

Perfect Turf LLC

Janet Trujillo

5540 Meadowbrook Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Phone: 888.796.8873

www.perfectturf.com

Permaloc Corporation

Jackie Arendsen

13505 Barry street Holland, MI 49424

Phone: 616.399.9600

Email: info@permaloc.com

www.permaloc.com

PetroChoice Lubrication Solutions

Debra J Brown

865 N. Puperior Drive

Crown Point, IN 46307

Phone: 219.699.0274

Email: dbrown@petrochoice.com

www.petrochoice.com

Phoenix Irrigation Supply

Tom Kazmer

101 Eastern Avenue

Bensenville, IL 60106

Phone: 847.290.0698

www.phoenixirrigationsupply.com

Pine Hall Brick Company

Ed Brewer

2701 Shorefair Drive

Winston Salem, NC 27105

Phone: 800.952.7425

Email: info@pinehallbrick.com

Booth# 136

Polycor, Inc.

Marie-Eve Gilbert

76 Rue St. Paul Québec, QUE 0

Phone: 438.351.2990

www.hardscapes.polycor.com

Poul’s Nursery, Inc.

Booth# 130

Booth# 1745

Alan Kjeldbjerg

6754 W. Indian Creek Road

Long Grove, IL 60047

Phone: 847.949.6667

Email: alan@pouls.com www.poulsnursery.com

Power Planter

Greg Niewold 931. N 1600E Road

Booth# 310

Booth# 1641

Loda, IL 60948

Phone: 217.379.2614

Email: greg@powerplanter.com www.powerplanter.com

Precise Fleet Tracking Solutions

Michael Drelicharz 1617 E. Cedar Lane

Booth# 112

Booth# 1708

Mount Prospect, IL 60058

Phone: 847.865.6008

Email: michael@precisefleettracking.com www.precisefleettracking.com

Precision Organics

Tayler Ittel

Booth# 425

Booth# 1244

5300 Highway 12, Suite 200 Maple Plain, MN 55359

Phone: 952.217.3375

Email: tayler.ittel@precisionorganics.com www.precisionorganics.com

Probst

Gary Anders 8626 Hollander Drive

Booth# 110

Booth# 1739

Franksville, WI 53126

Phone: 262.884.8000

Email: gary.anders@probst-handling.com www.probst-handling.us

Booth# 418

Booth# 1007

Rademann Stone & Landscape Co., Inc.

Reid Johnston W5551 County Road B

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

Phone: 920.922.7612

Email: info@rademann.com www.rademann.com

Booth# 1905

Booth# 312

Rainbow Ecoscience

Lee Fredericks 11571 K Tel Drive Minnetonka, MN 55343

Phone: 312.485.9260

Email: lfredericks@rainbowecoscience.com www.rainbowecoscience.com

Booth# 1648

Booth# 1443

Ray Murray Inc.

Stephen Steller 50 Limestone Road Lee’s Summit, MA 01238 info@raymurray.com www.raymurray.com

Booth# 135

Booth# 1840

www.pinehallbrick.com

Pizzo Native Plant Nursery

Jack Pizzo Jr.

10729 Pine Road

Leland, IL 60531

Phone: 815.981.8000

Email: sales@pizzonursery.com

www.pizzonursery.com

PlantRight

Beth Kornegay 999 Bedford Avenue, Suite B North Kansas City, MO 64116

Phone: 816.287.4313

www.plantrightsolutions.com

Booth# 1407

Reading Rock, Inc.

Carolyn Nutter 4600 Devitt Drive Cincinnati, OH 45246

Phone: 513.874.2345

Email: info@readingrock.com www.readingrock.com

Red Flint Rock & Stone

Tom Ayres

1 American Boulevard Eau Claire, WI 54701

Phone: 715.855.7600

Email: tom.ayres@redflint.com www.redflintrockandstone.com

Booth# 1844

Booth# 910

Booth# 812

Reinders

Sam Adams W227N6225 Sussex Road Sussex, WI 53089

Phone: 262.786.3300

Email: customerservice@reinders.com

www.reinders.com

Booth# 1839

RentalMax

Peggy Rose

124 N. Schmale Road

Carol Stream, IL 60188

Phone: 630.221.1133

Email: info@rentalmax.com

www.rentalmax.com

Richey Nursery Company

Mark Richey

6184 Quarterline Road

Spring Lake, MI 49456

Phone: 231.798.4079

Email: info@richeynursery.com

www.richeynursery.com

Riverfarm Nursery

Ben Cecil 2901 North Buckeye Lane

Goshen, KY 40026

Phone: 502.228.5408

Email: ben_cecil@riverfarm.com

www.riverfarm.com

Rochester Concrete Products

Kurt Glave

7200 Broadway Avenue N Rochester, MN 55906

Phone: 507.288.8850

Email: info@rochestercp.com

www.rochestercp.com

Rock Bottom Stone Supply

Justin Ward

G-4057 S Dort Highway

Burton, MI 48529

Phone: 810.742.7235

Email: justin@rbstonesupply.com

www.rbstonesupply.com

Russo Power Equipment

Juliana Bassmaji 9525 W. Irving Park Road Schiller Park, IL 60176

Phone: 847.678.9525

Email: events@russopwer.com

www.russopower.com

RWC Insurance Group

Mark Duncan 7239 West Laraway Road

Frankfort, IL 60423

Phone: 815.469.6585

Email: rwc@rwc4ins.com

www.rwcinsurancegroup.com

Sable Marco

Christopher Carbonneau 26 Chemin de la Peche

Pont-Rouge, ONT 0

Phone: 866.999.4509

Email: ccarbonneau@sablemarco.com

www.sablemarco.com

SatQuote

Jacob Long

P.O. Box 460

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465

Phone: 843.670.5088

Email: beth@sodsolutions.com

www.sodsolutions.com

Booth# 1012

SCP Distributors

Robert Jones 3557 Butterfield Road

Aurora, IL 60502

Phone: 630.236.9100

Email: J530@scppool.com

www.nptpool.com

Booth# 1346 + 1646

Booth# 1707

SEK-Surebond

Lynn Walsh 3925 Stern Avenue St. Charles, IL 60174

Phone: 800.932.3343

Email: info@sek.us.com

www.sek.us.com

Booth# 1635

Booth# 233

Sester Farms

Bethany 33205 SE Oxbow Drive

Gresham, OR 97080

Phone: 800.832.4487

Email: sales@sesterfarms.com

www.sesterfarms.com

Booth# 1212

Booth# 1238

Sheridan Nurseries

Christina Buck 12302 Tenth Line

Georgetown, ONT 0

Phone: 416.798.7970

Email: cbuck@sheridannurseries.com

Booth# 916

SiteOne Landscape Supply Booth# 1318

Booth# 314

Drew Tedford 300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 600

Roswell, GA 30076

Phone: 630.488.7650

Email: dtedford@siteone.com

www.siteone.com

Smart Outdoor Living Booth# 219

Booth# 1430

Jason Brown 413 N. Villa Avenue Villa Park, IL 60181

Phone: 630.478.9572

Email: hello@smartoutdoorliving.com

www.smartoutdoorliving.com

Spring Grove Nursery, Inc. Booth# 1513

Booth# 1613

Becky Thomas 106 E. Spring Road

Mazon, IL 60444

Phone: 815.448.2097

Email: bthomas@springgrovenursery.com

www.springgrovenursery.com

Spring Meadow Nursery Booth# 913

Booth# 1847

Sandy Harmon 12601 120th Avenue Grand Haven, MI 49417

Phone: 616.846.4729

Email: sandy@springmeadownursery.com

www.springmeadownursery.com

Stanley Outdoor Group Booth# 1246

Jon (J.R.) Warner 5903 Grafton Road

Booth# 04

Valley City, OH 44280

Phone: 877.428.2349

Email: jonathan.warner@sbdinc.com

www.cubcadet.com/en_US/commercial-equipment

Stantec Native Plant Nursery Booth# 1435

SavATree Booth# 1439

Jen Mulhern 3520 Commercial Avenue

Northbrook, IL 60062

Phone: 914.864.3177

Email: northbrook@savatree.com

www.savatree.com

SBI Software

Zara Ballew 2222 NE Oregon Street, Unit 205 Portland, OR 97232

Phone: 503.248.2159

Email: zara@sbiteam.com

www.sbigrower.com

Booth# 142

Jason Fritz 128 Sunset Drive Walkerton, IN 46574

Phone: 574.586.2412

Email: nurserysales@cardno.com

www.cardnonativeplantnursery.com

St. Aubin Nursery Booth# 804

Jeanie Wucki

35445 Irene Road

Kirkland, IL 60146

Phone: 815.522.3535

Email: info@staubin.com

Stihl Power Equipment Booth# 825

Sheila Elsey

301 Commerce Parkway

Cottage Grove, WI 53527

Phone: 608.839.2212

Email: midwest.stihl@stihl.us

www.stihlusa.com

Stuifbergen Flower Bulb Export

Jack Haasnoot

1645 SE Decker Street

Lee’s Summit, MO 64081

Phone: 800.875.0840

Email: info@stuifbergenexport.com

www.stuifbergenexport.com

Superior Wholesale Landscape Supply

Kimberly Vena

4197 Carpenter Road

Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Phone: 734.929.2579

Email: kimberly@superiorwholesalellc.com

www.superiorwholesalellc.com

Surefoot Hardscape Products

Ed Berg

180 Steeles Avenue W, Suite 206

Toronto, ONT 0

Phone: 416.561.0949

Email: info@surefootedging.com

www.surefootedging.com

Sure-Loc Aluminum Edging Corp

Hailey Reuter

310 E. 64th Street

Holland, MI 49423

Phone: 616.392.3209

Email: info@surelocedging.com

www.surelocedging.com

Taylor Creek Restoration Nurseries

Corrine Daniels

17921 West Smith Road

Brodhead, WI 53520

Phone: 608.897.8641

Email: esantora@res.us

www.res.us

Team Engine

Shelby McGuinness

4845 Pearl East Circle, Suite 118

Boulder, CO 80301

Phone: 720.776.2705

Email: hello@teamengine.io

www.teamengine.io

Techniseal

Louise Fortier

300 Avenue Liberté

Candiac, QC 0

Phone: 514.523.8324

Email: lfortier@techniseal.com

www.techniseal.com

Techo-Bloc

Pénélope Theriault

5255 Rue Albert Millichamp

Saint-hubert, QC 0

Phone: 438.351.0744

Email: andreeanne.rosa@techo-bloc.com

www.techo-bloc.com

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Mandy McCauley

1200 N. Lombard Road

Lombard, IL 60148

Phone: 630.422.1870

Email: mandy.mccauley@davey.com

www.davey.com/chicagomulch

The Mulch Center

Laura Boisvert

21457 Milwaukee Avenue

Deerfield, IL 60015

Phone: 847.459.7200

www.mulchcenter.com

The Outdoor Plus

Jesus Estrada

701 S. DuPont Avenue Ontario, CA 91761

Phone: 909.460.5579

Email: jesus@theoutdoorplus.com

Booth# 231

The Tree Connection

Jim Matusik 4168 Oak Tree Circle Rochester, MI 48306

Phone: 248.656.2260

Email: jim@thetreeconnection.com www.thetreeconnection.com

Booth# 1004

www.theoutdoorplus.com

Booth# 320

Tillmann Wholesale Growers

Jeff Tillmann 4010 Champeau Road New Franken, WI 54229

Phone: 920.468.9222

Timothy J. Hawley

Booth# 201

Booth# 1934

Booth# 1705

Timothy J. Hawley 612 Harrison Avenue Rockford, IL 61104

Phone: 815.505.5093

Traqnology North America

Tom Argubright 510 N. Main Street Ladd, IL 61329

Phone: 847.651.0592

Booth# 944

Email: tom@turftech.com www/turftech.com

TreeDiaper

Wei Zhang 9424 Atlee Commerce Blvd., Suite E Ashland, VA 23005

Phone: 540.300.1465

Email: info@treediaper.com www.treediaper.com

Booth# 842

TBooth# 401

Trench ‘n’ Edger Trencher

Patrick Dean 8028 Hill Trail N Lake Elmo, MN 55042

Phone: 651.399.3992

Email: selecticd@gmail.com www.selecticd.com

Booth# 433

Booth# 134

Triple Crown Products, Inc.

Laurie Quernemoen 102 W. Boxhron Drive

Mukwonago, WI 53149

Phone: 262.492.1873

Email: laurie@triplecrownproducts.com www.triplecrownproducts.com

Booth# 948

Booth# 1417

Tri-State Cut Stone & Brick

Stephen Maltese 10333 Van’s Drive Frankfort, IL 60423

Phone: 815.469.7550

Email: smaltese@stone-brick.com www.stone-brick.com

Booth# 1115

Booth# 1846

TurfMaker Corporation

Judy Allen 4931 Grisham Drive Rowlett, TX 75088

Phone: 972.463.2575

Email: sales@turfmaker.com www.turfmaker.com

Booth# 1344

Booth# 1042

Turtle Creek Nursery LLC

Rachelle Lurvey Eifert N5480 Johnson Road Delavan, WI 53115

Phone: 262.214.2058

Email: sales@turtlecreekwholesale.com www.turtlecreekwholesale.com

Booth# 1607

Booth# 1005

Booth# 1711

Twixwood Nursery

Robbie Shannahan

2759 E Shawnee Road, P.O. Box 247 Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Phone: 269.471.7408

Email: info@twixwood.com www.twixwood.com

Booth# 431

Booth# 1038

Tyler Enterprises/Masterblend International Booth# 133

Dennis Hamilton 4673 Weitz Road Morris, IL 60450

Phone: 815.416.1460

Email: dhamilton@masterblend.com www.masterblend.com

Unilock Midwest

Kyle Trippeer

301 E. Sullivan Road

Aurora, IL 60505

Phone: 630.892.9191

Email: info@unilock.com

www.unilock.com

United Greenhouse Systems, Inc.

Justin Bilhorn

P.O. Box 249

Edgerton, WI 53534

Phone: 800.433.6834

Email: info@unitedgreenhouse.com

www.unitedgreenhouse.com

United Label & Sato

Neil Kurz 12900 Berea Road

Cleveland, OH 44111

Phone: 216.226.4030

Email: nkurz@unitedlabel.com

www.unitedlabel.com

U.S. Arbor Products, Inc.

Dan Kallas

389 Miles Parkway Bartlett, IL 60103

Phone: 630.870.1002

Email: dan@usarbor.net

www.usarbor.net

Vectorworks, Inc.

Laura Bucci

7150 Riverwood Dive

Columbia, MD 21046

Phone: 410.290.5114

Email: tfrench@vectorworks.net

www.vectorworks.net

Vermeer Midwest

Rhonda Williams

2801 Beverly Drive

Aurora, IL 60502

Phone: 630.820.3030

Email: info@vermeermidwest.com

www.vermeermidwest.com

W. & E. Radtke, Inc.

Liesl Thomas

W168N12276 Century Lane

Germantown, WI 53022

Phone: 262.253.1412

Email: info@weradtke.com

www.weradtke.com

Walker Mid America

Wayland Nikkel 22501 E. 299th Street

Harrisonville, MO 64701

Phone: 816.884.5530

Email: doug@walkermidamerica.com

www.walkermidamerica.com

Walters Gardens, Inc.

Barb Balgoyen 1992 96th Avenue; P.O. Box 137

Zeeland, MI 49464

Phone: 800.925.8377 x1202

Email: barb.balgoyen.0119@waltersgardens.com www.waltersgardens.com

Booth# 1630

Wellbuilt Equipment, Inc. Booth# 430

Dave Webb Jr. 25210 S. State Street

Crete, IL 60417

Phone: 708.279.7574

Email: jr@wellbuiltequipment.com

www.wellbuiltequipment.com

Willoway Nurseries, Inc. Booth# 1741

Booth# 1415

Danny Gouge 4534 Center Road Avon, OH 44011

Phone: 866.934.4435

Email: sales@willowaynurseries.com

www.willowaynurseries.com

Wilson Nurseries & Landscape Supply Booth# 1404

Booth# 1414

Jennifer Fick 1555 N. U.S. Highway 12 Volo, IL 60041

Phone: 847.683.3700

Email: jennf@wilsonnurseries.com

www.wilsonnurseries.com

Wisconsin Depart of Agriculture Booth# 419

Booth# 1247

Liz Meils 2811 Agriculture Drive Madison, WI 53718

Phone: 608.224.4574

Email: DATCPnursery@wi.gov

www.datcp.wi.gov

Woody Warehouse Nursery, Inc. Booth# 946

Tiffany Stewart 3339 W 850 N

Lizton, IN 46112

Phone: 317.994.5487

Booth# 820

Email: sales@woodywarehouse.com

www.woodywarehouse.com

World of Stones, USA

Chris Brewbaker P.O. Box 87299 Montgomery Village, MD 20886

Phone: 855.967.1872

Booth# 1714

Email: info@worldofstonesusa.com

www.worldofstonesusa.com

Xylem Ltd/Rocks Etc

Barb Dornfeld 18715 Route 84 N Cordova, IL 61242

Phone: 309.654.2261

Booth# 120

Email: sales@xylemltd.com

www.xylemltd.com

ADDED AT PRESS TIME

Arborwear LLC

Booth# 1144

Nate Debick 16490 Chillicothe Road Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 440.637.5726

ndebick@arborwear.com

www.arborwear.com

Booth# 1907

Booth# 1330

Booth # 242

Booth# 816

Warming Trends Booth# 1148

Art Kunkle 1050 West Hampden Avenue

Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 720.873.5080

Email: art@warming-trends.com

www.warming-trends.com

WeCare Denali LLC

Miguel Nava 2000 East 122nd Street

Chicago, IL 60633

Phone: 888.325.1522

Email: WeCareProducts@denaliwater.com

www.wecarecompost.com

Booth# 1918

Oscar-Wilson Engines & Parts Booth # 341

Jeff Fietsam 826 Lonestar Drive Ofallon, MO 63366 636.312.5647

jfietsam@oscar-wilson.com

www.oscar-wilson.com

Omega II Fence Systems

Chris Hill

11 West College Drive, Suite B

Arlington Heights, IL 60004 847.452.2687

Chris.hill@projectonesales.com

www.omegafence.com

Booth # 1737

Lessons From a Prairie Pro

Benjamin Vogt has spent

more than a decade working with and writing about prairie plants. His robust design practice, Monarch Gardens, LLC, has flourished in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest. Vogt has also developed an active social media presence, written countless articles, authored three books, and contributed to nine more. His newest book is Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design from 3 Field Books, an imprint of the University of Illinois Press, and will be released in January 2023. His passion for the Midwest prairie shines brightly and he is a staunch activist for native landscaping, no matter the place. “I pretty much started out with activism,” commented Vogt. “My business model is as much about activism as it is about garden design. I’m an instigator.”

Vogt’s keynote address at the 2022 Impact Conference allowed us a peek into his design practice and a glimpse into how a prairie landscape can be a rich resource for people and animals. These are landscapes that also offer a deep connection to place. The clients that seek out Vogt are ones looking

to create habitat for wildlife, restore a piece of native landscape, and add the many-faceted beauty of native plantings to the places they dwell and work.

Plants Will Lead the Way

One of the key lessons Vogt has learned is, “I am not in charge. Plants will take the lead and show us where they want to grow and how they will adapt.” Vogt uses a combination of seed and plugs when installing a prairie landscape. These spaces are designed to change and adapt to existing conditions, not remain a static painting and Vogt plans for succession in his plantings. “I’ve had to learn from the plants where they want to live. The designs always change, even as I’m laying out plants. It’s constant editing. And then no matter what, the plants will shift and find their own micro-niches.”

Vogt has an active calendar of installs and does not do formal design documents. “95% of my designs I work out in situ,” he commented. “I am not doing landscape plans. I’m not doing blueprints. I’m out there in the landscape getting a

feel for the contours of the site, experiencing the sightlines, and how light interacts in the space.” Vogt approaches plant choices from a plant communities point of view with a focus on place history. He utilizes local ecotype plants as much as possible.

One of the most powerful facts of a prairie landscape to accept is change and being present for managing the site. “This is a long process,” admitted Vogt. “This is not installing hardscape and it’s done. The landscape is going to change and that’s the point. Prairies takes several years to develop. The space is dynamic. We want it to change. We want it to look differently and even act differently from season to season and year to year.” Vogt gives each client a one-page agreement with a list of practices and realities of a natural garden that they must agree to. “It discusses anticipated establishment time, how the landscape will be dynamic and change year to year with some plants coming and going, management expectations (especially weeding the first year), and general dos and don’ts. It’s also about communicating with me regarding any issues or questions as I pride myself on being very responsive.”

Vogt’s business focuses on installation with his clients taking up management in following years. He will regularly

check on projects and keep in touch for questions and any needed edits, but the bulk of management falls on the client. Vogt feels fortunate that his client base is primarily do-ityourselfers that are eager to be involved in their projects. “Each season, management needs are going to change and evolve as the plant matrix grows and matures. We use many annual forbs and grasses the first year as cover crops for perennials. Those disappear or reseed lighter each subsequent year. I do ask that they not stray from the management guide the first two years. And I ask that they don’t use fertilizers or preemergent herbicides as the plants need to figure it out.”

The preemergents inhibit seed germination, thus defeating the purpose of initial seeding and any subsequent over-seeding.

Vogt also sees a key difference between maintenance of and managing a landscape. “The former is doing things at set times each year no matter if the landscape needs it or not, the latter is about responding to what the landscape is showing you and adapting interventions based on that more holistic observation. I think the latter is also less involved, less costly, less time consuming, and more natural, too.” Setting client expectations from the beginning includes them in the observation and editing process. It connects the homeowners to their properties and allows them to participate in their landscapes instead of being passive bystanders. The Landscape Contractor February 2023

Sustainable Landscapes —

Converting Lawn to Prairie

Many of Vogt’s projects involve transforming a traditional lawn to a high-functioning native planting. His preferred method for killing lawn in one application of glyphosate and to allow the turf to die in place. He will then plant plugs into the detritus, which also provides some mulching services including moisture retention. “We use it because it won’t be residual in the soil. It’s just targeting the foliage,” reported Vogt. “Usually, one application does it and the more pristine the lawn, the warmer it is outside, the quicker it kills. We’ve had no problem plugging into these landscapes or having issues with plant growth. I don’t like using this stuff, so we only apply it once and as warranted in a turf situation. It’s a tool. It’s cost effective. It’s labor effective. You’re not disturbing the soil. You’re not bringing up weeds. You’re not having to use expensive machinery.”

Once the lawn is killed off, the site dictates the plants and what methodology is used to install the native species. Vogt prefers to use plugs on new sites but will also utilize seed mixes. “There’s a million variables to plant mixes and I base it all on the site,” commented Vogt. “There’s size of site, soil type, drainage, amount of sunlight, client goals, their timeline, and budget. Choosing plants for a small front yard is far different than 10,000 feet or an acre. There’s also timeline – if the client wants a fall install, then we have to use grass plugs and do it in early fall to give them enough time to root out. If we install in spring, we could also seed in a matrix of bunchgrasses, but seeding in the matrix can lead to more weed pressure the first year. If a client balks at a price point where I’ve proposed using all plugs, we can bring that down a bit by offering to try seeding the matrix and explain the caveats of doing so (more weeds, longer establishment time, etc).”

In the Midwest and across the U.S., lawn is the predominant home garden paradigm. More and more homeowners are becoming involved and interested in conservation. There are more requests to convert conventional turf to a native landscape that not only brings butterflies and bees to the yard, but also can help with stormwater, thrive in drought, and sequester carbon. Plus, it speaks to the sense of place of a landscape. “This is where we live. This is where we work,” extolls Vogt. “It can be really emotional, especially when talking with people. You know you’re going against the flow. You know you are subverting the dominant landscape, the dominant culture, when you take out lawns. And it’s not easy. I think the easiest part of doing these landscapes is actually installing the plants. The hardest part is the years that come afterwards and keeping up with management. Plus talking with and educating the neighbors, laborers,

Sustainable Landscapes —

and city officials. These can be beautiful landscapes and my clients fall head over heels in love with them.”

Make the Landscape Intentional

Naturalistic landscapes may often run up against expectations of a neighborhood or homeowner’s association. There are plenty of stories of prairie landscapes being cited by village and city officials as homeowners try to create habitat for wildlife on their properties. How can landscapers and designers respond to these concerns?

In his designs, Vogt intentionally plans for massing and drifts of plants with repetition of species to demonstrate intent. This is a landscape that may be naturalistic, but seasonal interest, companion planting, and floral display are all important elements. He often incorporates mown paths, sets planting areas back from property lines, includes benches and seating, or features pieces of art so that the spaces read as intentional.

“My advice for dealing with inspec-

tors and village officials is to be on their side and communicate,” observed Vogt. “Act grateful for the opportunity to talk about and educate about the project. I’ve also found commiserating with folks can go a long way towards understanding. It’s not easy dealing with angry phone calls from residents. I’ve found it also helps to break out the botanic names when talking about the plants, because it demonstrates your knowledge. Have answers for common questions about wildlife like ticks, snakes, coyotes, or what have you. It smooths the way and gives that inspector tools when they have to report back.”

Vogt has found most of his clients are already on board with welcoming wildlife back to their properties and are excited to be a part of building habitat. Probably the most asked about concern is ticks. Vogt’s experience has been, “For ticks it’s about awareness and spraying yourself with repellants and checking yourself. One reason we have ecosystem collapse is because we are afraid of nature and bugs, etc. With

that ecosystem collapse comes a loss of trophic balance. For example, white-footed mice carry Lyme disease. Ticks pick it up from the mice and spread to other animals. In habitats with a lack of mouse predators such as coyote, fox, and owls there will be an increase in Lyme disease. More predators equal fewer mice and fewer ticks. Ticks don’t stay in thick brush either – they hitch rides and can be found on concrete patios, wood decks, and everywhere, so there’s no ‘safe’ place. The more diverse and denser habitats we have the better.”

As more and more people request naturalistic landscapes or their own patches of prairies, we can work together to build lasting habitats for everyone – people and wildlife. These prairies are beautiful four-season landscapes that speak to our Midwestern heritage, offer numerous ecosystem services, and invite us to connect with our sites. “Natural gardens provide beauty in surprising angles at different times of year,” commented Vogt. Let’s embrace how stunningly gorgeous they can be and discover how offering habitat in turn enriches ourselves.

7 Species That Survive and

Naturalistic landscapes done well require deep plant knowledge and a willingness to experiment. Here are seven of Vogt’s favorite species that are tough and resilient as well as offering four-season beauty.

Baptisia minor or B. australis var. minor, Blue False Indigo

Size: 1 to 2 feet high and wide

Sun: full sun to part shade

Soil: average to drought tolerant; especially clay tolerant

Flower: Large purple flower spikes in May through June followed black showy seed pods that are beautiful in arrangement and make a fun rattle toy for kids

Notes: With its extensive root system, this baptisia may take time to establish, but will then live for decades. Its shrubby habit makes a nice, rounded statement in the landscape as the lovely flowers attract butterflies and bees. In Illinois, it is a larval host to two moths and five butterflies.

Callirhoe involucrata or Purple Poppy Mallow

Size: 6 to 12 inches high and 1 to 2 feet wide

Sun: full sun

Soil: average to dry; tolerant of rocky soils

Flower: Large magenta cup-like flowers in May to June

Notes: This softly mounded plant dazzles when covered in its beautiful magenta flowers. It can be particularly graceful on walls or slopes and thrives in hot, dry situations. Bees seek it out, but it can also be a favorite snack for rabbits.

Carex albicans or White-Tinged Sedge

Size: 1 to 1 ½ feet high and wide

Sun: part shade to full shade

Soil: average to dry soils

Flower: Delicate fluffy creamy white to cream flowers in May followed by brown seedheads

Notes: This is thin-bladed clumping sedge that makes an attractive grassy groundcover in dry shade. As with most native sedges, it is a larval host for some moths and birds feast on the seeds. Try blending it with larger-leaved forbs such as wild geranium or wood aster for a multi-textured look.

Conoclinium coelestinum or Blue

Mistflower

Size: 1 to 3 feet high and wide

Sun: full sun to part shade

Soil: average to wet soils; can be aggressive in moist soils

Flower: Clusters of soft lavender blue flowers bloom July into October

Notes: Reminiscent of the annual ageratum, blue mistflower offers long lasting flowers for bees and butterflies as well as bouquets. It can be aggressive in its preferred habitat and thrives with competition. In Illinois, it’s a larval host for a few moth species.

Oligoneuron rigidum (Solidago rigida subsp. rigida) or Stiff Goldenrod

Size: 3 to 4 feet high and 1 to 2 feet wide

Sun: full sun

Soil: average to well-drained

Flower: Showy clusters of bright golden flowers in August through September followed by fluffy seedheads that can be frost or snow catchers

Notes: This upright goldenrod features broad, thick leaves on stiff stems terminating in large flower clusters beloved by pollinators. It provides late season punctuation in the landscape and is an important nectar source for migrating butterflies as well as hibernating pollinators. Several species of moths use it as a larval host.

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium and/or ginianum or Mountain Mint

Size: 2 to 3 feet high and 1 to 2 feet wide

Sun: full sun to part shade

Soil: average to drought tolerant

Flower: Clusters of bright white flowers in July through September

Notes: These two species of mountain mint feature slender, needle-like fragrant foliage that is edible and historically used for tea. The flowers are beloved by pollinators, especially small benefi cial flies and wasps. It easily weaves amongst larger, coarser foliage in the landscape. Try it with prairie dock, echi nacea, goldenrod, and black-eyed Susans for a rich textural effect.

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium or Aromatic Aster

Size: 1 to 3 feet high and wide

Sun: full sun

Soil: average to drought tolerant; espe cially tolerant of clay and sandy soils

Flower: Lavender blue daisy flowers cover the plants from late September into November

Notes: Delicate needle-like leaves are spicily fragrant when bruised or crushed. Asters are a lovely long-blooming addition to the fall landscape and are beloved by pollinators. They are important last stop nectar sources for migrating butterflies and hibernating pollinators. Larval host to silvery checkerspot butterflies and a huge array of moth species.

Trends: The Good, The Bad, The Weird: You Decide!

It’s that time of year when every “expert” comes forth to tell us what landscape trends are hot. Depending on who you believe, your clients this year will be clamoring for edible gardens, cottage gardens, cut-flower gardens, zen gardens, “new” Victorian gardens, ultracontemporary minimalistic gardens, pollinator-friendly gardens, gravel and scree gardens, xeric/dry gardens, rain gardens, sustainable gardens, lawn-to-meadow gardens. And artificial turf! Go figure.

In case you were wondering what exciting new color tastemakers are throwing at homeowners, the Pantone Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, described as “vibrating with vim and vigor.” Or, maybe it’s just a deep Pepto Bismol. There are plenty of flowers that flaunt that hue. Wendy’s Wish salvia. Magenta Star dahlia. Mystic Magenta daylily. Pepto Bismol petunia. (Well, ok, I made that one up.)

Besides the fierce new color, there are all sorts of landscaping trends that may (or may not) prove to be long lasting. Time will tell. But, here’s a little inspiration to get those design chops going.

It’s a Small World After All

Smaller, more compact plants, covered with tons of flowers. That’s what breeders have been working on for years. You can now have petite Knock Out roses, compact PJM rhododendrons, Tiny Tuff Stuff® mountain hydrangea, Kelsey’s Dwarf Red-Osier Dogwood (30 inches tall and wide), and itsy-bitsy annuals like the 6-inch-tall Brainiac celosia, which has a blossom the size of a cauliflower, and Kitchen Minis— super compact tomato and pepper plants. Expect to see more of these new “dwarf” varieties of perennials, shrubs and annuals to use in your designs no matter what size the project.

Trending Or Not —

The Minimalist

It’s not your grandma’s perennial garden from the 1990’s. Less fussy. Less maintenance. More Wow. And, more time to relax outdoors with family and friends while entertaining. This Hursthouse, Inc., project exemplifies what some clients want — sleek, elegant and minimal. It’s a hot trend, especially with younger home owners (who don’t want their parent’s stuff).

Elegant, Edible Garden

A visit to the big-box stores during the pandemic revealed bare shelves in the garden department. Not a hose or a bag of potting mix could be found. Shocking! Canning jars flew off the shelf along with seed packets. Stuck at home, people started growing more vegetables and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. But, the new vegetable garden has a thoughtful design with a contemporary vibe. It’s become a stylish part of the overall landscape. Raised beds. Pebbles, pavers or bluestone walks between them. And cool veggies for those foodie clients.

Cut-flower Gardens

Grow a bouquet. Skip past pricey flower shops and run out to the garden with scissors. (Well, don’t run with scissors.) With the increasing popularity of cut-flower farms and books on “flower farming” and “garden to table” you can take advantage of this when pitching projects. Does the homeowner like fresh flowers indoors? Annuals and perennials along with hydrangeas and other flowering shrubs in your designs make for great arrangements. Think about adding something to your web site, an email, a flyer (or all three) to entice clients

Trending Or Not —

Shrink the Lawn

Benjamin Vogt’s brand new book, “Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design,” is a nod to recreating prairie, meadow, and savanna ecosystems, and a DIY for those looking to convert lawn to something more sustainable. It’s not a look for every client or every property, to be sure, but those remotely interested in pollinators, biodiversity and sustainability may ditch part of the lawn in exchange for a lively bed of blossoms and host plants.

Pollinator Garden

Save the Monarch Butterfly! Save the Honeybees! Plant Milkweed! Your clients hear the plight of pollinators in a nonstop news-cycle often linked to climate woes and habitat loss.“Our members are definitely saying the interest in pollinator-friendly plants is on the upswing,” says Diane Blazek, executive director of All-America Selections (AAS) and the National Garden Bureau in Downers Grove, Illinois. “Native plants are being requested more often. Questions about how much pollen and nectar are on plants are more common. Our pollinator-focused blogs on both the National Garden Bureau and All-America Selections sites are easily the most popular and get the most shares on social media.”

Gravel and Scree Gardens

Last year, The Landscape Contractor featured gravel gardens in two issues. They have increasing appeal because they’re viewed as lower-maintenance. Some readers will recall the wildly popular use of red or black lava rock in residential planting beds back in the 1980s. That’s not what today’s “rock” garden is about. Scree gardens are a cool trend with upright stone slabs and loose, weathered gravel and interesting drought-tolerant plants. You may have seen these formations at the bottom of a mountain or a steep hill. This Scree Garden at Cantigny in Wheaton, Illinois, provides excellent drainage because plants growing in this type of environment must be able to withstand hot, dry conditions during the summer and subfreezing winter temps.

Trending Or Not —

Water Features

After the Great Recession, few homeowners were willing to spend big bucks on ponds, streams and waterfalls. But, like all landscaping trends (and based on what’s happening in the economy), ponds are making a big comeback. And for smaller landscapes, especially in busy urban areas, pond-less water falls and bubblers help mask or at least distract from street noise.

Annuals

Every time your clients visit a public garden in summer, like Cantigny in Wheaton, or the Chicago Botanic Garden, they’re exposed to sun-loving, eye-popping annuals. They want that color and they want it to last. “We had clients asking if we could put off our fall maintenance in November because they still had blooms,” said Sharon Marrin of Bret-Mar Landscape in Homer Glen. For clients leery about spending extra bucks on something that “only” lasts summer through fall, work in a small area of annuals around a patio or a front entry or in pots to get them interested in seasonal color.

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Hydrangeas

They’re not going anywhere. There are countless cultivars of several species and you can expect to see more of these wildly popular plants coming to a nursery near you.

Meditation Garden

There are many definitions for the word “zen.” It’s been described as ‘a state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort’. The pandemic forced people outdoors, to their patios and decks, where they could recharge. This particular zen-like stroll garden might have the neighbors wondering when the homeowners are out walking in circles, but, let’s just say, hey, it’s all about the design.

Irrigation Update —

Irrigation Supply Line Challenges

Aperfect storm of the pandemic, bad weather, logistics, labor shortages and demand have served to send the irrigation industry – like most others – scrambling. “We got emails from suppliers weekly,” says Brett Gold, CTO and project manager for American National Sprinkler & Lighting. “We had to edit our price book throughout the year.”

He estimates that between March 2020 and the present, the cost of installing a $5,000 sprinkler system jumped to $6,500.

“It’s been an astounding year,” says Kevin Koss, divisional sales manager for the Great Lakes region for Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply. “We continue to see supply challenges in almost all categories.”

He points to March 2020 when the pandemic forced everything to shut down. “Manufacturers pulled back,” Koss says. “Employees couldn’t come in.” Many irrigation equipment manufacturers are in Mexico, where there also was a “massive shut down.” Three to four months later demand for work skyrocketed, in part because people who were working from home wanted to enhance their outdoor environment. “Demand continues to remain high,” he says.

The weather has played a part in the challenges, as well. For instance, Louisiana, which was plagued by fires and hurricanes, is the largest resin manufacturing location in the United States. Oregon, which is responsible for 80 to 90 percent of grass seed, has had severe rains in the winter and spring, followed by a summer drought.

In fact, Mike Martin, who heads Business Development and Commercial Sales for Mueller Mist irrigation, pinpoints some of the materials shortages to the February 2021 winter storm in the Dallas, TX area. He also noticed

problems with getting PVC pipe in early 2020 and, he says, “It spiraled from there. I just heard that PVC is going to be an issue again this year.” Copper and brass prices have gone up every two weeks or so. “It’s tough keeping up.”

The well-known backup at some of the largest and busiest shipping ports also affected the industry, as did, says Koss, the lack of truck drivers and shipping containers.

All of this and more influenced prices. “We seem to be getting price increases weekly or monthly,” says Koss. These, of course, are passed along to customers – whether by suppliers to their contractor clients or contractors to their clientele.

“I had to raise prices across the board,” says Alex Mayfield, principal at JM Irrigation. From January 2021 to January 2022 Mayfield raised prices five times by approximately 30 percent. The cost of PVC pipe alone he estimates went up 200 percent in the last 18 months.

“It hit us hard, but I don’t think it was quite as hard as some of the smaller contractors,” says Martin. Mueller Mist typically works with three suppliers, which, he says, has allowed them to keep up with demand. If he needs 10 of a part, he might have to go to all three, getting a few from one suppler, a few more from the second and more from the third until he gets his 10.

Customers who postponed work and now want to get the project done are the ones most surprised by the price increases, says Laury Feldman, President of Sales for American National Sprinkler & Lighting. He points to some prospective clients with whom he talked with in early 2020, who have put off the work and now have decided, based on the 2020 prices, to get on with it. “There’s been significant price increases since then,” he says.

Challenges and Price Increases

Like many irrigation contractors, American National Sprinkler & Lighting limits prices on any proposal to 30 days, “because the prices keep going up,” says Feldman.

“Before 2020 we usually honored our quotes for three months or so,” says Martin. Now, however, with the price increases and material shortages, Mueller Mist limits that to 30 days. Still, once a customer agrees to an estimate, he orders the materials to lock in the price. His suppliers then put it aside for him.

Mayfield goes even further, writing estimates that are good for only five days. “I’ve even started putting in escalation clauses,” he says.

While it may take a few weeks to get supplies that once were available within days, some materials take much longer. For instance, Mayfield went to six or seven manufacturers in search of pumps used to push pressure. “I still don’t have the one I ordered in May,” he says. “My customer is not happy.”

Specialty items used to be available in seven to 10 days, says Martin. Now, however, he can expect to wait eight to 10 weeks for such items as colored tags for sprinkler heads to indicate they are for reclaimed water. Recently, an order took 20 weeks.

Many suppliers and contractors are ordering substantial amounts of materials to stockpile, to not only beat price increases, but also to ensure that they have plenty of what have become scarce resources. “My barn never has been more full than it is now,” says Mayfield.

“We have a pretty sizeable warehouse,” says Feldman. American National Sprinkler & Lighting uses the space to order materials they use frequently.

For the first time in his memory, Gold notes that the company is ordering parts to hold through the winter, instead of right before the season starts. With a

10,000 square foot warehouse, there is plenty of room to do this.

Prior to this stockpiling wasn’t necessary. “A lot of our customer base hasn’t had to plan, because we, as distributors, have done a good job of providing product,” says Koss. Now, however, he’d like to counsel his customers to “communicate with your suppliers. Place orders as early as you can so we can help you have the product.”

In this tight labor market, employers have found themselves paying higher salaries, contributing to the price increases from the manufacturing, transportation, distribution and contractors’ sides. “Since May 2021, we’ve also seen labor increases,” says Feldman.

Koss ticks off a list: “freight constraints, lack of drivers, labor issues, lack of containers to get from point A to point B,” he says. It affects everything from raw materials that need to be transported from their point of origin to manufacturing facilities to ships, trucks and trains needed to move the finished product to distributors, then on to the contractors.

“Until now, I hadn’t thought about the availability of or price of a (shipping) container,” says Koss. Now, however, he knows that one could have been had fairly easily two years ago for about $2,000 to $3,000. “Now, if you can get one, it can cost $20,000 to $30,000.” Difficulty in obtaining shipping containers contributes to the difficulty in obtaining parts and materials.

Customers are hit all ways. Manufacturers pass the higher labor and transportation costs down to the distributors, who pass them along to the contractors, who pass them to their customers.

The scream you just heard was the result of sticker shock.

Plants for Special Situations —

The Gold Standard

Plants that Lighten Landscape Projects

About 20 years ago, a majordomo in the horticulture world told a packed crowd of green industry pros that chartreuse and gold foliage was, well, awful. He said it was especially bad when it was combined with burgundy foliage (as in burgundy-leaved barberry paired with acid-yellow barberry — his example). Granted, these plants are considered problematic today, but his point? That particular color combo, in his opinion and in no uncertain terms was in bad taste. Period.

Well, that’s changed big time. Gold and chartreuse are two colors that really pop in the midwestern landscape, whether it’s perennials, shrubs or trees. Add conifers and you’ve got multi-season inter-

est, especially on drab winter days. Take Saybrook Gold juniper (Juniper chinensis ‘Saybrook Gold’) in plant breeder Hans Hansen’s garden in Zeeland, Michigan. It grows alongside the deciduous Gold Rush dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Ogon’) and the juniper makes a stunning specimen any time of year.

Meagan Provencher, senior landscape designer at Wasco Nursery and Garden Center, loves Ogon dawn redwood, too. “I had one at my old house that was maturing nicely and I missed it when I moved, but my new one was just planted two years ago and has grown quite well. The color is a phenomenal focal point in the garden. It could be a stand-alone tree or in a garden

“Yucca is a great plant to give a southwestern look to a garden even though it’s actually native to Florida and Mississippi,” says Homer Trecartin, Jr., manager of sales and production planning at Twixwood Nursery in Berrien Springs, Michigan. “It is very drought tolerant once established so it works well in a xeric landscape or gravel garden and it’s hardy to zone 5. But Color Guard is even more versatile with its golden needle-like foliage. And it is evergreen, or evergold.”

(continued on page 114)

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Plants for Special Situations —

(continued from page 112)

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’ (Gold Heart Bleeding Heart)

“I love, love love this plant,” said Janie Grillo, customer service rep at Midwest Groundcovers in St. Charles. In her home garden, the plant reached five-plus feet across. “It was always about three and a half feet high and gorgeous. It holds its foliage much longer into the summer than the straight species.”

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Pure Energy’ (Pure Energy Fountain Grass)

When it comes to perennial grasses, Brent Horvath, president of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, likes Pure Energy

fountain grass. “It has wide gold foliage almost like All Gold hakone grass but for full sun and it grows 30 to 36 inches tall and 36 to 42 inches wide with ginger redcolored flowers.”

“I really like that it can give you a bright pop of color in a shady location,” said George Murphy, of Murphy Landscape Design in Aurora. “I pair it a lot with Krossa Regal Hosta and pumila astilbe (Astilbe chinensis var. pumila). The bright yellow of the Japanese forest grass seems to play well with the bluish-green of the hosta and the lavender of the astilbe.” It’s a favorite of Trecartin, too. “It’s an excellent cascading grass for shady areas,” he said. “It works really well with hosta. I couldn’t believe something this exotic looking was hardy enough for Minnesota but it is.”

Hansen said. “It has beautiful gold foliage

Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ (All Gold Japanese forest grass, Hakone)

(continued on page 116)

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Plants for Special Situations —

(continued from page 114)

Provencher transplanted her Rising Sun redbud from her previous home two years ago. “I have loved that little thing,” she said. “I’ve even wrestled with plastic in 30 mile-per-hour winds to cover it when the late frosts threatened its tiny little gold leaves in spring. It has grown like a weed and throws out random peach, red, and yellow leaves all summer long. It grew about one to two feet this past year. It’s about 10 feet tall now and it’s only three years old. It looks like a traditional redbud most of the year but the spring show and the random leaves give it some pizazz in the garden. I have it in full sun and it doesn’t scorch the lighter leaves at all. In fact, I think the sunnier side of the plant gets better colored leaves than the branches that hang into the shadier side of my garden.”

Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ (Angelina Sedum)

“The color can range from chartreuse to bright gold to orange and reddish tinges depending on the time of year and growing conditions,” Trecartin explained. “It makes

an excellent accent along the border of the garden or in a rock garden. I have a batch planted between my Flower Carpet roses and it makes a nice groundcover transition.”

Hosta ‘Coast to Coast’ PP26469 (Proven Winners® SHADOWLAND®)

“This is a newer hosta, at least to us,” Trecartin said. “Every time I walked by the growing house where they were this past summer, I wanted to take a picture. It has gold leaves with [plant breeder] Hans Hansen’s signature wavy edges that really made this one jump out.”

Thuja plicata Forever Goldy® ‘4Ever’ (Forever Goldy Arborvitae)

Provencher has experimented with golden arborvitaes to see how fast they grow and if they kept their color. “They grew three to five inches per year and they did keep the gold color.” And the rabbits left them alone. “Their spring and summer

color is much more bright lemon yellow and it’s a nice color change in my narrow, long border. They are right next to some ‘Blackhawks’ big bluestem so there is really nice color contrast in late summer to early fall with the deep burgundy grass.”

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’ (Golden Threadleaf Sawara Cypress)

We’ll end here with one of my favorites. The feathery gold falsecypress has the most delicate weeping branches with gold-tipped, threadlike foliage that does not burn in full sun even in winter. We have fairly heavy deer pressure in our landscape and they don’t bother these shrubs. So, plant snobs, beware. Gold in the landscape is a hot commodity.

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Moonlight Serenade Designing with Plants that Shine after Dusk

“And still within a summer’s night

—

The reclusive American poet Emily Dickinson no doubt spent evenings wandering her family’s gardens and meadows in Amherst, Massachusetts, looking for inspiration. She was keenly interested in all nature had to offer from blossoms and birds to beetles and butterflies. Her poems illustrate how attuned she was to the weather, the changing seasons, and transitions in the garden throughout the day and into night.

Dickinson appreciated that a garden with white flowers at night is totally different from one enjoyed during the day. On sunny days we tend to enjoy showy, vibrant hues— the bright reds, oranges, blues and purples—of annuals, perennials, shrubs and vines. By late afternoon or early evening as the sun begins to set, those glorious colors fade. Orange and red become muted and deep colors disappear into the darkness.

The next time you design a patio, outdoor kitchen, or seating area, or revamp a foundation planting around an entry, consider adding white-flowering plants to elevate the space not just during the day, but at night. When you design it around a patio, an evening garden offers a respite from electronic devices, the non-stop news cycle, and the stress of everyday life.

(continued on page 120)

A something so transporting bright, I clap my hands to see.”

We are the premier shade tree grower in the Chicagoland area with of 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock . Cedar Path Nurseries has two conveniently located sales yards, Lockport and Barrington, to better serve our clients.

Cedar Path Nurseries carries a full line of B&B trees and shrubs, container shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Not only are we your onestop-shop, but we are sourcing experts. We look forward to assisting on your next project.

Moonlight Serenade —

(continued from page 118)

Dusk and Beyond

Evening is the time when shimmering white blossoms and silver or variegated foliage become the stars of the landscape. While understated during the day, white, lemon-yellow and the palest pink flowers appear to glow at night, reflecting ambient light. This is when the white garden, also known as the evening garden or moon garden, comes into its own. At sunset and beyond, the landscape is transformed into something soothing, fragrant and mysterious.

Time spent in the garden at night is a sensual experience. It helps you slow down while you look at the shadows cast by moonlight or subtly placed outdoor lights—there’s the delicate tracery of branches and tree limbs cast onto the patio or lawn. When a gentle breeze floats by on a warm evening, you may catch a hint of vanilla fragrance from sweet alyssum or tobacco flowers. As night falls, we become much more attuned to our surroundings through scent and sound. That’s a selling point when talking to clients.

(continued on page 122)

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(continued from page 120)

Scent

Some flowers emit a fragrance only after dusk. They have evolved to attract night-flying pollinators that navigate by scent. There are the delicate, fragrant flowers of jasmine, white roses, lilies and petunias to enjoy. And there’s the annual moonflower vine, clambering up an arbor or fence and twirling open its brilliant white blossoms as the sun sets.

The sounds at night also capture our attention more so than during the day. The soothing trickle of a fountain, the belllike notes of wind chimes, or the rustle of leaves allow clients to experience their garden in a totally different and captivating way.

By the summer solstice in June, many evening gardens are alive with magic and wonder. Fireflies slowly rise from beds, borders and lawns. Birdsong at dusk, the great chorus of insects serenading potential mates, the night sky, moths flitting amongst flowers—all help redirect our attention from the day’s hustle to some (continued on page 124)

(continued from page 122)

thing ethereal and relaxing. After being stuck at home during the pandemic, many clients have come to really appreciate their outdoor spaces and want to use them at night.

The White Garden at Sissinghurst

Perhaps the most famous white garden is that of Vita Sackville-West, an English writer and gardener who, with her husband, diplomat and author Sir Harold Nicolson, lived at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, England. In her weekly article for the Observer newspaper, Sackville-West told readers about her latest garden projects. In January 1950, she wrote of her plans for an evening garden:

“I cannot help hoping that the great ghostly barn-owl will (continued on page 126)

TALL ENOUGH TO RIDE?

Booth

FIND YOUR RIDE!

Moonlight Serenade —

(continued from page 124)

sweep silently across a pale garden, next summer in the twilight—the pale garden that I am now planting, under the first flakes of snow.”

At that time, her magnificent property featured a cottage garden where she experimented with “hot” colors—orange, red and yellow. She recognized that by restricting the new garden to white, silver and grey she needed to create interest and drama by using plants with contrasting shapes, heights, textures and form. Her husband created the overall structure with dark green hedges of yew and boxwood. Her plans portrayed ‘‘a low sea of grey clumps of foliage, pierced here and there with tall white flowers.”

Today, this world-renowned garden is filled with white-flowered roses, peonies, irises, hydrangeas, Japanese anemones, low mounds of silver-grey lamb’s ears, silvery artemisia and santolina. Spires of foxtail lily, lilies, and verbascum

(continued on page 129)

Moonlight Serenade —

Cerrando la Brecha

En el número de febrero 2022 de la revista The Landscape Contractor, escribí sobre mi larga historia de navegar culturas adoptando La Misión de una persona de fomentar el entendimiento cultural. Los momentos más importantes de mi viaje revelaron mi pasión por los latinos, la cultura latina y por qué la industria paisajista se ha convertido en mi hogar. Siendo miembro del Comité de Relaciones con Latinos de ILCA, también mencioné que me enorgullece lo que nuestro comité ha hecho para mejorar las relaciones culturales y las oportunidades educativas para los latinos en la industria, pero podemos hacer más. Pues bien, estamos haciendo más. El Subcomité Latino y Americano de ILCA es una derivación del Comité de Relaciones con Latinos, iniciado en marzo de 2021.

Como miembros del Subcomité Latino y Americano, somos una comunidad diversa en etnicidad, antecedentes y trabajamos en diferentes compañías. Jose Garcia es el dueño de Natural Creations Landscaping, así como ex presidente de ILCA. Bernie Carranza está con Moore Landscapes. Pete McNamara está con Dependable Lawn Care. Catalino Mendoza está con Midwest Groundcovers, Terry Holum está con Sebert Landscape. Hernan Cortez está con Kaknes Landscape Supply. Zully Arroyo está con ConservFS. Yo estoy con Chalet Landscape, Nursery, and Garden Center.

Para comenzar, Scott Grams, Director Ejecutivo de ILCA, nos presentó un libro que leyó escrito por Louis E.V. Nevaer, Cómo gestionar a los empleados hispanos y latinos-Una guía para contratar, capacitar, motivar, supervisor y apoyar al grupo laboral de más rápido crecimiento. Scott nos presentó una lista de puntos destacados del libro, señalando las diferencias entre las dos culturas. Nuestro Subcomité Latino y Americano seleccionó 4 categorías y comenzamos a trabajar en presentaciones para nuestra próxima primera serie educativa. Estas presentaciones se diseñaron para hacerse en español, inglés o ambos idiomas. Todas las presentaciones con diapositivas comenzaron en común con el propósito de las presentaciones, definiciones, estadísticas de latinos en la fuerza laboral, seguido de aculturación y asimilación.

Para el propósito de las presentaciones, necesitamos establecer una línea base. Los latinos/inglés como segundo idioma deben comprender mejor las demandas de los lugares de trabajo de Estados Unidos para tener mayores satisfacciones y

oportunidades laborales. Los latinos hablan principalmente español siendo descendientes de Latinoamérica, que incluye Centroamérica, Suramérica y el Caribe. Americanos/español como segundo idioma deben comprender mejor la fuerza laboral Latina para que trabajen con, no en contra de las diferencias culturales. Debido a la falta de un término en inglés para los que hablan inglés como primer idioma que crecieron en la cultura estadounidense, adoptamos la palabra “americano”. Americano denota un origen geográfico y cultural en los Estados Unidos.

Con respecto a la aculturación y asimilación de nuestras presentaciones. Aculturación es la comprensión de y adaptación a una cultura diferente manteniendo al mismo tiempo las tradiciones. La asimilación consiste en adoptar totalmente y ser absorbido por la cultura dominante. Los latinos son el primer grupo que no necesita aculturación debido a la influencia que, por su gran número, ejercen en la sociedad de consumo. La aculturación ocurre antes de la asimilación. Sin aculturación y asimilación, el futuro de los Estados Unidos y el entorno laboral será bicultural, bilingüe, con pocas esperanzas de que haya un terreno común. Esto es lo que debemos superar.

iLandscape de febrero 2022 marcó el debut del Subcomité Latino y Americano. Presentamos nuestra serie en cuatro partes. La Parte 1 fue Quiénes Somos. El enfoque fue en los valores y la integración a una cultura cambiante, libertad personal y el valor de la educación y la capacitación. La Parte 2 fue Cómo pensamos, con temas sobre comunicación, tono, voz, lenguaje corporal, gestión del tiempo y ambición. La Parte 3 fue Cómo trabajamos, consistente en la cultura de las compañías y el lugar de trabajo e incorporación laboral. La Parte 4 fue Cómo lideramos, abordando el tema de la gerencia-la dinámica del supervisor de los empleados y el liderazgo en el lugar de trabajo.

Jose Garcia y yo nos encargamos de la Parte 3, Cómo trabajamos. Comencé trabajando con nuestra presentación en Power Point con el material que teníamos en común con los otros 3 temas. Cuando llegué a los puntos destacados comparando las diferencias en culturas específicas a nuestro tema, se hizo más difícil porque los puntos destacados no coin-

cidían totalmente al contrastar a latinos y americanos. Los agrupé de manera que tuviera sentido. Por ejemplo, en el lado de los americanos, había dos puntos destacados, pero en el lado de los latinos había tres al comparar el equilibrio entre la vida personal y laboral y los sueldos.

Principalmente en español para nuestro debut, la asistencia a estas sesiones era una mezcla de culturas. Algunos asistentes, que no hablaban español, tenían a otros que les traducían. Algunos preguntaron cuándo los temas serían presentados en inglés. Como yo, algunos teníamos los conocimientos de español suficientes para embarazar socialmente a sus colegas hispanohablantes. Estos asistentes pudieron defenderse con su comprensión básica del idioma. Nuestras sesiones no fueron lo suficientemente lar-

gas. Abrir la sesión a preguntas, comentarios y experiencias personales, generó un tsunami de participación del público, independientemente del origen cultural. La interacción entre los presentadores y el público fue más que inspiracional.

También, siendo miembro de la Junta Consultiva de Latino Landscape Network para la Asociación Nacional de Profesionales de Paisajismo (NALP, por sus siglas en inglés), aproveché la oportunidad para presentar la Parte 3, Cómo trabajamos, en la conferencia nacional ELEVATE en Orlando a mediados de septiembre. Estos fueron entornos informales en comparación con los ambientes de auditorio de iLandscape. Hice sesiones de Desayuno con Campeones y sesiones de Campamento. Las sesiones de Campamento son

Mejores Plantas, Mejor Servicio Y Mejor Selección.

Mariani Plants se enorgullese en su attencion al cliente. Tenemos expertos ajentes de ventas de habla hispana en nuestras dos localidades, Kenosha Wisconsin y Garden Prairie Illinois. Mariani Plants esta aquí para proveerle mejores plantas, mejor servicio y mejor selección.

Llámenos a Mariani Plants: 866-627-4264 / marianiplants.com

TODOS JUNTOS MEJOR.

Para que crezca su negocio, unase a...

nuevas para ELEVATE. Estas sesiones se realizan en el piso de exposición con taburetes blandos opcionales y un micrófono, sin diapositivas o soportes visuales fuera de un fondo decorativo.

Con solo el micrófono y un portapapeles con puntos destacados de nuestra presentación en iLandscape, seguí adelante. Comencé con un puñado de asistentes que creció paulatinamente. Más de los taburetes blandos estaban ocupados pero el perímetro con personas de pie se llenó rápidamente. Los taburetes estaban más cerca y los asistentes sentados en ellos estaban más dispuestos a tomar el “bastón de la palabra” del micrófono para compartir sus experiencias. Los que estaban en el perímetro mostraban interés, pero estaban menos dispuestos a tomar el micrófono. Independientemente, fue inspiracional ver el arcoíris de colores de unos 40 asistentes. La conversación que resultó fue increíble y se prolongó más de lo anticipado.

Inicié la sesión explicando de dónde procedo y por qué estaba haciendo esto desde el punto de vista de la cultura en los negocios. Finalicé la sesión explicando cómo los latinos han influido en mi familia. Mi tío Efraín Villa vino joven de Puerto Rico. Crecí con mis primos Brian Villa y Julie Villa y pensé lo afortunado que eran de crecer expuestos a dos culturas. Ileana Ascencio conoció a mi sobrino Josh Schroeder en la secundaria y se hicieron novios. Actualmente son veinteañeros. Toda nuestra familia adora a Ileana. Ileana y Josh se casarán en Guadalajara en marzo de 2023.

Gracias de manera especial a mis compañeros miembros de la Junta Consultiva de Latino Landscape Network, Pam Berrios, anteriormente con Ruppert Companies, y ahora consultora de la industria, y Kiara Daniel de Kubota, así como al compañero miembro y Presidente de la Junta del Comité de Premios de la NALP, Jake Leman de Singing Hills Landscape Inc. Kelly Haskett de TrueWinds Consulting estuvo presente y contribuyó también. Tuve el placer de conocer a Kelly y Fred Haskett en persona el año pasado en la convención anual de la NALP, LANDSCAPES, donde conversamos animadamente y presenté a Fred como orador.

También, agradezco mucho a Chalet Landscape, Nursery, and Garden Center por patrocinar mi viaje a ELEVATE.

Pam Berrios es instructora bilingüe certificada, consultora y ahora es Presidente de Infinity Group. Después de la sesión, manifestó interés en la presentación misma y que estaría interesada en involucrarse, por lo que la conecté con Scott Grams. Pam respondió, “¡Me fascinó el tema de Debbie porque es algo sobre lo que he estado creando conciencia durante años! Sería placentero para mí incorporarme a su reunión”. No obstante, desde fuera del estado tenemos planeado que Pam se nos una pronto para una futura reunión del Subcomité Latino y Americano de ILCA. Nuestras iniciativas del Subcomité Latino y Americano de ILCA no son exclusivas para compañías de Illinois. Esto es algo a escala nacional.

Nuestras sesiones de Latinos y Americanos en iLandscape 2023 están ganando impulso y se llevarán a cabo durante la primera semana de febrero. Presentaremos Como trabajamos/How We Work y Como lideramos/How We Lead. Hace veinte años, 1 de cada 10 trabajadores era latino. En la actualidad, 1 de cada 5 trabajadores es latino. Para 2050, 1 de cada 2 trabajadores será latino. Esta información es de la Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales. Espero que quienes lean este artículo asistan a cualquiera de nuestras sesiones, en todo o en parte. No importa cuál sea su color, su primer idioma, sus antecedentes o su título. Puede tomar el bastón de la palabra o permanecer en el perímetro. Traer a sus compañeros de trabajo o colegas. Se trata de tomar conciencia y crecimiento personal para que todos, como un colectivo multicultural, podamos acercarnos a reducir la brecha entre latinos y americanos.

Do Right Services

2036 W. Walnut

Chicago, IL 60612 (312) 731-3742

dorightservices.com

WhenDo Right

Services sent its landscaping crew to ILCA’s annual Pruning Workshop, it underscored that the decision to join the association had been the right one. “We loved it,” says Julian Posada, President and CEO of Lift Up Enterprises, the umbrella organization for Do Right Services.

Posada points to the training and educational opportunities, as well as the chance to show these employees that they are a part of a much bigger industry, as driving factors in joining ILCA in 2019. “We have found this to be a warm and welcoming industry,” he says.

In many ways Do Right Services is just like any other commercial landscape company. Run by Victor Estrada, the landscape Director of Operations and an industry professional with years of experience, the landscape company offers landscape design/build; hardscape design/build; turf management; hydroseeding; tree planting, trimming and removal; weed control; fence and deck repairs; seasonal clean-up and snow management.

And in some important ways, it is unique. It is part of a larger Do Right Services organization that also has compa

nies providing commercial cleaning, pest management, painting and vehicle wraps.

Lift Up Enterprises, the umbrella organization, “is committed to creating jobs and providing wrap around services to help our hourly workers with stability,” says Posada. “As a for profit social enterprise, it was built to accelerate the stability and mobility of its workers.”

In addition to weekly pay, company sponsored loans and a health care stipend, employees are asked to meet with a financial wellness counselor during orientation, to help them with their financial objectives or challenges. The company provides them with a 401K match and starts a 529 fund for their children. “A key factor for getting ahead is getting a handle on their finances,” Posada says.

Do Right Services began in 2018 with a cleaning service and started the landscape company in the spring of 2019. Estrada came on immediately, and “is the glue that holds it together,” says Posada. “He is the person who keeps the machine moving. His dedication and work ethic are unparalleled.”

Initially, the landscape portion of the company had three employees. Now there are three full time crews and, says Posada, “growing.” So far, they have chosen to stay with Do Right Services, as opposed to moving on to other employers once they are trained.

The Do Right Services Landscape Company’s first customers came through Estrada, who asked a previous employer about opportunities for subcontracting. From there they garnered new clients through word of mouth. “We pride ourselves in our emphasis on customer service,” says Posada. “If we say we are going to do something, we do it.”

Posada describes himself as a serial entrepreneur who has civic responsibility in his DNA. He has had a varied career. With a BS degree in Food Systems, Economics and Management from Michigan State University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, he has worked in everything from media to sports and banking.

Posada was COO of The Resurrection Project in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Prior to that he was executive vice president of marketing and strategy for Wrapports LLC/Sun Times Media; president of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club; founder and general manager of Hoy, a Chicago Tribune owned daily Spanish language newspaper and has held senior level positions at Citibank in Colombia, South America. He currently serves on the board of the Better Business Bureau, Chicago Public Media and HOPE Chicago, in addition to others.

A native of East Lansing, MI, he has lived in the Chicago area most of his life.

Posada is proud of the way Do Right Services’ Landscape Company has grown. “Most of our customers expect great service, price and quality work first,” he says. “Our social mission is a bonus. They just want to know if we will get the job done right and do it on time. Only later do we say, by the way, we treat our people well.”

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President, Midwest Division. Exciting opportunity! Award-Winning, Rapidly Growing, HighEnd Landscaping Company (Chicagoland area)

Mariani Landscape is looking for a strong leader to fill the President role. One will be responsible for and leads the Mariani Midwest residential landscaping business. The President is responsible for driving revenue and profit growth through improved customer satisfaction by delivering quality services with efficient and effective processes and systems. The President works with and leads the Operating Committee to develop and manage the strategy, operational execution, financial results, and policies related to the business. One needs experience of managing full company P&L for at least $15M company. This position is located onsite, based at the Lake Bluff, IL office.

*** LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT / DESIGNER ***

ROLLING LANDSCAPES, INC., a well-established design/build firm, is seeking a creative and efficient individual to lead our design team in the Western Suburbs.

Successful candidate must have min. 5 year industry experience along with a strong work ethic and solid follow through.

CAD or hand drawings both acceptable. Must be proficient at excel, word, sketch up and social media.

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Landscape Maintenance Account Manager & Sales

EverGreen Landscape Associates LLC is seeking a Landscape Maintenance Account Manager to assist in serving our clients in the west and northwest suburbs.

What we’re looking for:

• Good verbal and written communication skills

• Previous experience in the green industry

• Provide high quality customer service

• Oversee quality of service being provided and communicate with crew leaders

• Sales of additional maintenance contract work and enhancements

• What we offer:

• Company vehicle, mobile phone, and laptop computer

• Retirement plan and medical insurance

• Paid time off

• Competitive salary based on experience

• Commission on enhancement sales

Qualified candidates should forward a resume for confidential consideration to: vickid@evergreenlandscape.net.

Account Manager/Business Development for Large Landscape Company- Chicago

Mariani Landscape is looking for a strong leader to fill the President role. One will be responsible for and leads the Mariani Midwest residential landscaping business. The President is responsible for driving revenue and profit growth through improved customer satisfaction by delivering quality services with efficient and effective processes and systems. The President works with and leads the Operating Committee to develop and manage the strategy, operational execution, financial results, and policies related to the business. One needs experience of managing full company P&L for at least $15M company. This position is located onsite, based at the Lake Bluff, IL office.

tomer service standards are consistently achieved through proper account management. This includes, but is not limited to, sales, estimating, budgeting, invoicing, and quality control through the management of horticultural practices and site personnel.

Email Resume to: jobs@christywebber.com

Horticulturist

This position oversees all day-to-day operational aspects of the Chicago Dept of Transportation’s Landscaped Medians, including high profile sites like Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. Horticulturist ensures that overall operational performance targets are achieved in relation to service quality, contract costs, and customer expectations. Work includes oversight of median maintenance, watering, boulevard mowing, sourcing, and planting of summer annuals, tulips and tree care. Please email resumes to ksokol@asafehaven.org

Greenhouse Team Lead

Client Relationship Manager - Residential Maintenance

We seek an experienced Client Relationship Manager to join us at our third generation, familyowned company in North Chicago, IL (near Gurnee). In this role, you will grow and maintain relationships with your clients, sell residential landscape maintenance enhancements, and work with our Crew Supervisors to make sure our clients are completely satisfied. Experience in landscape maintenance, sales, and strong plant identification is a must. This full-time, year-round position offers a robust benefits and compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, FSA, paid time off, holidays, and 401(k) with match. If you’re a customer-focused, pro-active team player consider joining us! Please submit an application through our Paylocity Recruiting portal at https://recruiting.paylocity. com/recruiting/jobs/Details/1205663/Chalet/ClientRelationship-Manager to be considered.

Project Manager Enhancement & NU Construction

Through proper project management, the Project Manager serves as the vital link between CWL’s high-profile enhancement clientele and the Company to ensure that client expectations regarding quality and service are consistently met and exceeded for the entire lifespan of projects, this includes but is not limited to installation, sales and estimating, project costing, billing, procurement, and employee management.

Email Resume to: jobs@christywebber.com

Account Manager

Job Summary: Under general direction, the Account Manager is the consistent Christy Webber Landscapes representative that clients trust. The AM ensures that the company’s quality and cus-

Do you enjoy working with plants as much as people? We are seeking candidates with great leadership and organizational skills to lead our greenhouse teams in growing over 200,000 plants annually at our Aurora location. In this role, the greenhouse team lead is responsible for producing the highest quality of plants using sustainable and efficient growing practices, staff training and development as well as coordinating the daily operations of the growing facilities. This is a fulltime position with seasonal flexibility for a family business. Apply now to start in January. Let’s grow together!

Email Grow@thegrowingplace.com to apply!

Landscape Architect/Designer, Account Manager, Customer Service and more With a focus on the future, Greenwise’s innovative approach to landscaping is on the cutting edge of the industry, and we are growing our team of dedicated stewards of the environment. If you’re looking to do work you can take pride in, at a company with a friendly and cooperative culture, we’d love to hear from you! We currently have the following openings:

• Landscape Architect/Designer

• Sales Account Manager

• Customer Service Specialist

• Crew Leaders (Design-Build & Maintenance)

Our Evanston location just off McCormick Blvd is easily accessible.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to Heather@iamgreenwise.com for consideration.

Certified Landscaping Lead, Rose CareAward-Winning, Rapidly Growing Landscape Company -Chicagoland Area

Mariani Landscape is actively looking for a certified horticulturist who performs chemical applications for pest prevention or other landscaping needs in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Duties include operating sprayers and spreaders to treat specific land-

Our people are the bottom line

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• Commercial Business Developers

• Branch Managers

• Account Managers

• Landscape Designers

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• Field Operations Managers

• Turf Applicators

• HR Professionals

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Visit https://www.marianilandscape.com/ for more information or scan below Landscape Architect/Designer Kane Brothers, Inc. is seeking a talented design person to join our team. We are looking to add a person with a minimum five years of experience to our team. Our design studio is located in Homer Glen, but we provide service to clients throughout the country. careers@kanebros.com

Client Representative - Award-winning, Rapidly Growing Landscape Company Mariani Landscape is actively looking for a Client Representative to manage client relationships, bringing in new clients and increase department revenue. One will service the needs and requests of our maintenance clients by providing detailed customer service. Apply today! https://www.marianilandscape.com/apply-here/ or scan below

Account Manager Responsibilities include:

• Account Management, client retention, enhancement sales, new maintenance and snow contract sales, business development, along with supporting our snow operations team.

• Introduce and meet with new clients to sell landscape maintenance and snow plowing contracts and enhancement services.

• Consistently offer additional services to clients, to educate and build customer confidence regarding the enhancement of their landscape investment.

• Prepare takeoffs, estimates and proposals for presentation to clients.

• Make daily client site visits, and regular phone contact to ensure quality services and customer satisfaction.

• Manage production process to assure client satisfaction. Work with superintendents to track production hours.

• Manage client account reconciliation on a monthly basis to reduce outstanding balances.

• Meet regularly with the General Manager to review progress, sales goals and performance.

Benefits:

Commercial Maintenance Account Manager James Martin Associates, Inc., is looking to expand our growing team with a new Commercial Maintenance Account Manager to sell and manage weekly maintenance and enhancement services to our customers.

James Martin Associates is a leader in the landscape and snow management industry, providing services to our customers in the northern Chicago area for more than 45 years.

• This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefit package including: Medical, Dental, Life, 401(k) with employer match and Generous Paid Time Off.

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Landscape Manager/Designer

Platt Hill Nursery is a family-owned business with two locations in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville, IL. We have an opening for a full-time landscape manager/designer for our Bloomingdale location. In this role you will develop relationships with our clients. A top-notch landscape manager/designer should be a keen problem solver, and possess remarkable communication skills. This candidate must have experience in leadership skills and have experience with labor budget reports. You will oversee the construction of outdoor spaces, hardscaping, softscape, monitoring and train staff, ensuring staff and observe safety guidelines and protocols.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following)

• Oversee the construction of outdoor spaces, hardscaping, softscape.

• Monitoring and training staff

• Training new crew members

• Assessing progress and making recommendations

• Ensuring all crew members are compliant with health and safety regulations at all times

• Processing timecards for payroll

• Setting schedules for your team and managing budget with labor hours

• Manage the project from beginning to end.

• Instruct and oversee crew members to ensure the job is completed properly.

• Tools, equipment, plant material needed for job site

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• Concept and design development

• Writing proposals

• Client communication during and after design process (written and verbal, digital and in person) from start to finish

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Qualities that an ideal candidate will bring to this role:

• Ability to set and meet reasonable deadlines

• Ability to function in a fast-paced environment with changing schedules, deadlines, and priorities

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• Ability to creatively solve problems

Send resume to cherylsunden@platthillnursery.com

Landscape Construction Leader

Reflections specializes in the creation of ponds, water features, and natural sanctuaries, and we are hiring an experienced professional to lead and manage our landscape construction workers and ensure each finished product is of the highest quality. You’ll be part of the planning process for our projects and supervise all laborers and subcontractors.

THIS IS A WORKING POSITION, and you will be expected to teach and guide others while also performing construction labor tasks and leading by example. Ideal candidate has landscape construction and leadership experience, is a team player, detail-oriented, and prioritizes safety and efficiency. Self-motivation, reliability, ambition, and a passion for service in outdoor environments are a must to be successful at Reflections. Visit https://tinyurl.com/reflections-careers-1 to apply.

Water Feature Maintenance Coordinator

Reflections Water Gardens is looking for a results-driven professional to actively run, service, and coordinate our water feature maintenance department. You will be responsible for the continued service of our clients’ projects, acquiring new accounts, enhancing and retaining existing accounts, and training new team members. Self-

with

HELP WANTED

motivation, reliability, ambition, and a passion for service in outdoor environments are a must to be successful at Reflections.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/reflections-careers-2 to apply.

Production Manager at Native Plant Nursery

Pizzo Native Plant Nursery is seeking a Production Manger to oversee the Production Team in cultivating over two million plants annually. Pizzo Nursery is a fast-growing operation producing the highest quality native perennials. Join our passionate team to build ecologically balanced communities through education, promotion, cultivation and trade of top-quality native plants.

This is a full-time, year-round position with great benefits. Pizzo Nursery supports a strong and positive team culture. Looking for someone with the experience, skills and drive to manage a high performing production team in a greenhouse setting. Please email a resume to Kyleb@pizzonursery.com for more information and to apply

Business Development Director / Sales Development Director/ Chicago Area Senior Development Director

Purpose: To expand and grow our client base by attracting new customers and increasing the spending of existing customers. Maintain and expand the corporate image of excellence through sales of quality products and services, servicing the customers’ needs, and providing open lines of

communication to our clients. Manage a team of branch-level Development Directors. Provide input and collaborate with all sales team members and mentoring as required. New sales generation.

1. Minimum two years experience in sales.

2. Two-years experience in field landscape maintenance and field construction procedures or equivalent.

3. Degree in a horticulture-related field or extensive horticulture training.

Major Objectives:

1. Generate an ongoing pipeline of new leads by identifying and developing strategic business relationships within our primary target markets.

2. Manage and mentor a growing team of Development Directors to achieve branch level and company new sales goals.

3. Work closely with Sales Director to create successful processes for lead generation, competitive pricing, effective presentations, marketing support, and sales team integration.

4. Increase business opportunities with our existing portfolio managers by establishing

closer strategic relationships with directors and VPs.

5. Produce budgeted sales of new maintenance, large construction projects, and snow contracts.

6. Provide accurate job setup and followthrough for all contracts sold.

7. Maintain and grow large profile/portfolio client relationships through monthly site visits and timely follow-up on requests.

Communication of client needs to maintenance, enhancements and snow departments, as the primary new sales contact person with the client Salary: $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits: 401(k), Dental, Health and Vision Insurance, Paid time off. Chicago, IL 60608: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) Please send resume to HRBEI@balancedenvironmentsinc.com

Account Manager/Business Development for Large Landscape Company/ Chicago Account Manager/Business Development

Maintain and expand the corporate image of excellence through sales of quality products and services, servicing the customers’ needs, and providing open lines of communication to our clients.

Increase knowledge of customer service techniques and sales of quality products and services.

1. Minimum two years experience in sales.

2. Two-years experience in field landscape maintenance procedures or equivalent.

3. Two-years experience in field construction procedures or equivalent.

4. Degree in the horticulture-related field or extensive horticulture training.

1. Produce budgeted sales of new maintenance, enhancement, and snow contracts.

2. Provide accurate job setup and followthrough for all contracts sold.

3. Maintain and grow large profile/portfolio client relationships through monthly site visits and timely follow-up on requests.

4. Communication of client needs to maintenance, enhancements, and snow departments, as the primary contact person with the client.

5. Maintain renewal accounts for maintenance and snow clients in your portfolio.

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AT KANAVAS

LEADERSHIP MATTERS WE WORK SMART & SAFE

We started almost 50 years ago.

I truly understand the unique challenges of every position and will work with you to meet your needs for a successful career.

We prioritize safety without sacrificing efficiency. Our upscale clientele allows us to focus on Quality over Quantity.

No corporate nonsense. I respect the work and our workers. I’m a hands-on leader but not a micromanager and I Recognize and Reward Effort and Initiative.

Things may be good for you now, but what if they could be even better? Contact me today to discuss how a Kanavas career would benefit you!

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1. Proactively manage clients’ satisfaction and service delivery by anticipating potential challenges and monitoring satisfaction.

2. Review, plan and participate in internal training activities on a daily basis through the support and guidance of the sales manager.

3. Provide project inspection, advisement, and coordination between client and maintenance, enhancement, and snowplow crews.

4. Develop and maintain quality repeat clientele and generate yearly renewal contracts.

5. Support public relations program through print materials, ads, website, press releases, award entries, photography schedules, trade shows, networking events, etc.

6. Involvement in snowplowing operations to include new sales, renewals, and liaison between client and snow manager.

7. Follow policies and procedures regarding client contact, bidding implementation, collections, client follow-up, and feedback.

8. Act as the primary contact person between client and company.

9. Solicit new maintenance work through sales process to include referrals and cold-calls, with a concentration within our existing property routes.

10. Majority of enhancement and design/build sales to be generated through current or prospective maintenance clients and through the completion of regular site analysis.

11. Snowplow sales to include referrals and cold calls as outlined in the snowplow sales plan.

12. Support administration personnel in the collection of accounts receivable generated by your clientele.

13. Participate in all scheduled sales meetings and sales events.

Salary: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits: 401(k), Health, Dental, Vision Insurance, Paid time off.

Please send resumes to HRBEI@balancedenvironmentsinc.com

Operations Manager - Large Landscape Company/ Lombard, IL

Balanced Environments, is seeking a motivated, quick learner with an eagerness to succeed to join our team. As Operations Manager you will oversee all branch operations including maintenance, enhancements, irrigation & snow.

Responsibilities:

· Review time sheets. Checking for accuracy.

· Log amounts of chemicals used and time/ date of work performed.

· Log materials, hours, and other information for T&M and W.O.’s. Put information on W.O. for Superintendents to review and forward for billing.

· Submit time sheets to Payroll on a daily basis.

· Make sure material allocations are noted on packing slips. Allocations need to be done so that we have correct job costs.

· Review billing with department Superintendents so that billing is completed on time.

· Communicate with crews for any problems or situations on job sites. Report information to Superintendent or Sales Rep.

· File paperwork in production files for account reference.

· Help with plant and material inventories in the yard.

· Conduct Safety Talks with Supervisors, Foreman, and crews.

· Assist Branch Manager with organizing quality control sheets, quality site reports, inventory sheets, and other information needed for crew incentives.

· Pull together weather information for snow recaps that are sent to clients.

· Log and track weather data that is needed for our clients and record keeping.

· Keep office area neat and supplied for Foreman and Superintendents.

· Create snow billing from time sheets so that Snow Command and Sales can review and forward - to be sent to clients.

· Create & make changes to schedule board for production.

· Order materials.

· Keep account site maps up-to-date.

· Assist account managers with estimate creation & pricing.

· Review all maintenance take offs & bids for accuracy.

Requirements:

· Supply Management, Informing Others, Tracking Budget Expenses, Delegation, Staffing, Managing Processes, Supervision, Developing Standards, Promoting Process Improvement, Inventory Control, Reporting Skills

Salary: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits: 401(k), Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible schedule, Paid time off. Please send resume to HRBEI@balancedenvironmentsinc.com

Branch Operations Manager- Large Landscape Company/ Lombard, IL

This position will oversee branch operations which includes scheduling crews and monitoring quality. Along with controlling labor, material, and equipment costs for service lines that include: mainte-

nance, installations, irrigation and snow.

Job Responsibilities:

· Assemble and lead a team of highly motivated, skilled employees for the local market.

· Manage all billing with Accounting Department.

· Manage daily operations in Lombard Office including; scheduling, equipment, staffing, discipline, and production.

· Supervise and manage a portfolio of landscape and snow accounts.

· Prepare and present site recommendations for client properties.

· Prepare formal estimates and quotes for clients.

· Address clients’ questions and concerns, as needed.

· Actively pursue annual renewals on accounts sold.

· Report to the CEO and COO to monitor and insure revenue and performance benchmarks.

· Responsible for ensuring delivery of quality services and customer satisfaction.

· Develop long-term relationships with clients to ensure open-line of communication.

· Schedule landscape maintenance crews and conduct site inspections to evaluate services performed.

· Schedule and monitor snow command for the branch.

· Responsible for monitoring operation expenses. Review financial reports and seek avenues to improve the branch’s bottom line.

· Develop and coordinate plans for the efficient use of personnel and resources.

· Train and mentor crew personnel.

· Participate and conduct routine training sessions to maximize production and efficiency. Promote high standards for customer service.

· Develop a safety culture, and create a positive team environment.

Requirements:

· Experience as a Landscape Branch Manager

· ability to estimate maintenance and installations

· understand job costing and financial statements

· managerial skills

Company vehicle and fuel card is provided along with a great benefits program.

Salary: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k), Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible schedule, Paid time off.

Please send resume to HRBEI@balancedenvironmentsinc.com

• De Vroomen bulbs have been used at many major Parks, Cities, Botanical Gardens and small to large landscape jobs throughout the United States for over 96 years

• Inventory over 250 VARIETIES in Gurnee IL

• Possibility to pack orders per job/project name

• On-time delivery, top size, TRUE TO NAME bulbs

• Quality and service you can depend on for tulips, daffodils and more...

• We provide promotional material and images

• 80, 0000 sq. ft., temperature controlled facility is conveniently located at: 3850 Clearview Ct. Gurnee, IL 60031 Phone: 847-395-9911 • Fax: 800-395-9920 www.devroomen.com for current availability

A member for more than 40 years

“Increasing the Quality of Life while always keeping the Environment as our top priority”

Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. .......................................16

Homer Industries, Inc. .........................................121

Husqvarna ..............................................................9

Husqvarna ............................................................37

Intrinsic Perennial Gardens ..................................120

Ivanhoe Nursery ..................................................SG7

Painted Ferns — The Silver Lining of the Shade

While every cloud has a silver lining, I feel that every garden with any degree of shade should feature the silver contributions of painted ferns (Athyrium sp.). Long offered and available in the industry, the multitude of selections is hearting although I don’t think their potential in the shade garden has been fully explored.

When you consider the contribution of foliage texture and color in the shade, adding hints of silver offers an “illumination” and brightness that provides an extended show of interest. While other perennials such as false-forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) and lungwort (Pulmonaria) have silver-foliage varieties, painted ferns offer the combination of “textural brightness” as solitary specimens or in a collective massing. They can become role players or main characters. I’m not convinced ferns, in general, have seen their heyday in our landscapes yet but the painted ferns have the potential to change all of that.

In 2003, the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) selected the Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) as the Perennial Plant of the Year. Twenty years later, these textural ferns, featuring a silvery overlay and exhibiting hints of dark maroon on the midribs continue to attract attention. Most painted ferns are in the 15”-18” range in height and prefer some degree of shade and consistent moisture.

Many varietal introductions have emerged with both valid and exaggerated promotions for slightly different intensities of silver or maroon. Admittedly, many of the varietal selections look similar but I’ve noted some standouts further below in the

article. Selections with crested fronds (the leaf tips – pinnae – fan out) are exciting and the hybrids between the Japanese painted fern and lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) are some personal favorites. These hybrids offer the silvering of the painted fern parent but also the increased height (24-36”), hardiness and vigor of the lady fern parent.

I’ve grown and observed over 30 different varieties of painted ferns and their hybrids and have developed favorites after years of observation. Do keep in mind that the peak coloration of many painted ferns may not occur for a couple of years and there is a transition of color for all of these selections from spring emergence until early summer. The varieties with the most significant silvering include ‘Silver Falls’ and ‘Wildwood Twist’. Selections that exhibit notable more maroon on the fronds include ‘Pewter Lace’, ‘Burgundy Lace’ and ‘Red Beauty’. The selection ‘Applecourt’ came out as the first “crested” selection and ‘Crested Surf’ is an exciting new selection of crested painted fern with more height (22”). Exciting selections of the painted/lady fern hybrids include the ‘Ghost’ (love it!), ‘Godzilla’ and the old favorites of ‘Branford Beauty’ and ‘Branford Rambler’. The variety ‘Ocean’s Fury’ is a crested form with the similar parentage.

There are many other selections and hybrids of painted fern available and I haven’t met one that I didn’t like. While the differences in appearance might be subtle, the value of these ferns as textural and colorful juggernauts in the shadier garden should be recognized, appreciated and utilized more often.

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