The Landscape Contractor magazine APR.23 DIGITAL EDITION

On the cover... This Mariani Landscape project titled Ravine Restored won the 2023 Judges’ Award.

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 4. 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

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

Membership & Marketing Manager Marissa Stubler mstubler@ilca.net

Magazine Staff

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

Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com

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

Becke Davis EditorialAssistant

Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them...” Her quote offers sage advice with a dash of caution. The quote means that people often provide early glimpses into their true selves. When we care about those people, we tend to ignore or dismiss signs. It is only when we revisit these early interactions that we realize the facts were staring us in the face the entire time.

Maya’s advice is not always negative. We can just as easily cross paths with strangers or those we misjudge only later to realize they have hearts of gold. We got too distracted by outward appearances, stereotypes, or preconceived notions to realize the merits these people have. In fact, it’s probably easier to find examples of close friends we first misjudged or mischaracterized. It is always a humbling exercise to ask a spouse or dear friend, “Ok, be honest, when we first met, what was going through your head?” Just brace yourself for the answer.

From Where I Stand — We Gotta Talk About Us

Outside of the “Contact” page, the “About Us” section of a website is almost entirely ubiquitous across the commercial internet. Some websites have gotten more creative in their nomenclature such as “Who we Are”, “What we Stand For” or “Our Story.” All these pages essentially perform the same function — it is a short, inspirational page that tells a company’s story. It is often not the page businesses use for the hard sell. It does not advertise. It barely markets. It is all branding. It tries to invoke an emotion directly related to why the company exists. It is a little vain and self-indulgent and that’s ok.

Over the span of a few weeks, I had to organize two panels of business owners and senior managers. The first was a panel at our Spring Training event in Eureka, IL. The second, was our Hot Topics panel in Glen Ellyn. I knew some of the panelists well, I knew some moderately well, I knew some by reputation, and others I had never met. Having to moderate one of the panels and write questions for the other, I started in the most logical spot, their About Us pages.

I am a huge business culture nerd. Landscaping is a very competitive field with a high degree of consumer choice. When a consumer starts seeking a landscape professional, I am sure they assume all of them are pretty similar. Landscapers dig holes and lay sod and install brick.

If a client seeks multiple bids, he or she will have his or her eyes opened a little wider that each landscape company has a unique culture. Contractors have different design and maintenance principles, styles, philosophies, and, of course, costs. Many consumers probably visit their prospective contractor’s website and hop around a few pages before making that final spend. Consumers want to see some photos, meet the team, learn some history, and understand what makes this company tick. In short, they want to learn a little About Us.

ILCA has learned a thing or two about panels and having a pre-meeting helps everyone get comfortable. This leads to interplay between the panelists and the moderator. Further, it relaxes

the panel and humanizes them. We used to send the questions and tell them we’d see them there. We then would quickly find out some panelists are much more passionate about a certain question than others. Some are more comfortable talking about sales while others love automation and ops. Some use a lot of business technology while others wing it. Asking the exact same questions to each panelist without background context is a disservice to them and the audience.

As I gathered intel for my report on each panelist, I saw how each company used those 200400 word About Us sections very differently. The commercial landscape companies recognized their cut-throat competition and used words related to price, efficiency, and technology. The design-build firms were more artistic — some invited their clients into a collaborative project while others informed the client their needs would be taken care of. Older, more established companies relayed they were old and established. The younger upstarts explained how they are young and different. The large, multi-branched organizations talked about the advantages of being big. The small, boutique companies relayed the advantages of being tiny.

Almost all of them followed the same formula. They established credibility — often with the age of the business and how they are interwoven in the community. They transitioned into an overview of their services. Next, a brief summary of the professionals who work there. Then, on to a quick discussion of the client/contractor dynamic. Finally, they ended with words of inspiration or whimsy. The skeleton was the same. It is the same whether looking at landscape companies, automobile manufacturers, restaurants, or microbreweries. It is only the word choice and what they choose to spotlight that sets each one apart.

This column is not about writing a better About Us section of a website. There are thousands of webpages dedicated to how to do that. I would wager that most people reading this column already have an About Us section of their website that they haven’t read in many years.

Instead, open a Word document on your computer right now and write a brand new About Us section without looking at the previous one. No cheating! Use about 300 words and break them into 3-4 short paragraphs. I’ll give you 30 minutes. Dog-ear this page and come back to it.

Hopefully, before you go and bang out some words because Scott Grams gave you homework to do, spend 10-15 minutes thinking about your organization. You don’t have to be an owner. In fact, it probably helps if you aren’t. Think about what you see in your organization. How do you approach clients and customers? What motivates you and your team? What does success mean? We are talking about big answers to big questions. In short — why do you exist and why should anyone care?

Now, write those 300 words. It is ok to use a few drafts. Make sure you try and look through the eyes of the reader. Will they understand all the terminology? Is it all about you or all about them? The correct approach to an About Us section should be

From Where I Stand —

about buyer and seller meeting in the middle.

Think about the past few years. Consider the most successful, lucrative, and stress-free clients and what went well. Then, consider those awful, frustrating dogs of clients and what went so poorly. How do you communicate better to the good ones and avoid the pitfalls of the bad ones? Finish your final draft and walk away from your computer for an hour.

Now, here is the fun part. Open up your About Us page on the website and compare your drafts. How close are they? How did you start? Did you mention your start date? Years of service? Multitude of satisfied customers? Notable projects in the community?

Look at the specific adjectives you used to describe your services. Are they artistic? High end? Commoditized?

How do you describe your people? Are they Craftsmen? Professionals? Artists? Family? Team members? Are they mentioned at all?

How do you describe your client relationships? Are they stressfree? Hands-off? Hands-on? Do you mention their budgets? Do you boast they will be the envy of the neighborhood? Are they collaborators? Does your work make their dreams come true?

How do you end it? Do you leave it on a high note? Is there a call to action? Is there a quote? Is there a tagline? Does the conclusion circle back to the introduction? Do you encourage prospective customers to contact you or assume they will?

Here is where it comes full circle. That About Us section isn’t just a page on a website — it’s you. As I participated in these panels, those About Us sections morphed into people who shared those values and perspectives. The differences in sales philosophies, client relationships, maintenance, and how they viewed their own employees were in those About Us sections all along. Of course, these panels added depth and nuance, but the core values of those 300-400 words were wrapped around every response.

The images these panelists portrayed in those sections were authentic and personal. Those 300-400 words weren’t bland marketing copy — they ARE the business. They are probably the most important 400 words a business writes. You can’t reshape a business by changing the About Us section. It is just a mirror. It is a reflection of what a business values down to the word choice, length, and flow. The business can’t fake it because the business writes what they know.

Every business has friendly and unfriendly competition. There are companies we admire and attempt to emulate. There are others who make us shake our fists and our heads. Make a list of the top three companies you admire and three you don’t. Now, it’s time to review their About Us sections. How do the companies you admire present themselves versus the ones you don’t? Is your About Us section more or less similar than the ones of your biggest competitors? Do you now have a better understanding of why you lost that client or employee to them?

These are not just words written by copywriters and marketing firms. This is an entire culture, history, and philosophy tied up in a nice, digestible package. The easy part is writing the About Us section. The hard part is honestly changing it if we don’t like what those words say about us. Regardless of how we name them, the link on our webpages will never read “The way our business turned out because of factors beyond our control.” It has been, is, and always will be About Us. So, believe it when you read it.

Sincerely,

Scott Grams, Executive Director March 15, 2023

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 —

Spring is here everyone!

Time to hit the ground running and get the season kicked off to a great start. After a very mild winter, I’m sure there is a lot of ground to make up due to the lack of snow. Hopefully the weather cooperates this season and we can make up some of those losses.

In March, we brought back the Hot Topics Panel. The last time we did this event was about 10 years ago. This was a great and well attended event with a wonderful panel of business owners.

The topics included:

• Customer and client behavior and attitudes

• Labor and labor shortages

• Mergers, acquisitions, and succession planning

• Professional stress and burnout

• Margins and pricing

• The 4th Season - the viability of snow

• Electric equipment, robots, and business management systems, EOS, and technology

These topics are all on the forefront of what we are all dealing with on a day-today basis. A lot of great information was shared with everyone and there was plenty of discussion back and forth with leaders in our industry.

Immediately following this event was the Past Presidents Dinner. We had 21 Past Presidents attend this event — one of the largest turn outs ever. It was great hearing all the stories about how ILCA has evolved over the decades to make it what it is today. The stories were endless, and the event went on to 10pm — what a great time!

I wish you all the best for the new season.

Sincerely,

Jeff Kramer

¡La primavera ha llegado para todos!

Es el momento de arrancar corriendo para comenzar con buen pie la temporada. Después de un invierno muy suave estoy seguro que hay mucho espacio para compensar la falta de nieve. Esperamos que el clima coopere esta temporada y podamos compensar algunas de esas pérdidas.

En marzo volvimos a realizar el Panel de Temas de Actualidad. La última vez que organizamos este evento fue hace unos 10 años. Fue un evento estupendo con mucha asistencia y un panel maravilloso de propietarios de negocios.

Los temas incluyeron—

• Comportamiento y actitudes de clientes y usuarios

• Mano de obra y escasez laboral

• Fusiones, adquisiciones y planificación de sucesiones

• Estrés y agotamiento profesional

• Márgenes y fijación de precios

• La 4.a estación – la viabilidad de la nieve

• Equipos eléctricos, robots y sistemas de administración de negocios, EOS (sistemas operativos empresariales) y tecnología

Estos temas están todos al frente de las cosas con las que lidiamos diariamente. Se compartió con todos mucha valiosa información y hubo gran intercambio de ideas con líderes de nuestra industria.

Inmediatamente después de este evento, se realizó la Cena de Expresidentes. 21 expresidentes asistieron a este evento — una de las mayores concurrencias que hayamos tenido. Fue estupendo escuchar todas las historias sobre cómo ILCA ha evolucionado durante décadas hasta convertirse en lo que es hoy. ¡Las historias parecían no tener fin y el evento continuó hasta las 10 p.m.!

Les deseo a todos lo mejor en esta nueva temporada. Atentamente, Jeff Kramer

Jeff Kramer

Balanced Environments, Inc. • Old Mill Creek, IL

River Point

River Point is an office building in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, overlooking the confluence of the North and South Branches of the Chicago River. The large, multi-level river frontage, boasts mature landscape plantings and large expanses of turf.

River Point boasts the largest expanse of manicured turf on the river within the Chicago loop. The property has installed nonvisually intrusive signage asking the public to keep dogs off this central turf area. Ease of egress and effortless access is a requisite

design thought and must be maintained meticulously for all ability levels. We work in conjunction with building maintenance to keep all pavement areas clear and debris free.

The property is a green oasis amidst the Chicago River front and boasts a multitude of color and texture from the shrub and perennial collections. Over 90 trees and 17 different plant species live harmoniously on this site. We hand prune, dead head roses, perform perennial maintenance, hand weed and rake stone by hand to keep noise to a minimum.

Let’s Go Vertical

by Mark Dwyer

I can still recall my first course in landscape design at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) over 30 years ago. I was more focused with fussing over which circle template to utilize and which fancy symbols I would use to denote various plantings than really understanding design concepts. Oddly enough, there was a heavy focus on graphics even prior to a rudimentary understanding of plant attributes and contributions. As a novice, my perspective of those sample landscape designs as they were being rendered in a juvenile fashion on vellum was really just two-dimensional. How much room did I have to place that tree or those shrubs? Where was the sidewalk and driveway in relation to the front foundation area? How high were the windows from the ground and what other input was coming from our pretend clients regarding this space? While these are all valid questions, the reality of creating landscapes that incorporate all three dimensions continues to be an aspiring goal as the dynamism and growth of the landscape make these spaces very fluid in their consideration. My two-dimensional rendering should translate to a strong statement of scale, space and certainly ornamentality in the “real world”.

Of course our landscapes exist in three dimensions but

we tend to focus most specifically on available ground space. We might consider appropriate plantings that offer beauty, but also will be in scale with their surroundings and adjacent plants. I would argue, however, that we give short shrift to strong vertical elements in the landscape. That’s not to say that we don’t have vertical elements included in our landscapes. These are represented by plants as well as “non-living” features like fences, walls and other structures. However, the purposeful inclusion of strong verticals can provide definition, scale, softening, screening and shelter. In interactions with my clients over many decades, I’ve always explained why I’ve selected and placed these “exclamation points” in the landscape.

When entering any outdoor space, I also tend to notice the vertical elements that help create the setting or perhaps define an “outdoor room”. This might include a row of upright evergreens offering screening and privacy or perhaps the repetition of a gardening structure that adds instant verticality. We don’t just decorate an interior room with a carpet, there is lots of other furniture, curtains, lamps, wall hangings, etc. that soften and scale the room. Plants and garden features that provide verticality, when used prudently, are extremely effective additions that will improve the outdoor space and garden room.

Callitropsis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’ Callitropsis nootkatensis ‘Van den Akker’ Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’

Incorporating more verticals in your landscape shouldn’t be confused with vertical gardening which does have some of the same goals. “Vertical gardening” is a bit ambiguous as a term but really represents a style of gardening that maximizes limited space or relies on a specific planting style (i.e. espalier of a tree along the side of a wall or vines up the trunk of a tree). A limited amount of space would certainly lend itself to the consideration of this style and perhaps the inclusion of vertical elements (like narrow trees) to establish height, define scale and provide structure. Ideally this vertical contribution is lengthy and year-round.

My exhortation to GO VERTICAL! involves the intentional use of “horticultural exclamation points” such as fastigiate or columnar selections of trees as well as other elements

like garden obelisks and upright planters. In regards to narrow woody plants, both deciduous and coniferous opportunities abound and I’m a sucker for a narrow plant. Why do we purchase and install “narrow width” woodies in the landscape? Certainly, there is no shortage of pragmatic reasons like avoiding overhead powerlines, space or canopy limitations, intentional formality, functional hedging, etc. In terms of ornamental design however, a well-placed, upright tree can truly be a focal point in any situation and adds some “pop” with a desirable vertical line. The terms “columnar”, “fastigiate” and “upright” tend to be used casually and generally still refer to a narrow selection. More accurately, columnar selections roughly have a 5:1 ratio of (continued on page 12)

Fagus sylvatica ‘Fastigiata’

Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’ Ginkgo biloba Gold Spire (‘Blagon’) fall color

Culvert pipe planters

Fagus sylvatica ‘Fastigiata’

Fagus sylvatica ‘Fastigiata’

(continued from page 11)

height to width with fastigiate selections described as a 10:1 ratio (narrower). Upright as a term indicates a certain narrowness but also likely refers to some of the branching pattern. Regardless, accomplish due diligence and make sure you’re installing a desirable-sized specimen that also is well suited for the site (obviously!).

Plant form, whether subtle or more prominent, certainly plays a role in any composition and landscape setting. While my focus in this article is on vertical elements, I also find sit-

uations where a weeping, rounded or prostrate form might be a nice accent. The design strength of any vertical is closely related to its positioning in the landscape. One of my favorite local uses of strong vertical trees is at the Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe, IL). As you leave the visitor’s center and head across the bridge into the garden, a long row of fastigiate European beeches (Fagus sylvatica ‘Fastigiata’) offers a beautiful formality along the path and helps separate two primary garden spaces. While slow-growing, there are some amazing (continued on page 14)

Obelisks at Rotary Botanic Garden

Thuja occidentalis ‘North Pole’

• Amendment and Mulch in One

• Fuller, Healthier Plants

• Suppresses Weed Growth

• Requires Less Watering

• Includes Mycorrhizae & Gypsum

• Skip the Rototilling (see website for info)

(continued from page 12)

selections of upright beeches like ‘Red Obelisk’, ‘Dawyck Purple’ and ‘Dawyck Gold’ that I commonly use for a solitary focal point or an element of repetition that will continue to gain height and scale as time progresses. Very narrow forms of maples, ginkgos and so many more genera are out there although availability may continue to be a challenge.

Perhaps you’ve noticed the amazing amount of breeding and selection work occurring with oaks (Quercus) for extremely tight and narrow forms? Twenty years ago, I was reliant on upright English oak (Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’) but now that selection has been brought into breeding programs with many of our natives and we’re seeing extremely narrow, hybrid selections that lend themselves to tight locations, building corners and parkways. There are also narrow selections of natives like the Beacon® swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor ‘Bonnie and Mike’). Personally, I’m a huge fan of the Crimson Spire™ hybrid oak (Quercus x bimundorum ‘Crimschmidt’) which has fastigiate English oak and white oak (Q. alba) parentage. This tree does ultimately get about 15’ wide and 50’ tall but maintains some amazing fall color as well. There are many excellent, narrow oaks currently out in the market.

With conifers, there are also many narrow selections commonly available. That has certainly been the case with a plethora of narrow arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) selections which do have their place in the landscape. Knowing full well what deer can do to arborvitae, common design use includes use as an accent but also hedging or “living fence” establishment for privacy and screening. The durability of arborvitae can’t be disputed but I’m even more excited about the extremely narrow selections that also feature a single leader which allows them to shed snow better than

older forms that splay open with heavier snow loads. I use lots of ‘American Pillar’ and North Pole® for these situations. There are very narrow forms of many other conifers as well. If you have a tight spot and a traditional Norway spruce (Picea abies) will get too large, try the narrow variety, ‘Cupressina’, with ascending branches and a symmetrical form. Weeping Alaskan cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis, formerly Chamaecyparis), has some amazingly narrow (but strictly weeping) forms like ‘Green Arrow’ and ‘Van den Akker’ that are curious and engaging focal points in the landscape. Consider the value of these vertical conifers and their contributions for 365 days of the year!

In my 21 years as Director of Horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, WI), I also explored an interesting and colorful approach to including “non-living” verticals throughout 20 acres of display gardens. We utilized obelisks (narrow, wooden, four-sided vining towers), vine pyramids and even painted culvert pipes and PVC pipes to offer instant color and verticality. The obelisks ranged in height from 3’ up to 20’! In many of these instances, there was a limited amount of space (particularly bed depth) that called for this approach. In larger garden areas, these elements would offer a strong, visual anchoring and typically were painted colors (annually) that corresponded with our annual color themes. The obelisks and pyramids frequently supported colorful vines while the pipes and tubes included inserted planters with cascading plants that were beautiful (and admittedly very hard to water!). Fanciful? Perhaps. Effective? Absolutely.

When you’re observing, evaluating, designing or planting any landscape, be sure to consider the incorporation of strong vertical elements. Going vertical will help create a unified, crisp and scaled landscape that becomes a more engaging space to enjoy visually and personally.

Picea abies ‘Cupressina’

Picea abies ‘Cupressina’

Picea omorika ‘Pendula Bruns’

PVC pipes with Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’

Pyramids and culvert pipes

Quercus ‘Crimson Spire’

Quercus ‘Crimson Spire’

Thuja occidentalis ‘North Pole’

Young Professionals Winter Insights of Three Highly Successful

by Nina A. Koziol

When Joey Rossa was nine years old he started a landscape business—mowing lawns. He hired his first employee when he was 14 and started doing design-build as a high school sophomore. By the time he was ready to graduate he had 18 employees. “I was a senior in high school and I’d be taking calls.” After graduating, he made a decision to go full time with landscaping and now, at age 26, he has 130 employees. “I have a passion for this industry.”

Rossa’s inspirational story, along with those of Austin Eischeid of Austin Eischeid Garden Design in Chicago and Adam King of King’s Landscape Design in Hinsdale, held a crowd in awe during a panel discussion moderated by Jillyan MacMorris of Night Light, Inc.

The February event was the brainchild of ILCA’s Young Professionals (YP) Committee. Neither rain, nor snow, nor ice — or all three that day — kept a crowd from gathering at Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard for the winter event. Although some of the 115 who registered didn’t make it from the northern suburbs because they were snow plowing, the turnout was impressive. “It was a really good event,” said ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams. “Despite the bad weather, it was so great to see so many people.”

Austin Eischeid shared his path into the industry. You may know him from his work at Chicago’s Millennium Park and Midwest Groundcovers, but his projects range from residential to large scale public spaces across the country. “When I left school, I worked one season at a design-build firm. I wanted to include grasses in my designs and they said they didn’t want that so I quit the next day and bought a one-way ticket to London. I did a four-month trip to six countries.” He soaked up all the gardens he could and spent five years doing overseas sabbaticals.

During college, Adam King studied finance but also worked for Walt Disney as a Disney character. After graduating, he joined the family business as a delivery driver. “I started at the bottom of the company and that was the right decision. I learned about all the things I could fix and what wasn’t visible to management’s eyes.” He currently oversees

Joey Rossa

The Young Professionals panel: Joey Rossa, Austin Eischeid, Adam King, moderated

Gathering

Member s

Young Professionals Chair Dan Migacz

moderated by Jillyan MacMorris

Spring Events 2023 —

a division of 40 staff and handles 200 accounts in DuPage.

As a young business owner, Rossa advised, “You won’t know everything so the key is surrounding yourself with good people. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be open and honest and surround yourself with like-minded people.”

A good mentor is also essential whether it’s someone in your company or outside. For Eischeid, Roy Diblik and Piet Oudolf became his mentors. “I’d heard Roy do a presentation and then I called Piet who took me under his wing. Piet jokes that I wouldn’t stop following him so he had to take me on.” Those relationships have led to many incredible opportunities. Eischeid told attendees not to be shy. “Put yourself out there. Networking is important.”

For King, finding a coworker with a horticulture background was essential. “I learned the terminology and what to say to clients through him. And, I’ve known some of our foremen since I was five years old and now I’m their manager. It’s all about respect. I ask them how they would do something and then put it into a Venn diagram to see what would work best.”

Landscape designer Elaina Blankenhagen of Plandscape, Inc., in Elburn, joined the YP Committee last year. “I just love all the events and it’s really nice because I don’t work with anyone my age.” Autumn Conn of Joe Cotton Ford also serves on the committee. “This is such a great group of people

with bright ideas. It’s nice to be able to hear how others overcome their issues.”

One challenge Rossa shared is the incredible growth his company has faced in the last three years, which includes the acquisition of another landscape firm. “There’s no time to stop and reassess—to evaluate. We need to take a good look—do I have the right people in the right spots? A lot of people call me the bulldozer because we put a plan in place and it changes two weeks later, so I need to stop and take a breath.”

Kayli Baumhover of Bartlett Tree Experts in Bolingbrook joined the YP Committee last year. “I wanted to get more involved with ILCA. We need more people my age involved with ILCA.” Amanda Bryant, associate account manager at Sebert Landscape, attended with the goal of learning more alongside her peers. “I want to be a sponge and continue learning as much as I can with the industry to improve my career.” For Daniel Soriano, a yard foreman at Lurvey’s in Des Plaines, it was his first time attending “My HR department suggested it and I’m here for the experience. It was really good.” It was the fourth time participating for coworker Benjamin DeSalvo, a woody plant specialist. “It’s always really enjoyable to talk to everyone at these events.”

Looking for more opportunities to get involved with ILCA? See upcoming events: https://ilca.net/ilca-events/

The Young Professionals Committee

Insights from the Panelists

• Forge Connections. “I remember every client I meet and their kids’ names and events and will mention them in our discussions,” King said. “It’s the ability to make those connections” that results in success.

• Show Your Passion. “I’ve always been obsessed with plants,” Eischeid said. “My excitement is infectious so people gravitate toward it. I want to make people love gardens.”

• Be Curious. “I was 11 years old buying my first backpack blower,” Rossa said. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions and if you don’t ask it holds you back.”

• Shrug Off Negativity. “I went to the Independent Garden Center show one year and was turned off by all the negative energy at a table discussion,” Eischeid said. “They were saying, ‘Get out now, you’re never going to make any money in this business.’”

• Cultivate Credibility. “When I was 16 it was difficult to sell a patio,” Rossa said. “Homeowners looked at me as someone who just mowed lawns, but the more I delivered, the more credibility I got and the more leads came in.”

• Expand Your Universe. “I had student loans but made it my priority to pay for my experiences abroad,” Eischeid said.

Spring Events 2023 —

Spring Training: Statewide Grows Even ILCA, IGIA, and Stoneleaf Nursery Set New Records at Annual

Last year, Spring Training - the statewide education and networking event held in Eureka, IL hosted 300 green industry professionals. The biggest concern when an event is immediately successful is replicating that achievement. This year, when registration topped 350 and the event needed to start a wait list, it was clear that replicating the initial success was not a longer a problem. Spring Training is a perennial hit!

The partnership between Stoneleaf, IGIA, and ILCA grew even stronger this year. Much of last year was spent getting to know one another, our volunteers, and our goals. Our strong familiarity and trust helped the event achieve even loftier heights.

“With a first year event, you always wonder if there is an audience who is receptive to what you are trying to do,” said Scott Grams, Executive Director of ILCA. “We knew we had the audience, now it was a question of delivering new content and value to meet their high expectations. Further, each event has to level-up and feel different and improved. Lastly, you just hope it isn’t cold enough to snow or warm enough to plant. Thankfully, we found success on all fronts.”

ILCA and IGIA unification is official this spring. Kellie Schmidt will formally join the ILCA staff on July 1st as the Statewide Director of Development. Prior to the event, ILCA and IGIA hosted a small dinner to discuss additional programs the unified organization can bring to members statewide. Members came from as far as Springfield to share a meal and their thoughts on how a unified ILCA can bring immediate and long term value to their businesses. There are many commonalities between the regions, but each area has their own unique challenges and opportunities. The lessons learned from Spring Training and working with Stoneleaf are paying dividends in other areas.

The most stark difference between 2022 and 2023 was the nursery itself. John and Samuel Cotrell, as well as their personal and professional families, created a learning environment that rivaled any hotel or convention center. Gone were the black tarps meant to shield the sunlight. This year’s event used a professional AV team and LED screen that elevated the look and feel of the entire event. The greenhouse glowed with natural light and crackled with energy. Stoneleaf used live plant material to section the green house into vignettes.

Attendees came from towns all across central, southern, and western Illinois. The furthest distance traveled clocked in at three hours. The program was divided into a Technical track and an Owners and Managers track. Members of the ILCA Technical Skills Committee were paired with IGIA members to jointly handle the program development and instruction. This partnership made sure content included local flavor and plant palettes.

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Even Wider

Spring Training event

Spring Events 2023 —

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.

Growers & Distributors of Quality Nursery Stock

Spring Events 2023 —

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Sessions for Crew Members

• When in Doubt, Math it Out! - Ryan Heitman, The Fisher Burton Company

• From Paper to the Landscape - Turning Plans into RealityEric Eisenmann, Brookside Landscapes

• The Right Start for a Strong Finish - Plant Care FundamentalsJohn Cottrell, Stoneleaf Nursery

• Breaking New Ground with JULIE - Brian MacKenzie, JULIE Inc

• Plant & Shrub ID - Marty Bartz, College of DuPage

Sessions for Owners & Managers

• Factors to Consider Before Investing in a Business Management SystemStephanie Leveling, The Integra Group

• Onboarding New Employees: Welcome to the Team, Now Grab a ShovelKevin Battistoni, Hunter Industries

• Landscape Business Owners Panel - Moderator: Scott Grams, ILCA; Panelists: Todd Reinhart, Reinhart Grounds; Kurt Cottrell, Brookside Landscapes; Trevor Bergman, Bergman Nurseries

• Green Goods Update for 2023 - John Cottrell, Stoneleaf Nursery

• Business Valuation - Alison Hoffman, Harvest Group

Sessions for All Levels of Experience

• Leadership for Crew Leaders & Managers - Todd Kramer

• You can be a force for change! - Dale Stuber, Lauren Howell

The training sessions were just part of the day. Sponsors were provided tables and demonstration spaces to show off products and equipment. Each vendor also supplied raffle prizes that were given out to attendees at the conclusion of the program.

It felt great to return to Eureka and find an audience still hungry for professional development. Next year, we fully expect this program to grow once more as we remain committed to delivering exceptional value to statewide landscape professionals.

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A

Focus — Excellence in Landscape Judges’ Award

Mariani Landscape Wins 2023 Ravine Restored

by Heather Prince

Off a quiet side street in Lake Forest, a lush ravine oasis wends its way beneath a leafy canopy of hardwood trees filled with dappled sun, bird song, and the music of a boulder strewn stream. Stroll the woodland gravel paths and walk down the stone steps to a rustic council ring surrounded by wildflowers and sedges. Cross a log bridge to continue your walk through the layers of trees and shrubs. Peaceful nature surrounds and enfolds you. It took several years, generous resources, and tons of material to bring this beautiful historic site back to life. The team at Rocco Fiore & Sons, now a part of Mariani Landscape, tackled the project with zest and tenacity, earning them the prestigious Judges’ Award at the 2023 ILCA Excellence in Landscape Awards.

At the time of the project, the client already enjoyed a good relationship with the landscape team as they maintained the property around the home and the tableland. In 1912, Jens Jensen had designed a path system and bridges that ran through the ravine portion of the estate. After 100 years, the ravine had eroded and was becoming increasingly dangerous. “The client called me and asked, ‘Do you think you can do it?’ We’d done a bit of shoreline and ravine work, but not of that scope and size,” remembered Rocco Fiore, Partner. The initial survey took place in May 2008 and with many (continued on page 30)

Excessive runoff over the past hundred years scoured, undercut, and destabilized the ravine. The result was an unsafe, unstable space with major erosion, significant slumps and slides of the ravine slopes, and the loss of tableland.

Massive concrete abutments and piers from an original bridge are examples of the many problematic relics of the ravine’s past, contributing to the erosion issues and unsafe conditions prior to their removal in 2012.

Connecting the space amidst the lush landscape of the native plantings, the ravine pathway is composed of original Jensen materials including crushed granite and 224 stacked limestone stairs. This theme runs throughout the ravine.

Judges’ Award —

Raising and widening the streambed. The new quarried limestone streambed is visible, correcting the 4-5 feet erosive scouring that took place over the last 100 years. In the distance is the gravel ramp constructed to enable access to the ravine from the property driveway.

Focus — Excellence in Landscape Judges’ Award

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starts and stops, the extensive restoration project of the 650-foot long and 25 to 30-foot deep ravine was completed in October 2018.

“It was a one-of-a-kind experience,” recalled Fiore. “We’ve had a lot of great clients on the North Shore, but he was involved in every aspect. Most folks have us present our plans and then let us do the work. He was there every day. He agreed immediately to about 75% of what we proposed and the other 25% we discussed. Sometimes he’d tell me we were right and sometimes I’d tell him he had a great idea.”

The numbers are impressive: 1.2 million pounds of topsoil; 3 million pounds of quarried limestone, 1 million pounds of which was used to fill 161 gabion wire baskets; 0.8 million pounds of weathered ledge rock for steps and walls; 2.6 million pounds of natural stones and boulders; 253 trees, more than 3,000 shrubs, and more than 34,743 perennials. And much of these materials were transported and wrestled into place by hand.

The biggest challenge was access. The team built a road from the street for the stone, as the weight would damage the existing driveway. Extensive permitting was required, but also communicating to the neighbors the timeline and being respectful of the neighborhood. “The biggest challenge was getting an excavator down to the bottom,” commented Fiore. “We went to every house and told them what was happening. We made a road down from the city street to the bottom so we could clean it out and open up the ravine. That was hard,

but we got everybody on board.”

The scope of the project included raising and widening the streambed to accommodate increased rainfall, adding a dissipation pond, rebuilding and stabilizing the ravine slopes, installing catch basins on the tableland to slow run-off, adding soil and plants to the rebuilt ravine walls to prevent erosion and restoring the woodland, and make it all accessible with a path system, stairs, and a council ring reminiscent of Jensen. Then, make sure it all looks like it’s been there for years. It was a tall order!

Fiore recalled, “We planned on fixing the ravine on the client’s side, but what about the other side?” He was stunned when the client purchased the adjacent property. “How many people would buy the house across the way?” The client’s son now lives there and enjoys the restored ravine. “The client was tremendous. He was 100% involved and committed,” commented Fiore. “He studied Jens Jensen and read up on him. He cultivated relationships with the crew. With every new phase and each new section, I sat down with him and we would go over the plan. There was no way to even estimate that job. We sat and talked a long time about it. The biggest thing was he trusted us. That is rare.”

Once the team had access to the entire ravine, it was time to get subcontractors in to clear out invasive scrub, dead trees, failing trees, and open up the canopy. “First phase was working with the tree contractor to clear brush and get some sunlight to the understory. There was too much shade to get

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How do you distribute 1.2 million pounds of topsoil across an area with deeply angled surfaces with little to hold it in place? Bring in an excavator that scoops, spreads, and packs it on slopes held in place between bio-degradable straw logs. Final spreading was done by hand.

To plant the blend of native and non-native perennials, groundcovers, forbs and seed on the ravine sides, ladders were brought in and placed on the slopes to put the team in position, a simple but effective innovation that made the planting process possible in this location.

One of the ravine’s many stacked limestone stairways leads down to the dissipation pond. It acts as a natural filter for the water flowing through the property. The large boulders provide stability during storms, which can elevate the water level another two feet, covering the first two steps entirely.

Focus — Excellence in Landscape Judges’ Award

Where trails meet the council ring and dissipation pond. None of the engineering or construction is in evidence anywhere. Rather, we are left with the sense we have entered a perfectly preserved ravine oasis where man has discovered the best of nature and made it available to explore.

Focus — Excellence in Landscape Judges’ Award

(continued from page 30) plants to grow,” remembered Fiore. In the process, Fiore had an idea for some of the straight-trunked oaks that had to be removed. He wanted a way to connect the two sides of the ravine that would seem timeless. With the client’s permission, three log bridges were installed from felled oaks, providing access, but also rustic focal points along the meandering stream.

After working with subcontractors to install the gambion baskets filled with limestone to armor the slopes, rebuild the streambed with quarried limestone, and install 1.2 million pounds of topsoil across the steep slopes, it was time to place boulders, plant the plants, and install the paths and steps. And do it with an active stream with continuous water flow. The team used a system of pumps and hoses to move water when necessary, especially when installing the boulders to create riffles and slow velocity.

Fiore’s favorite part was the stonework. “We had tons and tons of stone delivered with semi-trucks,” he recalled. “We had to make arrangements with the neighbors for the trucks on the narrow lane. And then they had to dump carefully, one boulder at a time.” All of the stone for the streambed, paths, and steps was placed by hand. “We used lannon stone from Wisconsin for walls and steps by the pallet-load and then had to break those pallets in half to get it down the slopes. It was all manual labor to get it in place. Getting the steps in was my favorite part. That’s what I like to do, the stonework. We used

3 by 3-foot chunks of 6 to 7-inch stone outcropping. We slid them down the slope and then set them as meandering steps and paths.” To mimic the feel of a Jensen naturalistic design, paths ramble and weave through the changing topography. The system is designed to create a journey and slowly reveal the charms of the wooded ravine.

The finishing touch was a council ring at the bottom of the ravine that overlooks the dissipation pond. “I wanted to really bring in that classic Jensen element,” said Fiore. “It gives the clients a destination. Somewhere you can sit with a glass of wine and just enjoy.” Surrounded by carefully selected trees, shrubs, and a mix of ornamental plants and natives, it is a relaxation destination. “Drew Johnson, our Project Manager was key in choosing and finding the perennials,” commented Fiore. “He did a tremendous job making the ravine feel like it’s always been this way.”

Today, it’s easy to lose yourself in the layers of green as you wend your way down to the stream. The huge boulders seem placed by the glaciers as gently flowing water slides around them. From spring ephemeral wildflowers to late season perennials, you’ll find waves of flowers and softening grasses hugging the slopes. You can step back in time and enjoy this extraordinary slice of nature recreated by a passion for history and a deep trust in the expertise of the hands that built it.

The 955 linear feet of stone walls and steps were built by hand from .8 million pounds of weathered ledge rock to create the appearance of natural outcroppings. The steps afford access and ease of movement through the trails, the rock walls hold the hillside back, curtailing erosion.

One of three natural log bridges sourced from an oak tree felled in the ravine. The log foundations are built on gabion baskets with steel plates top and bottom with stainless bolts throughout. The dissipation pond is downstream beneath the bridge.

Every rock in the streambed was brought in and placed by hand and machine—2.6 million pounds of stone— from pebbles to 4’ boulders sourced from Wisconsin.

Cómo reducir la brecha cultural entre latinos y anglohablantes en el lugar de trabajo:

Cómo trabajamos

by Meta Levin

Todos trabajamos mejor cuando nos comprendemos mejor. Ese fu el mensaje que tres conferencistas transmitieron en una sala llena de asistentes durante la primera de tres sesiones en español en la iLandscape 2023.

Jose Garcia, presidente y fundador de Natural Creations Landscaping y uno de los expresidentes de ILCA; Peter McNamara, gerente general, Dependable Lawn Care, y Antonio Diaz, Diaz Group LLC, se reunieron con otras personas, incluyendo a Debbie Bartsch, Chalet Landscape Division, como parte del Comité de Relaciones con Latinos de ILCA. Sus discusiones evolucionaron hasta convertirse en el subcomité de Relaciones entre Latinos y Anglohablantes (Latino and Americano Relations), afirma Bartsch, el cual elaboró programas este año y el pasado.

El subcomité inició las presentaciones durante la iLandscape 2022 y, en base al éxito de esas presentaciones, las extendió hacia 2023. En 2022 McNamara calcula que asistieron entre 15 y 20 personas. Este año hubo tanto interés que superó eso a quizá cerca de 100 en algunas de las presentaciones.

Garcia, quien fundó su propia compañía, señala un libro sobre relaciones interculturales que le mostró el Director Ejecutivo de ILCA, Scott Grams. El libro, escrito por un español, enfatiza la necesidad del entendimiento cultural. Si bien el mensaje resonó en él, Garcia considera que el subcomité de Relaciones entre Latinos y Anglohablantes, debe hacerlo suyo. “Las personas de España tienen una cultura diferente (a la de los centroamericanos o suramericanos)”, afirma Garcia. “Lo limpiamos un poco, pero el Comité de Relaciones entre Latinos y Anglohablantes debe crear uno propio. Contamos con suficiente material”.

Compara comprender las culturas de los demás con aprender procedimientos de seguridad, comprender su importancia y hacerlos parte de la cultura de la compañía.

McNamara tuvo su propia epifanía cultural un día cuando vio cuatro camiones de Dependable Lawn Care de cuatro sitios de trabajo diferentes agrupados en una misma área. Los empleados latinos almorzaban juntos. Recuerda haber pensado que ese no representaba un uso eficiente del tiempo y la gente – sin hablar de la gasolina que se consume conduciendo del sitio de trabajo al lugar de la reunión.

No fue sino hasta más tarde que aprendió y comprendió la importancia del almuerzo en comunidad para sus trabajadores, gracias a uno de sus gerentes latinos que había trabajado para él por mucho tiempo. Fue una lección importante en la adquisición de una conciencia cultural para él y considera que desarrollar sensibilidad a este tipo de cosas ayuda a sus relaciones con ellos. “No me daba cuenta de cómo algo tan pequeño puede ejercer un impacto tan grande”, reconoció.

Ha recibido otras lecciones en el camino, incluyendo que sus trabajadores prefieren no ser destacados individualmente por un trabajo bien realizado. En lugar de eso, todo el grupo se lleva el crédito. A la inversa, señala, “Si una persona se equivoca, todos asumen la responsabilidad”.

No debe sorprender que el idioma también es importante. McNamara estudió español durante cuatro años en la secundaria y a través de la interacción diaria, lo habla con fluidez. “Ayuda mucho en cuanto a promover la confianza con mis empleados hispanohablantes”, dice. “La mayoría de mis empleados han trabajado para mí durante 10 años o más y considero a muchos de ellos mis amigos”.

Garcia, nativo de México, no tiene problemas para hablar español, pero considera que es importante que los trabajadores hispanohablantes aprendan inglés. Con ese fin su esposa, maestra de inglés como Segundo Idioma (ESL, por sus siglas en inglés), ofrece clases a sus empleados. “Es importante para ellos aprender inglés”, afirma él. “Es el idioma de los negocios en los Estados (Unidos)”.

Más que eso, cuando aprendes un idioma, aprendes sobre

la cultura. “Abre la comprensión de la cultura y la gente”. Sin embargo, no espera que sus empleados hablen inglés solamente. Como ejemplo, dice que, si están en una fiesta con otros latinos, por supuesto que probablemente hablarán en español.

A la larga, aprender sobre la cultura y el idioma, “te beneficiará económicamente cuando se combina con el trabajo intenso y bien realizado”, afirma Garcia.

Aprender inglés ofrece también otros beneficios, afirma McNamara. Puede ayudar mucho al empleado latino a comprender cómo piensa el empleador anglohablante. De la misma manera, aprender a hablar español ayuda a los gerentes a comprender cómo sus empleados perciben su trabajo y el mundo. De hecho, dice, ambos lados descubrirán que se perciben mutuamente como “personas humanas al otro lado”, no solo como un grupo monolítico.

Una vez que eso ocurre, hay otros beneficios. McNamara señala que cuando los dos lados comienzan a comprenderse, la actitud de que la “gerencia siempre sabe más” puede colapsar. “Cuando eso ocurre, comienzas a pensar en aprovechar los conocimientos de la gente que hace el trabajo afuera todos los días”, dice. “Si alguien te propone una idea, puedes decidir qué hacer con esa información, pero te desafías a ver ciertos asuntos de manera diferente”.

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Garcia indica que cuando se enseña una nueva habilidad o se presenta algo como directrices de seguridad, ayuda también tener un experto que hable español, alguien que no solo tiene experiencia y es visto como líder, sino que también se parezca a los empleados y pueda explicarles cualquier tema en su propio idioma. Para Garcia, que es hispanohablante nativo, esto es menos un problema que lo que pudiera ser para alguien como McNamara. Aun así, ayuda si el instructor tiene la experiencia necesaria para expresar los puntos de vista de los empleados sobre el tema. “Es más fácil para los latinos digerir cualquier información si proviene de alguien como ellos”, dice. “Se sienten más cómodos”.

La cultura se puede reflejar enfatizando ante los empleados que las normas de seguridad no son sugerencias, sino normas estrictas de

aplicación inmediata. Afectan la productividad de la compañía, porque el monto que un empleador paga en primas de seguro se determina en parte por el riesgo percibido. La cultura de seguridad de una compañía en la que se exige a los empleados mantener buenas prácticas ayuda a mantener las primas bajas.

Una de las diferencias culturales más difíciles a la que se deben acostumbrar los empleados latinos es la paga por hora. En México, dice Garcia, a los trabajadores se les paga por día de trabajo, no importa si realizan una, dos o 10 tareas. En cambio, en los Estados Unidos, se espera que estén en el trabajo a una hora determinada y se les paga por el número de horas que trabajan.

Por ejemplo, si el empleador dice que los empleados deben estar en el trabajo a las 6 a.m., esto no significa las 6:15 a.m., dice, “Enseñar esto a latinos en los Estados Unidos es muy importante. El tiempo es importante. El tiempo es dinero. Eso es chocante para los latinos. Quince minutos significan mucho”.

Cuando Garcia dice algo como eso, sus palabras tienen peso. Se trasladó a los Estados Unidos desde México hace 39 años. Si bien comenzó como obrero, actualmente es dueño y dirige su propio negocio de paisajismo, por lo que percibe estos asuntos desde ambos lados. “Lo he vivido”, dice. Y está siempre dispuesto a compartir sus conocimientos.

From Simple to Sensational

Getting Your Message Out — Do you have the right tools?

Nina A. Koziol

When it comes to promoting your business, the options seem endless. Radio, television, web sites, print, social media, mailers, emails, podcasts, billboards, newsletters, your vehicles, a professional communications firm—you name it—but what combination is right for you?

Many landscape contractors send regular emails to clients to keep their name out there. Sara Jenkins-Sutton of Topiarius in Chicago sends an email every three weeks or so. The subject line of a recent email is attention-getting: “Today’s Lesson: Why the gas stations in Florence, Italy taught me that you should have a rooftop checklist,” A clever story about rooftop gardens, it linked to Topiarius’s 8-point checklist for developing a luxurious rooftop oasis.

Bob Hursthouse of Hursthouse, Inc, has done similar posts. He and other team members have taken turns writing very personal emails, some of which focused on their own homes and families. One Halloween, he sent an email titled, “Inflatable Spiders,” in which he talked about how many of his family’s memories are based around special events and holidays. It’s a delightful story about how one of the firm’s core values is play. “We find ways to play because we have one life to live and we want to live it fully.” And then the story had a link to “see how we play.”

DIY Promotions

“Landscapers have their own holiday,” says Judy Davidson, a retired Chicago ad agency rep. “It’s Arbor Day. Take advantage of it and offer to plant a tree at a community center, a school or a senior housing facility. Work with the facility to contact local press to cover the event.” And promote it on your web site and customer communications. The end cost is your time, the tree and the use of the equipment.

You’ve heard that adage, “a picture’s worth a thousand words.” In a world of short attention spans, it’s photos and videos that tweak interest. Videos can be short—10 to 15 seconds. And, that short video—perhaps a “speeded up” before-

and-after patio project can go on your web site, linked to a customer email blast, and posted on TikTok or other social media sites. “Use photos and videos to help tell your brand story successfully,” says Sue Markgraf of GreenMark Media. “The max for Instagram stories, for example, is 15 seconds.”

You could hire a PR firm to do professional videos or photo shoots, web hosting and other advertising support, but if you have a talented employee who can make a video or take great photos, mentor that person and let them have a go at it.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Relationship building with local media brought Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co., to WGN’s television studios early last year, where a fascinating opportunity unfolded. The station has an outdoor patio and garden space that needed a makeover.

Robert Milani, senior landscape architect, redesigned the space and the Bertog team did the installation. Viewers of the WGN Midday News got to follow along all season as the work progressed, with spokespersons from the Bertog team explaining key steps along the way. Months of work resulted in a beautiful space that the news producers now use for various segments, as well as Bertog’s own.

“The garden space was all run down—the pavers had heaved and we took a crew down there,” Bertog says. “In exchange for redoing the garden they gave us a monthly spot with co-anchor Patrick Elwood. During Covid for example, we showed how to refurbish a lawn. It’s a lot of fun and goes by in what seems like seconds.”

Bertog, Milani and Sue Ryba, account advisor and marketing director, are continuing the live segments in 2023. Called “The Gardener’s Toolbox,” topics range from lawn care and fertilizing to planters, pruning and tools. Garden signage acknowledges Bertog’s contributions.

“Bertog Landscape Co. did a lot of heavy lifting to bring this opportunity about and they believed in it from the start,”

Markgraf says. “Tracy Bertog, the company’s founder and owner, and Bob invested in a commitment that provides a lot of good information and good news that pays off in goodwill. That’s the power of effective communications partnerships.”

Bertog is also a regular on WGN Radio’s John Williams Show, answering call-in questions from homeowners. The radio spots evolved from a one-time gig to weekly spots with Williams. “He was surprised to hear how many people were calling in,” Bertog said. “ It’s been a lot of fun and it’s impacted our business in terms of recognition.” The proof is in the pudding. Bertog worked at the Chicago Board of Trade in 1985, clerking for John “Jack” Brogan. “He called into the show to say, “I knew that Bob would go places,” Bertog says with a chuckle.

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Members Marketing —

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It’s a Wrap!

Are your trucks and other vehicles traveling billboards? They could be. Think about how many people spot them every day. Your vehicle logo, web site and phone number get more eyeballs than perhaps any other marketing tool you can use—from social media and radio to email, TV and print.

“It’s one of the best forms of marketing you can get,” says Nate Reeves, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Windy City Signs and Graphics in Chicago (chicagosignsandgraphics.com). “It’s your opportunity to show what you do and what you offer. If you have a vehicle, work truck or van you have a rolling billboard.”

Most service vehicles usually display the company’s name, number and web site, but QR (quick response) codes are becoming popular, too, Reeves said. The person waiting at a light behind your truck or on the street where you’re at a job site simply scans the code and it takes them to your web site.

“We do have two billboards that we’ve had for quite a few years,” says Kristy Rumfelt of Beyond Landscaping in Milford, Indiana. “But, we’ve never had anyone say ‘oh I saw your billboard and that’s why I’m calling.’” It’s the company logo and their vehicles that draw attention. Kristy and her husband Rusty worked with Butler Designs, a local firm, to create a unique tree logo and the overall design that completely wraps one of their trucks. “The logo has been a huge deal for our company,” she said. “People really notice it and are drawn to it. Besides word of mouth, this is our best advertisement.”

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Members Marketing —

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All of Beyond Landscaping’s vehicles, including their excavators and mulching machine trailer, have the logo and other art. “We definitely get a lot of calls just from people seeing our crews in the neighborhood or at the gas station,” Rumfelt said.

Some sign companies offer “cut-out” decals with the name, logo, phone number and web site—the basics—and that’s what the majority of service industry trucks display. “Some firms want something more flashy,” Reeves said. “We can create graphics from a high-resolution photo and wrap your trailer and truck. The most common type is an adhesivebacked vinyl that’s digitally printed. There are permanent and removable graphics. The type of vinyl [we use] is generally higher-end because we’re going around curves and grooves especially on trucks.”

Cost

“How we charge and how most [sign companies] charge is by the square foot,” Reeves explained. “Decals on a door can be $500 to $700 and a full wrap can run between $3500 to $5000 or more. Each one is a custom job.”

Reeves and other sign firms can create graphics from high-resolution photos, so professional photos of your best work should be considered. “We have an inhouse design team to help with the layout and graphics, but I don’t like to create logos. You can find people on line to do logos quicker and cheaper.” Chicagoarea design firms charge anywhere from $100 to $220 an hour for their services and costs to develop a logo can run from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Reeves’ team prepares mockups so the company can see how the truck, SUV or other vehicle will look.

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(continued from page 44)

Don’t have a designer? Some sign companies offer online stores that provide basic logos, lettering, and vehicle wrap designs. At Chicago Wrap in Naperville (chicagowrap.com), there’s everything from stripes, graphics and simple door lettering to partial and full wraps.

Maintenance

The full-vinyl wrap on Rustin’s truck was done in 2018. “It has held up nicely,” she said. Reeves firm also applies a UV-protective laminate over the graphics to help prevent images from fading and the vinyl from getting scratched. “But, they are not impervious,” he warned. “Three to seven years is the average life span depending how you use it.” And, how careful crews are with loading equipment and tools.

Wraps aren’t the only option. There are clear and opaque decals designed for

(continued on page 48)

A diverse selection of summer annuals, foliage, blooming tropicals and colorful hanging baskets.

A complete line of cool hardy annuals and fresh branches for your inspired spring designs.

(continued from page 46)

the windows or body of vehicles—lettering, perforated decals, permanent decals or removable magnetic decals for the doors. All of which can promote your company and reach new clients. “Not everyone has signage built into their annual budget, even as part of advertising,” Reeves said. But it’s a good idea.

New Members —

CONTRACTORS

Ideal Maintenance Service

Ray Abraham 35617 E 1300 North Road

Piper City, IL 60959

Email: delta4.ra@gmail.com

Phone: 815-374-0863

IdealMaintenanceservice.com

Mingo & Sons Lawn & Landscape LLC

Tracy Mingo

7824 S Damen

Chicago, IL 60620

Email: mingoandsons@att.net

Phone: 312-925-0911

Mingoandsons.com

Lawn care, landscape and snow removal company that prides ourselves on integrity, hard work, and faith.

Y&D Maintenance

Brian Younker

22803 Mustang Road –D

Frankfort, IL 60423

Email: brian@ydminc.com

Phone: 708-532-4432

www.ydminc.com

Landscape Management Services, Snow and Ice Control.

ZGreen Landscape Inc.

Rene Z

Elgin, IL 60120

Email: info@zgreenlandscapeinc.com

Phone: 224-508-0252

https://www.zgreenlandscapeinc.com/ ZGreen Landscape Inc. is a family owned & operated business. With over 15 years of Landscape & Hardscape Design experience. Your number one choice for all your needs in snow removal, hardscaping, landscape installation and design, and more.

GOVERNMENT/NON-PROFIT

DuPage County - Facilities Management

Mary Ventrella

421 N. County Farm Road

Wheaton, IL 60187

Email: mary.ventrella@dupageco.org

Phone: 630-407-5700

www.dupageco.gov

Geneva Park District

Kate Perez

410 Wheeler Drive Geneva, IL 60134

Email: kperez@genevaparks.com

Phone: 815-474-4938

www.genevaparks.org

Uline

Dustin Lindert

12575 Uline Dr. Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158

Email: dlindert@uline.com

Phone: 262-612-4200

www.uline.com

Corporate Grounds Management Team9 full time landscape professionals and 4 seasonal employees.

INDIVIDUAL

Greg Frick Landscape Design

Greg Frick

681 Page Ave Elgin, IL 60120

Email: greg@gregfricklandscapedesign. com

Phone: 847-951-9699

GregFrickLandscapeDesign.com

Greg Frick Landscape Design provides landscape and hardscape design, color rendering, 3D modeling and consulting to landscapers, contractors, developers, home builders and homeowners.

OUT-OF STATE

Beyond Landscaping INC

Kristy Rumfelt

2983 E. Bowser Rd Milford, IN 46542

Email: beyondlandscaping1@gmail.com

Phone: 574-527-7973

beyondlandscaping.com

LandWorks, Inc.

Rob Holly

N69 W25195 Indian Grass Lane Sussex, WI 53089

Email: ap@landworkswisconsin.com

Phone: 262-820-2501

www.landworkswisconsin.com

Pest of the Month: Boxwood Leafminer

Disease of the Month: : Black Spot on Hellebore

by Heather Prince

Pest of the Month: Boxwood Leafminer

Boxwood leafminer (Monarthropalpus buxi) has become more prevalent in our area. Overwintering under the leaf surface as partially-grown larvae, this insect is set up to start feeding and metamorphosizing into adults as temperatures warm. Affected leaves will have tan blisterlike spots that may shatter if probed. Larvae finish out their cycle and pupate in spring, adults emerging usually when weigela blooms. The adult flies are very tiny yellowish-orange flies about the size of the head of a pin. Female flies land on the leaf upperside and insert eggs into the leaf tissue, causing stippling. These eggs hatch into yellowish-white larvae that feed on the soft tissue in the interior of the boxwood leaf. Up to twenty larvae can be present per leaf. They munch away slowly through the summer, initially causing raised, green blisters on the leaf upperside and small, tan blisters on the underside. After overwintering, the mature larvae cause the lower epidermis of the leaf to separate and appear whitish. If many larvae are present, this will happen to the entire leaf underside.

Treatment: Treatment is most effective during egg-laying and early larval feeding. These include carbaryl and labeled pyrethroids for adult activity. For larvae, a systemic insecticide will penetrate leaf tissue and kill the insect as it eats. These include abamectin, acephate, and imidacloprid. Since it takes time for a systemic to move into all plant tissues, apply as soon as leafminer presence is confirmed.

Disease of the Month: Black Spot on Hellebore

An increasingly popular perennial for its early spring flowers and critter-proof foliage, you may find black spot, a fungal disease caused by Microsphaeropsis hellebori (formerly Coniothyrium hellebori) on hellebores. This fungal disease causes large, dark brown to black spots on hellebore leaf blades and margins. The spots have concentric rings giving them a target-like appearance. As the spots enlarge, they develop an elliptical shape. Multiple spots can then coalesce and damage large portions of the leaf. Using a hand lens, look for small, black fruiting bodies form within the disease tissues. Black spot also infects flowers, causing them to wilt, rot, and fail to open.

Treatment:

The fungal pathogen that causes black spot of hellebore produces abundant spores that spread mainly by splashing water and wind-blown rain. This disease spreads rapidly during wet springs or falls. The most effective management option is to remove and destroy the infected leaves. Be sure to clean and sanitize tools between plants to avoid spreading the disease. Avoid overhead irrigation that keeps foliage wet for extended periods. While there is no fungicide labeled for this disease, there is evidence that copper-based products may be helpful.

Additional resources:

University of Illinois Extension Service https://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/ horticulture/index.php 217-333-0519

The Morton Arboretum http://www.mortonarb.org/Plant Clinic: http://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/ tree-and-plant-advice/ 630-719-2424

Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Information Service: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/ plantinfoservice

847-835-0972

Boxwood leafminer

Black spot on Hellebore

New Member Profile Snapshot

A Garden Guy, Inc.

2439 Robincrest Lane

Glenview, IL 60025

(224) 676-0222

www.agardenguylandscaping.com

by Meta L. Levin

Matt Mlynski was an eighth grade science teacher with a summer job remodeling houses when the Great Recession hit in 2007-2008. The remodeling jobs dried up, and he began building raised garden beds for neighbors.

Then he offered weekly maintenance for them. With a pickup truck and the occasional help from some friends and family, he started A Garden Guy, Inc. in Glenview, IL. His customers began asking him to recommend landscape design ideas and projects for their yards.

So, while he taught, coached high school basketball, continued his garden work and helped his wife raise their one- and two-yearold toddlers, he took two years of classes at Triton College, where he earned a certificate in landscape design. “Looking back, I don’t know how I had the energy to do all of it,” he says.

To jump start his expanded business, Mlynski mailed out 800 notes to landscape contractors asking about subcontracting. He eventually bought a small landscape contracting company that had about 30 accounts. Of those, he was able to retain 20 and pick up another 15 to 20.

He offered lawn maintenance. “That’s where we started, but

that was not the goal,” he says. Initially, the company had three employees. Now, A Garden Guy has expanded to offer landscape design/build, hardscaping, lighting and snow removal and has nearly 15 employees.

“I’ve been fortunate with labor issues,” he says. “My core guys have been with me the whole time.”

A foreman, Gaston Sanchez Jr. has been with the company for eight years. “He has a similar anything is possible mind set to mine,” says Mlynski. “And he likes to take on challenging projects.”

Andrew Patch has been with Mlynski for three years. “His ability to manage people has proved valuable,” says Mlynski. A crew leader, Patch is also known as a hard worker.

Bruno Miranda Jr. is a crew leader for the maintenance division and has been with A Garden Guy for six years. “He is flexible, works hard and is great with the clients,” says Mlynski.

Mlynski hired Sergio Sanchez four years ago and has found him to be intelligent and a quick problem solver. He works on the hardscape crew.

From the beginning Mlynski has been customer oriented. “We make sure the customer’s wants and needs are met,” he says. In

fact, many have become not only lifelong customers, but also friends. “It starts with me, but continues with every employee I have.”

He trains his employees on the importance of being friendly and courteous. “I tell my guys to wave and say ‘Hi’ to anyone walking by the job site, because that could be a potential client,” says Mlynski. He also emphasizes that customer care is important and makes sure that his workers communicate with the client when they arrive on a job site and when they leave.

Mlynski does most of his own selling. He did have one other salesman, who recently retired. Mlynski is personally involved with about 75 percent of the projects and makes it a point to stop by every job site.

A Garden Guy became an ILCA member in early 2023 in large part to “be around like minded people and become a part of a professional organization,” he says. “I saw it as a good opportunity to network and create relationships within the industry.”

Mlynski’s wife, Annette, is a special education teacher at the elementary school level. “She has been with me through all of the ups and downs,” he says. Of those children who were toddlers when Mlynski began his green industry odyssey, Max is now 14 and Layla is 13.

Mlynski credits hard work and, especially, the relationships he has built and maintained for a large part of his success. “I have been fortunate to make good relationships with other contractors and suppliers,” he says. “I’ve never been afraid to ask people questions.”

Classified Ads

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

Operations Manager – Lombard 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

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 followup 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.

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

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

Landscape Construction Leader/Water Feature Maintenance Coordinator/ Landscape Design Associate

Annette Held Landscape Design, Ltd. Chicago, Illinois

Annette Held Landscape Design, Ltd., is a design/build/maintenance firm that works primarily in Chicago. We provide a variety of landscape services to residential and commercial properties throughout the city.

Landscape Design Associate

• Assist in landscape design services, landscape maintenance, and installation of landscape projects.

Skills Required:

• Able to execute landscape site assessments

• Able to create base maps and landscape designs

• Familiar with landscape trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals

• Familiar with landscape tools and uses

• Familiar with CAD, Excel, Sketch-up, and other design tools

• Associates or Bachelors degree a plus but not required; demonstration of skills most important

• Able to get along well with others

• Willingness to do whatever is necessary to get the job done

• Able to take direction and contribute ideas

Classified Ads

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

to make the team as effective and efficient as possible

• Able to lift 25 pounds

• Valid Driver’s License and good driving record

• Able to speak Spanish a plus but not required

Job Specifics:

• Available from March through December with Winter hours negotiable; Salary commensurate with experience and education; health insurance; generous paid time-off; paid continuing education; generous bonus at end of season;

If interested please reply via email to Annette@aheldlandscapes.com

Landscape Designer / Sales Professional

Tentinger Landscapes is currently in search of a Landscape Designer/ Sales Professional. We are a full-service design, build, and maintenance company based in the far Western suburbs. This position meets with leads and clients, produces quality landscape designs, construction documents, proposals, presents to clients, and sells. Involvement in the construction process is necessary to ensure quality and delivery of the design intent. This position interacts with the design and operations staff on a regular basis. Proficiency in AutoCAD and Adobe Photoshop is preferred. The ideal candidate possesses:

-EXCELLENT communication abilities

(written, verbal, in person)

-Ability to self-start and find opportunities

-Design talent and eye for good aesthetic

-Highly organized and detailed, excellent time management skills

-Strong knowledge of plant and hardscape material

-Minimum of 2 years’ experience in residential landscape design and construction

Please call 630.913.5100

Project Manager

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

Park Specialist I - Pension Eligible

The Naperville Park District is looking for a qualified candidate to join our park maintenance department as a Park Specialist I. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional in the area of horticulture, general landscape maintenance and custodial duties to utilize their skills in a team environment to make a positive impact on the community.

To apply, visit https:// www.napervilleparks.org/employment

Account Manager

The Account Manager is the primary client contact for the contracted accounts within the landscape maintenance portfolio. This position clearly communicates contract specifications to management and works with production to perform services in a profitable manner. Position is responsible for necessary follow-up and follow-through to maintain positive client relations, ensure complete client satisfaction and contract renewals. Good relationship management skills will help with providing non-contracted enhancement proposals to meet the needs of the property, increase satisfaction, and gain additional revenue for Sebert Landscape. Email kim@sebert.com to apply.

Plant Clinic Manager Opening at The Morton Arboretum

Responsible for managing the Plant Clinic, one of the Arboretum’s most visible hubs for tree- and plant-related information. Lead efforts to continually improve how the Plant Clinic operates, what information it provides, and how best to reach its key audiences. In addition to answering over 15,000 questions a year via in-person, phone, and email contacts, the Plant Clinic also works with staff across the organization to create useful, consumer-focused plant information and both online and on-site learning experiences. B.S. in horticulture, plant sciences, or related field required. Equal opportunity employer – disability/veteran

To apply, visit https://careers.hireology.com/ themortonarboretum/1140855/description

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 customer 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: jobs@christywebber.com

Associate Designer

We’re growing! Join our well-established design-build and maintenance company. For nearly 45 years, Nature’s Perspective Landscaping has been providing landscape services to Chicago’s northern suburbs and Chicago’s north side.

In this full-time, hourly position, you will perform site surveys, assist in preparing landscape drawings and proposals for client presentations, coordinate multiple landscape projects and perform clerical duties. You must be able to handle a wide range of responsibilities, have a good knowledge of plant and hardscape materials, demonstrate excellent computer skills, be detail oriented, organized, and self-motivated with good social skills. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

Job Type: Full Time

Salary: 40-50k

Essential Qualifications:

-Degree in Horticulture, Landscape Design, Landscape Architecture, Design, Art, or similar preferred

-Proficiency in Microsoft programs

-Proficiency in SketchUp and Dynascape or AutoCAD

-Knowledge of plant material which grows in our area.

-Willingness and ability to learn new software and estimating system (Aspire)

-Proof of Covid vaccination

Benefits:

-401(k) & 401(k) matching

-Dental, health, and vision insurance

-7 paid holidays

-Paid time off/sick time (up to 15 days in first year)

-Mileage reimbursement

-Company cell phone

-Professional development assistance

-Employee discount

If you have limited experience but possess the right attitude, consider applying. We love to train positive people!

If interested, please email resume to Paul Klitzkie @ pklitzkie@naturesperspective.com

Landscape Attendant

Landscape Attendant

Maintain Uline’s beautiful 300+ acre corporate campus comprised of turf, ponds, planted areas and indigenous prairies.

Plant and prune a variety of trees, shrubs,

Classified Ads

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

perennials and annuals. Conduct routine plant bed maintenanceweeding, deadheading, mulching, watering, etc.

Inspect and ensure groundskeeping equipment is in safe operating condition. High school diploma or equivalent.

Understanding of plant health care and common planting practices.

Able to identify specific plants and weeds. Hands-on experience with groundskeeping equipment.

Able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Complete medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts and wellness programs. 401(k) with 5% employer match. Paid holidays and generous paid time off. Bonus programs that include annual performance, sales goals and profit sharing. Uline is proud to operate as a drug-free workplace.

EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled

To apply, visit https://www.uline.jobs/ JobDetails?&jobid=R227016

Lawn Maintenance Route Manager

Looking to hire a route manager for multiple lawn maintenance crews.

Please call (708) 670-1570

Commercial Landscape Account Manager

Woodlawns Landscape Company is seeking a confident, motivated individual to manage the landscape of the most beautiful and elite buildings/sites in Chicago. For more than 20 years WLC has been providing high end commercial landscaping services to premier Chicago clientele consisting of weekly maintenance, enhancements, seasonal color, and holiday décor. Our team is seeking an individual who wants to be part of a growing company. We value the team atmosphere and enjoy collaboration.

Responsibilities: The primary function of this role is to communicate with the client, prioritize their landscaping needs and develop a lasting partnership through site visits, emails, and meetings, create solutions for their landscaping needs. Work with operations teams and to ensure approved work is completed within budget and delivered to exceeds client expectations.

Email to apply katrina.kindle@woodlawnslandscape.com.

HELP WANTED! Immediate StartFertilizer Technician

The applicator is responsible for correctly applying herbicides and pesticides to residential and commercial properties. This position also operates all applicator equipment and performs maintenance on that equipment.

What your day may look like:

· Correctly mixes pesticides and fertilizers for application.

· Maintains accurate log forms on applicated properties.

· Performs maintenance and calibration on application equipment.

· Wears proper protection equipment.

· Participates in continuing education for maintaining pesticide applicator license.

· Mixes fertilizer and chemicals.

Requirements:

* Be licensed in the state of IL for pesticide/ weed control

* Have a valid IL driver’s license in good standing, no major issues (DUI, Major accidents)

* General knowledge of turf grass-related issues, diseases, insects have knowledge and experience identifying and curing these types of issues

* Have knowledge of different weed types in the area, and be able to identify those types

* Have knowledge and experience in using different types of products to treat, or prevent weed types.

* Must have knowledge of operating hose reel and ride-on sprayer systems

* Must have knowledge of properly calibrating all the equipment you use.

* Must have knowledge of storing and mixing different solutions and chemicals

* Must have good math skills in order to determine proper calibration rates and mix rates/ratios

Starting pay rate is $22.00-$25.00 per hour (based on experience and job responsibilities). Holiday pay will be provided and monthly bonuses can be earned.

Hours: Monday-Friday beginning at 6:30AM (overtime paid for all hours in excess of 40 per week). You will work a minimum 40+ hours a week. Saturdays are used to make up for lost work due to bad weather.

Call Zach, at (708) 420-8021, to set up an interview.

Administrative Assistant - Bartlett Tree Experts, Lake Bluff

Looking to replant your career? Look no further, Bartlett Tree Experts, Lake Bluff,

HELP WANTED

is looking for a full-time Administrative Assistant to join our team.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, are detail-oriented, understand the importance of deadlines, and enjoy a team approach, apply now! To apply, visit https://www.bartlett.com/jobopportunities-c/lake-bluff-il/administrativeassistant

Administrative Assistant - Bartlett Tree Experts, Bolingbrook

Looking to replant your career? Look no further, Bartlett Tree Experts, Bolingbrook, is looking for a full-time Administrative Assistant to join our team.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, are detail-oriented, understand the importance of deadlines, and enjoy a team approach, apply now!

To apply, visit https://www.bartlett.com/jobopportunities/bolingbrook-il/administrativeassistant

Landscape Architect / Drafter / Receptionist

Tentinger Landscapes is a full-service landscape provider offering design, construction and maintenance programs to residential and commercial clients throughout the western suburbs of Chicago. We provide professional service and are experienced in all aspects of landscape design, construction, and maintenance. Our passion for landscape is apparent in the designs we craft and the properties we maintain.

We currently have the following openings:

-Landscape Architect / Designer

-Drafter (CAD, 3D, site plans)

-First Impressions Person/Receptionist

Please submit your resume and contact information to zack@tentinger.co (yes, .co) or call our office at 630.913.5100.

Landscape Specialist | Pension Eligible

The Woodridge Park District is looking for a qualified candidate to join our park maintenance department on a full time basis in the position of Landscape Specialist. This individual will be responsible for implementing management practices for all landscape plant material and landscape beds located on park district managed properties. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to utilize their skills in the areas of horticulture and general landscape maintenance.

Visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/

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The

Inspiration Alley

Editor’s Note: Over time, we run across a mountain of fun, innovative, and generally creative ideas. They don’t always fit with the magazine content, but we do collect them for some future use. This brings us to Inspiration Alley, a place where we display pure creativity. It’s up to you to judge the merit of each offering. So use it, lose it or be inspired to try something different.

Flush with Bloom

By Nina A. Koziol

Who doesn’t love a well-planted hanging basket, pot or window box this time of year? Full of colorful goodness and eye candy when the rest of the landscape is like a gawky teenager. We do! Choose wisely— use cold-hardy annuals and bulbs— because Jack Frost hangs around until mid-May.

Balanced Environments in Old Mill Creek, IL, created this charming basket with snapdragons, pansies, ivy, stocks and bacopa

Xylem

Ranunculus planters in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s English Walled Garden

Primroses and Ajuga at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Ranunculus and primroses at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Before You Go — Thoughts on Flower Architecture —

by Mark Dwyer

It’s not unusual to have our clients ask for a progression of flowering and visual interest in the landscape throughout the seasons. During the growing season we are sure to “cover the bases” with flowers from the earliest days of spring until hard frost arrives in the autumn. The color and timing of these blooms (perhaps fragrance and pollinator value as well) is on our radar although we rarely consider their architecture and shape which can also be a significant feature of interest. We achieve further extended interest by combining plants with interesting foliage color and texture while also considering the merit of colorful stems, ornamental bark, colorful fruits and additional features of winter interest.

With buzz words like “matrix design” becoming more common coupled with the understandable momentum for more sustainable landscapes, the importance of flowering plants for both ornamental interest and their value for pollinators and ecosystem support functions is apparent. Bloom times and windows will fluctuate but consider that the shape of the flower can be an amazing contributor in the landscape, particularly when plants are either very floriferous or in drifts. Flower forms include spires, flat daisies, trumpets, buttons and much more. Color theory and personal preference will always play a part in our design combinations but consider the additional contributions of strong flower forms in our landscape vignettes.

When I visit the Piet Oudolf designed Lurie Garden in Millennium Park (Chicago, IL) in summer, I’m always smitten by the masses of Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) and blaz-

ing stars (Liatris sp.) that have such a strong “vertical presence”. Floating throughout that same garden are the “hovering spheres” of rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), another excellent native perennial. A softening haze is provided by the flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata). The amazing thing about the Lurie Garden (go visit often!) is that strong, variable flower architecture (as well as amazing color) is represented in every season across a vast array of plant species and varieties with significant textural contributions as well.

The garden in front of the Ball Horticultural Company (West Chicago, IL) features a similar strength in flower form and textures that are carried throughout this colorful and engaging space. Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm (Burlington, WI) designed this layout which includes both native and non-native selections. The display gardens at his nursery have similar heft in flower form and color and those gardens feature low-maintenance combinations that are excellent for pollinators. The use of ornamental onions (Allium sp.) like ‘Summer Beauty’, ‘Pink Planet’ and ‘Millenium’ contributes those floating spheres and while Roy also uses grasses for texture, I always enjoy seeing lesser showy calamint (Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta) as that wispy, long-blooming “softener” in the gaps and along path edges. The flat daisies of coneflowers (Echinacea sp.) extend above the lower plantings which collectively offer amazingly diverse textures well into the depth of winter. These arrangements ebb and flow with interest.

Beacon Hill™ Smooth

INSTALLATION SPEED & EFFICIENCY

x 371⁄2"

Given the high cost of labor these days, choosing products that are easy and efficient to install is crucial. This is where our 22 1⁄2” x 37 1⁄2” Beacon Hill Smooth Slab truly shines, boasting a sleek surface finish and a monochromatic color palette that includes two new hues, Opal and Champagne, both manufactured with EasyClean technology. This makes it the ideal choice for even the most discerning clients. Each unit covers a whopping 5.85 square feet and can be easily placed with a two-man lifter or UniLyft.

Contact 1-800-UNILOCK or visit UNILOCK.COM to connect with your local Territory Manager.

Fossil

Granite Fusion

Opal Bavarian

Champagne