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December 2021
CONTENTS
Excellence In Landscape Awards Project
8
FOCUS: Fall Events a Welcome Sight for Members iLandscape Education Preview 10 A first look at some of the classes for 2022 Fall Events for Everyone Young Professionals Meet Up 18
18
Foremanship Seminar 20 Pruning Workshop 22 The Impact Conference 24
Annual Party & Member Meeting
32
22
EN ESPAÑOL El programa de educación de iLandscape 2022. 40 iLandscape Education Preview
The Pros at Home Jack Pizzo’s Prairie Home
44
New Members 52
Member Profile 54 Wheaton Mulch
Inspiration Alley 61 Towers of Power
Hidden Landscape Gems Wilder Park Conservatory
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62
On the cover... A gracious home’s landscape lies dormant in the winter The Landscape Contractor December 2021
44 3
CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTS ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message Classified Ads Advertisers Index Photo Credits
ILCA Awards Committee Education Committee Rick Reuland Jack Pizzo Wheaton Mulch
1, 8-9 10-15, 40-42 19-38 44--51 54
Calendar 4 5 7 56 61
Nina Koziol Wilder Park Conservatory
DECEMBER December 15, 2021 Weed Identification Workshop Lemont, IL
FEBRUARY
61 62
February 2-4, 2022 iLandscape 2022
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 62, Number 12. 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 PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, the Magazine Committee, ILCA Staff, The Landscape Contractor and its staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products
ILCA Staff
Magazine Staff
Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@ilca.net
Rick Reuland Publisher/Advertising Sales (630) 637-8632 rmgi@comcast.net
Education Manager AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@ilca.net
Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com
Events Manager Terre Houte thoute@ilca.net Office Manager Alycia Nagy anagy@ilca.net Membership & Marketing Manager Marissa Stubler mstubler@ilca.net
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2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150
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The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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From Where I Stand — “We never talk to them of our necessities, but of their
advantages.” Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations The theme of this year’s iLandscape is One Fiesta: All United/ Todos unidos. When we were considering what the industry needed after the last two years, everyone agreed _ a party. Almost every culture knows how to party _ Oktoberfest, Chinese New Year, Diwali, Carnival, Bastille Day, Mardi Gras, the list goes on. The more we talked, the more we came back to the idea of an old world Mexican street festival. The plaza, fountains, colors, flowers, food, music, and drinks. The more we talked the more we could smell the carnitas, elotes, and cheladas. This theme wasn’t just about a party. The reason we used both English and Spanish was a reflection of the cultures that make our industry great. Never before, have our cultures had to rely on each other for our success and safety. The English and Spanish phrases eventually merge together as One Fiesta. The best parties are the ones where everyone is invited, so let’s get to it. Some context, by 2050, the population of Italy will decline by 11%, Poland 12%, Japan 16%, and Russia 18%. Birth rates are plummeting in developed nations and a pandemic showed deaths can quickly outpace births. These declines have the power to destroy economies. The United States is bucking this trend for one reason and one reason alone _ Latinos. According to the Pew Research Center, the Latino population of the United States will grow from 42 million in 2005 to over 128 million people by 2050 _ a tripling in size. This is a result of authorized immigration, unauthorized immigration, and higher birth rates among US Latinos. Twenty years ago, one in 10 workers was Latino. Today, one in five workers are Latino. By 2050, one in two workers will be Latino. In addition, Latinos are 10 years younger than their American counterparts. As more white and black Americans grow old and retire, millions of Latinos are filling these jobs. These are staggering and unprecedented statistics never before seen in US population growth. These numbers are likely less surprising to the landscape industry. About 65% of the Illinois landscape market is already Latino. Latinos and US-born Americans have been working sideby-side in the landscape industry for decades. Yet how much do we really understand about one another? It is not accurate to compare Latinos to European immigrants such as the Irish, Italians, and Germans entering the workforce in the 1920s. Those immigrants arrived in smaller numbers, ghettoized themselves, but quickly had to acculturate because of their modest populations. Latinos have such massive numbers, that the only comparison is women entering the workforce in the 1950s. The workforce and culture is actually bending towards them. Much of the US economy speaks Spanish even if most Americans do not. Latinos are the first group not to have to acculturate. Many Latinos can live their entire lives in this country, speaking limited English, and still survive. The massive amount of Latinos who have immigrated, as well as the high birth rate among US Latinos, are setting up a showdown of languages and cultures. It is very likely that if the collectivist, family-based culture of Latin Americans and the individualistic, entrepreneurial culture of America don’t make amends, the nation will become bilingual, bicultural,
with no hope for assimilation. That is a key point to be made. Acculturation must always precede assimilation. If there is no need to acculturate, there will be no need to assimilate regardless of the grumbling of the presently dominant culture. The immigrants of the 1920s had to assimilate because their numbers were not robust enough to survive, Latinos do not have that challenge. When was the last time any of us sat down and considered what it means to be born, raised, and live in America? It is almost impossible to examine your own culture in a vacuum. When we think about what it means to be an American, we usually use patriotic clichés. When examining culture, it is helpful to look at two cultures side-by-side to identify the similarities and differences. We are in uncharted waters when it comes to our current population growth and demographic shifts — how can we possibly understand where we are going if we don’t even know who we are. Over the next year, ILCA is committed to finding that out. This winter at iLandscape, ILCA will debut one of our most ambitious educational programs yet. This multi-part series will examine the similarities and differences between Latino and the American cultural values in the workplace. This program will be entirely in Spanish and is aimed at better equipping field staff with an understanding of the American workplace. It will rely on hard data, storytelling, and sharing personal experiences. This is part two in an ambitious plan to alleviate our labor crisis through cultural understanding. Part one arrived last year in the form of a webinar run by Bernie Carranza entitled, Lost in Translation: The Five Things Businesses Must Understand About the LatinX Culture. This webinar was attended by 130 companies and an updated version will be presented at iLandscape 2022 in English. We borrowed the term “Americanos” from Spanish since we don’t have a clear term for those ingrained with American culture. For those who attended the LatinX webinar, they were greeted with paradigm-shifting information. This was a simple, straightforward examination as to how cultural differences exist, can be misinterpreted, and just taking a few minutes to understand cultural underpinnings reduces frustration and builds loyalty. After the popularity of the LatinX webinar, we realized we were merely scratching the surface of this topic. The Board commissioned the creation of a new 10-person subcommittee with five angloAmericans and five Latino-Americans. It would be the awesome and daunting responsibility of this group to talk through our cultural differences and develop training for the members. This committee has been dubbed the Latinos & Americanos (L&A) Committee. The L&A Committee respects they have a tough task ahead of them. Conversations about culture are hard and uncomfortable. We all love talking about the festive parts of our heritage, but holding up a mirror to our culture — both good and bad — takes guts. The goal of the lecture series is threefold: deepen understanding, build respect, and avoid creating stereotypes. The ten volunteers on this committee are showcasing a level of courage and vulnerability that must exist for these conversations to happen. The biggest obstacle to respecting another culture is that we run behaviors through our own cultural lens. Take for example, time. There are very few global cultures as obsessed with time as Americans. Time is linear and flows like a river. Once it is gone, it
Culture Club
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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From Where I Stand —
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is gone. Time is money and we are incredible respectful of other people’s time. If we are in a meeting or interaction, and we exceed our time, we will stop the meeting right then and there, even if we aren’t on to the good stuff. We set deadlines not based on task, but on a length of time that simply seems reasonable in our minds. We are taught to be prompt and our deadlines are crystal clear — tomorrow means tomorrow. Latinos, on the other hand, view time as multi-active. Time cannot be controlled by clocks and schedules, it just happens. Punctuality is less important. What is occurring in the present is of utmost importance than what could occur in the future. Completing a transaction with a friend or coworker is more important than staying on time. Latinos view deadlines as suggestions because human beings are involved and human nature is unreliable. Latinos use the concept of “mañana” which in Spanish means tomorrow. That does not literally mean “tomorrow.” It means, I’ll get to it when I can. Now, mash these two distinct concepts together and you can see how frustration can build in the workplace. Americans pride ourselves on efficiency, Latinos on group cohesion. If we view the Latino concept of time as lazy, and Latinos view the American concept as unrealistic, how can we work together on landscape projects without conflict? The simple answer is: develop a better cultural understanding so we don’t misinterpret normal behavior as abnormal. In short, learn to live with each other. This is just one of dozens of differences between our cultures that manifest in the workplace. Americanos wonder why it’s so hard to promote Latinos? Why do they leave for small raises? Why do they not participate in benefits plans? Why do they turn job sites into picnics? Why do they not ask more questions about tasks they don’t understand? Why are they quiet in team meetings? Why don’t they give a firm handshake and look you in the eye? Latinos then turn around and wonder why American companies are making management more horizontal when Latinos prefer a vertical structure. Why Americans speaks in “I” statements and are so comfortable taking credit. Why Americans are so confident and comfortable with uncertainty. Why Americans prioritize climbing the corporate ladder? Why Americans value privacy, even with their own families? Why Americans value standing up for their beliefs over compromising their beliefs to preserve harmony? The awesome task of the L&A Committee is to answer those questions. They want to provide context for the answers because the alternative is cultural misunderstanding that leads to employee dissatisfaction or attrition. The answer for Americano employers is not always to learn Spanglish and riff a few phrases. A better first step is to learn exactly how to pronounce a coworker’s name. Then let’s go from there. The landscape industry doesn’t have a lot of advantages when it comes to dominating the labor market. With Latinos, at least it has a head start. The landscape industry has always been a welcoming home to immigrants whether the Dutch, Germans, or Italians. ILCA recognizes this introspection is not easy, but let’s face it, these conversations are a long time coming. The L&A subcommittee will be the first to admit they are not experts. They are simply 10 landscape professionals pausing to examine their careers, conflict, and perseverance through a cultural lens. This iLandscape, make it your top priority to send your field staff, Latino managers, and ESL employees to this lecture series (it’s free!). Oh, and just wait, Phase III of this effort is to bring both cultures together for a conversation 50 years in the making. However, let’s have one hell of a fiesta first.
Scott Grams, Executive Director November 19, 2021
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
President’s Message — Like many, I have always had an affinity for the holiday season, as many of my fond-
est memories pertain to this short window between Thanksgiving and the start of the new year. Reflecting on these memories takes me back to simpler times - baking and decorating Christmas cookies, holiday get togethers with family, and waiting for the first snowfall of the year. Before responsibilities, a career, and a family, we were able to “live in the moment” and enjoy those simple pleasures. Fast forward to present day, life looks quite a bit different, but as a new father (again!) to baby number two, I hope to share these experiences with my wife and both of my children so they can have the same lasting memories I have. Of these memories, my perception of the first snowfall has changed drastically. What used to mean a day filled with fun, outdoor play has become a day (or days) of hard work, long hours, and little sleep. For any companies lucky enough to catch their breath over the winter – enjoy the break and reprieve from the controlled chaos of working in the green industry! You’ll still be working on your business, but it is on your terms, not mother nature’s. Dare I say, I may even envy you a little bit. As a company who operates through all four seasons of the year, we unfortunately, are unable to experience a breather. As a child, I remember my dad leaving the house as it started to snow, and depending on the sever- Scott McAdam Jr. ity of the storm, I might not see him for two days, even if that day happened to be Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Lucky me, I now get to experience the same thing. What is often overlooked with companies who operate in both green and white sides of the industry is the physical, mental, and emotional demand that is needed to manage snow and ice events. We still need to focus on our design/build sales, maintenance renewals, and strategic planning for the upcoming year, but we also need to respond to whatever mother nature throws our way. And not only responding to, but being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all weekends and holidays, throughout the entirety of the winter. If managing snow and ice has taught me anything, it is that we need to be continually adaptive, plan our lives for weeks, if not months, in advance, and remain flexible and organized to ensure we achieve all our objectives. As this year winds to a close, I am thankful for a fulfilling and successful year and am excited for the holiday season ahead. This time of year allows many of us time to enjoy the company of family and friends and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Serving as your President has been an incredible honor and I look forward to what the ILCA will accomplish over the coming six months. I am appreciative of your support and hope that you all have a wonderful, healthy, and memorable, holiday season.
President
Scott McAdam, Jr. McAdam Landscaping, Inc. (708) 771-2299 Scottjr@mcadamlandscape.com
Vice-President
Jeff Kramer Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc, (630) 293-5444 jwkramer@kramertree.com
Secretary-Treasurer
Ashley Marrin Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc. (708) 301-8160 ashley@bretmarlandscape.com
Immediate Past President Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com
Directors
Eric Adams Russo Power Equipment (847) 233-7811 eadams@russopower.com Jim Cirrincione Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. (630) 323-1411 jcirrincione@hinsdalenurseries .com
Sincerely, Scott McAdam Jr.
Kim Hartmann Hartmann Consulting 847-404-7669 hartmannkim@comcast.net Jennifer Fick Wilson Nurseries and Landscape Supply (847) 683-3700 jennf@wilsonnurseries.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 Mark Utendorf Emerald Lawn Care, Inc. (847) 392-7097 marku@emeraldlawncare.com
www.ilca.net
Como muchas personas, siempre he tenido afición por la temporada de las festividades, debido a que muchos de mis recuerdos más entrañables pertenecen a esta pequeña ventana entre el Día de Acción de Gracias y el inicio del nuevo año. Reflexionar sobre estos recuerdos me lleva de regreso a tiempos más sencillos – horneando y decorando galletitas navideñas, reuniones familiares durante las festividades y esperando la primera nevada del año. Antes de las responsabilidades, una carrera y una familia, nos era posible “vivir el momento” y disfrutar de esos placeres sencillos. Avancemos al presente, la vida nos parece bastante diferente, pero como nuevo padre (¡otra vez!) del segundo bebé, espero compartir estas experiencias con mi esposa y mis dos niños para que puedan tener los mismos recuerdos perdurables que tengo yo. De estos recuerdos, mi percepción de la primera nevada ha cambiado considerablemente. Lo que solía ser un día lleno de diversiones y juegos al aire libre, se ha convertido en un día (o días) de arduo trabajo, jornadas prolongadas y poco tiempo para dormir. ¡Para las compañías lo suficientemente afortunadas para recuperar el aliento durante el invierno – disfruten de la pausa y el respiro del caos controlado que significa trabajar en la industria verde! Seguirán trabajando en su negocio, pero en sus términos, no bajo los de la madre naturaleza. Me atrevo a decir que incluso las envidio un poco. Como una compañía que funciona durante las cuatro estaciones del año, desafortunadamente no podemos experimentar un respiro. En mi niñez, recuerdo a mi padre saliendo de casa cuando comenzaba a nevar y, dependiendo de la severidad de la tormenta, podía ser que no lo viera por dos días, aunque fueran Nochebuena o Navidad. Suerte para mí, ahora experimento lo mismo. Lo que con frecuencia se pasa por alto con respecto a las compañías que funcionan en el lado verde y en el lado blanco de la industria es la demanda física, mental y emocional que se necesita para gestionar la nieve y los eventos de hielo. Siempre tenemos que enfocarnos en ventas de diseño/construcción, renovaciones de mantenimiento y planificación estratégica para el año próximo, pero también tenemos que responder a todo lo que la madre naturaleza ponga en nuestro camino. Pero no solo responder, sino también estar disponibles las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana, todos los fines de semana y días festivos, durante todo el invierno. Si algo me ha enseñado gestionar la nieve y el hielo, es que tenemos que ser continuamente adaptables, planificar nuestras vidas con semanas de antelación, cuando no meses, y permanecer flexibles y organizados para asegurar que logremos nuestros objetivos. A medida que este año llega a su fin, agradezco haber tenido un año gratificante y exitoso y espero con entusiasmo las festividades que se acercan. Esta época del año permite a muchos de nosotros tiempo para disfrutar de la compañía de familiares y amigos y escapar del ajetreo y el bullicio de la vida diaria. Servir como su Presidente ha sido un honor increíble y espero con ansias lo que ILCA logrará en los próximos seis meses. Agradezco su apoyo y espero que todos tengan una temporada de festividades maravillosa, saludable y memorable.
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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Moore Landscape, LLC • Northbrook Twin Lakes Country Club Twin Orchard Country Club’s amenities include two magnificent golf courses, an elegant clubhouse, and much more. Over 4,650 annuals are planted each spring in seven annual color beds within the main entry’s circle drive. Annuals are layered with perennial sweeps, flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses, and limestone outcroppings to achieve the owner’s goals of enhanced sustainability and vibrant color during the golf club’s busiest season.
Displays are designed to be viewed from all angles, including from the clubhouse dining and party rooms. We develop a completely new color palette and bed designs each year to give the owners the fresh look they desire. All work is completed before 9:00 am on Mondays while members are not present. Crews perform bed care, weeding, and deadheading during weekly site visits. Evergreen yews are hand-pruned and nothing is sheared.
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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iLandscape Preview — Education & More
by Meta Levin
When ILCA Education
Committee Chair Mike Blackwell thinks of iLandscape 2022, he is particularly looking forward to perennial grower David Culp, whose presentation, “A Bountiful Year: Six Seasons of Beauty from Brandywine Cottage,” is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, February 2, 2022, the first day of the three-day annual event. Culp, a gardener, author, lecturer and designer, also serves as an herbaceous perennials instructor at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA, near Blackwell’s hometown. He is the creator of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage in Downingtown, PA and has been lecturing about gardens nationwide for more than 25 years. In addition to Culp, Blackwell sees a wealth of information by some well-known experts in the landscape industry on the iLandscape 2022 education schedule. “We are trying to get presentations from the most relevant people in the industry,” says Blackwell. He points to a list of more than 50 educational offerings that cover topics on
Mike Blackwell
(continued on page 12)
David Culp
10
landscape architecture and design, plants, business, hardscapes, plant pests and disease, native plants and eco-systems, among others. The issue of climate change, he says, figures into many of the sessions. Two of the presenters were invited to be a part of iLandscape, because of popular and successful previous appearances at other ILCA events. Bernie Carranza’s “Lost in Translation” webinar from last spring was so successful that the committee asked him to do it live for iLandscape 2022. On Wednesday morning he will present, “Lost in Translation: The Five Things Businesses Must Understand About the Latinx Culture.” Later, the Latino/Americano track will expand and go into depth on the subject. Joe Abraham spoke at ILCA’s Owner and Senior Manager conference and was so well received that he was asked to reprise his presentation, “Do You Know Core Values?” for iLandscape 2022. He will speak on Thursday. His topic delves into how a company’s core values apply to hir-
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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iLandscape Preview — Education & More
Mark Dwyer
ing, managing and leadership development. Forty-nine of the education sessions are eligible for Landscape Architect CEUs and another portion will allow arborists to gain their own CEUs. Those speakers who are authors, will have their books for sale via a table operated by The Book Bin, a
Bill Thomas
Northbrook bookstore. There also will be author signings. In addition to Culp, Blackwell is looking forward to hearing from Mark Dwyer, who will talk about his work during two Friday sessions: “Designing a Healing Garden” and “Exciting Annuals for 2022.” Blackwell also has included Bill Thomas (“The Art of Gardening at
Kirk Ryan Brown
Chanticleer” - Wednesday), Jeffrey Scott (“Benchmarking for Profit Improvement” and “Set Up Your Company to Run Itself” - Friday), Kara Youngblood (“What to Expect when Expecting H2Bs” - Thursday) and Kirk Ryan Brown (“Celebrating 100 Years of Horticulture” - Thursday) on his person-
ONE FIESTA All United • Todos Unidos
February 2–4, 2022 ilandscapeshow.com
12
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
(continued on page 14)
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iLandscape Preview — Education & More (continued from page 12)
al “must see” list. Brown’s promises to be an especially entertaining session, says Blackwell, because he often dresses up as historical characters during his lectures. Given that he will cover 100 years of horticulture, Blackwell says he can’t even guess who Brown will portray. Vallari Talapatra During the 2021 iLandscape 365, all presentations were either via Zoom or video recordings. Taking a page from that experience, three of the presentations will be virtual livestreaming: Georgina Reid on Thursday, Vallari Talapatra on Wednesday and Rebecca McMackin on Thursday. Others may be recorded and available later to those with education passes, but which ones are still to be decided, says Blackwell.
14
Reid, a native of Australia, is the founding editor of “The Planthunter,” an online magazine, and “Wonderground,” a biennial print journal. For many years, Reid worked as a landscape designer. An author, she also is a speaker and has what she describes as a “fierce commitment to communiJeffrey Scott cating the importance and wonder of the natural world.” President and founder of Eco Scapes, Inc. in Wheaton, IL, Talapatra will speak on “Designing Meditative Gardens” during her virtual presentation. She is scheduled to be traveling in India and will speak from there. She also is an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage, teaching landscape design and landscape graphics, as well as serving as an instructor at the Morton Arboretum, teaching writing, and public speaking.
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
McMackin is a horticulturist and garden designer who manages 85 acres of diverse parkland in her job as Director of Horticulture at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, where she focuses on habitat creation for birds, butterflies and soil microorganisms. In addition to her day job, she writes and Jon Hirsch lectures about landscape management and pollination ecology, designs gardens, serves as vice president of the Metro Hort Group in New York, teaches classes at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the New York Botanical Garden and has served on the boards of the Ecological Landscape Alliance and the Torrey Botanical Society.
Moira Dillon
AnneMarie Drufke, ILCA Education Manager, is happy about Jon Hirsch and Moira Dillon’s Wednesday presentation on the permitting process. Both are with Krugel Cobbles, Inc. Many landscape contractors contact the ILCA office about permitting issues. “Every facet of landscaping deals with how to make
this process work,” she says. There is a wealth of other information that will be covered during the 2022 iLandscape, not to mention the ability to meet and greet in person. “It’s all about getting people up and out to meet each other in the camaraderie of iLandscape,” says Blackwell.
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Young Professionals Night a Roaring Success Nina A. Koziol
The networking and mingling was supposed
to last from 4 to 6 p.m. at Alter Brewing in Downers Grove, but many of the 105 people who registered stayed much later to catch up with new and old friends. After so many virtual meetings, seeing people in person raised everyone’s spirits. (And the beer was awesome, too!) Matt Leakakos, account manager for Sebert Landscape has been in the green industry for 12 years. “I came looking for volunteer opportunities and to get involved. I like networking and meeting like-minded people in the industry in the same age range.” Genevieve Rodriguez of Fiore Nursery and Landscape Supply said, “I always have a good time and people can casually hang out. People in the industry are so friendly and of course, I love working with plants and teaching people about plants. I’ve done a lot of planting at my parent’s house—it’s very rewarding.” This was a first-time Young Professionals event for Uriel Recendez, operations manager at Apex Landscaping. “We’re a sponsor of tonight’s event and it’s fun to see some of our suppliers,” said Recendez who has been in the industry for 10 years. Nick Miller, owner of Spruce It Up Landscaping started his company 12 years ago and said that while he typically doesn’t attend events, “I read the emails about it and it’s a good time, it’s cool.” Sometimes you just need a little nudge. Landscape designer Elaine Blankenagen of Plandscape in Elburn has attended the last three Young Pros events and this time she invited three graduates from the College of DuPage’s horticulture program to join her. “We’re super busy at work right now, but this is such a fun event. I love seeing friends and meeting new people.” Small groups gathered to discuss trends in plants and landscape design. Bailey Hoines from Bret-Mar shared her favorite climbing vines, while Matt Leakakos predicted that commercial landscapes will have lower maintenance requirements. “I think we’ll see more rock than mulch. It’s less costly and there will probably be fewer annuals and more perennials. The Lurie Garden style has its own [consumer] market, but commercial clients are becoming more budget conscious.” 18
ILCA president Scott McAdam Jr. of McAdam Landscaping was enjoying a beer while mingling with his peers. “I had zero interest in wanting to be in the family business,” he said. “I wanted to study political science because I’d been going with my dad to Washington, DC when he was lobbying for the industry.” McAdam took a dendrology class in his sophomore year in college and his career took off in a different direction. At age 33, McAdam is one of ILCA’s youngest presidents. “ILCA has been a unique animal for me. I was following in a large shadow of my dad. With my committee involvement, the board and now the presidency—once you’re president, a lot more thought and time goes into the job. Holistically, I represent all of our members. I feel some level of pride knowing there was enough trust in my ability and knowledge to handle this position.” He’s happy to have mentors including ILCA’s Scott Grams. “Scott is hands-down the best executive director we have,” McAdam said. “He’s recognized on a national basis.” After losing his food-industry job in Texas due to the pandemic shut-down, Eric Graszer returned to Illinois and joined Emerald Lawn Care this year. “I wanted something in an office where I could use my management experience.” He’s currently the assistant office manager. As a first-timer, Graszer said. “I wanted to get out and meet people because I’m new to the industry. Turf Day was my first event and I absolutely loved it—learning about the products and the dayto-day operational side. It was a blast.” And that pretty much sums up most ILCA’s events. Haven’t attended one? Put it on your bucket list! Check out ILCA’s Young Professionals Facebook Group. It’s a place to ask questions, post articles, schedule meet ups and network with other young professionals outside of ILCA scheduled events. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILCAyoungprofessionals/ Discover upcoming education and networking opportunities: https://www.ilca.net/professional/events/
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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Foremanship Training— 2021
ILCA Hosts Foremanship Seminar — Mastering Foremanship The two-day event
was held October 7 and 8, 2021. The Thursday class was conducted in Spanish. The Friday class was given in English. The class was once again taught by long-time ILCA member, Professor Armando A. Actis. Production and maintenance landscape foremen have unique needs as they have to wear two hats: a worker and a leader. Foremen have to walk the fine line in working side by side with the employee and having to direct, motivate and critique at the same time. Managing former peers and friends can be especially difficult, dealing with problems and obstacles can take skills that only can be developed by stepping out of the work environment for a few days, learning best practices, applying it in a learning environment through role play, and then going back and applying it on the job. In this dynamic seminar, participants learned how to more effectively handle tight deadlines, tight margins and increase customer satisfaction. Also, participants were energized when they saw the class was prepared and designed specifically to meet their unique needs and not just another cookie cutter seminar.
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Key components of the program included— Landscape Foremen Learn: • The central role of the “worker-leader” • How to properly supervise friends, peers, and former equals • How to effectively communicate with your boss and superiors • To generate 100 percent accountability from your team • How to motivate and delegate at the same time • To require accountability for all work (both bad or good) • How to implement and follow daily & weekly work schedules • How your team can produce quality work that stays within the budget and is completed on time • The effectiveness of the work team • How to deal with challenges and personal problems that occur outside the workplace that impact productivity • To manage problem behavior • How to produce client focused work using a moral compass • To understand that mannerisms and values are as important as technical abilities
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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Special Feature —
Pruning Workshop November 4, 2021
The annual ILCA Pruning Workshop
was held November 4, 2021 at the Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, Schaumburg. The class was conducted in two parts; the lecture portion of the class was conducted indoors in a classroom format. The hands on portion was held outdoors at the Schaumburg Boomers Stadium. Groups worked in small numbers that required masks and observance of social distancing. The class is designed to teach how to prune according to professional standards or to meet a minimal pruning proficiency. The half-day class was taught in Spanish in the morning and English in the afternoon.
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The Landscape Contractor December 2021
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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Impact Conference 2021
2021 Impact Conference
Pollinators. Invasive Plants. Native Plants. Native Insects. Natural Ponds. Organic Lawns. Something for everyone at this year’s conference.
Nina A. Koziol “I believe that all of the objects and possessions that we own really just exist at different stages of becoming garbage. To me the world is comprised of garbage and pregarbage. Because every object on earth is actually part of a giant, slow parade to the dumpster…” — Comedian Jerry Seinfeld.
Seinfeld’s dish on garbage and our
“disposable” culture may be funny, but sadly true. We end up throwing things “away” when we’re done using them or when they’ve lost usefulness. But as one landscape architect told me years ago, “There is no ‘away’—it all stays right here.” In the manufacturing process, resources—often non-renewable— are used to make what we consume and then they’re disposed of—whether it’s in a month or decade. In the big picture, sustainability—and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy—is a hot topic, whether it’s politicians, environmentalists, concerned citizens, or, in this case the green industry.
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Besides the resource issue, sustainability encompasses biodiversity and conserving ecosystems that ultimately connect humans to countless other animals, insects, plants and other organisms. More than 210 people registered for this year’s conference held at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It was a great turnout considering we’re still in the midst of the pandemic. The topics ranged from “foodscaping” with native plants, marketing organic lawn care, designing natural ponds (aka chlorine-free swimming pools), eradicating invasive plants, insect-plant relationships and using wild plant communities in the built landscape.
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
Keynote of note
Keynote speaker Doug Tallamy, entomology professor at the University of Delaware, kicked off the conference with a rousing virtual presentation based on his latest book, “Nature’s Best Hope.” “Half of the terrestrial earth is in some kind of agriculture,” Tallamy said. “We need a new approach to conservation. There’s
pollution, paving, development, global insect decline, and tiny remnants (of land) that can’t sustain species we depend on. This talk is about a cure for this pox.” Because so much land in the United States is privately owned (about 78 percent according to Tallamy), landscape firms are in the best position to help recreate “ecosystem services” by understanding the relationship between native plants and native insects. “Most caterpillars are host-plant specialists. For example, all the things we typically landscape with won’t be a host plant for a monarch butterfly. Caterpillars are not optional parts of a bird’s diet,” he said. “About 50 percent of chickadees eat seeds in winter, but they switch to insects in spring to feed their young.” The problem is that the birds primarily rely on native insects, which often rely on specific native plants for their diet. He noted a study that showed a pair of chickadees need anywhere from 6000 to 9100 caterpillars to rear one clutch of nestlings and then more when the fledglings leave the
nest. Adult chickadees forage within 50 meters of the nest, so if there are no native insects, it’s bye-bye birdies. Tallamy quoted the American naturalist E.O. Wilson who said ‘Insects are the little things that run the world—they are at the heart of the food web.’ But Tallamy wasn’t being a pessimist. He pointed to a Chicago resident who has documented more than 100 species of birds that have visited her 50-by-100-foot lot filled with more than 200 species of native plants. His suggestions to attendees were to help clients shrink their lawns. “In 2005, there were 40 million acres of lawn— deadscape. Replant half the lawns—20 million acres for conservation— and it becomes a Homegrown National Park,” a phrase he coined. “You get to experience the natural world alone—no crowds and it’s free.” As he transitioned his own 10 acres to native plants, he has counted 60 species of breeding birds and 1140 species of moths. “I’m sure we increased biodiversity at our house by 75 percent.” (continued on page 26)
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Impact Conference 2021 Tallamy noted that keystone plants are essential and when they are removed, the local food web collapses. For example, five percent of native plants provides 75 percent of the food that caterpillars eat. “Oaks support 950 species [of caterpillars] nationwide. But keystone plants only work where there are no lights. Research from Europe shows light pollution reduces insect populations. Yellow wave lengths are less attractive than white. Use yellow or LED lights and put a motion detector on security lights so they’re not on all the time.” Another issue is the use of pesticides and the effect on native insects. “Mosquito spray doesn’t control the adults, but it does kill beneficial insects. Kill the mosquitoes in the larval stage. Fill a bucket with water and a handful of straw and a mosquito dunk.” That takes care of mosquito larvae without spraying the entire landscape. “I always find great value in attending the Impact conference,” said Jeff Gibson, IGC, Landscape & University Trials Manager for Ball Horticultural in West Chicago. “It keeps me in touch with sustainable landscape practitioners. It has been very impressive how the conference has evolved from the early years of MELA to now. Doug Tallamy does a great job breaking down the need for better landscape practices that will benefit all of us and Kelly Norris always brings his
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A-game when it comes to landscape place-making talks.” In the end, Tallamy said, ‘Seventy-five percent of our landscapes should be native plants. Nature is not just for entertainment. We’ve assumed that humans and nature can’t coexist—that nature is optional, not essential.” He encouraged attendees to consider residential and commercial sites, roadsides and other projects as places where they can recreate viable and beautiful habitats. “Our native plants are used in formal designs in Europe. It’s not just stewardship for a few specialists or a few locations. Everyone bears a responsibility. One person can reduce the lawn size, totally revitalizing the ecosystem where they live.” “I like to come to the events that are more technical,” said Lisa Pollman, landscape architect at Schmectig Landscaping. “I find it refreshing. It takes me back to biology and chemistry and inspires me to design more. The conference gives you a reason to repurpose and be more creative. Landscapers, designers, horticulturists and landscape architects are often faced with questions about how to eliminate insect “pests.” This is where gently educating clients comes in. Tallamy pointed to the acorn weevil that lays eggs in green acorns and the larvae feed inside, emerging after the acorns drop to the ground. They then burrow into the soil where they remain for one to three years before they emerge
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
Impact Conference 2021 as adults. Both the weevils and the adults are on the bird buffet. The damage they do is so minor it often goes unnoticed, but it’s another reason not to use pesticides. “In the past, we have asked one thing of our gardens: that they be pretty. Now they have to support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water. We can recreate functional ecosystems even if we can’t remake [the land] as it was originally.” Tallamy hopes to save native species, one lawn at a time. It can be easier than you think.
Helpful Resources “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard” by Doug Tallamy, Timber Press, 2020. https://homegrownnationalpark.org (Doug Tallamy coined the term “homegrown national park.) Illinois Department of Natural Resources/Native Plants https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/education/Pages/ PollinatorNativePlants.aspx American Society of Landscape Architects: https://www.asla. org/sustainablelandscapes/Vid_UrbanAg.html
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THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS Premier Sponsor
Breakfast
Session Sponsors
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Tabletop Sponsors
Event Highlights —
2021 Annual Party & Membership Meeting Ushers in New Beginnings by Nina Koziol
Let the fun begin!
If there’s any indication that things are returning to normal—as in Before Covid—it was ILCA’s Annual Party at Joe’s Live in Rosemont last month. “It’s not Joe’s virtual, it’s not Joe’s zoom, but Joe’s Live!” said executive director Scott Grams to an enthusiastic crowd. “It’s the second largest annual party we’ve ever had. We’re an industry that has not only survived, but thrived. This is a night to relax.” His words were echoed by Debbie McGuire, chairperson of the Membership Committee. “Welcome to this party,” she said. Scott Grams, “You have no idea how happy I am to say those words.” As promised, the business meeting was held to 30 minutes to ILCA Executive Director allow ample time for networking, dinner and drinks. More than 355 people registered for the event where they met old and new friends, shared challenges of the past two years, concerns over the economy, and whether the demand for landscaping will continue at its current record pace. Many attendees expressed optimism about the future. “The last two years, we’ve really grown,” said Pat Buescher of Premium Travertine in Chebanse, Illinois, a travertine paver distributor. “We doubled in 2020 and again in 2021.” If those around him weren’t holding drinks, they’d have fingers crossed in the hope that prosperity will continue.
Outgoing President Honored
Grams thanked outgoing president Donna Vignocchi Zych of ILT Vignocchi. “She was asked to navigate one of the most challenging years—lockdowns, no vacations and by June—the busiest landscaping year in history,” Grams said. “She set the bar and told the board, the committees and staff to climb over it. Donna is one hell of a lot of fun. Once a month we spend four hours talking with and thanking ILCA members. Donna started that.” She told the audience, “I’m very humbled. Scott has become such a dear friend and it’s been an honor to serve. I don’t think anyone in this room would be here without him. He has that great charisma, political correctness and is fun. It wasn’t an easy year, but it was super fun.” (continued on page 34)
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Debbie McGuire, Donna Vignocchi Zych Immediate Past President Membership Chair
50 Year Members
Intrinsic Landscaping, Inc.
Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery , Inc.
Midwest Groundcovers
Three companies were recognized for their 50-year membership: Intrinsic Landscaping, Inc., Midwest Groundcovers and Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery, Inc. “It demonstrates half a century of dedication,” McGuire said. “These companies joined in 1971 and the list grows with each year.”
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Event Highlights — (continued from page 32) Donna honored her 82-year-young father, Harry, saying, “He’s the most amazing human in the world. He still shows up every day to work. He made me the person I am today.” She also recognized and thanked her husband Aaron Zych for his support. ILCA’s current president, Scott McAdam, Jr., was unable to attend because he has a new baby. “You’re in really good hands with Scott McAdam. He has the biggest heart.”
Honoring Member Companies
An incredible number of companies have been involved with ILCA for decades, making it a strong organization that has worked successfully with state lawmakers. Without ILCA’s persistence, the state would have considered landscape firms as non-essential and thus would not have been able to work during Covid. ILCA recognized several firms for their 25-year membership. They include Area Landscape Supply, Inc., Arlington Power Equipment Inc., Aspen Lawn and Landscaping, Bartlett Tree Experts-Northbrook, Hortica, a brand of the Sentry Insurance Group, Kaneville Tree Farms, Midwest STIHL, Night Light, Inc. P.A. Likes, Inc., Rochester Concrete Products, Roy Erikson Outdoor Maintenance Inc. and SavATree & SavALawn. Three companies were recognized for their 50-year membership: Intrinsic Landscaping, Inc., Midwest Groundcovers and Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery, Inc. “It demonstrates half a century of dedication,” MsGuire said. “These companies joined in 1971 and the list grows with each year.” (Their photos appear on page 33.)
Committee Engagement “We’re an organization of hundreds of active volunteers and 22 standing committees,” Grams told the crowd. Three committees were nominated for the Committee of the Year Award—the Education Committee, the Turf Committee and the Investment Committee. The award went to the Education Committee. (continued on page 36) 34
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
25 Year Members
2021 Committee of the Year —
Former Education Committee Chair Kim Hartmann accepts the Committee of the Year award from Scott Grams. Hartmann is now a member of the ILCA Board of Directors. The three most recent Education Committee Chairs; Steve Raczak, Kim Hartmann and Mike Blackwell.
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Event Highlights — (continued from page 34) “In spite of the pandemic, 1600 people attended the virtual iLandscape365 this year,” Grams said. The Education Committee is responsible for pulling together programs that provide continuing education credits and hands-on learning experiences. Committee members include Mike Blackwell (chairperson), Frank Balestri, Allison Hoffman, Andrew Keppel, Becky Kielstrup, Sydney Koonce, Mandy Leifheit, George Murphy, Steve Raczak, Nick Surges, Beth Pinargote, Jill Selinger, Lydia Scott, Kim Hartmann (board liaison) and AnneMarie Drufke (staff liaison). Grams also thanked the Technical Skills Committee for having the most committee members (by percentage) present at the annual party. They won the Committee Cup and received a $300 happy hour. “The Education Committee is grateful to be recognized as Committee of the Year, especially considering the new requirements of putting on a large virtual education event,” board member Kim Hartmann said. “Our Education Committee members, with the direction of Education Manager AnneMarie Drufke, gave even more of their time to select, host, moderate and evaluate over 40 virtual sessions. Their collaboration and commitment was critical to the success of iLandscape 365. The lessons the Education Committee learned over the last 18 months will lead to even more innovative, longlasting education for our ILCA members in years to come.”
Smilin’ Jeff Kramer
Sharing Ups & Downs Long-time member and past ILCA president Ken Gallt and his wife Sue Catalano of Foliage Design Systems discussed trends in landscaping. “When I graduated in 1973, we were never taught about rooftop gardens or wall gardens,” Gallt said. About onethird of their business is interior landscapes. “Covid affected our ability to get into buildings to maintain or install plants,” Catalano said. That has slowly changed as buildings have reopened and more people are back at work. If there was one upside to the pandemic, it prompted more homeowners to take a close look at their landscaping. “It’s the only time our industry has had something good happen, while the economy was bad,” said Jim Matusik, president of The Tree Connection, Inc., Rochester, Michigan, and one of the evening’s sponsors. “People want to be in their backyard—with a wall—they want to screen their neighbors. That’s where our shortage of arborvitae is coming from.” He also shared his observations about the demand for shade trees. “Shade trees are falling 36
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off. Years ago, all new landscape projects had shade trees, but now homeowners are usually keeping their existing trees and looking for color—flowering plants like Kousa dogwood and magnolias.” All in all it was a great night. Dozens of members were still hanging out at 9 p.m., an hour after the event ended. “I was thrilled to see the number of industry colleagues at the annual event,” Hartmann said. “There was lots of energy and
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Event Highlights — enthusiasm for connecting in person and sharing experiences about growth and challenges over the last two years.” Member Facebook Group Are you on Facebook? You should be if only for the sake of your business or career. McGuire encouraged attendees to sign up for ILCA’s Members Only Facebook Group and participate in the discussions. “Our goal is 1,000 users by iLandscape,” she said. She encouraged owners and their staff to join. As of mid-November, there were close to 800 members. The page is private and a place where you can post questions about equipment, plants, staffing, technology, suppliers, insurance, and much more. Join here: facebook.com/groups/249590636067950
Donna credits her success to her choice in footwear.
Carlos Nava, Arlington Power Equipment missed the photo for 25 Year Members
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The Landscape Contractor December 2021
Thank You to all of our Annual Party Sponsors: Premier Sponsor
Suite Sponsor
Party Sponsors
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Cuando el Presidente del
Comité de Educación de ILCA, Mike Blackwell, piensa en iLandscape 2022, espera con entusiasmo, de forma especial, al cultivador de plantas perennes, David Culp, cuya presentación, “Un año abundante: Seis estaciones de belleza de Brandywine Cottage,” está programada para la tarde del miércoles, 22 de febrero de 2022, el primero de los tres días del evento. Culp, jardinero, escritor, conferencista y diseñador, trabaja también como instructor de plantas perennes herbáceas en Longwood Gardens en Kennett Square, PA, cerca de la ciudad de residencia de Blackwell. Es el creador de los jardines de Brandywine Cottage en Downingtown, PA, y ha estado dando conferencias sobre jardines por todo el país durante más de 25 años. Además de Culp, Blackwell vislumbra un caudal de información provisto por algunos expertos reconocidos de la industria del paisajismo en el programa de educación de iLandscape 2022. “Estamos tratando de ofrecer presentaciones de la gente más relevante en la industria”, afirma Blackwell. Señala una lista de más de 50 ofertas educativas que cubren temas sobre arquitectura y diseño paisajístico, plantas, negocios, elementos sólidos de paisajismo, plagas y enfermedades de las plantas, plantas nativas
tados a participar en iLandscape, debido a participaciones previas muy populares y exitosas en otros eventos de ILCA. El webinario de Bernie Carranza la primavera pasada, denominado “Perdido en la traducción”, tuvo tanto éxito que el comité le pidió repetirlo en vivo para
Mike Blackwell
Mark Dwyer
David Culp
y ecosistemas, entre otros. El problema del cambio climático, afirma, figura en muchas de las sesiones. Dos de los presentadores fuero inviThe Landscape Contractor December 2021
iLandscape 2022. El miércoles por la mañana presentará, “Perdido en la traducción: Las cinco cosas que las empresas deben entender sobre la Cultura Latina”. Más tarde, la pista Latino/ Americana se ampliará para profundizar sobre el tema. Joe Abraham habló en la conferencia de ILCA para Propietarios y Altos Ejecutivos y fue tan bien recibido que
Bill Thomas
se le pidió repetir su presentación, “¿Conoce usted los valores fundamentales?” para iLandscape 2022. Hablará el jueves. Su tema ahonda en cómo los valores fundamentales de una compañía se aplican a la contratación, la administración y el desarrollo de liderazgo. Cuarenta y nueve de las sesiones educativas son elegibles para Unidades de Educación Continua (CEU, por sus siglas en inglés) de Arquitectos Paisajistas y otra parte permitirá a los arboricultores obtener sus propias CEU. Los conferencistas que son escritores tendrán sus libros en venta en una mesa gestionada por The Book Bin, una librería de Northbrook. También habrá firma de libros por los autores. Además de Culp, Blackwell espera con mucho interés escuchar a Mark Dwyer, quien hablará sobre su trabajo durante dos sesiones el viernes: “Cómo diseñar un Jardín Curativo” y “Plantas anuales fascinantes para 2022.” Blackwell ha incluido también a Bill Thomas (“El Arte de la Jardinería en Chanticleer” - miércoles), Jeffrey Scott (“Evaluaciones Comparativas para incrementar los ingresos” y “Configure su empresa para que se autoadministre” - viernes), Kara Youngblood (“Qué esperar cuando espera las H2B” - jueves) y Kurt Ryan Brown (“Celebrando 100 años de horticultura” - jueves) en su lista
Kirk Ryan Brown
de cosas que se “deben ver”. La sesión de Brown promete ser especialmente entretenida, afirma Blackwell, porque con frecuencia durante sus conferencias se disfraza de personajes históricos. Dado que abarcará 100 años de horticultura, Blackwell no se puede imaginar qué personajes representará Brown. Durante la iLandscape 365 2021, todas las presentaciones fueron por Zoom o videograbaciones. Sobre la base de esa experiencia, tres de las presentaciones serán por transmisión virtual en vivo: Georgina Reid, el jueves, Vallari
Vallari Talapatra
Talapatra, el miércoles, y Rebecca McMackin, el jueves. Otras podrán ser grabadas y estarán disponibles más tarde a los que tengan pases para educación, pero todavía no se ha decidido cuáles, informa Blackwell. Reid, nativa de Australia, es editorafundadora de “The Planthunter”, una revista en línea, y “Wonderground”, una revista impresa bianual. Durante muchos años, Reid trabajó como diseñadora paisajista. Escritora, también es expositora y tiene lo que ella describe como “el intenso compromiso de comunicar la importancia y las maravillas del mundo
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Jon Hirsch
Jeffrey Scott
natural”. Presidenta y fundadora de Eco Scapes, Inc. en Wheaton, IL, Talapatra hablará durante su presentación virtual sobre “Cómo diseñar jardines meditativos”. Tiene programado viajar por la India y hablará desde allá. También es Profesora Adjunta en el College of
DuPage, donde imparte clases de diseño paisajista y gráficos paisajísticos, además de servir como instructora en el Arboreto Morton, donde enseña redacción, docencia y oratoria. McMackin es horticultora y diseñadora de jardines que gestiona 85 acres de áreas verdes diversas en su trabajo
ONE FIESTA All United • Todos Unidos
February 2–4, 2022 ilandscapeshow.com 42
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
Moira Dillon
como Directora de Horticultura en el Brooklyn Bridge Park, donde se concentra en creación de hábitats para aves, mariposas y microorganismos del suelo. Además de su trabajo diurno, escribe y da conferencias sobre gestión paisajista y ecología de la polinización, diseña jardines, es vicepresidenta del Metro Hort Group en Nueva York, imparte clases en el Jardín Botánico de Brooklyn y en el Jardín Botánico de Nueva York y ha sido miembro de las juntas de la Ecological Landscape Alliance y la Torrey Botanical Society. AnneMarie Drufke, Gerente de Educación de ILCA, está complacida con la presentación el miércoles de Jon Hirsch y Moira Dillon sobre el proceso de obtención de permisos. Ambos trabajan con Krugel Cobbles, Inc. Muchos contratistas de servicios de paisajismo se ponen en contacto con la oficina de ILCA sobre asuntos relacionado con los permisos. “Cada faceta del paisajismo trata sobre cómo hacer este proceso más funcional”, dice AnneMarie. Hay un caudal de información que será cubierto durante la iLandscape 2022, sin mencionar la habilidad de conocer y saludar en persona a otros participantes. “Se trata de hacer que la gente se levante y salga para conocerse en el ambiente de camaradería de iLandscape”, dice Blackwell.
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The Landscape Contractor 43 December 2021
Focus — The Pros at Home
ILCA Visits Industry Members at Home
Jack Pizzo’s dazzling prairie makes coming home a pleasure
by Nina A. Koziol
In late summer, the gently
rolling landscape around Jack Pizzo’s home in Clare, Illinois, is a medley of blue, violet, gold and white flowering perennials—all native to northeastern Illinois. Big and little bluestem grasses with seedheads shaped like turkey’s feet sway on the breeze. Migrating songbirds and dragonflies dart overhead while scores of butterflies, beetles and bees visit asters in this spectacular prairie that once was a soybean field. While goldfinches pick coneflower seeds,
yellow sulphur butterflies flit around the flowers. Stand amongst the tall compass plants in fall and it feels as if you’re back in 1850 when prairies dominated the state. “The best thing about it is the dynamic nature of the property and how it’s different every year, every month, every hour—it’s never the same,” says Pizzo, whose firm Pizzo & Associates, Ltd. in Leland, has received countless awards for its work, which includes natural areas restoration
The pale t-shaped ground surrounding the house is native buffalo grass.
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and management, prescribed fire, invasive species control and sustainable landscaping using native plants. In 2002, he purchased 40 acres of wet farmland, built a house on the highest point, and moved his family from their home in River Forest. Many of the seeds and plants came from Pizzo Native Plant Nursery LLC, in Leland. He also collected seed on his own. The wetlands and fencerows harbored a few remaining native plants: Cordgrass, Rice cutgrass, Carolina Rose, American plum and one
milkweed. That was it. Now there are more than 225 native plant species with 10 percent grasses, 30 percent sedges and 60 percent flowers. To say the change has been dramatic is a wild understatement. From bean fields to a rich tapestry of nectarand pollen-producing plants, it’s a pollinator’s paradise. Nearly 160 species of birds, including more than 20 different warblers have been logged visiting the prairie along with mink, possum, skunk, (continued on page 46)
Call for a Tour (262) 214-2058 N5480 Johnson Road • Delavan, WI www.Turtle CreekWholesale.com
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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Focus — The Pros at Home (continued from page 45) fox, coyote, northern shrews, prairie voles and deer mice. White-faced ibis, black terns, upland sandpiper, sandhill cranes and rare black-billed cuckoos have stopped to eat or drink. He’s even spotted a lone whooping crane from his all-terrain vehicle. And monarch butterflies that typically arrive in April, can be seen in large numbers roosting during fall migration on one of his trees. “I’ve had a bald eagle, tree swallows, barred owls, long- and short-eared owls, great horned owls and screech owls along with harriers, which are great hunters. And tons of dragonflies.” Seldom seen, elusive badgers now come to the property, digging holes in search of food. Their efforts resulted in a fascinating discovery. “Violets—oh my god—they are the absolute proof of biodiversity and how it works. I couldn’t find any and didn’t expect any on the property but once the badgers started digging, the following spring there
were violets everywhere that they had excavated the soil. And, bumblebees were all over the violets. Badgers created bumblebee habitat.” Before he planted the prairie, brown thrashers were never present because there was nothing there for them. Now they’re back each spring along with redbreasted grosbeaks. He planted seven savanna blazing stars (Liatris scariosa) and now there are hundreds that feed bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. And some things—like a lone orchid— nodding ladies’ tresses (Spiranthes cernua)—showed up on its own! Four other species of native orchids were found at the Leland property. A wide range of waterfowl visit the area, which often has standing water in many places after a heavy rain. “There was only one place that was buildable— everything else floods. There are drain tiles here but it collects 800 acres of water onto my property.” The plants were chosen based on their moisture
Spectacular sunsets enjoyed from the terrace.
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The Landscape Contractor December 2021
needs. Bioswales and rain gardens move the water away from the house to desired spots.
Habitat Helper
The long winding gravel driveway is lined with hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) with its elegant spikes of blueviolet flowers. But plants come and go from one year to the next. “Everyone says New England aster takes over but I haven’t seen that. You’ll see one or two and then patches—waxing and waning. I’ve seen it get dense and then it disappears. Same thing with yellow coneflower.” Some native flowers and grasses begin blooming in early April and others flower through October. Shooting stars, phlox, gentians, thistle, clematis, several species of liatris, blue-eyed grass, baptisia, asters, five species of goldenrod, climbing rose (Rosa setigera), white prairie clover, leadplant, stiff sunflower, lousewort, mad-dog
Prescribed burning on Pizzo’s prairie enhances biodiversity
skullcap (a Pizzo favorite) and bastard toad flax are just some of the delightful, pollinator-attracting forbs that grace this very special, ever-changing landscape. “It’s not about making native plants grow,” he explains. “It’s about making non-natives and aggressive species not grow. I did incredible amounts of invasive species control leading up to the planting.” Oaks are one of his favorite trees. “Doug Tallamy has said they support 427 species of moths and butterflies.” An oak by his patio was six feet tall and one inch in diameter when he planted it 15 years ago. “Get a good healthy plant and oaks grow like crazy—50 feet tall in 15 years. I’ve got two nice black cherries brought in by the birds.” He also planted chestnuts, ironwood and hazelnuts.
Trail-Blazing
There are no trails in his prairie and he regularly takes visitors—like Doug Tallamy, author of “Nature’s Best Hope”—each armed with a beer— strolling right through the tall plants while carefully examining flowers, insects and the terrain. It’s startling to
see the farm fields abutting his prairie, especially after harvest. They are a good three feet lower than Pizzo’s property because the soil has simply eroded, blown away, or has been used up through decades of farming. “The last ice age was 15,000 years ago. The plants didn’t just appear. Everyone worries about climate change, but there were glaciers here and boreal forests. The glaciers wiped this place clean, leaving gravel, rocks, sand. The plants moved north—their gene pool was southern. As the glaciers retreated, ecosystems followed them. Then fire met prairie—it’s evolution. Ecosystems are very dynamic.”
Working It
Although his home landscape is substantial, Pizzo now tends it alone. “I’m 16 years into this. Four years ago, it got to the point where I could do it myself.” In April and May, he works on it 20 to 30 hours a month. “It’s about 10 hours a month by June and in August there’s not much to do.” He mows the lawn—native buffalo grass— (continued on page 48) The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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Focus — The Pros at Home (continued from page 47) about eight times during the growing season as opposed to the typical 29 times for a bluegrass lawn. The buffalo grass is burned with the prairie. “Buffalo love sedges. These plants and animals evolved with fire and the indigenous peoples saw the effect fire had on the land and realized they could use it as a tool of agriculture. Fire also cleared the land around encampments and allowed tribes to see great distances. The burned fields quickly warm up in spring but they’re a boon over winter.” That’s because the black soil absorbs sunlight, quickly melting the snow. His vegetable garden features rosemary, marjoram, basil, celery, oregano, sage, eggplant, kale, carrots and poblano peppers. Apple trees and Asian pears are nearby along with a large patch of magenta-colored zinnias. “They’re my mother’s favorite flower.”
Feel the Burn
“The more you burn, the more diversity you’ll have. Whenever it’s ready, we’ll burn.” Burn season takes place mid- to late-October and ends in April. “Think about those dates. That’s the point in which the plants basically stop growing. The humidity in summer is about 97 percent—from plants. Come morning, there’s little humidity but once the sun The prairie changes constantly with new flowers and grasses appearing.
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The Landscape Contractor December 2021
comes out, the plants evaporate water. When they stop growing and are dormant they stop releasing water. You see the temperature rise and the humidity plummet. When we get to that inverse relation, that’s when you get into burn season.” “The fire rarely burns to the actual soil because it’s usually moist. And the freeze-thaw cycle in winter works the seeds into the soil. The yellow coneflower seeds may have 50 percent of the seeds on the plant and the rest is on the ground or the finches ate them. We’ll collect the seeds on the plants and spread them after the burn.”
Transitions
Pizzo is a licensed landscape architect with a B.S. in ornamental horticulture and an M.S. in ecology. He’s also an Illinois Certified Nursery Professional, and has served on several boards including the Illinois Prescribed Fire Council. He’s taught numerous classes
and the emphasis is always on fire safety. His parents owned a retail florist and landscaping service in Naperville and his father was a college biology professor who encouraged his son’s interest in science. “I’ve been working since I was 10 years old, after school and weekends and there were no lazy summers.” As soon as his homework was finished, he’d help the florists. Flash forward and his company has done work in 14 states and Canada and he has an office in Three Oaks, Michigan, where there is an everincreasing demand for his products and services. Although he was a traditional horticulturist when he first got into the business, his pivotal moment came when he was laid off from a firm during the banking downturn. Before he left that job, his last client was in Elgin. “He had big oaks on his property and he (continued on page 50)
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Focus — The Pros at Home (continued from page 49) wanted wildflowers back in his woods. I grew up identifying wildflowers and I was like ‘oh my god!’ that’s what I want to do.” He started his own company on June 10, 1988. In 1993, he began using 50 percent natives in residential and some commercial projects. “By 1996 it was all natives. We completely changed.” In 1999, he moved his business from Cicero, Illinois, to Leland. “We’d lived in River Forest for 14 years.” The transition from suburb to rural acreage was a big leap that checked off everything on his wish list. The Leland nursery property was also 40 acres with 8 1/2 acres in corn. “The rest was remnant prairie. I tripped on a large tussock sedge and fell face first on an iris clump.” He was hooked. With more than 80 staff, Pizzo is adamant when he says, “Everyone comes Several species of liatris attract bees, butterflies and humming birds
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in knowing that they have to have a passion. I want someone who comes to us and wants a career.” Employees have degrees in biology, business that provide a balanced mix for his unique operation. Rooms with a View From inside his home, Pizzo has phenomenal views of the prairie from every single direction. From his sunroom, he enjoys spectacular sunsets. His walls are filled with wildlife prints including the works of John James Audubon. Legacy His four children—Joe, Nick, Jack and Bella—and three grandchildren are the stars in his life. When Bella was little, she helped plant an area that is now called Bella’s Prairie, the most diverse on the property. “What’s happened here is nothing
short of a miracle,” he says. “I’m not the owner of the property, I’m the steward of the property. Living here alone I get to observe nature. For at least the past 4,000 years people have been here manipulating this land. It’s not about nature. Mother Nature is fine with asphalt, concrete—the whole reason we’re doing this is the preservation of our species. If we mess up, nature will be just fine, but we might be gone. I have seen nature restore, so I’m an eternal optimist.” See Jack Pizzo’s work at https://www.pizzo.info
Jack Pizzo — a man outstanding in his field.
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New Members — CONTRACTORS Bella Terra Michael Sander 2033 N. Milwaukee Ave. Suite 357 Riverwoods, IL 60015 Email: mike@bellaterraoutdoorliving. com Phone: 847-204-1455 bellaterraoutdoorliving.com Bluesky Irrigation, Inc. Susan Bozeman P. O. Box 896 Cary, IL 60013 Email: blueskyinc.org@gmail.com Phone: 847-829-4040 www.blueskyinc.org Our goal at BlueSky is to provide an efficient solution to all your irrigation needs. From design and installation, to repairs and seasonal maintenance, BlueSky brings expertise to all phases of irrigation. BlueSky prides itself on unparalleled customer support and ensures you will receive a sound solution to your irrigation challenges regardless of project size. Our client’s needs are taken into consideration and solutions offered. Erickson Landscaping, Inc. Matt Erickson Seneca, IL 61360 Email: merickson3087@hotmail.com Phone: 815-343-7868 Design/Build contractor, specializing in; patios-walkways, accent walls, planting beds and lighting. JR Landscaping #1 INC Antonio Rangel 5935 S Albany Ave Chicago, IL 60629 Email: antonio@jrlandscapingchicago. com Phone: 708-275-8815 www.jrlandscapingchicago.com Custom landscape experts, Specializing in creating hardscapes and outdoor living spaces.
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Smart Outdoor Living Jason Brown 205 E Butterfield Rd, Suite 167 Elmhurst, IL 60126 Email: jason@smartoutdoorliving.com Phone: 630-478-9572 Smartoutdoorliving.com Sunset Falls Ltd. Deborah L Thiesen P.O. BOX 489 Lockport, IL 60441-0489 Email: debbie@ssfalls.com Phone: 877-773-2557 www.ssfalls.com LANDSCAPE, HARDSCAPE, WATER FEATURE AND CUSTOM IN GROUND POOL CONTRACTOR. Triple H Mulch and Firewood LLC Troy Buerster 3368 Renard Lane Saint Charles, IL 60175 Email: triplehmaf@gmail.com Phone: 630-666-2748 triplehmulch.com Triple H Mulch and Firewood, LLC is a mulch and firewood company that specializes in installation of mulch at a bulk quantity with blower trucks. We install smaller quantities of mulch with manual mulch installation crews. We also offer mulch delivery to residential and commercial properties. During the winter, we sell firewood and provide snow removal services. Wiltse Greenhouse And Landscape 16601 maple park rd. Maple Park, IL 60151 Email: troymish@frontier.com Phone: 815-508-7502 wiltsefarm.com INDIVIDUALS Delisi Design Tari Delisi Oak Park, IL 60304 Email: tdelisi@delisidesign.com Phone: 708-203-9954 Delisidesign.com
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
SUPPLIERS Alta Falls Distributing Ben Geffre 2165 Daniels St. Suite 1 Long Lake, MN 55356 Email: sales@altafalls.com Phone: 952-476-2582 www.altafalls.com Alta Falls is a Minnesota based company dedicated to providing premium water feature products, fires feature products and outdoor living products. Alta Falls Distributing was established in 2006 by Irv and Denny Geffre as Alta Falls and Pond Supplies. As our product offering expanded, we rebranded as DBA Alta Falls Distributing to reflect the diversity of our products. Buechel Stone Gina Waitkus 5150 S Nordica Ave Chicago, IL 60638 Email: gwaitkus@buechelstone.com Phone: 773-858-5799 www.buechelstone.com Buttrey Rental John Sternard 216 W Ogden Ave. Westmont, IL 60559 Email: john@buttrey.com Phone: 630-969-1191 WWW.BUTTREY.COM McHutchison Mark Rathnaw 40 Shuman Blvd, Suite 120 Naperville, IL 60563 Email: mrathnaw@mchutchison.com Phone: 630-975-0664 www.mchutchison.com Founded in 1902, McHutchison was built on service, quality and dependability. Our company provides the most serviceoriented wholesale distribution of plants and related products in North America. The most important resource we have is our dedicated staff, which provide tailored business solutions that drive growth and value for our customers and suppliers. Extensive experience and creative thinking ensure that McHutchison purveys the best suppliers
and most sustainable solutions to build any business. Our virtual store provides online access where customers can select horticultural materials ranging from tissue culture and unrooted cuttings to finished annuals and perennials including trees and shrubs along with supplies. We take pride in maintaining our vision filled with growth and opportunities while staying true to an unwavering commitment to distribute the best quality products and services. Power Planter Inc. Greg Niewold 931 N 1600E Rd Loda, IL 60948 Email: greg@powerplanter.com Phone: 217-379-2614 www.powerplanter.com Power Planter® is a third generation family-owned auger manufacturer that started three decades ago in rural Illinois and is still located there today. The centennial farm where our company began making augers is a sixth generation family run farm. We have evolved over the past 30+ years from the invention and patent of our original Power Planter auger to offer a variety of different sizes, models,
7463 West Ridge Road P.O. Box 189 Fairview PA 16415 800.458.2234 Fax 800.343.6819 e-mail: info@FairviewEvergreen.com FairviewEvergreen.com
Not an ILCA Member? JOIN NOW for 2022! Call Marissa at 630-472-2851 for membership information. Set yourself up for the great recovery ahead.
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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New Member Profile Snapshot
Wheaton Mulch, Inc. 709 Childs Street Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 653-4444 www.wheatonmulch.com
by Meta Levin
Scott Wilson is proud of the personal
attention he gives to his customers at Wheaton Mulch, Inc. in Wheaton, IL. Starting with one truck from his landscape maintenance company, Tasks Unlimited, Inc., and space on the property he bought, because he needed a yard, Wheaton Mulch has grown so that Wilson now has seven trucks - four of which have dividers, enabling them to deliver two loads at a time – and five full time employees, as well as a varying number part time in season. Karen Vix runs the office. “She is fantastic,” he says. Vix has been with the company for four years, handling sales and calls. “She is good with the customers and knowledgeable about plant material.” Wilson’s mother, Karen Wilson, does all the accounting work. A retired accountant, she’s in the office six days a week. “I could not do it without her,” he says. Wheaton Mulch’s name belies the fact that the company’s products and services have become more varied in the years since its birth in 2002. In addition to many types and colors of mulch, the company provides landscape materials and firewood to its customers, who include homeowners, as well as landscape contractors and municipalities. The raw material for the mulch the company sells is sourced locally, primarily from tree services, but also from cities, townships and park districts. Several years ago, Wilson rented a grinder to make just one product. Four years later, he had enough demand to buy his own. He now offers his customers a variety of mulches. Firewood sales have been an unexpected boon. “We started small and it took off,” he says. Some of the sales come from his 24/7 policy: customers can come anytime of the day or night to pick it up and payment is on the honor system. It works, he says. People have, for the most part, been honest.
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Wilson has been advertising in The Landscape Contractor magazine for the last few years, has attended iLandscape and has taken advantage of some educational opportunities, including sending three of his landscape employees to a twoday pruning workshop. He decided to join ILCA in 2021 and Vix already has attended a women’s networking function at Ball Seed. Wilson is looking forward to participating in more events. Like many, Wilson’s entry into the landscape industry began as a teenager, mowing his neighbor’s lawns. By the time he graduated from high school, he had a list of customers and a small business. Tasks Unlimited officially began in 1990 and Wheaton Mulch in 2002. “I love being outside and I enjoy doing landscape work,” he says. To further his knowledge and skills, he took some horticulture classes in the college of DuPage’s horticulture program. He admits to an affinity for John Deere products. It’s no surprise that most of his equipment is made by the company. “It’s good equipment and holds its resale value,” he says. For 10 years he was a volunteer fireman in Winfield, IL. He is married to Becky, and they have a 10-year-olddaughter, who loves to help her father in the garden. Their current crop of pumpkins includes one that Wilson estimates weighs in at 150 to 200 pounds. It is paled, however, in comparison to a neighbor’s giant pumpkin that probably weighs in at between 1500 and 1800 pounds. The neighbor, Joe Adkins, has won giant pumpkin competitions several years in a row. Wilson helps him by taking a loader over to lift the huge pumpkin into a truck.
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
Classified Ads HELP WANTED Project Manager NU Construction/Enhancements Christy Webber Landscapes is a full-service landscape provider offering design, construction, and maintenance programs to residential, commercial, and municipal clients throughout Chicago. 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. Please email your resume to jobs@christywebber.com Junior Account Manager Christy Webber Landscapes is a fill-service landscape provider offering design, construction, and maintenance programs to residential, commercial, and municipal clients throughout Chicago. The Junior Account Manager is the consistent Christy Webber Landscapes’ representative that clients trust. This is an entry-level mentorship position designed to assist the AMs and Senior AMs with contract administration, site visits, measuring, documentation, and account management under 1 million dollars in actively managed accounts. The candidate will work closely with senior staff assisting and learning our processes and practices, all while building a portfolio of their own and gaining expertise. This includes, but is not limited to, sales, estimating, budgeting, invoicing, and quality control through management of horticultural practices and site personnel. Please email your resume to jobs@christywebber.com
HELP WANTED Classic Landscape is Looking for an Estimator/Project Manager We are seeking a project manager/estimator to join our growing company. Classic Landscape Ltd. has been a standard in the landscape industry since 1964 and continues to grow each and every year! Responsibilities: Blueprint takeoffs Purchase material from vendors Review contract documents Qualifications: Landscape Experience Basic Computer Skills Email hire1@classiclandscapeltd.com to apply. Commercial Landscape Estimator • Responsibilities: • Reading plans and specifications to determine scope of work • Perform accurate material, equipment and labor take-offs • Solicit sub & supplier pricing and estimate volume of work • Prepare timely estimates and meet bid deadlines • Review contract documents upon award • Communications with clients, project architects, subcontractors, etc. • Project billing and cost evaluation • Qualifications: • Excellent communications, computer and math skills Email resume and cover letter to accounting@allied-landscaping.com
HELP WANTED Production Coordinators Mariani Landscape, a leader in the Landscape Maintenance industry for over 60 years, is currently looking for a Production Coordinators to join our talented Maintenance team in our Lake Bluff location. This position is responsible for the operations and management of residential crews for that location. This associate is responsible for ensuring that Mariani quality standards are being met and procedures are being always followed on each site in a safe and efficient manner by our crews. This position is also responsible for leading the maintenance production efforts, including identifying crew scheduling issues in response to client requests. The Production Coordinator is also responsible for training all crews on policy and procedures, as well as supervising the overall activities of the crew associates. Please email or fax your resume and cover letter outlining your salary expectations to: Stacy Betz Human Resources Director Fax: (847) 810-6829 E-mail: sbetz@marianilandscape.com Website: www.marianilandscape.com Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.
PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Submit your ads online at ilca.net or call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851
Residential Maintenance Account Manager Commercial Maintenance Account Manager Landscape Designer/Project Director Management Associate Call Maria for more information at (847) 876-8042 Or visit jamesmartinassociates.com/careers 56
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
jamesmartinassociates.com | (847) 634-1660
Classified Ads
ILCA Members!! Looking for a career opportunity or have an opening within your company you need to fill? Do you have a business or property to sell?
Post an ad in our classified section! Classified listings are posted online for 30 days from the date of submittal and run in the next issue of The Landscape Contractor magazine. We also offer the opportunity to share your posting with our industry list of over 10,000 contacts!
Pricing: $12.00/line with a 10 line minimum. Feature your ad in our monthly email for $50.00 *Features are available with Classified Posting only
Non-profit postings are available. Contact ILCA for details. Questions? Email Alycia Nagy at anagy@ilca.net
Submission Note: ads submitted prior to the 15th of each month, will be posted online within 72 hours and run in the very next issue of the magazine. Ads submitted after the 15th of the month will post online and run in the following month's issue of the magazine
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Classified Ads HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Sales
Designer Level 1
Landscape Estimator/Office Assistant
Elan Landscape Development is a leading Design - Build - Maintain contractor specializing in the high-end residential market of South-Eastern Lake County. We are adding another talented professional to our team as we continue to grow.
Christy Webber is a full-service landscape provider offering design, construction, and maintenance programs to resident, commercial and municipal clients throughout Chicago. Complete and oversee a variety of professional residential landscape design assignments. Help develop the Christy Webber Landscapes company image and develop and implement landscape plans that meet the client’s need that meets client needs.
Key responsibilities include: Preparing Landscape plans for client meetings. Generate detailed estimates and contracts for projects. Locate and ordering plant material; apply for permits. General office duties, Estimating experience necessary, ability to read landscape plans. Ability to multi-task in fast paced office setting. Strong PC skills including Microsoft office suite Experience in Green Industry and or passion for Landscaping Excellent communication skills Vast knowledge in horticulture and plant material
The Ideal candidate will be detail oriented, professional, honest and motivated to succeed. We will take a look at all candidates who are hard working and exhibit excellent communication skills. Stand out candidates will have knowledge of landscape processes, above average computer skills and meaningful experience in a supervisory role. We offer a casual work environment, competitive wages & benefits and reduced winter hours. If you are a career-oriented sales professional, please reach out. We would like to meet you. Call Dan 847-924-0790 or dan@elanlandscapes.com Client Representative Based in our Westmont, Illinois facility, this person will be part of one of the best sales and service teams in the industry. If you believe in building long-term relationships, and have a desire to provide the best service to valued clientele, we would like to hear from you. This position requires at least 2 years of residential client sales and service experience. The ideal candidate will possess a solid knowledge of horticulture, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to create beautiful landscapes through attention to details and by partnering with fellow team members and the best vendors/ subcontractors in the landscape business. We seek a professional and courteous individual with superior multitasking and organization skills. Knowledge of computer based client management programs would be preferred. This full-time salaried position offers competitive wages, incentive plan, comprehensive benefits, and a spectacular corporate culture that promotes growth, learning, teamwork, and employee satisfaction! Please email your resume and cover letter outlining your salary expectations to: Mary Beth Kercher mkercher@marianilandscape.com
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Please email your portfolio and resume to jobs@christywebber.com Maintenance Enhancement Designer Mariani Landscape, a leader in the residential Landscape Design, Build, and Maintenance industry for over 60 years, is currently looking for a Maintenance Enhancement Designer. Based in our Lake Bluff, Illinois facility, be part of one of the best service teams in the industry. If you believe in building long-term relationships, and have a desire to provide the best service to valued clientele, we would like to hear from you. This position assists our team with quality and unique designs. . This position is responsible for meeting clients needs by offering quality enhancement designs and services. Assist the Client Representative team in preparing quality landscape designs, enhancement write-ups, estimates and proposals for presentation to clients. This position interacts with the maintenance sales team, purchasing department, and production department on a regular basis. This position offers competitive wages and a company culture that promotes growth and teamwork. Interested candidates can fax your resume to 847-810-6829, email mkercher@marianilandscape.com, or apply in person at 300 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff, IL 60044. Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V. PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Submit your ads online at ilca.net or call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
Email resume to linda@earthdevelopments.com Atrium Commercial Estimator • Create accurate material, labor and equipment takeoffs from blueprints • Create bids/estimates and proposals using an estimating software program • Review full construction plan sets, specifications, and contracts for each project • Lead discussions with clients on budgets, timeline, materials, and installation • Coordination of scope reviews with clients and internal team • Collaborate on project schedules based on knowledge of lead times • Gathering pricing from various vendors and subcontractors • Responsible for sales of estimated projects and follow up on bids and potential future sales • Collaborate with leadership and manage internal workflow • Support lead estimator with on-going initiatives and special projects • Keep multiple projects on track at the same time • Email resume to mike@atriumlandscape.com
Classified Ads HELP WANTED Landscape Estimator/Architect Hanson Landscape is seeking a Commercial Landscape Estimator/Architect/Designer to join our team. Responsibilities include but not be limited to: Review and analyze plans and specs to determine project requirements. Perform accurate material, equipment, and labor take-offs. Prepare estimates in a timely manner and meet bid deadlines. Contact supplier and subcontractor for material pricing, ordering, and scheduling. Review contract documents upon awarding. Project billing. Maintain, compile, and organize project related documentation. Oversee work on projects. Site visits to projects. Meeting with clients. Qualifications: Experience in estimating of Commercial Landscape. Plant material and hardscape material knowledge. Proficiency Pro-Landscape and hand drawing. Excellent communications, computer, and math skills. Can work independently as well as working in a team environment. Excellent wage, 401K, Health Insurance, Company Vehicle. Email resume to info@hansonlandscape.com.
CLASSIFIED ADS
CLOSING DATES & RATES February 2022 issue ads: January 3, 2022 March 2022 issue ads: February 15, 2022
PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50 Website Cost is $12 per line Minimum charge $120 (About 6 words/line) Submit your ads online at ilca.net or Call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851
HELP WANTED Horticultural Purchaser Rosborough Partners is currently seeking a Full‐Time Horticultural Purchaser to join our team of landscape professionals. This position is responsible for purchasing and coordinating all regular plant materials and season display rotations to assure all team members have high quality fresh plant materials available and ready for each job’s specifications. Purchaser will negotiate prices with suppliers/vendors while ensuring all plant materials purchased meet Rosborough Partners mission of producing the highest quality workmanship. You will report directly to the Director of Operations and work closely with our Construction Manager, Director of Maintenance, Project Architects, Client Stewards and Yard Supervisor. Responsibilities: - Research existing/potential vendors to place orders for job specific material (plants and bulk items) requirements. - Negotiate prices and material (plants and bulk items) quality with existing/potential vendors. - Ordering plants, trees, shrubs, evergreens, etc. as needed for client properties; including the following: Early Spring Flowers, Summer Flowers, Fall Flowers/Mums/Kale, Fall Bulbs and Holiday Decorations. - Manage inventory control of all plant related products (including physical counts). - Track industry trends for varieties, colors, packaging, etc. - Provide pre‐sales support for Project Architects and Account Managers (for example, pictures/pricing/etc.) - Organize and schedule orders for plants and bulk items. - Supervise order receipts and distribution of material per job specifications for accuracy. - Resolve shortage/last minute requirement issues. - Supervise the care of items in the RPI production yard. This position may occasionally be required to assist in unloading delivery trucks and moving small plant materials around the yard; particularly during busy season of March thru November. - Communicate well with other team members, vendors and clients - Make certain all safety measures are followed on a daily basis - Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or requested
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
HELP WANTED Qualifications: - Minimum 3 years landscape maintenance, landscape design and/or a related degree. - Horticultural knowledge is required beyond trees and shrubs to include annual flowers and winter decor. - Solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite. - Knowledge, identification, and cultural requirements of plants and trees - Valid driver’s license, C Class or CDL Class along with a clean driving record - Bilingual ‐ English/Spanish is a plus Benefits: - Full time year‐round salaried position - Competitive Wages based on experience - Health, Dental, Life, Disability and Vision Insurance - 401(k) with company match - Paid Holidays (9) - Paid Personal Time Off (PTO) ABOUT US: With a growing Midwest regional reach and a tradition of excellence, Rosborough Partners is celebrating 30 years of providing premier landscaping services to residential and institutional clients in the creation, implementation and stewardship of their landscape and property investments. Rosborough Partners strategy is to employ, equip and empower a diverse team of uniquely talented individuals who are passionate about our mission to service our clients and fellow team members. Email: resumes@rosboroughpartners.com to apply.
FOR SALE
Business for Sale 30-year Landscape Maintenance Company located in Wheaton IL is for sale. One crew 95% residential.
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Advertisers 1st Choice Equipment ..............................................50 Bartlett Tree Experts ..............................................49 Breezy Hill Nursery ................................................49 Doty Nurseries LLC ..................................................4 Fairview Evergreen .................................................53 GDS Enterprises .......................................................48
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.
Towers of Power By Nina A. Koziol
Sometimes you just have to lift your eyes skyward instead of looking down at all that pachysandra. What better way to do that than to place something upright amongst that carpet of green? Stand up straight. Think tall. And weird.
Green Glen Nursery ...............................................63 Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. ..........................................14 Homer Industries ...................................................55 James Martin Associates .........................................56
This stone cairn rocks the scene at Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, WI. Cairns have been popular in many cultures, especially for people who have a lot of time and stones on their hands.
Joe Cotton Ford .......................................................53 Lafarge Fox River Stone ........................................31
A common design concept is the Rule of Three—things look better in a group of three (or other odd numbers like five, seven or nine). Staggering the pillar heights adds intrigue to the scene.
Longshadow Planters .............................................13 Mariani Plants ..........................................................6 Mariani Plants .........................................................41 McGinty Bros. .......................................................47 Midwest Groundcovers ........................................2, 28
Who needs an arbor? These Easy Wave Red petunias from Ball Horticultural top iron columns for a stately entry. Aim that hose carefully.
Our feathered friends need to eat and when the winter landscape is blah, they can perch with a view on a tall, sturdy feeder.
Midwest Trading ...................................................2, 15 Montale Gardens ......................................................27 Northshore Truck .....................................................17 RWC Insurance ......................................................45 Spring Meadow Nursery ..........................................11 The Landscape Contractor magazine ........................60 The Mulch Center ....................................................29 Turtle Creek Nursery ...............................................45 Unilock, Inc. ...........................................................64
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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Hidden Gems Worth Visiting
Wilder Park Conservatory
225 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126 https://www.epd.org/facilities/wilder-park-conservatory
by Heather Prince
Admission: free
Tucked into the southwest corner of Wilder Park in
Elmhurst is a tiny jewelbox of a conservatory with a surprisingly long history. Built in 1923 as an addition to an original 1868 greenhouse, the conservatory was added when the City of Elmhurst was gifted the property by the estate of Thomas E. Wilder. Elmhurst residents wanted someplace to showcase plants and emulate the conservatories of Chicago and Oak Park. After an extensive restoration of the conservatory and greenhouses, the Elmhurst Park District continues to grow plants and nurture the space as a quiet retreat. A single room, the conservatory is ringed with planting beds filled with palms, ficus trees, as well as tropical plants and tumbling flowers. Duck beneath tall Norfolk pines and look for seasonal flower displays like heirloom chrysanthemums in fall and poinsettias for the winter holidays. Maintained and operated by the Elmhurst Park District, the conservatory features three flower shows a year including Spring, Fall, and Holiday. Follow the concrete path to the secret ornamental grotto of stacked stone that curves into a koi pond filled with water lilies. Stuffed with ferns, foliage plants, and draped in vines, it’s a leafy cavern in miniature. The koi pond is a delightful surprise, hidden from the front entrance and adding the soft music of falling water to the space. Ferns and huge fiddle-leaf figs grace the walls. It’s a favorite spot for prom and wedding photos as well as children visiting the colorful fish. Peek in the production greenhouses in the
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rear to get a glimpse of what’s growing for the grounds and programs. Since 1993 the park district had raised native plants for transplanting to natural areas, parks, and flowerbeds throughout the district as well as annuals and display plants. Outside, explore the garden spaces that feature a pollinator garden, Victorian formal garden, outdoor tented event space, and beautiful layered perennial plantings. The pollinator garden is abuzz with milkweed for monarchs, asters for bees, and penstemon for hummingbirds. Linger in the formal annual garden filled with cannas, zinnias, and more that rotate with the seasons. Fall mums and ornamental cabbage and kale sparkled in an early morning frost the last time I visited. Anchored by arbors dripping in wisteria and shielded with a tapestry of shrubs, cast iron benches welcome you to take a seat and enjoy. The conservatory is set among mature magnolias for a spring show and sugar maples for fall fireworks. The Wilder Conservatory is a lovely example of how to incorporate a small conservatory seamlessly into a landscape. The surrounding gardens are scaled to the structure to embrace it and not take away from its airy architecture. The gardens are also good examples of maximizing space with good use of connector pathways and artful screening to enclose the area and provide multi-season interest. It’s a great opportunity to examine different types of gardens (pollinator, formal annuals, perennials) skillfully linked together to feel like a whole.
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
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