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Resilience: industry response to COVID-19 Leverage uncertainty to discover strengths
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In this issue
July/August 2020 | Vol 36 | No 4
Feature 34
Pandemic: industry response to COVID-19
BY CHERIE COURTADE AND LYN DEAN
Profiles
20
Mountain Roots is a testimony to sustainability
Staying true to passion rewards Piburn and her company
23
Lifescape revitalizes a tired landscape to create a century-old look
BY CHERIE COURTADE
How a late 1800s landscape was replicated in the 21st century BY LYN DEAN
35 Milestones
26
Values shape lives and drive success at Singing Hills Doing the right thing reaps rewards for employees and customers BY LYN DEAN
Business Sense
28
21 6
www.alcc.com
Leverage uncertainty to discover personal and team strengths
Maintain keen financial focus and team culture to adapt BY ERIC HAUGEN
In this issue Departments 010 13
Perspective Green News & Notes
16 17
Advocacy Update
45
Ad Index
Sustainable Landscape Management
Workforce
30 CSU online horticulture
degree shows remarkable growth
13
Program provides opportunities for students and CSU
Top Plant Picks
42 44
Landscape pros: Why aren’t you using these recommended trees? Slow-growing evergreen Mountain Lover charms year-round
Three Questions
46
Golub finds beauty and opportunity in Western Colorado
JULY/AUGUST 2020 | VOL 36, NO 4 WWW.ALCC.COM
Richthofen Castle is Lifescape Colorado’s ELITE Award-winning project.
Resilience: the industry responds to COVIID-19 Leverage uncertainty to discover strengths
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30
July/August 2020 | Vol 36 | No 4
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publication ALCC servingindustry the green in industry in the Rocky Mountain region Official publication Official of ALCC servingofthe green the Rocky Mountain region
Perspective
C O L O R A D O
Official publication of ALCC serving the green industry in the Rocky Mountain region
Flexibility and cooperation are key in uncertain times
I
Colorado Green Production Team
C O L O R A D O
EDITORIAL
John McMahon
t would be an understatement to say that 2020 did not go as any of us anticipated. Like the rest of the world, the Colorado landscape industry has been adjusting its operations and modifying plans as we move forward in this ever-changing situation related to the pandemic. ALCC, like so many others, has had to pivot our actions to provide the industry the support needed. We continue to pivot and adapt to those needs. As people develop new ways of working within the “new normal,” ALCC is helping to establish protocols, reacting quickly to get plans in place as they are mandated by local and state governments, and developing contingency plans as we anticipate new mandates and hurdles that our companies may face. We’ve developed communications that were ready to be deployed to the media should controversy arise. We created toolkits for building modified business operations and following safety precautions. Has your company developed contingency plans? We need to have not just a plan B, but a plan C and D waiting in the wings. As with ALCC’s crisis communications for the media, you may be fortunate and not need to deploy those backup plans. But if we see another surge in COVID-19 cases, those plans can make the difference in the success of your business amid financial crisis. Relative to industries such as hospitality, landscape companies have fared rather well. As Americans spend most of their time at home, it reinforces the importance of our outdoor living spaces. Enjoying landscapes, patios, and other outdoor spaces presents an opportunity for landscape professionals. People are paying more attention to what is in their landscape and exploring the possibilities present for improvements. Landscape companies quickly adapted to the situation and engaged customers differently. Some conducted welfare checks on customers who were unable to continue service due to income changes or stoppage and provided tips for DIY maintenance until they are able to resume services. The industry also has an opportunity to sell itself to the many Americans who are newly unemployed. The same careers may no longer be available to many of them as we reopen the economy under adapted conditions. If we can demonstrate the opportunities present in the landscape industry and show job seekers that there are career paths available, we can make strides to close the labor gap. Since much of our workforce conducts its business outdoors, we had an opportunity to show that our industry is essential and can be conducted safely. But as you’ll see in this issue, whether to continue services, offer modified service, or close the business temporarily was an individual decision made by each company owner based on their unique circumstances. Through it all, ALCC continued to monitor the situation and provide the resources needed for that particular moment in time. While we would have preferred to not have had these challenges, we were grateful for the strength of our organization and the dedication of our membership. You enabled us to react quickly and help the industry manage what is likely the greatest challenge of our careers. We are stronger when we work together. That has never been more true, and in this magazine we will continue to bring you stories of the resourcefulness and the professionalism that our industry continues to demonstrate.
John McMahon, CEO, ALCC
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ALCC CEO John McMahon Editor Lyn Dean Official publication of ALCC serving the green industry in the Rocky Mountain region Communications Director Cherie Courtade Circulation and Adminstration Paige Kelly DESIGN
Graphic Design Hilary Stojak
C O L O R A D O
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President Michael Moore Diggable Designs LLC, Lakewood Vice President Phil Steinhauer Designscapes Colorado, Centennial Past President Matt Hiner Hiner Outdoor Living, Colorado Springs Secretary/Treasurer Craig Nesbit Timberline Landscaping, Inc.
Colorado Green (ISSN0195-0045) is published bimonthly by the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, Inc., 1660 S. Albion St., Suite 831, Denver, Colorado 80222, phone: 303-757-5611, fax: 303-7575636. Colorado Green is distributed to contributing members and professionals throughout Colorado, and educational and governmental institutions across the state. Postage paid at Denver, Colorado. Publisher assumes no responsibility for safekeeping or return of unsolicited photos or manuscripts, and reserves all rights to edit material submitted for publication. Approval for publication of copyrighted material submitted to Colorado Green is the sole responsibility of the advertiser/contributing authors. ©2020 by Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado. All rights reserved. Reproduction of materials contained herein allowed only with permission of the publisher. Post master: Please send Form 3579 to ALCC, 1660 S. Albion St., Suite 831, Denver, Colorado 80222. For advertising inquiries, please call Amy McCraken at 303-4787895, or email amym@evergreencustommedia.com.
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Green News& Notes
Dr. Klett with CSU trial garden plants
Klett receives CAS Distinguished Career Award
O
n April 27, Jim Klett, Ph.D., received the Lee Sommers Agricultural Sciences Distinguished Career Award from the from the CSU College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) at its annual awards ceremony. The award recognizes a senior faculty member for their long and distinguished career based on excellence in teaching, research, and/or outreach. Klett is a professor and extension horticulturist in CSU’s department of horticulture and landscape architecture. His plant research has been informing the industry for decades. This year’s event was held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July/August 2020 Colorado Green
13
Green News & Notes
Deere produces face shields for health care workers
Photo courtesy Deere & Company
J
ohn Deere, in collaboration with the UAW, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, announced in May that it is producing protective face shields at John Deere Seeding Group in Moline, Illinois. Deere announced employees would initially produce 25,000 face shields to meet the immediate needs of health care workers in several of its U.S. manufacturing communities. The company ordered materials and supplies to produce an additional 200,000. Deere is using an open-source design from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and leveraging the expertise, skills and innovation of its employee base. Face shields will be delivered to 16 Deere factories and the U.S. Hitachi-Deere factory for local distribution.
Jose Martinez assembles face shields at the John Deere Seeding.
Toro donates to COVID-19-affected communities worldwide
T
he Toro Company announced April 20 its plans to donate $500,000 to assist families and communities worldwide that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will assist nonprofits worldwide in their effort to help those most vulnerable. Toro, with its family of brands, sells landscape equipment and supplies to customers around the world. “Supporting our customers and communities is an important part of our culture and core to who we are as a company,” said Rick Olson, chairman and chief executive officer of Toro. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we come together to respond to the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 and to support those most vulnerable in our communities.”
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B
In memoriam: Bill Whittaker
ill Whittaker, founder of Whittaker Landscape Services in Eagle, sustained fatal injuries in a fall that occurred outside at his home on Brush Creek. He was a Colorado native who enjoyed the outdoors and loved his hometown. Whittaker’s work as a carpenter and in construction led to the start of his business—perhaps one of the more interesting origin stories in the industry. According to the family, one day at work building a home next to President and Mrs. Ford’s home, Mrs. Ford asked Whittaker’s boss at that time if he knew anyone who could plant her flower boxes. Whittaker said, “I can do that,” and it was the beginning of Whittaker Landscape Services. The company began in 1984 with Whittaker, three family members and a truck. He designed, and his crew(s) installed countless projects from East Vail to Gypsum, as well as in Meeker and Saratoga, Wyoming. “Bill was a man of high integrity, and anyone who knew him will attest to his great attitude and professionalism,” noted Matt Mueller, Siloam Stone, Inc. “The landscape industry has certainly suffered a great loss with Bill’s passing.” A memorial service will be planned at a future date. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, make a donation in his name to a charity of your choice.
Green News & Notes
In memoriam: Bill Smith
Photo courtesy Smitty’s Sprinklers
B
ill “Smitty” Smith, founder of Smitty’s Sprinklers, Centennial, passed away May 10, 2020, surrounded by his family. A military man who served in the Vietnam War, he loved working with his hands and carried out the American dream of building his own business. Smith began his business in April 1982, working out of his garage and offering residential sprinkler installation and services. In 1989, he and his wife Myrna, opened the doors to the retail store. Smtih’s hard work proved successful when he combined retail and do-it-yourself sales, installation and service. In 2012, Smitty’s was named “Small Business of Year” by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. His dream was further realized with the company’s latest move, the biggest yet, into its own building where the family business will continue to grow with the next generation. He was happiest on a Monday morning when the workweek started over again. He was proud of his family-run business, which continues operations as normal to honor his legacy. He is survived by wife Myrna, son Steve and daughter-in-law Sarah, who continue to manage the business; as well as daughter Mary Alice Smith. Services were delayed due to pandemic regulations, but his family hopes to honor him properly in late summer. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society or Veteran Affairs. | CG
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July/August 2020 Colorado Green
15
Advocacy Update
Crisis spawned opportunities A
Our quality is your success
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s stay-at-home orders and other restrictions were enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19, many questions arose among green industry professionals. Which businesses are essential? Which necessary safety precautions applied to workers who perform services outdoors? How can employers lawfully verify an employee’s claim to need sick leave related to COVID-19? In the early weeks of the pandemic, green industry companies scrambled to get clarification on laws and regulations, to find ways to preserve their businesses, and to learn the best way to keep their employees and clients safe and healthy. Many turned to trade organizations for guidance and for assistance in helping navigate the ever-changing situation. Trade organizations, including ALCC, were presented with a critical opportunity to bring industry members together and serve them. For example, when some mountain counties issued a requirement that landscape companies develop business operations guidelines and safety plans in order to resume work, landscape professionals formed an ad hoc workgroup and, with help from ALCC, collaborated on model guidance that all companies could use. The fluid situation related to stay-at-home orders and the definition of “essential business” and “critical infrastructure” also allowed green industry organizations to noticeably demon-
strate the value of their relationships with legislators and other government officials. Years of efforts at building lines of communication and establishing trust and respect proved important as representatives for the landscape industry pursued clarification of regulations on behalf of company owners. It can be easier to get a response to a request when the legislator or other government representative, who is likely overwhelmed with constituent calls, recognizes the caller among the many emails and phone calls they received. In addition to clarification, trade organizations and lobbyists prepared for multiple scenarios in the uncertain early weeks of the economic shutdown. Behind the scenes, industry reps crafted letters supporting the essential nature of the landscape industry in the event that government leaders attempted to shut down or reduce operations. Though the letters never needed to be deployed, these advocacy efforts are an example of how advocacy is as much about what might happen as what does happen. Getting ahead of issues before they arise is key to successful industry advocacy. Good advocates anticipate issues that might affect their industry and develop contingency plans for possible scenarios. Despite coming from unfortunate circumstances, these unforeseen opportunities underscored the benefits of nurturing and maintaining advocacy relationships. | CG
Photo courtesy shuttesrtock/alphaspirit
Pandemic confusion led to improved partnerships and new cooperation
Sustainable Landscape Management
SLM education moves to a live interactive webinar By Cherie Courtade
W
hile the COVID-19 outbreak forced the cancellation of many scheduled education events, it also fed innovation and created opportunities to make that education available to a wider audience. Colorado’s Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) program has responded to pandemic-related restrictions by offering an online program that is now available to more landscape professionals throughout the state. SLM program director Melissa Emdin rallied, with the help of a team of SLM trainers and ALCC staff, to adapt the in-person education program to a live webinar format. The live format allows for an interactive program in which attendees can speak with the instructor, ask questions, and share information in order
to closely replicate the in-person experience. “The instructors felt strongly that a recorded or non-interactive webinar would not provide the same value and experience for attendees, so we don’t plan to offer recorded versions [of the webinar],” Emdin explained. Instructors for the first round of webinars included Lyle Fair and Tim Gibbons, both of GVR Landscaping, Aurora and Jill St. Aubin King of Monarch Gardens, Longmont. The class will be structured similarly to the in-person class format, with multiple modules that follow the format of the SLM manual. It was evident while building the online version of the course that multiple speakers and interactive elements were necessary to keep attendees engaged and to
give them an experience that is more than just watching a screen. The three instructors will split the content and alternate presenting over the four-hour session. Throughout the presentation, there will be opportunities for attendees to ask questions, and there will be interactive elements interspersed to keep things interesting. The virtual session will allow expanded access to the program. ALCC members across the state—especially those outside the Front Range—can attend the course and earn their SLM certificate more easily. “We plan to schedule more live webinars going forward,” said Emdin, “in addition to resuming in-person classes as soon as it’s safe to do so.” | CG
July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Profile
Mountain Roots is a testimony to sustainability
Staying true to passion rewards Piburn and her company
A
By Cherie Courtade
lyse Piburn’s love for gardening was passed down through the generations, as both of her grandmothers were gardeners. But it wasn’t until later that she found her career in gardening. She first worked in the service and hospitality industries—snowboarding was a passion—in the mountains. But one summer she was in between jobs and began landscaping with her mother’s business in Grand Lake. “It felt like everything clicked,” Piburn recalls. “I’d been an outdoor person. I loved working outdoors and loved plants. How did I not know about this sooner?” Piburn enrolled at Front Range Community College and earned her associate degree in horticulture. She continued to work in her mother’s business, which worked closely with a landscape architect, offering installation and maintenance work for his clients. Piburn continued to work in the green industry in different capacities until starting her Summit County business, Mountain Roots, in Frisco, in 2011. With the short gardening season in mountain communities, Piburn has found year-round business creating botanic décor for restaurants, and services for interior plants and houseplants. She is also offering floral design services for weddings in the area. She uses a lot of perennials that aren’t traditional cutting varieties, but 20
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Profile
Mountain Roots provides color using local and native flowers that blend seamlessly into the surrounding natural areas. Right, attendees at a Mountain Roots garden party.
which grow well in the region. It allows her to keep her focus on sustainability while finding ways to prolong her season. Piburn actually enjoys the slower season, which offers down time for travel, prepping for the busy season, and reviving her motivation and inspiration.
Driven by sustainability
Much of her motivation comes from her sustainability efforts. “Sustainability has always been important to me, and my business model is dedicated to that. In our marketing, we promote sustainability as our style of landscape as well as floral design. We use our website, blog, and email marketing to tell consumers what that means to us.” What that means is that Mountain Roots practice is organic, water-wise, and locally oriented. They do not use chemicals in their work. Plant waste is composted and returned back to the garden. They support local growers and suppliers as much as possible, which reduces their carbon footprint and keeps money in the local economy. She encourages using seasonal offerings in floral design as opposed to traditional cutting flowers. Piburn uses her small greenhouse and three covered beds to start cutting flower seeds inside for the upcoming season.
Passion for giving and educating
Using local and native plants is important to Piburn, and she works to educate customers on the benefits. It’s sometimes a more difficult sell with part-time residents, but year-round residents seem to really respond to featuring plants that are native or require fewer resourc-
es. She’s also found more people interested in growing food crops. She steers them toward greens and root vegetables, and cool-season edibles that require fewer days to reach maturity. Piburn is very community-oriented. The company has a focus on giving back, and staff help choose the four nonprofits that Mountain Roots supports each season. Staff can suggest a group that is important to them. Piburn is also directly involved in community efforts, volunteering with a local CSA (community-supported agriculture) group and hosting a “lady garden club party” that uses leftovers from her projects—again, she tries not to let anything go to waste—to teach attendees about arranging container gardens, floral arrangements, and harvesting from a shared vegetable bed. She also works closely with a nearby brain injury support group, a cause close to her, as she had previously suffered such an injury in a snowboarding accident. She has hosted classes about the benefits of spending time outside in nature each day. Her focus, as one would expect, is on practicing gardening to achieve the results. She has done research in order to present the science behind the benefits of soil, vitamin D (from being outdoors), and the connection between working outdoors in the earth and mental-physical well-being. Piburn also uses education and volunteering to share her message of sustainability. She offers tips for people who want to start a mountain garden. She encourages beginners to start with container gardens and teaches them about the proper soils and what plants will grow best in Summit County’s unique growing environment. “Teaching and promoting education has always been a passion, and
bringing that to the landscape industry and the community is highly rewarding.” Piburn has also participated in Landscape Career Pathways events for students at ProGreen EXPO. She sees the benefits in investing in the next generations. Collaboration is another goal for her business. “I would love to meet as many other [mountain-based] contractors as possible so we can keep each other busy and work with each other instead of against.”
Sustainability pays off That passion for sustainability has not gone unnoticed in her region. In 2019, Mountain Roots received the Environmental Champion Award at the Summit County Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. Mountain Roots’ stood out with their commitment to sustainable and environmental practices, supporting other local businesses, and giving back to the community through volunteering and financial contributions to local nonprofits. They were also a finalist at the same event for Small Business of the Year. The Environmental Champion Award led to a unique opportunity with the Summit Historical Society. Mountain Roots designed, donated, and installed a pollinator garden with Summit County native plants at the Summit Historic Museum. The garden serves multiple purposes: it supports pollinators, promotes native plant use, and encourages visitors to the museum. Customers are taking notice of Mountain Roots as well. “We finished off the [2019] season with a 2nd place award for the Best Landscaper of Summit County, a great honor as a female and small-business owner,” Piburn says. | CG July/August 2020 Colorado Green
21
A frequent quote regarding COVID-19 is ‘Alone – Together.’ In this time of uncertainty around the pandemic, ALCC has really made me feel like we are together. The frequent email communications are great and I appreciated a personal, caring phone call in April. As an entrepreneur, I frequently feel alone. ALCC helps me be connected to others in the industry and I feel confident the landscaping industry will get through the pandemic together.
Stephanie Selig, Owner SUNDROPS & STARFLOWERS ALCC member since 2017
ALCC is committed to helping landscape companies succeed. Demonstrate your professionalism Show the public that you strive to do business ethically and responsibly. Build relationships that build your business ALCC can help you make the right connections to grow your business.
Join ALCC and experience firsthand what makes our members better by nature
Visit ALCC.com/join or call (303) 757-5611 to learn more.
Get valuable education and training Take advantage of training designed by landscape contractors for landscape contractors. Shape the course of the industry ALCC influences policy at the local, state and federal level to protect the future of our industry.
Profile
Lifescape revitalizes a tired landscape to create a century-old look How a late 1800s landscape was replicated in the 21st century By Lyn Dean
July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Profile
BEFORE
T
he Richthofen Castle, when built in 1879 by German aristocrat Baron Walter von Richthofen, was a mansion situated on land just east of the young, growing city of Denver. The story goes, as recounted by Dan DeGrush, senior landscape architect at Lifescape Colorado, Denver, that the baron’s wife was not enamored with Colorado’s native prairie. During the next year, the baron transformed the landscape with trees and gardens to entice his wife’s sensibilities. It worked and she moved into the castle, where they lived for a few years. The baron died in the late 1890s, his wife sold the castle in 1903, and since then, this Montclair historic home has been sold multiple times.
Restoring splendor of the past
The current owners, after renovating the in-
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side, wanted to transform the 2.5-acre grounds to its original grandeur. “The clients were very involved with design,” says DeGrush. “They are familiar with older homes and have restored others. Their goal for the landscape was that it fit with the castle by being strong and ornate with an instantly aged finish.” They wanted to replicate the original landscape design, while modernizing the functionality and considering long-term sustainability. A thoughtful network of pathways that perambulates through outdoor rooms and gardens was a key design focus as well. “We gathered some historic photos of the castle from Denver archives,” says DeGrush. “We could see where to do gardens and the tree-lined driveways. The clients wanted the original European garden aesthetic.”
The landscape design gives attention to views both from and toward the castle with lush flower beds, perennials, elegant lighting and curved pathways, which play off the arches of the mansion. “The pathways through the various formal gardens make the property more interactive.”
Making the new look old: the plants
A few of the original trees, including one silver maple and three spruce trees, obviously mature, were still healthy. “They were kept in place and designed around.” However, plants and trees for the design had to be sourced far in advance of installation to be sure they were mature and lush enough to match the scale of the property. Mature 16-foot redbud and 20-foot maple trees were maneuvered into place. Several maples—autumn blaze, a hybrid of silver maple
Profile
their own drainage system. We needed to add specialty drainage to ensure the pots drained beneath the patio, so as to not stain it.”
Finding solutions
and red maple—were planted along the driveway to provide shade in the summer and allow the sun to melt icy patches in the winter. Plants for year-round color were carefully chosen to provide bold color in each season from spring to fall. The manicured hedges of the original landscape were created in the new landscape using privets, but with rose hedges added to contribute to the color palette the clients wanted.
Making the new look old: hardscape elements
“Finding aged historical materials was one of our biggest challenges,” says DeGrush. He and his client made visits to reclaimed brick yards looking for materials with an aged look. The back patio required “brick detailing to mimic the intricate detailing of the arches
around the windows, creating a flow from the house to the patio,” DeGrush says. And, since the home’s exterior stone is rhyolite, which was mined from Castle Rock and has a pink hue, the design called for natural bluestone pavers as the best option, in addition to the hand-selected reclaimed brick sourced locally. “One of the challenges was the seamless integration of the original and reclaimed materials, and new features and systems.”
Design flexibility during installation
“The homeowners brought forward new items during the installation, and we were challenged with incorporating them into the design,” says DeGrush. These items included massive gargoyles and six 5-foot planters brought from Europe. “The planters were fitted with
Another challenge for the Lifescape team was accessing the courtyard in the back. “There is a 4-foot wall around the raised patio, and the crew had to move large amounts of materials, such as flagstone, trees, road base and gravel, over the wall without any damage to the wall,” says DeGrush. “We needed something that was easily maneuverable and that lifted up and over. We ended up using a telehandler, which had various attachments for its reaching arm and it worked well.”
Maintenance
DeGrush credits a good client relationship with him as well as with the project foreman and project manager. “We communicated often with the client and met at least once a week,” he says. “The client trusted us, and I knew Lifescape could do the maintenance. I also wanted our team to have an eye on the property all the time so we could do some tweaks and minor adjustments.” So far, DeGrush says the plants “are doing great but we had to replace a few shrubs and perennials due to bad freezes.” Lifescape Colorado received two ELITE awards for this project: Design/Build and Maintenance. | CG July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Milestones
Values shape lives and drive success at Singing Hills Doing the right thing reaps rewards for employees and customers
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or an admitted introvert, Mike Leman’s influence in the landscape industry has been significant, especially around his advocacy work for H-2B guest workers. Leman is president & CEO at Singing Hills Landscape, Inc., Aurora, which is celebrating 25 years in business. He may be a quiet guy but his passion for “doing the right thing” is his steadfast “moral compass.” He knows what he believes, and with care and planning, he moves toward shaping changes he wants to
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By Lyn Dean see. His company has been the vehicle but its employees have been the fuel.
In the beginning
Leman and future wife Deb had each moved to Colorado from Illinois in 1982, and a year later became engaged. Deb was in nursing school and Leman found work with Green King Landscape. He ended up working with owner Greg Anderson for 12 years before the Lemans opened Singing Hills in 1995.
Though Leman had no business experience, he had the skills for the work. “I learned a lot of hands-on skills and industry knowledge at Green King,” he says. “And I took some classes at Front Range Community College from some great people, including Jim O’Shea.” “Before we opened Singing Hills, Deb got a nurse practitioner position making good pay, so I dropped to part-time at Green King for two years and played ‘Mr. Mom’ with our four boys,” says Leman. “When we opened, Deb
Milestones
Photos courtesy Singing Hills Landscape, Inc
”Overwhelmingly, the most positive experiences have included the dozens of exceptional employees that have formed the Singing Hills family for 25 years" — Mike Leman
Mike Leman
worked in the company part-time doing accounts payable while working her main job.” Though she has retired from health care, she still works at Singing Hills part-time handling accounts payable and serving as secretary/treasurer. Anderson, who sold Green King several years after Singing Hills opened, joined Leman’s team and now serves as fleet and facilities manager.
And then came Pepe
“When we started the company, I was not planning on having employees,” Leman recounts. “Most of the projects in my first year were for irrigation work subcontracted from Green King, and I could handle it. However, the next year the irrigation work was more than I could handle myself so I had to hire someone.” Hiring that first employee, was a turning point for both Leman and Singing Hills. Pepe, a Spanish-speaker, was a seasonal worker from Mexico and by the end of the season, Leman had learned enough Spanish to communicate. When Pepe invited Leman and his family— Deb and their four boys—to his home in central Mexico, they went. “We saw how they lived,” says Leman. “They had no running water at that time, yet their generosity was amazing.” He realized then that he “wanted to give people opportunities.” For Leman, “This is the richest part of having employees.” Since this first employee experience, Leman has advocated strongly for seasonal workers,
and in 2017, he received one of the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ first-ever advocacy awards for his work on H-2B seasonal workers.
Support employees to ensure happy customers
Leman’s service philosophy directly embraces the company’s core value of selflessness. “Our service mentality is: if we treat our employees better than ourselves, customers will be well taken care of.” He says that it naturally happens. The selfless behaviors trickle down through the employees to the customer, which is why the company’s website states “…excellent landscapes begin with excellent employees and…core values are the lifeblood of excellent employees.” The company hires people with shared values, then trains for the skills. During its 25 years, Singing Hills’ has grown into a full-service landscape company with about 70 employees during peak season—full-time plus seasonal. The company provides design and installation for mid to high-level residential properties as well as maintenance for commercial properties. Many employees have more than 15 years of service with the company. The company also offers a unique guarantee for customers that supports its commitment to quality workmanship. “The workmanship of everything we install is guaranteed for life,” Leman says. This does not include plant material, which has a typical industry warranty of a year.
What’s next
Growth has not been without its road bumps, which Leman considers part of the overall learning experience—both the positive and the negative have shaped the company. “Overwhelmingly, the most positive experiences have included the dozens of exceptional employees that have formed the Singing Hills family for 25 years,” he reflects. Although each of Leman’s four sons has spent some time working at the company, only Jake has made it a career and currently manages the landscape construction division.
Sell to, don’t sell out
Singing Hills has had offers from investment companies, but Leman is not interested. Instead, the company is in the process of developing an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), eventually converting it to an employee-owned company. “We have shared profits whenever possible,” says Leman, “but have always wanted to make it more concrete for employees. Though there are several hurdles to overcome for the IRS, Leman hopes to ensure that employees who are not American citizens can be part of the ESOP so they can fund a part of their retirement. “We have always considered our crew to be owners investing sweat equity rather than dollars.” Leman wants to reward them with dollars. An ESOP is a win-win situation for all, including Leman whenever he decides to retire. The Singing Hills team also has some ideas for new service offerings they hope to implement in the near future. Stay tuned! | CG July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Business Sense
Leverage
uncertainty to discover personal and team strengths Maintain keen financial focus and team culture to adapt
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By Eric Haugen
ow many times will we hear the word “uncertainty?” In the last few months our industry has been forced to learn what CDC guidelines are, whether or not we are an essential business operation and if the Paycheck Protection Program is possible, to only list a few. This pandemic has forced us to shift our mindset from beautiful landscapes to the future of our business operations and financial viability. I will be the first to say that negative thoughts often creep into my mind as I worry about the potential of the next recession and its effects on my company’s future. However, there is a bright future for those of us who adapt by effectively monitoring our financials and working hard on operational structures while keeping our teams safe.
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Business Sense
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Speak with all past and current clients. Send email campaigns.
Post to social media. Build strategic relationships.
Connect with “no” and “not right now” prospects.
This list is excerpted from Kim Naughtin’s “10 ways to grow your landscape company during challenging times” featured in Colorado Green NOW on May 13, 2020.” Read the full article online at https://bit.ly/cg10ways
Adapting to the new normal
Who ever thought we would have to make sure that our teams are equipped with hand sanitizer and face masks versus the proper tools and materials for the day? This doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. We all do our best to make sure our teams are safe while trying to maintain efficiency. Most of us wish tomorrow would bring a lifting of the orders; unfortunately we are quickly learning this could become a new way of life. This is where our company culture and our team’s strengths can come into full force. The stresses of the availability of labor and inefficiencies such as crew size or wiping down equipment every day can either drive our
Turning challenges into opportunities
There are many new and positive things that have we have discovered in the last few months: staggered start times, more efficient meetings, learning new technologies that we have potentially avoided in the past, efficiency of curbside pickups, etc. Converting challenges into opportunities can create higher efficiency, quality work, and better overall quality of life. Luckily, we are each unique and take actions based on what is best for our companies and personal success. Reviewing these new opportunities can be a tool for growing our businesses--for example, conducting more efficient meetings and reducing drive time—all while doing it the best way that works for you (see sidebar).
cels that patio project or the retail center trims services from their maintenance contract. If we understand our revenue per hour, gross margins and overhead costs, our company will be poised to make it through the uncontrollable external factors and be the leader when economic turnaround occurs. Though there is no clarity on what the “new normal” is going to look like, there are opportunities if we take the right action. We all have great people on our teams and in our personal lives who are going the through the same things. Becoming a change agent may take you out of your comfort zone, but that is how we grow. We will fall, but we will learn along the way and be better for it in the end. I sincerely believe our industry is full of untapped talent, including talent in ourselves that we don’t acknowledge until we are forced into a situation that requires change. Taking the time to focus on opportunities and the teams around us will get us through the “uncertainty.” | CG
Learning to love financials
Perhaps you are one of those folks who wakes up early, eager to review the most recent actual-vs-budget report, but for the rest us, perhaps now is the time to start. It is more critical than we have seen in over 10 years to understand and monitor some basic financial metrics. Each day the media announces increases in unemployment and fluctuation of consumer confidence. Those are external factors outside of our control, but we must be able to adapt our business to avoid potential hardships. Understanding your current and projected cash flow can assist you if immediate steps are needed when a client can-
Photo courtesy Travis Yaggie
MARKETING TO DO LIST
teams apart or bring us together. Finding our teams’ strengths and developing operational processes around those strengths will create a sense of ownership for our employees in their jobs. They will also enjoy being viewed as a part of the team versus the person in a field whom no one listens to. Assigning each person to different steps in improving processes is important, as it allows you and your team to get excited about something that is outside of normal daily routine. Those around us will make the team better if we let them.
—Eric Haugen is president at LandCare Management, Inc., Arvada, as well as a small business process and financial advisor.
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Workforce
CSU online horticulture degree shows remarkable growth Program provides opportunities for students and CSU
About the online students • Approximately 1/3 come from Colorado, 1/3 west of Colorado, 1/3 east of Colorado • Highly diverse enrollment representing many minority groups • Most students average 7 credits per semester • Most attend all year—spring and fall semesters, and summer term • Some are starting a second career • Most are likely 30-40 years in age and few are between 18-24
Behind-the-scenes prep
Paperwork and preparation for the program began in 2013. CSU has stringent requirements for online degree programs— 30
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they need to accomplish identical learning objectives to the traditional on-campus programs (though some on-campus students take online courses). Jennifer Bousselot, Ph.D., assistant professor, department of horticulture and landscape architecture (HLA) currently teaches in the HLA program. In fact, all classes she instructs are online. It took time for the program to be set up and approved. “For the department, to approve the online degree program, faculty had to be convinced that the effort to create the program was worth it—meaning enrollment would support it. Preparation also included ensuring development of online
classes from not only the HLA department but also from any department with prerequisites or required courses for the horticulture BS degree,” says Bousselot. In addition, the university had to be convinced that instructors could effectively teach hands-on skills without having the labs and facilities which are on-campus for traditional students. To accomplish learning objectives for labs, kits were designed for online students that they are required to buy from the bookstore. “In effect, the students create ‘labs’ in their own homes using the kits to learn about propagation, photosynthesis, plant hormones and more. They collect and submit data as required for the course,” Bousselot adds.
Photo courtesy CSU Online
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he official launch in fall 2017 for the Colorado State University (CSU) online Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture enrolled 25 students, and the first student graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the online program in fall 2018. As of spring 2020, enrollment in the online program was 102. In less than three years, online enrollment has grown to 23% of total enrollment in the bachelor’s in horticulture program, including traditional, on-campus students.
By Lyn Dean
Workforce Several required courses contributing to degree requirements are offered through other departments. For those with labs, kits have been developed for courses offered through departments such as soil science, botany and zoology.
Degree completion is doable and affordable
A flexible way to earn a degree
Most online students work and/or care for others and appreciate the flexibility of pacing their classes to align with the rest of their commitments. The good news is there is no time requirement to complete the degree as long as a student stays enrolled in at least one course.
Photo courtesy CSU Online
A large part of the success of CSU’s online degree program is based on its partnership with Front Range Community College (FRCC). Students enrolled in the online bachelor’s program come with credits, many with an associate degree from FRCC. An agreement between FRCC and CSU allows the FRCC associates degree in applied science to be counted as two years toward CSU’s bachelor’s degree. This means students pay lower tuition at FRCC for the early courses and can transfer credits to CSU to complete their degree. Jennifer Bousselot, Ph.D.
On the other hand, since classes are accessible year-round, the opportunity to complete the degree more quickly is a viable option. Prospective students should be aware that some employers and municipalities
will pay or reimburse employees for up to 6 credits per semester toward employee development. And employees may even see a pay increase or promotion when they have completed their degree! | CG
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July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Resilience: industry response to COVID-19
As the coronavirus outbreak began to disrupt the world, Colorado landscape company owners and industry leaders had to make some of the biggest decisions of their careers, without notice and without a road map. Decisions made could affect not just the future of their businesses but the health and safety of their crew and of their communities. Coronavirus affected every aspect of business, from client interaction and design requests to crew safety and hiring practices. By Cherie Courtade and Lyn Dean
Is my business essential? Is my crew safe? What is right for my business during a pandemic? As the gravity of the COVID-19 situation was realized in March of this year, employers in every industry had to make big decisions rather quickly. For Colorado landscape companies, the decision of how to proceed with their business—or to not proceed at all—was a challenging one. It was also an individual decision, as business models vary. Services offered run the gamut, from container garden design and maintenance to residential installation to maintenance of large commercial properties. That means that there was no “right way” to respond to the pandemic for green industry companies.
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When stay-at-home orders were issued, the big question for most company owners was whether their business performed an “essential service” or was part of “critical infrastructure.” For landscape companies that maintain public green spaces—keeping trails in order, emptying trash receptacles—it was easy to determine that their work fit the definition of “essential services.” For other companies, the determination seemed left to the discretion of the company owner. There’s no single answer that fits every company’s situation.
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he idea of shutting down a company at the start of the busiest time of year was unthinkable for many. Some company owners scrambled to find ways to keep people safe while also ensuring that employees could continue working to earn enough income to support themselves and their families. Many were able to continue work under that definition of “essential services” or “critical infrastructure.” Employees who were sick or who were caring for loved ones who were sick were able to remain home, but available crew members moved forward albeit in a modified process. For larger companies that serve commercial properties, continuing services, especially at sites under construction, could easily accommodate a landscape crew with proper social distancing and other required safety precautions. But for smaller companies and those that serve residential properties, it was a different issue. For one business, the stay-at-home order occurred after a site was excavated to install concrete and walls. Exposed trenches and pipes pose a safety issue for the client and their family. The company considered this situation critical and therefore completed the work during the stay-at-home order while observing all applicable safety standards. At Weisburg Landscape Maintenance, they regarded asset protection as critical. They planned to not fertilize or water bluegrass as they normally would for the purpose of reducing the amount of mowing necessary since they were limiting staff for safety.
Photo courtesy Designscapes Colorado
Forging ahead with confidence in their necessity
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Making measured decisions on a case-by-case basis
he nature of a company’s service portfolio, company culture, and varying local public health orders made the decision to continue services—and in what capacity—a unique issue for every green industry company. Patrick O’Meara of High Country Landscape made his decision about the essential nature of his work on a case by case basis, examining the work requested and deciding if it was necessary. For example, “A new client has a tree that sustained storm damage recently. She tried to take care of the situation by cutting off the entire trunk. That failed, and now a large, compromised branch is threatening to fall into her house. I believe there was an immediate threat that needs to be mitigated.” He performed those services but postponed some routine pruning maintenance work that he deemed non-essential at the time. At Green Landscape Solutions, LLC, Brian Carlson left the decision to his employees. “I gathered staff when the stay-athome order came down and gave folks the option to continue to work or take a leave of absence. I didn’t feel it was a decision I could make companywide; I let each individual decide what was best for them.” Some wanted to earn income and keep working, while others who had preexisting conditions that put them at risk, opted to
stay home. Carlson offered those employees a leave of absence for as long as they needed. As the stay-at-home order was instituted, Green Landscape Solutions lost approximately $500k in contracts. With their existing three scaled-down crews—minus those who took a leave of absence—they were able to service existing jobs. But while sales calls have increased, they are unable to take on additional work without hiring more crew members. Longtime staff are wary of new hires after a new employee, brought on just prior to the stay-at-home order, was sent home sick on their third day of work and eventually tested positive for COVID-19. The employee failed to report their health status back to the company, which would have put staff on voluntary self-quarantine if they’d had contact with the sick employee. Carlson’s crew, who have developed a tight-knit culture within the company, felt their own health and safety jeopardized by the incident. Companies based in the mountains faced different obstacles. With a shorter growing season, some small gardening companies did not face work closures since their season did not begin until May. But in Pitkin County, all landscape companies were forced to stop work due to a county order that shut down all construction work for several weeks. July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Working with extra caution and looking out for the community
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ustomer safety and health was a concern for a number of company owners who made the decision to continue working. Cathy Balogh of Balogh Gardens, Broomfield pointed out that “property maintenance—removing piles of leaves, old piles of trees, dead limbs…items that are unsanitary and unsafe to leave around” is an essential service. “These items bring in rodents, molds, mildews and insects. This creates more allergies which promotes sneezing, hacking and coughing, which spreads COVID-19.” Balogh was one of a number of professionals who found an opportunity to help their community while on the job. “We deliver items such as toilet paper to many of our clients that are over 80,” she said at the time. Fisk Lawnscapes, Colorado Springs, also offered to deliver groceries or other necessities to clients at risk or with small children at home who might otherwise have difficulty getting supplies. They had a few clients accept the offer, and crews brought the items when they arrived to provide services.
Keeping busy by getting creative with services
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t Mountain Roots in Frisco, owner Alyse Piburn earns money outside the region’s short growing season by providing flowers and containers for restaurants and events. When restaurants and hotels were shut down, her services were put on hold. “I also have had 90% of weddings booked for the [2020] season, reschedule. While rescheduling is better than canceling, it means 2021 will possibly have twice as many events, and with a limited availability of dates it seems like a whole season has been lost. I had also already invested time and money into seeds and bulbs for a cutting garden. I will still plant everything, but may need to get creative with how the cut flowers are used this summer.” One creative way Piburn stayed busy was by selling seed and plant starter kits. Customers who purchased a kit also gained access to online classes for starting and maintaining edible gardens. She made enough kits that she felt would fill the need and was able to sell all of them.
Hiring displaced workers—but for how long?
Photo courtesy Designscapes Colorado
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esignscapes Colorado did not see cancelations or large scalebacks of projects despite the economic shutdown. With the arrival of much-needed H-2B workers uncertain, the labor shortage is as challenging as ever. They’ve hosted weekly job fairs—by appointment only and held outside to facilitate distancing. They have hired six to eight people each week, many of whom were laid off from jobs in the hospitality industry. “We don’t know how safety and quality of work will be with the new hires. We will learn from this as a company and an industry,” said Phil Steinhauer, CEO and owner of Designscapes. “We don’t know how much attrition we will have if people go back to their former jobs and when the weather gets a lot hotter. That’s why we want to keep our job fairs going.”
Closing out of a sense of duty
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Photos courtesy Derek Johnson Visuals
ut for some landscape company owners, concern for public health and safety left them feeling that landscape services were not essential, and they opted to suspend services for a time. One Northern Colorado company felt it was their duty to shut down for the benefit of the community. They donated their available personal protective equipment (PPE) to area healthcare facilities and chose to cease operations until the stay-at-home order could be lifted. A small gardening services company felt a duty to shut down their business temporarily despite instituting all recommended safety measures for staff in the early weeks of the crisis. Crew members often rely on public restrooms for bathroom breaks, and when employees tested positive for COVID-19 at a grocery store that crew members visited for those breaks, the company owner felt that she could not continue to operate if she was unable to provide a safe place for breaks.
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COVID-19-driven
changes in landscape design
What was front-of-mind for most designers was how and when they could serve current clients, whose designs were approved before the pandemic, as well as how to take on new projects within the constraints of the “new normal.” Part of the new normal is working from home, which holds challenges for designers with school age children who have to be home too.
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The stay-at-home summer of 2020 hose interviewed said new designs anticipate a summer spent with more time at home than in the past. With people being home more, they want more ways to enjoy their yards. What they want for their yards depended on: è Location and size of the property. è Whether homeowners had children who would also be home (if summer camps and other large group activities are cancelled, and fall schooling remains online). è Whether homeowners were expecting to continue working from home. è Size of the budget.
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Photos courtesy David Lauer Photography
During the first half of May, Colorado Green magazine talked with six Colorado companies and asked how the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders affected landscape designs for their clients. The companies are located across the state and represent different types and sizes of green industry companies.
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Ivy Street Design, Denver
Oakes Yard and Garden Design, LLC, Littleton
many were making phone calls in their yards. Or maybe they’re having their morning coffee while outside in their robe. “They are asking for green buffers and canopies for privacy and relaxation, now that they are outside in their yard more.” In early May, Ferguson says some of the projects coming in had smaller budgets. However, some clients are asking for phased designs that include future installations of higher ticket features such as outdoor kitchens. “How we do design has changed,” says Ferguson. “Our preference is to meet at the site in-person with the client. We wear masks and maintain distancing. Or we meet over Zoom [video conference] and use a 3-D satellite image program to view the property for preliminary design and then drive by to see the site.”
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Photo courtesy Ivy Street Design
an Ferguson is a landscape architect at Ivy Street Design, a design company that serves many of its clients in the Metro Denver area and works closely with a network of collaborating partners to create and install landscapes. He said that for a couple of weeks after the stay-at-home order was issued, the phones didn’t ring. Recalling new client calls from late April, Ferguson says, “Families with younger children wanted more to do outside with bored kids. Some wanted to involve children with raised beds for veggies and herbs.” Clients who are a little older and without children at home want lounging areas that are private enough so neighbors can’t see or hear them. “They want their own oasis,” Ferguson says. With more people working from home,
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olly Weinstein is owner of Oakes Yard and Garden Design, a small company offering a variety of design services and installation. Similar to Ivy Street Design, she has had many requests for enhanced privacy “from neighbors and walkers-by. They have asked for green screens, or walls or fencing.” She has also had requests for areas for children who will be home all summer. “I designed a ‘mud kitchen’ for a client. People are also asking for areas for tents and hammocks,” Weinstein says. So far, she has not seen any impact on clients’ budget for projects she is working on. Not much has changed in the design process when working with repeat clients. “We meet in person, as before, but we maintain proper distancing,” she says. “With new clients, they may use a video app in their yard, or we use Google Earth for a satellite view, before I see the actual property.” Weinstein says she has more requests than usual for DIY (do-it-yourself) designs. “We give them how-to instructions and a shopping list as well,” Weinstein says. Oakes Yard and Garden Design also does its own installation and so far this season, Weinstein has “had no issues with staffing. We hire people who want to work and have hired one or two from the restaurant industry.” At the time of this writing, the restaurant business had not yet fully reopened.
Busy Beavers Gardening, Aspen
rabella Thoyts-Beavers, head gardener, designer and co-owner at Busy Beavers Gardening does design for high-end clients. She and her employees were engaged in spring cleanup for clients in May, before the planting season begins, which is usually June in Aspen. The challenge at the time of this writing is that
spring cleanup is taking longer than usual as they followed the Pitkin County safety and operations guidelines with crews. “We are going ahead with all projects on the books,” Thoyts-Beavers says. “And design for new projects is on the increase. No holds barred! Seems to be business as usual. Customers want to know if we are OK.
They are asking, ‘Are you ready? When can you start?’” She notes that people in the community are not as concerned about businesses that do their work outside. Though, “clients may not want their kids outside when we are there, due to social distancing, and ask us to call ahead.” July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Rendering courtesy Lindgren Landscape
Designscapes Colorado, Centennial
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Lindgren Landscape, Fort Collins
eorgia Perry is a senior designer at Lindgren Landscape, a design/build company in Fort Collins serving mostly mid to high-end residential clients. Perry echoed what some other designers said about phone calls stopping for two to three weeks in March and April. When calls picked up for new projects, she said, “There was lots of interest in having the yard look better—sprucing it up—and improving the outdoor space. They want enhancements but some are hesitant to start on larger projects. Major overhauls are in a holding pattern.” Most of Lindgren’s new projects are coming from repeat clients or referrals. Since clients are using their yards more, they want to “fill in spots in their landscapes” according to Perry. “They may be phasing a landscape plan that has already been designed or adding features they now want, such as lighting.” She has not seen an increase in requests for children’s areas, saying “We have always considered use for family
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Hiner Outdoor Living, Colorado Springs
att Hiner, owner, Hiner Outdoor Living, Colorado Springs, says his company is seeing two types of clients—the cautious who are hesitate to commit to new projects, which tend to be smaller, and the affluent clients who are excited about their yards because they spending more time in them since they are not traveling now. Design requests from affluent clients have not changed much. “They still want expanded patios, water features, fire features and
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needs in our designs that provide areas for children to interact with the landscape. We have designed gardens, trampolines, chicken coops, and logs and boulders for climbing.” Perry also says that clients have to understand the delay in services caused by the pandemic. Things have slowed down as the company makes changes in order to operate safely. This goes for installation of projects already scheduled as well as the design and installation of new projects. The company is getting the people it needs in the field but has reduced the numbers of people per crew. “With smaller crews, projects are taking longer and we need more supervisors. So far people have stepped up to fill the gaps. The design process with clients is drawn out too [because meeting with clients and visiting the properties is drawn out] and so far, they are understanding.” Perry wants people to enjoy their yards and recommends that they continue to plan projects because the economy will rebound eventually.
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hil Steinhauer, landscape architect, is CEO and at Designscapes Colorado, for which most projects are highend. They too, are moving forward with projects on the books. Steinhauer said in early May that the company hasn’t seen big changes in budgets or design, though the phone wasn’t ringing as much. He thinks this is because there is still “uncertainty about when this [the pandemic and its economic impact] will be over. I’m surprised we haven’t had more cancellations” with current installations. “Schedules for installation have been delayed and clients have been patient.” What appears most important for Steinhauer now, is ensuring the company has the workforce for the jobs they are working on. “We are used to having H-2B workers but it’s uncertain. We are doing weekly job fairs and hiring each week. Many hires are coming from hospitality or restaurants.” He points to several areas of uncertainty such as, not knowing how the production schedule will be impacted, not knowing how the safety of employees and the quality of work will be impacted, and how much attrition will occur if displaced workers are invited back to their pre-pandemic jobs.
outdoor kitchens,” says Hiner. “They want their properties to be more resort-like.” A challenge for Hiner’s company is these clients want the new landscape as soon as possible. “They have a sense of urgency and want to start now. We are booked on installs until July from projects on the books. One of our new projects, which includes a big pond, is booked for August. We have to be careful about talking to customers about installation timing.”
In contrast, the cautious customers with smaller projects are “more dollar conscious,” and Hiner says they have lost a few small projects to lower bids. Hiner Outdoor Living has a retail component, and “we’re seeing more DIYers at our retail store who are willing to put in the ‘sweat equity’ for their own installations. We don’t do design for DIY people. We want the installation projects. If they ask for design, we will recommend another design company.” | CG
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Top Plant Picks: CSU Research
Landscape pros: Why aren’t you using these recommended trees?
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r. James Klett at Colorado State University (CSU) wants you to think again about using some of the trees featured here. He says many landscape companies are not yet using them—but they should. The seven trees presented below have shown they are adaptable to Colorado conditions based on CSU’s woody plant evaluations, and they are available at local nurseries. These columnar and fastigiate trees provide more options to enjoy the beauty and environmental benefits of trees that fit into smaller land-
Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ (Frans Fontaine Hornbeam)
Fagus sylvatica ‘Fastigiata’ (Dawyck) — Upright European Beech
Ginkgo biloba ‘Princeton Sentry’ — Princeton Sentry® Ginkgo
Tips and Tricks:
Tips and Tricks: This seedless,
This beech clone has a narrow columnar or fastigiate shape maturing to about 40 feet in height and 12-15 feet in width. Its summer foliage is dark green turning to a golden-brown color in fall.
This clone has a very narrow form with a slender pyramidal crown. It grows to about 35 feet tall and about 12-15 feet wide, and has bright green summer foliage with a golden-yellow fall color.
Photos courtesy CSU
This narrow columnar clone has dark green foliage during the summer that turns an outstanding yellow in the fall. It matures to about 30-35 feet in height with a width of 10-15 feet.
scapes. Generally, these trees have widths that are, at most, onehalf their mature height. Importantly, these trees also provide the increased diversity recommended to maintain sustainable landscapes and avoid high death tolls of mature trees to disease and insect infestations, such as what we have seen with the Emerald Ash Borer. Experts say that no single species should comprise more than 10% of the planted trees growing in an urban or community setting. | CG
Tips and Tricks: The fastigiate form is maintained with maturity and it appears to be narrowest of the hornbeam cultivars.
Zone 4-5
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The deep green foliage and the tightness of its fastigiate form make this one of the more striking columnar trees.
Zone 5
male selection is quite adaptable and nearly pest free. It has proven to be a good urban tree.
Zone 4
Top Plant Picks: CSU Research
LEGEND Full sun
Useful for containers
Adapts to part shade
Xeric
Prefers shadier conditions
Requires moisture Requires more moisture Contributed by James E. Klett, Ph.D., professor and extension horticulturist, Colorado State University, department of horticulture and landscape architecture.
Pyrus calleryana ‘Glen’s Form’ — Chanticleer® Pear
Koelreuteria paniculata ‘Fastigiata’ — Columnar Goldenrain tree
This upright, narrowly pyramidal tree is suitable for street plantings. It grows to 35-40 feet in height and 12-15 feet in width with glossy green foliage that turns reddish in the winter. Flowers are pink to white in early spring with insignificant small fruit in late summer to fall.
Quercus robur x bicolor ‘Long’ — Regal Prince® Oak
The columnar tree is a hybrid of white oak and columnar English Oak. Its blue-green foliage turns rusty-red in fall. Crimson Spire grows to 40-45 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide.
An adaptable hybrid between columnar English Oak and swamp white oak, this tree is noted for excellent columnar form. It can grow to 40-45 feet in height and 15-18 feet in width with glossy bright green foliage in summer turning yellow in fall.
Tips and Tricks: White oak
Tips and Tricks:
Photos courtesy CSU
The fastigiate growth habit results in a tightly upright narrow tree of small to medium size. It grows about 2025 feet in height and 10 feet in width with pinnately compound green leaves that turn yellow in fall.
Quercus robur x alba ‘Crimschmidt’ — Crimson Spire™ Oak
Tips and Tricks:
Bright yellow flowers add color in midsummer.
Zone 5-6
Tips and Tricks: It is resis-
tant to fire blight and much less susceptible to wind breakage than Bradford Pear.
Zone 4
parentage provides dark green mildew-resistant foliage as well as reddish fall color.
Zone 4
The glossy, clean and bright green leaves are mildew resistant.
Zone 4
July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Top Plant Picks: Plant Select®
Photos courtesy Ross Shrigley
Slow-growing evergreen Mountain Lover charms year-round
M
ountain Lover (Paxistima canbyi) is an understated, low-maintenance evergreen plant that provides steadfast summer texture and beautiful winter interest. A superb companion plant, Mountain Lover is content to let other plants have the spotlight in a summer garden. It offers choice framework to showcase spring-blooming species or colorful groundcovers, or could be used in formal herb knot gardens. In winter-interest gardens, the plant’s evergreen displays punctuate gardens full of grasses and deciduous shrubs. Use Mountain Love to naturalize and soften areas at the base of deciduous trees or in the challenging and often unsightly canopy drip line of spruces and pines. Mountain Lover is a compact, broadleaf, evergreen woody shrub with small one-inch leaves that are nestled tightly on the stems. Leaves are slightly fleshy and sedum-like to touch and have interesting, coarse, serrated edges. The plant’s fresh light green leaves emerge from the tips of the branches in May, turning to dark lustrous green in summer. It
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tolerates Colorado soils with moderate watering and does well in full sun or part shade. Planting it in full sun encourages a more purplish appearance throughout the winter. Mountain Lover may look delicate, as if it needs protection from fluctuating weather extremes, but it does not. Paxistima canbyi is well suited for all urban landscapes, and its gentle character will win you over. Get ready to fall in love with this North American native selection originating in the Appalachian Mountains. Choose this plant to enhance your garden with more beauty and less work. | CG Size: 8-12” tall x 15–20” wide Flowers: inconspicuous flowers in April Leaves: lustrous dark green leaves in summer with tints of purple in winter Form: compact broadleaf evergreen woody shrub Light: full sun to part shade Culture: clay, loam soil Hardiness: USDA Zones 4-9
Design/Maintenance tips 1. Shaping is rarely needed for this very low-maintenance plant. If it crawls over a sidewalk trim it back in the spring. 2. A slow grower—plant closer together for faster fill. 3. Substitute for Plant Select manzanitas in areas where space is limited. 4. Use with companion plants including Kannah Creek® buckwheat, Snowmass veronica and Moroccan Pincushion. —Contributed by Ross Shrigley and Emily Goldman for Plant Select®
Learn more at www.plantselect.org
Ad Index 2M Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 www.2Mco.com Alameda Wholesale Nursery, Inc. . . . . 45 www.alamedawholesale.com Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 www.alcc.com Bobcat of the Rockies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.bobcatoftherockies.com Botany Lane Greenhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.botanylane.com Colorado Materials, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.coloradomaterialsinc.com CPS Distributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 www.cpsdistributors.com DWF Grower Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 www.dwfwholesale.com Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply . . 2-3 www.ewingirrigation.com Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery . . . . . . 16 www.ftcollinswholesalenursery.com Harding Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 www.hardingnursery.com Honnen Equipment Company . . . . . . . 31 www.honnen.com Hunter Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC www.hunter.direct/x2 LL Johnson Distributing Co. . . . . 7, 33, 41 www.lljohnson.com Pioneer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.pioneerco.com Potestio Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 www.pbequip.com Siloam Stone, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 www.siloamstone.com SiteOne Landscape Supply . . . . . . . . . . 12 www.siteone.com Stevens Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.stevenscorp.com Wagner Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC www.wagnerequipment.com/UTV July/August 2020 Colorado Green
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Three Questions
Golub found beauty and opportunity in Western Colorado Lesley Golub has served ALCC for more than 20 years. As she transitions from her position as ALCC’s Western Chapter Executive to serve the organization in a less-formal capacity, Colorado Green posed three questions to help Golub reflect on her time on with ALCC and to learn what she loves about living in Colorado.
Get to know
Lesley Golub Former Western Chapter Executive, ALCC
1
How did you find your way into a career with ALCC?
After working as an English teacher in the Middle East for many years, I settled in Colorado and in 1997, I received my master gardener certification from Mesa County Extension. Shortly after, I was interviewed and hired by the ALCC-Western Chapter Board and my first week on the job was at ProGreen in January 1998. All of the skills I had as a teacher, including organization, leadership, administration and flexibility transitioned well to my new career with ALCC.
2
What do you get from your involvement with ALCC?
3
What is your favorite Colorado landscape to visit?
Photos courtesy Lesley Golub
Being involved with ALCC has encouraged me to stay relevant in an economy that keeps evolving. And being part of a team, sharing information, overcoming challenges, collaborating on projects and gaining new insights has also given me the opportunity to be a part of the many accomplishments ALCC has achieved over the years.
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I live in a rural farm/ranch area close to the extensive system of trails in the Colorado National Monument and the scenic Kokopelli Trail in the National Conservation Area. Within minutes I can be hiking among the slickrock and pinyon pines. | CG
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