The Landscape Contractor magazine AUG.24 DIGITAL EDITION by Association Publishing Partners

Landscape Pauses

The Next Big Thing

Photo Credits

CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS

ILCA Awards Committee 1, 8-9

Rick Reuland 10

Vallari Talapatra 18-24

ILCA Tree Panel 24-34

Goundcovers 42-46

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 65, Number 8. 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

ILCA Staff

Executive Director

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

Statewide Director of Development

Kellie Schmidt kschmidt@ilca.net

Director of Events

AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@ilca.net

Education Manager Melissa Custic mcustic@ilca.net

Office Manager Alycia Nagy anagy@ilca.net

Membership & Marketing Manager Marissa Stubler mstubler@ilca.net

2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150 www.ilca.net

Magazine Staff

Rick Reuland

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

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

Meta Levin Feature Writer meta.levin@comcast.net

Nina Koziol Feature Writer n.koziol@att.net

Heather Prince Feature Writer princeht@sbcglobal.net

Patrice Peltier Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net

Becke Davis EditorialAssistant

August 8, 2024

The Morton Arboretum Lisle, IL

August 22, 2024

Landscape Design Unplugged Wild Onion Brewery Lake Barrington, IL

September 11, 2024

Turf Education Day (TED) NIU Naperville Naperville, IL

September 19, 2024

Growers Tour

Multiple Locations in Northern Illinois

September 26, 2024

Golf Outing

Village Links of Glen Ellyn Glen Ellyn, IL

September 27-28, 2024

LIFT: The Landscape Professional Summit for Women

Eaglewood Resort & Spa

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam

Where the deer and the antelope play

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word

And the skies are not cloudy all day

“Home, Home on the Range” – American folk song

In July, my family traveled to Yellowstone National Park to celebrate my Mother-in-law’s 80th birthday. My in-laws are former RVers and she wanted to spend this momentous occasion sharing her love of Yellowstone with the rest of the family. My family also tacked on two days at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. This meant we had six straight days barreling through the roads, trails, highways, and bi-ways of the most beautiful backcountry in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.

Touring Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons isn’t really a vacation. Vacations involve beaches, swimming pools, cabanas, and drinks with umbrellas. National Parks are adventures. There are no easy days in a National Park. In order to see some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, us weary travelers have to earn them. Yellowstone is much more crowded than the Grand Tetons and even driving into the park can take 20-30 minutes to clear the gate. Once inside, the park splinters into a spider web of two-lane highways that take you across a landscape the size of Switzerland. Beyond the roads there are massive swaths of the park totally inaccessible to cars. Those pockets are for only the most skilled hikers and campers. The rest of us stick to the roads to test the heart, willpower, and resolve of our families. And, make no mistake, you will be tested.

From Where I Stand — Buffalo

ospreys, herons, black bears, coyotes, pronghorns, moose, elk, deer, trout, muskrats, beavers, foxes, and, the star of Yellowstone — the American bison. The first time you see a bison up close is life changing. It is a moment you slam on the brakes, throw on your hazards, roll down your window, and incorrectly shout “Look, a buffalo” (buffalo are native to Asia and Africa, bison to the American West).

Bison are gorgeous creatures. They just don’t give AF. They pensively strut around the park totally uninterested in anything but their next munch of grass. Tourists stand, gawk, and snap photos while these gentle giants amble about. One day, our car got stuck in a 35-minute bison jam due to a stubborn one who would not leave the highway. Every mile in Yellowstone is a spot to capture a fleeting moment of wildlife enjoying their surroundings.

Wings

In short, most of the landscape of Yellowstone consists of beautiful mountains and forests, roaring rivers, placid lakes, and rolling valleys. The other part of Yellowstone features bizarre geologic features plucked from an episode of Lost in Space. Yellowstone has geothermal features such as calderas, geysers, canyons, hot springs, lava flows, steam vents, fossilized forests, piping mud pots, and steaming pools that stink of sulfur. Old Faithful is the star of the show throwing a blast of steaming hot water 18 stories into the air every 44 minutes for the past 135 years.

Yellowstone has very little cell service. This news will come as a crippling shock to any park attendees under the age of 18. There will be no texts, music, movies, YouTube, Insta, Tik Tok, Snap, or any other lifeline to their known world. Kids have two choicesconverse or stare out the window. The best strategy is a mixture of both.

Look, my kids love waterfalls and stinky springs as much as the next guy, but they have their limits. Kids have to walk across miles of wooden planks to arrive at a spring of the clearest, bluest water one can imagine. The only problem is they can’t drink it, it smells like eggs, and if they touch it could liquefy their skin in a matter of seconds. On a 94-degree July day, it’s a new kind of torture. Yellowstone is an adventure with long car trips, no wifi, bagged sandwich lunches, hot temperatures, traffic jams, long hikes, and horseflies the size of fruit bats. So, how in the world did my kids come home loving it? One word — wildlife.

Yellowstone is a gigantic game preserve with no fences or rules. On our short trip my family encountered a grizzly bear, eagles,

Hiking is taken up a notch when the threat of a bear paw hides behind every corner. The first time I ever heard about bear spray I laughed thinking it sounded like something Wile E. Coyote would have been tricked into buying from Acme. Now, I don’t dare hike without it. I’m smart enough not to approach a deer or a moose and I told my family we would not make national news because we tried to ride a bison. Yellowstone tricks you into thinking you are one with the animal kingdom. In reality, they are the ones who are always in control.

Once we return home, our love affair with wildlife ends. In our own landscapes, we embrace our inner Elmer Fudd and go back to hating-on every varmint who messes with our plants. Chipmunks, deer, rabbits, squirrels, and voles shred our plants like a horde of hungry vegans. Moles damage root systems and tunnel under garden beds. Skunks, the most unwelcome backyard guest of all, can decimate a yard during just one wild grub bender. Coyotes don’t hurt landscapes, but are met with the same hysteria as a serial killer lurking in the woods. All of these critters drive our dogs insane and some will be dropped dead on the kitchen floor by proud house cats. My wife’s vegetable garden has the vitality of a litter box after the chipmunks and squirrels wiped us out this year.

Landscape professionals are the game wardens of our home landscapes. They work with homeowners to keep critters from destroying our plants. Desperate times call for desperate measures including repellants, allium, salvia, lavender, coyote pee, fencing, ultrasonic sensors, hot spices, coffee grounds, moth balls, and chickenwire. Some of us enjoy a little melodrama with the “bucket of death” that requires chipmunks to walk a wooden plank before facing a watery grave at the bottom of a Home Depot bucket. Serves ‘em right.

So are we just a bunch of NIMBYs when it comes to local wildlife? Can we only enjoy wildlife when it’s safely tucked away behind zoo bars or car windows? There is a solution to combining the awe of Yellowstone with the care of our landscapes. We just need to look to the skies.

The Covid-19 pandemic resurrected a love affair with observing wildlife in our landscapes, it just so happened to be birds. Ornithologist is the scientific name for those who study birds, but most amateurs prefer to be called birders or twitchers. For decades, bird watching was like feeding pigeons - it was a hobby enjoyed by senior citizens looking to pass the time. People in khaki vests would shuffle around forest preserves with comically large cameras and binoculars. They’d scribble some notes on a note pad or make some

strange warbling noise with their hands. It seemed best to leave them alone.

Birding cratered in popularity. In 1980, only 12% of the US population claimed to have observed birds as a hobby. Today, the number of Americans who watch birds is 96 million people or 35% of the American population. So what happened?

The pandemic helped, but birding has been growing in popularity since the 1990s and really hit its stride in the 2000s. It has been aided by three main phenomenon — an interest in conservation, the internet, and technology.

First, there has been a growing interest in conservation and the age of those conservationists is dropping. For the first time in decades, the age of birders has dropped to an average of 47 years old. As communities restore green spaces they have seen bird species and birders come back with them.

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Second, the internet has normalized birding. Before the internet, hobbyists had no one to share their discoveries and locations with. Online communities have sprung up among birders and Instagram has normalized the once quirky hobby. These birding communities have created their own syntax where, “I used my bins to spot some butter-buts but a loud Dude made me dip-out” makes perfect sense to them.

Lastly, technology has made birding easier than ever. Camera phones have 24 megapixels. Tracking apps are plentiful and can both pinpoint and catalog observed birds. The popular app Merlin helps identify birds by a photo or bird call. In 2024, Merlin doubled its downloads from the previous year and reached its milestone of the 50 millionth bird photo added to its library. Birding is not going anywhere.

Encouraging mammalian wildlife to visit a residential backyard is a dangerous game for landscape professionals. Most of the industry’s efforts are about keeping them out. As inspiring as it is to open the blinds and see a deer, they simply cause too much damage. We are unwilling to turn our backyards into the backwoods of Yellowstone National Park. The wildlife-minded client should be retrained to appreciate birds and join this growing subculture.

Wild Birds Unlimited in Lisle is a great place to get some introductory knowledge and most independent garden centers sell feeders and seed. It is vital that clients splurge on their feeders. Bird feeders must be squirrel-proofed or you just create havens for unwanted critters and the coyotes who eat them. Landscape professionals should recommend (or gift) The Sibley Guide to Birds. It is the most popular birding book ever written and has guided many birders along the path.

The scenic beauty of our National Parks is incomparable, but it’s still the wildlife that dazzle us. The mountain views and river bends blur together after a while. Yet, I will never forget my first encounter with a black bear and her cubs, a bison stamping in a dusty circle, or an osprey plucking a rainbow trout from the water. We may need to trade bison for bobolinks, but these chance encounters allow our landscapes to spring to life and remind us of our small place among our enduring ecosystems.

Sincerely,

Scott Grams, Executive Director July 16, 2024

President Ashley Marrin

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

Vice-President

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

Secretary-Treasurer

Kevin McGowen Kaknes/SiteOne (630) 416-999 kevin@kaknes.com

Immediate Past President Jeff Kramer

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

Directors

Adam Bellas Bellas Landscaping (309) 827-5263 adam@bellaslandscaping.com

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

Ryan Heitman

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

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

Michael Massat The Growing Place Nursery & Flower Farm, Inc. (630) 355-4000 michaelm@thegrowingplace.com

Nikki Melin Midwest Groundcovers (847) 742-1790 nmelin@midwestgroundcovers.com

Becky Thomas Spring Grove Nursery, Inc. (815) 448-2097 bthomas@springrovenursery.com

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

www.ilca.net

President’s Message —

“If it was that easy, everyone would do it.”

— Ken, my horse trainer

Asa competitive equestrian I take several lessons each week with Ken to improve my performance. The sport is technically and physically demanding and the lessons are intended to make horse and rider a winning team. I may struggle, but each time we finish I’ve learned from the experience.

When you ride a horse you never know what might be thrown at you — just like in business every single day. In both situations there are internal and external factors that are out of our control. My job as a rider is to prepare as best as I can for those situations so I can react swiftly and gracefully when something does not go as planned — just as a manager or foreman may need to do on a job site or in the office.

Sitting atop a fast moving 1,500 pound animal and jumping over four-foot fences presents challenges. As a rider, I’m challenged to overcome fear, control frustration, focus on a technical detail, and learn to trust myself and my horse. When Ken sees my confidence waver, he reminds me that what he’s asking me to do is difficult, but he knows that I’m capable. He knows that if he can guide me through this, my horse and I will be better as a team.

We can’t advance in our work if we don’t challenge ourselves every day. To grow professionally and as individuals, we have to push ourselves beyond our comfort zone. It’s okay to struggle or fail at something, but work through it, learn from it, and be better and more prepared than you were before.

“Si fuera fácil, todo el mundo lo haría”.

— Ken, mi entrenador de caballos

Como jinete competitivo, cada semana recibo lecciones de Ken para mejorar mis habilidades. El deporte es técnica y físicamente exigente y las lecciones tienen el propósito de convertir al caballo y su jinete en un equipo ganador. Podré tener dificultades, pero siempre que termina una lección he aprendido de la experiencia.

Cuando montas a caballo, nunca sabes lo que va a ocurrir — igual que en los negocios todos los días sin excepción. En ambas situaciones hay factores internos y externos que están fuera de mi control. Mi trabajo como jinete consiste en prepararme de la mejor forma que me sea posible para esas situaciones y así poder reaccionar con rapidez y gracia cuando algo no resulte como fue planeado—como podría hacerlo un administrador o capataz en el lugar de trabajo o en la oficina.

Sentarse sobre un animal de 1,500 libras que avanza velozmente y saltar sobre vallas de cuatro pies presenta desafíos. Como jinete, debo conquistar el miedo, controlar las frustraciones, concentrarme en los detalles técnicos y aprender a confiar en mi caballo y en mí mismo. Cuando Ken advierte que mi seguridad flaquea, me recuerda que si bien lo que me pide hacer es difícil, sabe que soy capaz de hacerlo. Sabe que, si me puede guiar a través de esto, mi caballo y yo funcionaremos mejor como equipo.

No podemos avanzar en nuestro trabajo si no nos desafiamos a nosotros mismos todos los días. Para crecer profesionalmente y como individuos, debemos esforzarnos más allá de nuestra zona de confort. Está bien luchar o fracasar en algo, pero hay que trabajar en ello, aprender de ello y ser mejor y estar mejor preparado de lo que estabas antes.

Stay positive!

Ashley Marrin

Ashley Marrin

Western DuPage Landscaping, Inc • Naperville East Coast Inspired

Witha growing family, aging parents, and frequent guests, the client wanted to expand their living areas. The homeowner was able to purchase properties on either side of their home with a goal to create an “East Coast” inspired interior and outdoor living space. The biggest challenge was getting everyone to work together and complete the client’s dream spaces. The builder was focused on the structures and interiors, which consequently led to the outside project lagging behind

prior to the design build landscape company’s involvement. The landscape company was the perfect fit to lead and execute the exterior effectively and efficiently by utilizing a team approach. By doing so, the outside projects that normally would take up to a year were completed in a matter of months. Things happened fast but quality was never compromised. The result was exactly what the client wanted and expected.

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Focus — Funs Ideas for the Summer Landscape

Elegant, Edible Flowers: Growing Deliciously in the Garden

by Heather Prince

From the cheerful petals of pansies on a spring salad to the cucumber crunch of blue borage flowers in your iced tea, edible flowers give us an elegant way to incorporate plants into our everyday dishes and connect with the beauty of the garden. A world of edible flowers are at our fingertips from our trees, shrubs, perennials, and vines to our herbs, vegetables, and annual plants. We explored some traditional and unexpected culinary uses of flowers with Lisa Hilgenberg, former horticulturist at the Chicago Botanic Garden who now oversees genetics and supply for Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc.

As we work with customers, sometimes we have to sell them on our plant selections for their landscapes. Why not share a recipe or two that gives the client an instant reason to enjoy their property and find new ways to be excited to go outside and explore it? With the edible plant trend only growing in popularity, incorporating some edible flowers provides a unique way for people to use the plants they are growing and share them with their friends and family. We all love tomatoes, but have you tried nasturtiums?

“I find Rosalind Creasey, the edible landscape designer and author, to be such an incredible source of information,” notes Hilgenberg. “Her Edible Landscaping book is a terrific resource for those who want to dive into the topic. She’s been an inspiration to me on growing, harvesting, and enjoying these plants.”

Designing with Edible Flowers

Since edible flowers can be found across the plant world (see sidebar on page 17), you are likely already using them in designs from landscape beds to container gardens. To pick just one, consider the mint family including Agastache (hyssop), Pycanthemum (mountain mint), and Monarda (bee balm). These hardy perennials have flowers and leaves that are edible. Best used fresh, you can enjoy their varied spicy to floral flavors in teas and lemonades, sprinkled over salads, tossed with berries, or swirled into yogurt or ice cream. These tough perennials love the sun and tolerate a range of soil types from rocky to clay. They are also beloved by pollinators whether it’s hummingbirds in the bee balm or bumble bees in the (continued on page 14)

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Focus — Funs Ideas for the Summer Landscape

(continued from page 12) hyssop. Weave them through perennial beds for bright splashes of color or, in the case of mountain mint, subtle layering of interesting foliage.

Many perennial herbs are also dynamic plants in perennial combinations. The silvery leaves of garden sage can cool down hot colors. Creeping thyme is a foot-friendly groundcover, edge-of-the-path plant, or can be tucked between steppingstones. The airy leaves of bronze fennel can weave their purple fronds through heavier foliage to lighten vignettes. Fuzzy green oregano can spill over stone walls and rocks. The flowers of dill, fennel, oregano, basil, and coriander can all be enjoyed throughout their season. Basil may be pinched and encouraged to branch, plus, “You can eat the seeds as well,” Hilgenberg points out.

Container gardens are another wonderful place to use edible flowers. Plants can be easily accessible from a patio pot or balcony railing. They can be fillers or spillers with taller ornamental or edible plants. “I love the plants that tumble over the side of containers,” says Hilgenberg. “They are the spillers of a design and soften the edges. Think about alyssum and nasturtium that have charming edible flowers. They can be so beautiful tucked in and around a tall pepper, for instance. A pepper plant has pretty bare ankles, but placing those lovely flowers around its base is a way to hide and fill that space.” Another interesting filler plant is a Mediterranean native that

likes to be hot and dry: Dianthus caryophyllus or carnation or clove pink. “Use it in a succulent container,” recommends Hilgenberg, “as a pop of pink. It’s a very aromatic flower, with delicious fragrant flowers.”

Scented geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) make a delicious container plant for the sunny garden with their myriad flavors and lacy foliage. The finely cut foliage is topped by delicate flowers in pinks and whites, and all plant parts are edible. “Victorian women used the foliage to flavor their cakes,” observes Hilgenberg, “but you can also enjoy the flower petals in teas and lemonade. Scented geraniums can be citrusy, minty, floral, all kinds of flavors, and they can be overwintered as a houseplant.”

For the shade container or landscape bed, tuberous begonia flowers are a tasty addition. “I love to use tuberous begonia, usually in hanging baskets, but also folded into container designs,” says Hilgenberg. “People don’t think of it as an edible flower, but the petals have sort of a citrus flavor and a lovely soft texture.”

Growing, Harvesting, and Keeping

One of the first things to consider when planning for edible flowers is how they have been grown. “You don’t want to harvest flowers that have been treated or sprayed unless food-grade products have been used,” points out Hilgenberg. (continued on page 16)

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Focus — Funs Ideas for the Summer Landscape

(continued from page 14)

And organic granular fertilizers if additional nutrients are required. “Whatever you put on your plants is going to go on your plate, so thinking that through a little bit is important.”

When cutting for harvest, “I usually think of herbs as being harvested three times a season, rather than a lot of little snips here and there. You can take the top of chives off and they’ll regrow two or three times a season. Chives are so easy to do as a cut and come-again plant, just leaving enough of that top growth, about a two-to-three-inch plant, so that it can still photosynthesize.”

Many edible flowers will rebloom after a harvest, giving more opportunities to enjoy them, and some are a seasonal treat to be appreciated once a year.

From managing the edible collections at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Hilgenberg has learned that timing can be important. “I’d say about 8:00 am is the perfect time. Dew has had a chance to mostly evaporate from plants. So, you’re not harvesting wet plants, you’re picking before the day’s heat has built into the flower and dissipated the aromatic oils. I’ve found 8:00 am to be the sweet time of day to do that. Choose

flowers when they are at their peak — when the petals are fully colored and open. In general, we use the petals, pulling the flower apart and removing the stamen and pistil. Getting the timing right for harvest means that the flowers will last longer when properly stored.”

Once harvested, flowers are best used that day, although you can store them briefly. “Postharvest, long-stem plants can go into water in a cool dark place, like your kitchen pantry or basement,” recommends Hilgenberg. “For just flowers, lay them out on a damp paper towel or cloth and place in a sealed plastic bag or plastic clamshell in the refrigerator. You don’t have to necessarily place it on top of the flowers, but the damp towel means they won’t dehydrate, and they’ll keep for a few days.”

With a wealth of edible flowers to choose from, it’s easy to thread some through your designs. Delight your clients with a refreshing spin on a classic plant, introduce them to an exotic new flower, or surprise them with a fresh use. Edible flowers can be an elegant way to enjoy gardens all season long.

Sweet Woodruff Shungiku/Chrysanthemum

Agastache (hyssop)

Ten Sure-fire Edibles for Your Next Garden

Hilgenberg has many suggestions for edible flowers from trees to annuals. As you dive into the world of edible blooms, there are many plants whose blossoms can be enjoyed. We discussed some particular favorites and included her notes on use. As with any edible plant, please be mindful of potential allergic reactions.

1. Redbud (Cercis canadensis). The flowers of redbud have long been enjoyed by Native Americans and foragers. “It’s a beautiful little flower in the spring on such a lovely understory tree. Just gorgeous!” The fresh pea-like flavor can be enjoyed on salads, yogurt, or added to smoothies.

2. Lilac (Syringa spp.) A classic heirloom shrub, lilac flowers can be enjoyed fresh on salads or desserts and even made into wine. “They taste a bit like tart apple.”

3. Roses. Rose petals have traditionally been used to flavor pastries and candies but may also be enjoyed fresh. “I have wonderful memories of my grandmother making soap and facial products from her roses. She preferred the oldfashioned, deeply scented ones.”

4. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) A traditional spreading perennial groundcover for the shade, sweet woodruff foliage has been used as a tonic flavoring for centuries and is a key ingredient in the Alsatian tonic, Maitrank. The tiny starry-white flowers are also edible and “They have a beautiful grassy vanilla flavor,” Hilgenberg says.

5. Allium ‘Chivette’. A perennial introduction from Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc., ‘Chivette’ can be treated like traditional chives in the edible garden or as an ornamental in landscape beds. Its mostly sterile flowers bring a bright oniony crunch to salads and stir-fries. “You can harvest the foliage, too, or treat it as a cut and come-again plant in the perennial border.”

6. Lavandula ‘Sensational’. Lavender flowers are versatile additions to a huge range of dishes and drinks. “Sensational overwinters very well in the Chicago area as it tolerates our soils and humidity better. Plus, it has larger flowers and a more compact shape.”

7. Shungiku/Chrysanthemum (Glebionis coronaria). “A very common plant for stir-fry from Asia, it’s also known as garland mum. At about 36 to 42 inches, you can pinch it to keep it more compact and use the flowers and leaves in your cooking.” Traditionally also added to salads, the petals are made into a fragrant pickle called kikumi in Japan.

8. Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa). Although known for their fruit, the botanic name of strawberries refers to their pineapple scent. The flowers of garden strawberries are edible. “Many people grow strawberries as annuals, but they are perennials, and you can eat the flowers. I think they’re a beautiful addition to a bowl of fresh berries.” Strawberries can be an interesting, rapidly spreading groundcover in a sunny spot.

9. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile). Used for centuries in teas, Matricaria chamomilla is an annual plant in the Northeast, while Chamaemelum nobile is perennial. “The flowers have a sort of sweet apple flavor and fragrance.” With delicate ferny foliage and white daisy flowers, plant chamomile in a sunny well-drained spot at the edges of beds and borders.

10. English daisy (Bellis spp.) A charming cottage annual flower for spring containers, English daisy can also grace the plate. “Try using the petals in an English pea soup or sprinkled in a spring salad with pea tendrils for a lovely treat.”

Red bud

Lilac blossoms

Rose petals

Creating Pause in the Landscape

by Heather Prince

How do we create those precious moments of pause for ourselves and our clients in the hustle and tumble of everyday life? As designers, gardeners, architects, and horticulturists, connecting people to plants and the natural world is something we do every day in every season. By using design techniques, you can build moments of mindfulness into your gardens, rewarding your clients with new perspectives on their spaces and their piece of the planet. Vallari Talapatra, President and Landscape Architect of Eco Scapes, Inc. shared her process of designing and creating pause spots at InVigorateU and we caught up with her to explore further what it means to stop, breathe, and connect.

“One of the things that really matters to me is to be attentive. I use the word ‘mindful’ all the time. When you’re mindful, you’re present, and it makes you more centered and grounded. I feel that the onus is upon me to slow my clients down. I call them pause spots, because it’s a place to pause, reflect, and be mindful, even if it’s only for a few moments in the day.”

Designing for Pauses

One of the key elements Talapatra believes makes for well-crafted design is strong geometry. A garden that responds to the geometry and forms of the home and land naturally feels cohesive and seamless. Into these strong forms,

Talapatra builds in accent spots. “For example, in the bend of a curve you can place a bench. In a square motif, you can build out a side for a sitting space. It’s an opportunity to create something extra, something a little bit more. You slip in these opportunities.”

One example from her practice was a dry creek bed built for a client who was dealing with flooding. Within the stones of the creek bed, Talapatra incorporated larger rocks and boulders to invite the clients into the space. “I designed spots with some outcroppings of stones where you can sit down along the dry creek and a little flagstone seating area,” recalled Talapatra. “You can sneak (continued on page 20)

Special Feature —

(continued from page 18)

these small elements in like a front yard water feature or bench. But it doesn’t just have to be hardscape. I’ve done this within trails and expanded the trail to feature an accent tree like a Japanese maple. Sometimes I have my clients go out and pick their favorite rocks and they don’t even know where it’s going in. I give them a little surprise and they can just be walking along the trail and find this Aha! moment. I also find ways to integrate that same type of stone, say a granite boulder. I’ll use the same granite boulders in various other spots so that there is some unity and repetition. I like to stick to the key principles of unity, order, and rhythm.” Talapatra also likes to use art in the garden. She’ll give her clients a mission to find a piece they love from local art fairs or markets. It makes their landscapes very personal and gives them a reason to go outdoors to enjoy the piece.

Once she has determined her forms and layout, Talapatra dives into material composition. What will the path be made of? Should the patio be concrete, pavers, or flagstone? An easy way to slow people down in a landscape is to change the materials underfoot. Add some large flagstones to a mulch trail to encourage someone to stop and then plant something to catch their eye, even if it’s a fleeting spring bulb. That small pause spot then becomes a destination in spring. “The trick is to make it enticing,” observed Talapatra. “Make it interesting and exciting to experience.”

The patterns in paving choices can also signal transitions and pauses. “The material change with what you’re walking on is really important,” said Talapatra. “Also, I will sometimes change the pattern of what’s underfoot. I’ll design a circular pause point with a radial pattern, whereas the actual walkway could be a herringbone or running bond. Another technique is to alter the size of your materials. For example, small cobblestones might line a walkway. As you come to the pause point, I’ll switch it up and go with bigger accent boulders that might invite you to take a seat. You can also alternate colors so if you have a dark walkway with a lighter edging your pause spot would be the reverse.”

Delighting the Client

How do clients react to these pause points? “Unanimously, I’d say they love them!” enthused Talapatra. Of course, there are inevitably some questions as you build the design and determine the budget. “I had a client where the wife loved to read, so I designed a special reading nook for her. The husband was hesitant about incorporating that due to budget constraints. I was able to justify it by locating it under a tree where the grass didn’t grow well. I had a curvilinear design with large, sweeping 12 feet deep beds. I needed to create access into those beds, so why not a pathway coming through it that can also have a pause spot which doubles up to be a reading spot?”

(continued on page 22)

Special Feature —

(continued from page 20)

For some projects, Talapatra uses pause moments to change perspective. “From the patio, I’ll take you out into the rest of the backyard and give you a pause spot in the far end or the edges of the yard. It completely changes the perspective and gives them an unexpected vista. Sometimes I’ll use borrowed views like the neighbor’s huge, beautiful oak that the client may not even know is there. You are orienting them to see something that they never did before. I also consider how to get to that destination. Cohesiveness and unity are extremely important in a garden. I don’t like it to look chaotic. I choose materials that flow with the design and are not too shocking or too different.”

(continued on page 24)

Special Feature —

(continued from page 22)

Talapatra firmly believes in following the mechanics of design and being deliberate about the steps. She has found that it keeps her designs cohesive and provides a way to create deeply personal spaces for each client. Designing pause spots has also allowed her to stop and absorb a landscape for herself. “I try to stop and appreciate, even if it’s a leaf that has an interesting venation pattern. To marvel at a unique leaf and look up at the branches above and notice the same fractal geometry in the trees above is very special. The most overarching theme for me is the joy of watching the magic of nature. That’s what I want to bring to my clients and that’s the reason I love designing landscapes.”

ILCA Tree Panel — The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing

Our tree panelists share what’s up and coming

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”

— Chinese proverb

by Nina A.

Koziol

It’s a given that woody plants need more time than perennials to make it to market. But, unlike trendy perennials, which come and go —replaced quickly by better varieties or simply disappearing because they’re no longer in fashion — woodies stick around.

We put together a tree panel to find out what’s hot and where the demand is headed. Our panelists are Ryan Doty, owner, Doty Nurseries in Huntley, Ill., Tom Kadolph, vice president, Cedar Path Nurseries in Homer Glen, Ill., Tim Wood, product development/marketing manager, Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Mich.; and Jamie Thomas, co-owner, Spring Grove Nursery, Mazon, Ill.

What’s driving your sales and inventory?

“Smaller landscapes and boutique garden designers,” Kadolph said. “In small spaces you can’t have a tree with a 60-foot crown like a bur oak. And everyone wants an oak, but they don’t always have the space, so the columnar oaks have really helped that.” Regal Prince Oak, Armstrong Gold Maple and Slender

Silhouette Sweet Gum are some of the native trees that are getting snapped up for municipal and residential projects, But Kadolph doesn’t necessarily buy into every new introduction. “We’re a big grower and wholesaler and having plants that are number one in the market is big—you have to have things that work. But, having a great mix and having something new is important. The landscape architect world drives some of that.”

According to Thomas, many of his sales are driven by municipal foresters. “A lot of what they’re looking for are native trees with an improved selection— smaller, better branching structure, more disease and drought resistance. We sell more columnar trees than we ever have.” And it’s not just city projects. “The spaces are tighter and people’s back yards are smaller. They put up a fence so they don’t see the neighbors, but now they need something to hide the fence.” One of his favorites is Kindred Spirit oak. “It stays only 6-feet wide and the tightness lends itself to designs that have a particular corner where you need an exclamation. We like the way the foliage is crisp and clean — it’s all in the consistency.”

(continued on page 28)

Slender Silhouette Sweetgum

We are the premier shade tree grower in the Chicagoland area with of 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock .

Cedar Path Nurseries has two conveniently located sales yards, Lockport and Barrington, to better serve our clients.

We are the premier shade tree grower in the Chicagoland area with 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock.

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

We are the premier shade tree grower in the Chicagoland area with of 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock .

Cedar Path Nurseries is conveniently located in Lockport to serve our clients.

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

Cedar Path Nurseries has two conveniently located sales yards, Lockport and Barrington, to better serve our clients.

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

Cedar Path Nurseries carries a full line of B&B trees and shrubs, container shrubs, perennials and ground covers. We are, not only your one-stop shop, but we are also sourcing experts. We look forward to assisting on your next project.

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

ILCA Tree Panel — The Next Big Thing

(continued from page 26)

At Spring Meadow Nursery, Wood says, “We started a tree program and those plants are becoming available— trees take longer to get to market. There are some things that are quite interesting.” One replacement for Prairifire Crab, which has shown susceptibility to apple scab, is Showtime crabapple. “It’s just a real show stopper—a rich, vibrant pink, one of the strongest flowering trees I’ve ever seen. We’ve not had any issues with apple scab and it’s a really standout plant.”

What replacements are there for ornamental pears?

Ruby Dayze is another rising crabapple. “With the Chanticleer Pear being used less and less in the landscape we are seeing an increased use in crabapple trees to fill that void,” Doty said. “We are constantly looking for solid performers in the landscape that check all the boxes: nice flowers, interesting fruit, and

clean foliage through the season. This tree is looking like it will be a winner in all categories, plus it has a narrower upright form that is also in demand by our customers.” Doty started planting this new crabapple at the nursery in 2023 and plans to have them available soon.

“My favorite ornamental right now is Gladiator crabapple,” Thomas said. “I like it because it’s 20 by 9 feet and stays narrow—an upright oval—the foliage is

purple and holds its leave all summer. It has superior branching structure and I haven’t seen any problems.”

What’s trending with small ornamentals?

“The other tree that is gaining interest is a Cercis canadensis ‘Midnight Express’—a purple leaf redbud variety,” Wood said. “It’s very good in holding its color for the whole season and it’s just a really strong growing plant. We’re all impatient for plants to grow, especially trees, but they’ll get to a good size very quickly. It’s very nice and I think people are going to enjoy it.”

“Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) has good fall color and a unique leaf,” Kadolph said. “I don’t think all landscapers know its color, texture, rolling and peeling bark.” This underused but distinctive tree can reach 20 to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide and offers four-season interest with its cinnamon-colored bark. (continued on page 30)

Ruby Dayze crabapple

ILCA Tree Panel — The Next Big Thing

(continued from page 28)

A smaller tree from Spring Meadow’s breeding program, Heptacodium ‘Temple of Bloom,’ was selected for its heavy flowering in late summer-early fall when there’s not much flowering in the woody world. “When it’s done flowering it comes out with bright red bracts,” Wood said. “That’s really the main show of the plant. It used to be that when we grew Heptacodium, most of the genetics came from the Arnold Arboretum and the plants often got frosted and the bracts were lighter pink. This one forms its bracts earlier and the flowers and bracts are extra big and extra showy. I’d train it up so you could see the bark. It’s in the 20-foot range at maturity.”

How about natives?

“I think Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam) is underused, but I just know that in the right place, that tree is stunning at all times,” Thomas said. “It’s always green, red in the fall and has a great bark. Sometimes when we’re looking at new varieties, we often like the straight species better when they are side-by-side—it’s a consistent red fall color and it’s got that rippled bark—a four-season tree.”

“Majestic Black Gum is a winner,” Doty said. “This one takes its time, about 5 years to get to a 2-inch salable size for us, but it’s worth the wait. The tree has nice, clean glossy foliage, but come fall it is a show stopper with brilliant orange, red, and purple fall color. Plus the fall color foliage lasts for a good portion of the season too as an added bonus, and like most Nyssa sylvatica it can tolerate a variety of soil and light conditions. We started planting them in 2018, so they have been around a little while, but good things take time.”

(continued on page 32)

Heptacodium ‘Temple of Bloom’

Slender Silhouette Sweetgum

ILCA Tree Panel — The Next Big Thing

(continued from page 30) What’s coming down the road?

Watch for more cylindrical, upright tree cultivars. “It started with Chicago — Oak Street and Michigan Avenue medians — with designers using Kindred Spirit or Regal Prince oaks,” Kadoph said. “And, with Emerald Ash Borer, arborists are moving away from big canopied trees because there’s a maintenance issue.” And not new, but sought after — natives. “What’s old is new again — tulip trees are popular.” You can see a 50-year-old specimen at the nursery.

For Doty, it’s Red Sentinel maple (Acer rubrum ‘WW Warren’). “We have long looked for a columnar maple that has a true consistent red fall color year to year, and I’m excited about this new plant introduced by J. Frank Schmidt The columnar habit is a feature that we see heavy demand for all the time in smaller residential lots and parkway areas. We started planting this tree in our fields this year and should have a 2-inch tree to market in three years if all goes well.”

(continued on page 34)

Slender Silhouette Sweetgum

Starlight Crabapple

Regal Prince Oak Red Sentinel Maple

Carpinus caroliniana, Musclewood

ILCA Tree Panel — The Next Big Thing

(continued from page 32)

Other Trees Trending Upward

• American Dream Oak—A swamp white oak with a distinctive pyramidal form and a 50 x 40 foot spread.

• Armstrong Gold Columnar Red Maple—Elegant and formal, looks like it was sheared into a tight elliptical shape. Stunning fall color.

• Monumental Planetree—Highly disease resistant cultivar with clean green foliage that turns yellow in fall.

• Regal Prince Oak—Notable for excellent columnar form, it’s a cross between swamp white oak and the columnar English oak.

• Raspberry Spear Crabapple—An upright columnar crab with clean, disease-free summer foliage that holds its dark purple color.

Monmental Planetree

Regal Prince Oak Raspberry Spear Crabapple

American Dream Oak

Armstrong Gold Columnar Red Maple

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The Boss Snowrator family of sidewalk solutions is the most versatile, powerful collection of snow removal equipment. Small enough for sidewalks & driveways, but large enough for parking lots.

ILCA Tree Panel — The Next Big Thing

Do you know an old landscape that might need a breath of fresh air? A few modern plant updates can give a tired landscape a whole new look.

Saque el mayor provecho de Fuego y Hielo, planee anticipadamente

Jueves, 8 de agosto de 2024 CALENDARIO

7:00 a.m. - Comienza el transporte de los asistentes

Patrocinado por: J. Frank Schmidt & Co.

7:30 a.m. - Se abren las inscripciones / recogida de insignias

¡Regístrese para el campamento en la tienda de registros donde recogerá una insignia con su nombre, boleto de almuerzo y equipo de campamento!

8:00 a.m. - Comienza la feria.

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. - Sesión educative

9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Demostración de poda de árboles.

Presentada por: Jake Meisbauer, Michelle Catania, el Arboreto Morton. La poda estructural de árboles jóvenes es una práctica importante para ayudar a promover una arquitectura sólida en la copa y hacer los árboles más resistentes a las tormentas. Acompáñenos en esta demostración mientras explicamos los pasos para podar árboles de manera que crezcan debidamente desde el comienzo.

9:30 a.m. – Abre el zoológico interactivo de cortacéspedes autónomos. ¡Venga a ver el futuro de los cortacéspedes autónomos! ¡Cuidado, estos animales muerden!

9:30 – 10 a.m. – Paseo entre el público – Reunirse en la carpa-comedor C.

10:00 a.m. - ¡Comienza la caza de gnomos!

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. – Oportunidades de arado eficiente con arados de ala vs. cajas empujadoras

Presentado por: Dale Oberg, Snow Wolf Carpa-comedor A Acompáñenos en una esclarecedora sesión educativa en la que exploramos estrategias para reducir la dependencia en máquinas pequeñas y cómo realizar trabajos más grandes con ellas. Abordaremos técnicas esenciales como comparación de empuje recto, cómo inclinar la pala quitanieves, modo de arrastre hacia atrás y arado en hileras / ángulo, junto con una comparación detallada de avanzada. Obtenga conocimientos prácticos para optimizar sus operaciones de remoción de nieve y mejorar la eficiencia.

10:00-11:00 a.m. – Guerra de macetas: Hielo Únase a la emocionante guerra de macetas en la que la creatividad encuentra el invierno mientras los participantes diseñan impresionantes macetas con tema de “hielo” o nieve utilizando materiales de plantas y tierra disponibles. Libere su imaginación y demuestre sus habilidades en esta competición helada. Los asistentes votarán por sus diseños favoritos y fantásticos premios esperan a los creadores de las mejores macetas. ¡No se pierda esta oportunidad de congelar sus pasiones y ganar!

10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. – Demostración de plantación de árboles

Presentado por: Personal de horticultura del Arboreto Morton

Seguir las mejores prácticas de gestión de plantación de árboles es el mejor comienzo para promover árboles sanos de larga vida en el jardín. Esta demostración abarcará cómo mitigar los defectos de las raíces e instalar debidamente árboles en cepellón o bolsas plásticas.

11:00 a.m. – Abre la carpa de cervezas

Patrocinada por: The Tree Connection

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Almuerzo

Servido en las carpas-comedor A, B, C

11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – Camión Kona Ice

Don’t miss the —

• Yard Games

• Chain Saw Carving

• Acoustic Guitarist

12:00-1:00 p.m. – Almuerce y aprenda: Añadir descongelante líquido, tan fácil como contar hasta 3 Carpa-comedor B

Presentador: John Kolkman, Kaplan Liquid Solutions

Descubra por qué incorporar descongelante líquido en sus operaciones puede mejorar la calidad, tener un impacto positivo en el medio ambiente y mejorar los resultados financieros mediante un mejor rastreo y costeo de trabajos. Aprenda los pasos iniciales de la motivación, incluyendo satisfacer las necesidades de los clientes, incrementar la eficiencia y permanecer competitivo. Explore los equipos necesarios para aplicación, almacenamiento y logística, ya sea que opte por elaboración interna de solución salina o comprarla. Concluya con un enfoque realista, enfatizando la implementación gradual y concentrándose en inversiones esenciales el primer año, con capacitación continua y solución de problemas.

12:30-1:00 p.m. – Paseo entre el público

12:30-2:00 p.m. – Rodeo de equipos de gas vs. eléctricos Acompáñenos en un emocionante rodeo de Equipos de Gas vs. Eléctricos, en el que podrá poner a prueba sus habilidades con la desmalezadora, el soplador de hojas o un cortacésped de gas o eléctricos. Experimente personalmente qué equipo es más rápido y eficiente en un ambiente divertido y competitivo. Debido a que muchas municipalidades están promulgando ordenanzas de equipos eléctricos, este es el momento oportuno de experimentar, aprender y descubrir el futuro de las herramientas de uso al aire libre. ¡No se pierda esta oportunidad de mostrar sus habilidades y poner su nombre al comienzo de la table de clasificación!

1:00-2:00 p.m. – Guerra de macetas: Fuego Únase a la emocionante guerra de macetas en la que la creatividad encuentra la naturaleza mientras los participantes diseñan impresionantes macetas con tema de “fuego” utilizando materiales de plantas y tierra disponibles. Libere su imaginación y demuestre sus habilidades en esta competición ardiente. Los asistentes votarán por sus diseños favoritos y fantásticos premios esperan a los creadores de las mejores macetas. ¡No se pierda esta oportunidad de encender sus pasiones y ganar!

1:00-2:00 p.m. – Excursión por el Gateway to Tree Science — Presentado por: El Arboreto Morton — Reunirse en la carpa-comedor C ¡Acompáñenos en una excursión con guía por el Gateway to Tree Science (Entrada a las tres ciencias) mientras demostramos su potencial como un espacio de capacitación único en su clase para profesionales de la industria verde! Estamos revisando el Gateway como un lugar donde la industria puede aprender cómo seleccionar, instalar y mantener mejor los árboles en el paisaje urbano y suburbano para mejorar la salud y la longevidad de nuestro dosel urbano. Venga a ver estas oportunidades de aprendizaje práctico para aprender cómo podar árboles y modificar sitios para mejorar el desempeño de los árboles.

2:00 p.m. – Comienzan los sorteos — Patrocinado por: Atlas Bobcat

2:30 p.m. – Cierre de la Feria

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

a Mariani Plants: 866-627-4264 /

Focus — Midwest Plant Talks

Revitalizing the Gothic

by Ilyin Costello

With the 2024 summer on its way, we see new gardening trends take form as gardeners continue to experiment with new styles and possibilities within their landscape. One of the most popular trends for this year is the revival of the “gothic” garden, and all the grim intrigue that comes with these distinctive plant combinations. This style, which gained popularity in the Victorian Era, creates interest in a landscape with dark plant varieties and an emphasis on utilizing the unique textures of these “gothic” plants. It’s all about rethinking the concept of color in the landscape; greens are replaced with pale or lavender varieties, and the entire landscape is drenched in an enticing wine-red.

Plants with dark foliage are at the forefront of filling in those pockets in your landscape, and the dark burgundy of Diervilla splendens ‘Nightglow®,’ is perfect for a garden lacking that gothic flare. Further, this dark-leaved variety provides additional interest with vibrant yellow clusters of flow-

ers that shine against the maroon foliage.

Dark purple varieties seek to complement the inky landscape and provide a newfound interest with flowering or with their leaves alone. Two varieties that shine in a gothic combination are Heuchera ‘Wildberry’ with glossy, purple leaves that hold their color all season which pairs beautifully with the false indigo flowers of Baptisia x bicolor ‘Starlite’. With the contrasting butter-yellow florets and vivid violet-blue flowers, the Baptisia seeks to catch the viewer’s eye and gently guide it to the complimenting Heuchera leaves that cover the ground in a decadent purple luster.

An added bonus of the gothic aesthetic of these plants is that most of these darker varieties have added sun resistance and can flourish in full sunlight or a shadier area. You no longer need to worry about sun damage on your Hibiscus flowers, because the nearly pitch-black variety, ‘Holy Grail’, sports beautiful deep red flowers that can thrive in a full-sun

Diervilla Nightglow

Garden

environment. This variety fits the gothic description to a T, as its incredibly dark, almost black foliage is complemented by dark red flowers that sport a bright green calyx when done blooming.

To truly nail the gothic aesthetic, you should think of every aspect of your garden. Groundcovers are an excellent way to provide interest from low growing plants, and we have a number of gothic varieties to cover your garden’s underbrush in a smokey haze. Sedum ‘Bertram Anderson’ is a pale variety that can act as a dusky carpet for your landscape with its rounded fleshy purple leaves and hazy pink flowers. Using this stonecrop as your sole groundcover or pairing it with another Sedum variety like ‘Dazzleberry’ will cover your garden floor in foggy pastels that creep below the dark underbrush to add another layer of depth to your baroque garden.

(continued on page 44)

Heuchera Dolce® Wildberry

Cotinus Royal Purple

Special Feature — Midwest Plant Talks

(continued from page 43)

If you are looking for a larger variety to act as a focal point for your garden that still fits the gothic aesthetic, look no further than Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’. This Smokebush stands out in a garden with its purple foliage and pink, smoke-like seed heads, and is the perfect centerpiece to show off your gothic gardening expertise. Pairing the smoky look of this shrub with shorter varieties with complimentary colors will transform your landscape into a modern Victorian oasis.

Since Native plant varieties are at the forefront of beautifying and restoring landscapes, it is no surprise that we have a gothic native variety to utilize in your landscape. Did you know there are cacti varieties that are native to the Midwest? Optunia humifusa, also known as the Eastern Prickly Pear is a variety with low growing yellow flowers that can grow up to 4’ across. Nothing says gothic garden like a beautiful, but impenetrable groundcover with spiny, rich in thorns. Just like the other varieties above, this Prickly Pear will thrive in (continued on page 46)

Oputia humifusa

Hydrangea Eclipse

Focus — Midwest Plant Talks

(continued from page 44) full sun and is even drought tolerant.

The final addition to your gothic garden varieties is the new Hydrangea macrophylla Eclipse ®. This stunning variety of Hydrangea checks all of your gothic variety boxes. Deep purple foliage that provides interest year-round and rich, cranberry colored mophead flowers that contrast with the dark flowers. Unlike other plants on this list, Eclipse will do best in dappled shade to truly express its deep colorations.

This hydrangea will rebloom throughout the season and is the perfect centerpiece for your gothic garden.

From spiny cacti to smokey Cotinus, these gothic varieties vary in size, shape, texture and interest, but they all have one thing in common. They are all stunning additions to the garden. With the back half of 2024 in view, it’s time to rethink your gardens and consider whether the gothic garden trend is right for your landscape projects.

Hibiscus “Holy Grail’

Sedum Sunsparker Dazzleberry

Outfoxing the Critters with Aromatic Plants

by Heather Prince

Mice, voles, chipmunks, moles, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and deer – oh, my! Our landscapes and gardens are home to a bevy of wildlife including some that can be destructive nuisances. From formal manicured gardens to the hottest trends in naturalistic plantings, every landscape encounters damaging critters sooner or later. How can we be creative with our plant choices to manage the wildlife and still have beautiful plant displays?

We spoke with David McKinney, Curator of Collections and Grounds at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens about his experiences managing wildlife damage at their 40 acres of arboretum and 120 acres of native woodlands and prairie.

Ornamental Onion

Mice, voles, chipmunks, and moles all are species that burrow underground or at the soil level and actively dig for food. Oftentimes that food is plant roots or bulbs, the very things we are installing in our landscapes. Fortunately, there are plant types that these critters actively avoid.

the little ones whether they are voles, chipmunks, or moles,” commented McKinney. “They do anything from digging up new seedlings to moving plants around to eating all of the seed that we’ve just planted. They also love to plant bird seed everywhere, so then we have flowers come up all over the place where we don’t want them. Moles tend to tear through beds with their burrowing. My greatest challenge for a while has been how do I keep rodents from destroying the gardens?”

“Probably the most destructive creatures that we have are

McKinney noticed a happy accident as he was adding chives to landscape beds for their lovely purple color and tough durability in Iowa soils and climate. Not only did the chives thrive and knit the beds together, but the rodent damage was significantly reduced or halted. “I like chives because of the color and how they add a nice bridging flower for late spring into summer. I noticed that in gardens where chives were planted moles would hit the root zone of the Allium and they would turn around and not come back to that garden for weeks to months. Either they (continued on page 50)

Focus — Pests

(continued from page 48) had a terrible experience in the root zone of that Allium or they just designated that garden as a ‘no enter’ area. I started adding various onion family plants into gardens and noticed the rodent pressure was significantly reduced. I planted everything from chives to some of our summer blooming alliums like Millennium or Summer Beauty and even the native nodding onion, Allium cernuum. We were seeing far fewer mole tunnels and a lot fewer chipmunks digging in gardens, especially if the plants were given time to root out.”

Rodents do not like plants with aromatic roots, particularly the onion family, in their sensitive noses and faces. Plus, Allium also deters herbivores who don’t like the taste or the scent in their fur. McKinney stressed that the most effective types of Allium are the perennials with sturdy roots. The ornamental bulbs do not have the same effect.

Allium is such a versatile plant family, that McKinney has incorporated them into formal plantings as well as native prairies. “For informal gardens, I’ll weave Allium through a design, especially at entrance points to deter the rodents. In formal beds, it’s effective as a border, both to deter the critters and to add a striking statement to the garden. They are all excellent pollinator plants as well.” There are so many terrific species and varieties that you can have an ornamental onion blooming throughout the season. Preferring hot, dry, situations with good drainage, Allium is tolerant

of a wide range of conditions as long as they receive sufficient sun.

Aromatic Perennials

Onions are just one of our common garden perennials that have aromatic, rodent-deterring properties. Many plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae) not only have lovely fragrant foliage, their roots are also strongly scented. This makes them helpful garden partners in the battle to deter rodents.

“Anything with fragrance like Monarda, Pycnanthemum, or Agastache, rodents will avoid,” observed McKinney. “And a lot of that has to do with their underground parts. For example, voles are surface feeders, but they dig their tunnels just at or under the soil surface. Any perennials with aromatic roots will influence their behavior and deter them from the garden. Monarda that have surface rhizomes, especially the heirloom cultivars, work really well, even if they are a little aggressive in plantings. They can be a great option for gardens that are plagued by rodents or that are close to natural areas like woodlands or prairies where rodents are regular visitors to the plantings.”

For McKinney, ‘Raspberry Wine’ beebalm and the native Monarda bradburiana are particular favorites for being beautiful additions to gardens and effective at deterring voles. He has also found that self-heal, Prunella vulgaris, to be an excellent front of the border or pathway plant. With fragrant foliage and roots, it too deters critters from digging. McKinney recommends ‘Magdalena’,

a showy cultivar from Brent Horvath’s breeding at Intrinsic Perennials. At just 6 inches tall and loaded with purple flowers, it blooms June into September and is hardy to USDA Zones 3 to 9. Its European cousin, Prunella laciniata, features delicate cutleaf foliage and may be pink or white-flowering. It also adds a pretty long-blooming element to plantings. Calamintha and Nepeta are also effective as deterring rodents.

Foiling Rabbits, Deer, and More

Rabbits are voracious herbivores, especially young ones, but there are plants that they do not favor. Aromatic perennials are a great low-maintenance alternative to sprays, granular repellants, or fencing. “When rabbits encounter aromatic plants like things in the mint family or herbs, they don’t like it,” said McKinney. “The aromatic oils get on their fur and then as they travel, they can leave a scent trail, including back to their den. If you think like a coyote or a fox looking for a nice rabbit meal, a trail of aromatic oil is a signal and you’re going to check it out. Rabbits don’t like being attractive to predators and easy to find. Encounters with aromatic plants are sort of like seasoning them for predators. They don’t want to bring the scent of oregano back to their babies.”

Raccoons and skunks forage for insects, uprooting gardens looking for tasty slugs and grubs. They will often create set paths to their favorite areas (continued on page 52)

Focus — Pests

(continued from page 50) and deer will create customary paths through landscapes as well. None of them do like their sensitive noses coming in contact with fragrant plants. “I look a lot at preventing raccoons, rabbits, and deer from creating footpaths or using already designated footpaths,” commented McKinney. “I’ll plant an aromatic right in the middle of where they’re walking to influence their behavior.

Deer do not like having their face and nose in something decidedly aromatic and usually they’ll have their heads down as they walk. You do need to choose tall plants like mountain mint for them.”

McKinney. “They’ll avoid things that have stiff hairs on the surface of the leaves. Perennials like butterfly milkweed, asters, black-eyed Susans, and

Deer usually do not care for plants with fuzzy or hairy leaves. “I like to think of anything stiffly hairy as not being palatable to herbivores,” observed

an infinite

Artemesia have stiff or glandulous hairs. Deer don’t like that fuzzy or prickly feeling on their tongue or in their mouth, because that’s the softest part of their face. The best way that I’ve seen to prevent deer from entering a garden is to

spread out as many aromatic species as you can, almost as a border. You need more than one or two of a Monarda or an Allium. It’s many spread across the garden so that like every time or, every other time that they’re interacting with the plants, they’re having a negative experience.” Interplant hairy foliage with your aromatic plants and you will experience significantly less deer browse. McKinney wouldn’t say deer-proof, because a hungry deer, like a hungry rabbit will try anything and everything once.

Deer are also a problem in September and October when males rub their antlers on young trees during rut to mark their territories. “One of the strategies we employ is to plant aromatic perennials at the base of young trees,” suggested McKinney. “The fragrant oils of something like a tall Pycnanthemum deter the (continued on page 54)

11 acres

For

(continued from page 52) deer. Then as the tree grows and casts more shade, the mountain mint is shade stressed and doesn’t become the bully it can potentially be.”

Can we have beautiful gardens and co-exist with wildlife? Absolutely! Try these creative planting strategies to deter the critters to have a multiseason floral display that clients will love and pollinators adore.

West End Florist & Garden Center Inc.

800 Old Glenview Road

Evanston, IL 60201

(847) 251-1943

www.westendflorist.com

by Meta L. Levin

Proud of the fact that she is the fourth generation of her family to operate West End Florist & Garden Center in Evanston, IL, Elizabeth Hoffman has researched its history from its founding by her great grandfather, Mathias Hoffman, in 1908 to now.

“It was more of a truck farm then,” she says. Her greatgrandfather grew vegetables and fruits, that he sold off a truck on land the family had owned since 1864. During World War I, people needed cut flowers for various events and like other truck farms her family grew flowers to supplement the market and the family business. “There was no refrigeration, so the flowers had to be grown locally.”

A native of Luxembourg, Holland, Mathias Hoffman knew the value of hot houses to extend the growing season and he took advantage of that. Eventually the flowers took over the business.

In the late 1920s and 1930s, Hoffman’s great-grandparents divided their inheritance. The business went to their son, Edwin Hoffman, while the oldest daughter got the farmhouse and the youngest two received the land, which was sold to developers. The farmhouse, too, later went to developers.

During World War II, the family employed German POWs from a prisoner of war camp in Glenview, some of whom opted to stay in the United States after the war.

In the 1940s, as men returned from World War II, people in the area were buying homes and needed plants for their new yards. The family pivoted to growing perennials and bedding plants. “In the Midwest, there was a push to beautify homes,” she says. “Business just boomed after World War II. First with mostly cut flowers – Cali lilies and football mums.” Hoffman’s grandparents crafted wood trays to hold the plants, which customers would then return.

“We continue to sell more and more bedding plants, perennials and blooming annuals,” she says. The flowers were grown in compost from mushroom farming. When the mushrooms also sprouted, they sold those, too, primarily in local farmers markets.

“In the 1960s green plants were all the rage,” says Hoffman. “Everyone’s grandmother had green plants growing in the window.”

Once again, the family’s flexibility and ability to pivot, moving their business to what was in demand at the time, served them well. “Every year it changes,” says Hoffman. Before the housing collapse, the family grew 2,000 roses and 20,000 perennials for new construction. Now, not so much.

Because she has historical data, Hoffman says she can look at the weather and how it affects growing conditions. For instance, two years ago there was snow on May 5 and last year there was a cool, wet spring. “I don’t push the season,” she says. “We want to

sell success. My goal is to make sure the landscapers look good.”

Hoffman’s father, George, and uncle, Richard, inherited the business. Richard Hoffman owns Hoffman’s Greenhouse in Mundelein and Volo, while George Hoffman has run West End Florist & Garden Center since 1997.

Along with her brother, James, Hoffman started J&E Nursery, a contractor that provides landscape design, installation, construction and maintenance. Hoffman’s brother also owns part of West End.

Although Hoffman runs West End, her parents, George and Patricia, are part owners and remain very much involved in running the company.

Her husband, Ernie Josellis, who she calls “my rock, my right hand,” works for the Village of Wilmette’s water department, but spends his weekends and after hours working on anything at West End that needs fixing.

In season, West End employs between four and 10 people in the store, especially high school and college students, with many who return year after year. “A lot of them blossom in this industry,” she says. She hears from them as they grow up. “I think I’m doing something right.”

Originally IGIA members, Hoffman believes it is important to be members of industry associations, like ILCA. “It makes me, as a small business owner, have a voice,” she says.

Classified Ads

Seeking Experienced Sales Leader who is Passionate about the Environment

Company Description

Omni Ecosystems is a leading landscape architectural design and living infrastructure products provider based in Chicago, IL. The company consists of two branches - Omni Workshop™, which focuses on designing spaces that embrace nature to advance the ecology and culture of place, and Omni Rewild™, which equips design and trade professionals with the tools to grow soil and life anywhere through Omni Infinity Media material and process. The team at Omni Ecosystems includes experts in microbiology, ecology, landscape architecture, horticulture, green infrastructure, and logistics. Omni Ecosystems is committed to infusing nature into our daily lives to improve resiliency within the built environment and promote healthier and happier humans.

Role Description

The Director of Business Development at Omni Ecosystems will be responsible for managing and expanding the company’s client base. This is a full-time hybrid role, with the majority of the work based in Chicago, IL, and some remote work allowed. The Director of Business Development will be responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, developing business plans, generating leads, negotiating contracts, and managing client accounts.

Qualifications

• New Business Development, Lead Generation, and Business Planning skills

• Experience in contract negotiation and account management

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with clients

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM software

• Experience in the landscape architecture or ecological design industry is a plus

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field

Compensation

• Base Salary: $80,000-90,0000, plus sales incentive compensation

• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, 401K, Parental Leave Policy, Employee Assistance Program

How to apply: Send Resume and cover letter to hiring@omniecosystems.com

Groundsworker

For 50 years, Oakton College has been the setting where thousands begin or continue their college or career studies. Educating people of all ages, from all walks of life, and from more than 40 nations, Oakton focuses on improving the quality of life for everyone who enters its doors.

We offer:

Continuing Education

Great Benefits

Paid Winter Break

FRIDAYS OFF during the Summer

HOURS: Monday - Friday - 7:00 am - 3:30 pm

- Hours may vary due to the needs of the College

SALARY: $46,789

Basic Function and Responsibility:

Under general supervision, perform tasks involved in maintaining athletic fields, grounds, lawns, flower beds, shrubs and trees, sidewalks, parking lots, roads and storm sewers and drainage structures, and snow removal.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Perform routine tasks in maintaining lawns and grounds, including seeding, fertilizing, mowing, watering, and weed control, install, plant, spray and maintain flower beds. Plant, fertilize, spray, and prune shrubs and trees. Maintain and repair sidewalks, roads, and parking lots.

Maintain and repair water and sanitary lines, storm sewers, drainage structures, and manholes and drain lines.

Perform tasks in snow removal including use of snowplow, UTV, or tractor to remove snow and add ice control by using salt or liquid deicers. Perform leaf raking, tree cutting, grass cutting, and stump removal. Cut, remove, and perform tree-controlled burning as needed.

Applies fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides as directed.

Perform daily campus litter and garbage can pick up. Operate job-related power equipment such as end loader, snow blower, air compressor and air hammer, mowers, painter, chain saw, and other power equipment.

Perform other general maintenance tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor or Director of Facilities.

Perform Athletic field maintenance, repair, and striping.

Perform Sprinkler system repair and maintenance.

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HELP WANTED

Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

High school education or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Two years of landscaping groundskeeping and athletic field experience.

Illinois State Public Applicator or Operator License and /or Ornamental and Turf license must be obtained in 6 months of employment. Ability to operate various types of power equipment including lawnmowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and other landscaping equipment.

Ability to use hand tools required for landscaping.

Ability to follow instructions and complete assignments.

Extensive knowledge of landscaping techniques and processes.

Excellent time management skills. Verbal and written communication skills. Ability to give and follow directions and to follow written and oral instructions.

General computer knowledge is required.

Ability to interact professionally and tactfully with people of different levels of education, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences, and to exhibit an adequate level of respect to fellow employees and the College community at large.

Preferred Qualifications:

Illinois State Commercial Driver’s License. Class B with Air Brake Endorsement is preferred. College sponsorship for earning Class B is available.

Physical Demands:

The position requires employees to have:

The ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods (75% - 100%).

The ability to bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, pull, and reach in all directions (75% - 100%).

The ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. (75% - 100%).

The ability to perform moderate to strenuous physical labor for extended periods. (75% - 100%).

The ability to set up and operate mechanical equipment (75% to 100%).

The ability to work at heights and the ability to ascend/descend ladders. (25% - 50%).

Require the use of radio communication. Employees on these shifts, using these devices, are required to have the ability to hear and exchange information clearly.

Working Conditions:

Job duties may be performed in hot, cold,

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

dusty, and dirty environments. Employees may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outside weather conditions.

Additional Information:

Supervision Received:

Functional supervision is received from the Grounds Supervisor. Administrative supervision is received from the Director of Facilities

Application Instructions:

For further details, visit our website at www. oakton.edu and select the Employment link to view Employment Opportunities. Please be sure to have a current resume, cover letter, and list of, at least, three (3) professional references with contact information prepared to submit with your application. Oakton College is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution, committed to employing competent, qualified individuals. Oakton College does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, socioeconomic status, sex or gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation in admission to and participation in its educational programs, college activities, and services, or in its employment practices. Posted positions may be removed from the Oakton website without notice when it is determined that no additional applicants are required.

Oakton is accessible by public transportation. URL: www.oakton.edu

How to apply:

Experienced Landscape Front Desk and Office Admin

Clesens, A leading name in Turf, Ornamental, and Irrigation Supplies in the Midwest since the 1960s is looking for Experienced Front Desk Sales and Administrative Support at Our Corporate Headquarters in Lincolnshire, IL. Throughout our 60-plus-year history, our distribution company has sold turf, plant, and irrigation supplies to golf courses, country clubs, municipalities, corporate campuses, landscape contractors, lawn care companies, arborists, universities, and sports fields. This position would be based at our

Lincolnshire, IL corporate headquarters. We are looking for a positive, energetic, and personable person who will interact with and assist our customers and team members daily, and we will train you on our ERP system to become proficient for your role. Bilingual English and Spanish is a Plus.

Details of What We Are Looking For In This Role:

An office generalist with some fertilizer, herbicide, and general landscape product knowledge who has worked in the industry before. Previous Accounts Payable/ Receivable experience and good interpersonal skills dealing with both the public and other employees is essential to this role.

This role will assist at our front desk with customer service for both walk-in customers and phone calls regarding sales and sales support. Just as important, you will assist Accounting and Admin with Accounts Receivable or Accounts Payable. This role is instrumental in helping to keep the daily operations of our business running smoothly and cohesively.

· Landscape Industry Experience

· General Turf/Plant Fertilizer, Herbicide, Industry Product Knowledge

· Bilingual English and Spanish is a Plus

· Good Interpersonal Skills, Professionalism, and Attention to Detail

· Ability to Create a Welcoming Environment for Visitors

· Good Customer Service and Phone Skills

· Office Admin Experience with Accounts Receivable or Accounts Payable

· A Proactive Problem-solver with Sound Decision-making Abilities

· Organization and Time Management Skills

· Good Written and Verbal Communication Skills

· General Computer Skills, Including Microsoft Office, Excel, and Gmail

· Attention to Detail

· Comfortable with Routinely Shifting Demands

· High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) Required

· Any College Coursework in Business or Horticulture is Desirable

· A Commitment to Your Career Growth and Professional Development.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Hourly Rate Based on Experience plus Overtime

Benefits:

· 401(k) matching

· Profit Sharing

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HELP WANTED

· Health insurance

· Health savings account

· Paid sick time

· Paid vacation

Physical setting:

· Office Schedule:

· Monday to Friday 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Ability to commute/relocate:

· Lincolnshire, IL 60069: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

How to apply: send resume email to ssteele@clesens.com

Operations Manager - Lawn Care

Emerald Lawn Care in Wheeling, IL is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our dedicated team of lawn care specialists. With a commitment to excellence and client satisfaction, we take pride in maintaining lush, healthy lawns for residential customers. At Emerald Lawn Care, you’ll find a supportive environment where your skills are valued and your contributions make a meaningful impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day operations of our lawn care services, including fertilization, weed control, and mosquito/tick suppression.

• Lead a team of approximately 20 field personnel, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback to our technicians, service manager, and field quality manager.

• Develop and implement efficient processes to ensure the highest quality of service delivery.

• Diagnose and address lawn diseases, insect damage, and other lawn issues to resolve customer complaints.

• Monitor and manage inventory levels of equipment, supplies, and chemicals.

• Maintain fleet of company vehicles and equipment through regular proactive service.

• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to identify opportunities for business growth and client retention.

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and conduct training as necessary.

PLEASE NOTE:

“HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES

Submit your ads online at ilca.net

HELP WANTED

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in turf management

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team

• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Knowledge of lawn care practices, equipment, and chemicals.

• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment

• Bachelor or Associate degree in agronomy, horticulture, or related field preferred

Benefits:

• Salaried position ($70,000+), year-round schedule with paid time off and holidays

• Work-life balance with regular hours

• Health insurance

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match

• Opportunities for professional development and advancement within the company

How to apply: Email traceyc@emeraldlawncare.com or call (847) 461-3962

Director of Customer Experience

McKay Nursery is looking for a Director of Customer Experience who will be responsible for the development and implementation of initiatives that improve corporate sales customer relations and brand loyalty along with acting as a liaison between the landscape division and internal landscape design team.

Do you desire to work as an employee-owner of the company, driving and seeing the results of your own work efforts?

For more information and to apply:

HELP WANTED

Auction: Commercial Building & 32 acre Farm

Tuesday, August 20th, 2024 at 12:00 pm In-Person & Live Online Bidding

Offered as Two Individual Tracts

Tract 1 - 8200 SqFt Shop/Office Building/(4) Outbuildings on 8 acres, 6.2 acres zoned F-2 Tract 2 – 32 acres of Farmland at the corner of Melms Rd & Walker Rd

Seller: EVLA Properties LLC 48W811 Melms Rd Hampshire, IL 60140

Auction conducted by:

Richard A. Olson & Associates See website for Flyer, Terms, Maps, and More Information www.richardaolson.com 815-942-4266

CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES

September 2024 issue ads: August 15, 2024 October 2024 issue ads: Sept. 15, 2024

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

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.

Blade Runner

By Nina A. Koziol

Let’s get right to the point. Tropicals make great exclamation points as container plants. Sun or shade, there are draceanas, mangaves, agave, asparagus fern, sansevieria, aloes, palms, bamboo, cordyline and many others that offer a slice of exotic ambience.

Tradescantia

Asparagus fern

Yucca, Dichondra and Sedum

Agave

ornamental oregano

Draceana and Cuphea

Before You Go —

‘Moonlight’ Japanese Hydrangea Vine

By Mark Dwyer

I’ll admit it. Woody vines scare me a little bit. I’ve seen wisterias, vining honeysuckles and trumpet vine all run amok in the full sun landscape and while they have inherent beauty and function, they can become thuggish and outof-scale without vigilant attention. In more shade, we see Virginia creeper and even poison ivy making vertical overtures. Our options for woody ornamental vines are a bit more limited in the shade. However, I’ve become a huge fan of the ‘Moonlight’ Japanese hydrangea vine (Schizophragma hydrangeoides, z 5-9). Faster growing than the climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris), a close relation, this woody vine can take plenty of shade and offer a pronounced “silvery punch” to the landscape. The selection ‘Moonlight’ was introduced by famed plantsman, Barry Yinger. While not easy to source and slow to establish, ‘Moonlight’ is absolutely an investment in patience (which will be rewarded!). The 3-5”, blue-green, heart-shaped leaves have a prominent silvery sheen punctuated with deep green veins (turning yellow in fall). This iridescent, shimmering, silver patina of the foliage really offers some illumination in shadier circumstances. Too much direct sun will scorch the foliage so some degree of shade is ideal. In time, mature specimens will produce large, 8-10” diameter, creamy-white, lacecap flowers (fragrant!) for 6-8 weeks in July and August. Teardrop-shaped sepals hover and are attached to the fertile flower clusters. Flowering becomes more vigorous with age although admittedly, my personal interest in the plant is primarily for the foliage.

Mature vining heights of 20-30’ (6-9’ in width) are observed in our climate although taller specimens are not uncommon. If controlled height is desired, pruning in late winter or early spring is recommended. This species has few insect or disease issues.

This species, native to Japan and Korea, is best grown in rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils with adequate moisture although it is drought tolerant once established. Similar to climbing hydrangea, the ‘Moonlight’ Japanese hydrangea vine attaches securely to any textured surface with stem-borne, disk-like, adhesive rootlets. I’ve seen this plant growing on walls, pergolas, arbors, espalier supports and trees. Cascading and tumbling informally over walls is another use. During my time at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, WI), we had the blessing and curse (messy!) of over 50 large cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) around the gardens. The furrowed trunks of these large trees became amazing supports for over thirty of these ‘Moonlight’ Japanese hydrangea vines which slowly worked their way up and engulfed the trunks, offering increasingly more interest with every year. I watched these grow and thrive for over 20 years and never regretted planting them.

There are some other varieties of Schizophragma hydrangeoides out on the market but they are green-leaf forms with some specific ornamental traits. I’ve grown ‘Roseum’ and Flirty Girl (‘Minsnow3’) as well but really enjoy the silver foliage contributions and bold flowering of ‘Moonlight’ and will continue to recommend it to others with a woody vine phobia!

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