The Landscape Contractor magazine December 2015 by Association Publishing Partners

Wishing you Happy Holidays and a New Year filled with prosperity and success!

p.o. box 748 • st. charles, il 60174 847.742.1790 • fax 847.742.2655 www.midwestgroundcovers.com

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December 2015

CONTENTS

Excellence In Landscape Awards Project

FOCUS: The List 2015 — People with Impact The List — 2015 11 People with Impact ILCA Fall Events Annual Meeting 20 ILCA Basic Pruning Seminar 26

ILCA Old Timers Event

iLandscape — It’s Showtime! Keynote speakers offer big information

Perennials in Focus 46 Ruellia humilis and Sanguisorba ‘Red Thunder’

Fact Checker and Degrees of Truth 50 Some thoughts worth considering Member Profile 56 Dirt-n-Turf Consulting, Inc Plant All-Stars 62 Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’

26 EN ESPAÑOL

iLandscape More to do... More to see... iLandscape Más cosas que ver... Más cosas que hacer... 34

On the cover... The List — People with Impact for 2015. The Landscape Contractor December 2015

62 3

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message Classified Ads Advertisers Index Photo Credits ILCA Awards Program Rick Reuland Experience Committee George Weyland Brent Horvath Steve Raczak

Calendar

4 5 7 58 61

FEBRUARY February 3-5, 2016

1, 8-9 20-24, 26-27, 29 29-42 44 46 62

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 56, Number 12. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630)637-8632

Feb 23-26, 2016 Digital Design 2016 Google SketchUp Workshop with Author Daniel Tal Northern Illinois University Hoffman Estates Hoffman Estates, IL 60195

PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, the Magazine Committee, ILCA Staff, The Landscape Contractor and its staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication.

ILCA Staff

Magazine Staff

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

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

Education Manager Julie Nicoll jnicoll@ilca.net

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

Events Manager Terre Houte thoute@ilca.net Office Manager Alycia O’Connor aoconnor@ilca.net Membership & Marketing Coordinator Marissa Sikirdji maikirdji@ilca.net

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

v Becke Davis Senior Writer treethyme@aol.com Patrice Peltier Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net

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Meta Levin Feature Writer meta.levin@comcast.net Barbara Dutton Feature Writer Jim Fizzell jjfizz@aol.com

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From Where I Stand... A few weeks ago, I had a furnace repairman

over to the house. We got his name from a friend. He entered the house like most repairmen. He was polite, removed his shoes without asking, shook my hand, and introduced himself. I offered him some coffee. He declined. I showed him downstairs and he began inspecting my furnace. He detailed my problem and began discussing how a twostage furnace works and how these furnaces are replacing the old models which just blasted BTUs. About halfway through his tutorial, he remarked that he was tired. He said he had spent the previous day listening to Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity at an event for Tea Partiers at a local hotel. Coulter and Hannity are wellknown conservative pundits. He then began to tell me about his local chapter of the Tea Party and detailed many of the problems our country is facing and how the Tea Party is prepared to solve them. A minute later, he pulled out a business card and brochure and began explaining how I could get involved. Mind you, I had never met this person. At no point during our casual conversation had we discussed politics or even current events. We were talking about furnaces before the conversation took a strange left, um, well, “right” turn. I am a staunch independent and could have easily engaged him on a few of his talking points. Some of his facts were wrong, but he was not being overly aggressive. He just felt comfortable enough with me, for whatever reason, to explain his Tea Party agenda. I also remembered the advice my father gave me, “never discuss religion or politics until you get the estimate in writing.” That contractor took a huge risk by infusing politics into the conversation. I ended up not using him, and laughed off the exchange, but I know many people who would have either been offended or combative in the same situation. He didn’t do anything wrong. The Tea Party are not the Empire from Star Wars, but he did set himself up for another criteria in which a contractor can be judged. I am sure he devoutly believes in his Tea Party group. I am sure he has encountered like-minded customers who chose him for that very reason. The underlying question becomes: is it appropriate for a service professional (in any trade) to bring personal politics or ideology into the business world? Any book on sales will advise the salesperson to avoid any topics that could be viewed as contentious. Sales is about building relationships and tapping into the customer’s emotions. Some new sales strategies actually encourage the sales person to challenge the potential customer’s business practices, but that still does not mean infusing sensitive subjects into small talk. Most companies and organizations ask their employees to leave their ideologies at the door.

Some controversial topics are less off limits than others. Take for instance sports. I probably have the same feelings about the White Sox that I do for Vladimir Putin, but if a contractor professed his love of the White Sox I wouldn’t be offended. We’d have a little tit-for-tat but it would probably help us bond more than push us apart. Contractors use small talk all the time to endear themselves to a potential client. Politics, religion, and other similar subjects are a high risk-high reward proposition. Government and 240 years of jurisprudence have articulated the notion of a separation of church and state. It is still a divisive topic, but it’s viewed as the cleanest way to handle a very tangled situation rife with emotion. In fact, that notion has become so prevalent that many misunderstand that church, or any strong ideology, has no place in the commercial sphere as well. That is not true at all. A business cannot discriminate, but there is absolutely no reason why they can’t put a stone statue of the Ten Commandments right next to the flat screen tvs. In fact, some companies wear their ideologies on their sleeves...or at least wrappers. These range from religious to political to even more secular notions like veganism or race. ChickFil-A, Tyson Chicken, Hobby Lobby, Forever 21, In-and-Out Burger, etc. are just a handful of massive companies who have threaded religion into everything they do. Carl’s Jr. starts every corporate meeting with the pledge of allegiance and a prayer. Benneton and Calvin Klein blasted past racial and sexual taboos in their ads for years. Corporations, for centuries, have been influencing the political process. Now, in light of Citizens United, the chain is off the dog. Companies can actually have defined political ideologies and support those with unlimited funds through super PACs. Social media has been filled with examples of companies who knowingly or unknowingly have expressed their beliefs on subjects such as a gay marriage. An interesting phenomenon usually occurs. Opponents flood Yelp and Facebook with negative reviews and messages. Then proponents rush to the business’s aid, and often contribute financially to support the business. For example, the pizza parlor in Indiana that said it would not cater a gay wedding, rose $1 million from supporters in less than three days! The tradeoff was a vicious onslaught of negative reviews and media attention. And it is not just religious views. A restaurant owner of the White Moose in Dublin, Ireland had grown tired of the complicated preparation requests thrust on him by vegan customers. He posted some snarky comments on social media, they went viral, and within a few days thousands of vegans were slamming him on social media and review sites. Similarly, the carnivores of the world came to his aid. As a result, his restau-

Politics and Religion

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

From Where I Stand... rant was booked for 6 months straight. He received thousands of 1-star reviews and thousands of 5-star reviews, all from people who had never even eaten at his restaurant or been to Dublin. Some of this is simply the internet being the internet. Many of those businesses see their support (and angst) recede after someone dangles shiny keys in front of internet users. They swim off in search of a new controversy, never to return. However, the established businesses who champion religious, political, or other controversial beliefs do this in plain sight. They own the fact they have a wider ideology than selling chicken sandwiches. Ideology is not why these businesses succeed. They sell good products at good prices. Yet, in a crowded marketplace, ideology has set them apart. Belief, and the decision to publicize that belief, makes them unique. The stark difference between Chick-Fil-A and my furnace contractor was the element of surprise. I was not prepared for a discussion on politics and the direction of our country. I wanted a new furnace. There is nothing wrong with my furnace contractor’s decision to “spread the word,” but it felt out of place and was not well-received as I stood there in my basement, drinking coffee in my sweatpants. I hold no ill-will towards someone who has strong beliefs, but those beliefs are not why I called this furnace contactor. If I was an ardent conservative, and I saw an ad that said “Jim’s Furnaces - A Politically Conservative Approach to Furnace Repair” that would be a different story. And there is no reason why any company can’t do that. In fact, it seems like owning one’s ideology and being vocal has some merit in the marketplace where springing ideology on a potential customer does not.

I love a spirited debate. I like when two well-researched people, with conflicting opinions, engage in civil discourse. I like when skilled rhetoricians match intellect and wit. I’d love a society where I could debate the merits of an open immigration policy or income tax reform with my plumber. Let’s face it, that ain’t gonna happen. People can barely make it through Thanksgiving Dinner without arguing about politics or religion and that’s with people they genuinely like. Too many people get too easily butt hurt when confronted by an ideology that is incongruent with their own. In addition, too many people know only CRUSH-KILL-DESTROY when engaged in an argument. Lastly, many, many people simply don’t care unless it involves a Kardashian or dancing celebrity. For these reasons, ideological debate is confined to bar stools, talk shows, and the ugliest corners of social media. It is also the reason why ideological discussions have long been banished from the business world. A company should have strong beliefs. A company’s employees should be encouraged to think freely and openly. However, unless that company is willing to put their beliefs on a business card, those beliefs will likely surprise and alienate more consumers than they attract. I long for the day when informed political debate can be had with the McDonald’s counter kid, but for now, it’s best to let the world’s problems go unresolved until after we order my Value Meal.

Scott Grams November 23, 2015

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847.440.5344 • Tree and Shrub Pruning • Deep-Root Fertilization • Certified Arborists • Insect and Disease Management

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

President’s Message I went to school in a small town.

President

Rusty Maulding Nature’s View (815) 592-7582 rusty@naturesview.info

Vice-President

Mike Schmechtig Schmechtig Landscape Company (847) 566-1233 mschmechtig@schmechtiglandscapes.com

Secretary-Treasurer

Lisa Fiore Kositzki Don Fiore Company, Inc. (847) 234-0020 lfiore@donfiore.com

Immediate Past President Kevin Vancina Vancina Landscaping, Inc. (815) 726-2300 kvancina@sbcglobal.net

Directors

Mark Breier National Seed Co. (630) 963-8787 mark.breier@natseed.com Lisa Fiore Fiore Nursery and Landscape Supply (847) 913-1414 lisa@cjfiore.com Jose Garcia Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc. (815) 724-0991 info@naturalcreationslandscaping.com Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net

Kevin Manning K & D Entreprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com Tom Lupfer Lupfer Landscaping (708) 352-2765 tom@lupferlandscaping.com Maureen Scheitz Acres Group (847) 526-4554 maureen.scheitz@acresgroup.com Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com

K-8 was all in one building and we had a total of one class for each grade (that’s right, one). Mrs. G was my 5th grade teacher. She had a bit of a reputation in the younger classes. You see, all the classrooms surrounded an open gym and any noise carried extremely well, let alone an elevated voice. Being younger we didn’t interact with her, but by the end of kindergarten we knew her by her voice! When passing by, on the way to the rest room, there always seemed to be a student sitting in a chair outside her door. And so upon arriving at the first day in 5th grade, I was a little on edge. Turns out, she really wasn’t that bad. As a matter of fact, she was pretty alright. Her method of dealing with goofy junior high kids involved both the push and the pull. She’d vocally praise you for doing well and then chastise you for not doing your best. Hence why her voice traveled so frequently down the halls of BuckleyLoda Grade School. The holiday season is upon us. The changing of the guard between fall and winter is too. Routines at landscape companies go out the window this time of year as we try to wrap up the landscape season and either hunker down into winter mode or attempt to wrap winter mode and snow operations into one. Either way, the routine of seeing or not seeing staff changes. It’s a unique opportunity. How many employees don’t interact with the owner, manager or other leaders regularly in your business? If there are groups that don’t get those touches, they are left to form their own opinions about the leaders of the business. This could be good, or it could be bad. But one thing is for sure, it is probably different than what you want. Holiday parties, season–end parties or whatever kind of get-together you want to call it can be a great way to embrace the seasonal change that is occurring and provide those infrequent touches. Have fun together. Get to know each other and listen to their stories while sharing some of the company stories as well. As an employee, I always enjoyed listening to company lore at my past employers. It was a great way to better understand where I worked and help me make sense of the things I had observed. Personally, I’m not the best story teller, but Corrie can spin a yarn pretty well. No doubt there are those within your organizations that excel at this camp fire tradition. Harness those strengths. In larger organizations, there become “greatest hits” compilations from the various groups. So if you are an owner, try to make the rounds. You just might glean some things you didn’t know. As for 5th grade, I made it. Well mostly. There was an closing act that the younger classes couldn’t have known about. You see, Mrs. G was vocal yes, but from time to time, she also rewarded you with a big ol’ wet, coffee-breath, kiss on the cheek. I had managed to avoid that experience all year, until we were reminiscing on our last day. That’s when it came to light I was the only kid in class to successfully avoid that fate…well, up until then. Happy Holidays Rusty Maulding November 23, 2015

www.ilca.net

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Moore Landscapes, Inc. â&#x20AC;˘ Harbor Point Northbrook

Built in 1972,

Harbor Point is an iconic landmark on the Chicago lakefront. The building has 742 residential units and 22 commercial businesses. Harbor Point is part of a dynamic neighborhood with one of the largest outdoor spaces for a building in the area. The public and private areas were planted many years ago with a variety of trees including honeylocust and hawthorns, that are now mature and require a comprehensive maintenance program with an emphasis on IPM. Pruning, fertilizing, spraying and monitoring is done by our licensed arborist. Some of the original trees that were planted on the property were ash, which have been replaced this year with other species of trees, such as maple and elm. In addition, there are plans to update the area with more trees and native plantings with an emphasis on sustainability. Harbor Point is known in the community for its seasonal flower displays. We design, install, and maintain four seasonal changes in large beds on the ground, and in 25 planters. Photoshop designs are completed for each season-

al rotation and presented to the landscape committee for approval. Due to the proximity of the lake, the wind and extreme ranges of temperatures, especially in the spring; plant selection is carefully considered. For the Holiday season we install lights, garland and a large 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122; tree on the grounds in addition to the winter pine boughs. The flower beds on the ground are watered by a combination of drip and spray irrigation which we start up, monitor and adjust throughout the season. The entrance planters and large sun deck area require hand-watering multiple times each week. Entrance planters are watered using a water truck; the sundeck must be watered with hoses. Due to the watering and maintenance requirements crews are on-site daily. Flowers are fertilized multiple times throughout the season. The large areas of turf are on a fertilizer/ weed control program, along with core aeration. For sustainable purposes chemical control is only used as a last resort. Mowing, edging, and maintaining clean beds are all part of the routine weekly maintenance and ongoing IPM program.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

L O N G S H A D OW

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Design & Photography: James L. Knoll, Landscape Architects, Rockford, Illinois

. COM

Hand crafted in Southern Illinois by Classic Garden Ornaments, Ltd. 速

People with Impact 2015

“The List” is

ILCA’s annual magazine feature that showcases the movers-andshakers in the Illinois green industry. The feature highlights individuals who have made an impact in the green industry that the rest of the ILCA membership should be made aware of. These are people who may never be ILCA President or “Person of the Year” but who have contributed to the green industry in a positive manner. We hope you enjoy reading these profiles as much as ILCA had in selecting them. The professionals chosen for recognition on The List 2015 all have different backgrounds, personalities, and reasons for appearing. In most cases, their differences outweigh the similarities. What they do share is a commitment to put industry above self-interest. Whether by design or happenstance, these professionals consistently find themselves in positions where their actions elevate all of us, sometimes imperceptibly — but always with impact. Anyone on this List may have been satisfied to toil in obscurity. The Magazine Committee felt otherwise. As the holidays dominate our lives for the next month, stop writing lists for a few moments and read one for a change. You will surely enjoy discovering these unique professionals as much as the Magazine Committee and ILCA had in selecting them. The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Focus: The List — People with Impact 2015

The Ambassador Bernie Carranza

ernie Carranza emanates enthusiasm – a trait that has no doubt infused his involvement in the ILCA, notably as chair of the Latino Relations Committee, a position he held until earlier this year. A member of the Premier Service team in Lemont, Ill., Carranza developed a passion for his profession early on, working with friends and finding that he enjoyed working outdoors and with plants. “That was my thing,” he says. Carranza later realized he could turn this delight into a career, as he developed an awareness of “opportunities and possibilities” in the industry. He took college courses in horticulture, obtained a commercial drivers license, and earned certifications pertinent to the field. As his responsibilities grew, so did his appreciation of the profession. “I love what I do!” he exclaims. “I love the Chicagoland industry and the people in it. I feel satisfied in my career.” This appreciation, along with the knowledge he had gained over the years led him to participate in the Latino Relations Committee, where he enjoyed a platform to reach out to others. “In general,” he explains, “if you have knowledge, I think you also have the responsibility to help others understand that knowledge.” By living this principle, Carranza relates, he is able use the “selling” skills he has acquired to deliver information to people, “so they can get it. They can understand your passion.” Put another way, Carranza maintains a focus on ways “to help others understand opportunities and possibilities.” One way to do this is by empowering others, he explains, advocating the importance of serving as an example in helping people along the way. And, being bi-lingual and bi-cultural, he believes, can help motivate others to achieve their goals. 12

Exercising his committee leadership, applying a capacity he cites to communicate to a larger group, Carranza likens to serving as an ambassador. In endorsing the Latino Relations Committee goal of encouraging involvement by the Latino community, Carranza expresses the commitment to delivering the same ILCA message promoting “the pathway to professionalism.” In turn, he identifies a mission to help non-Spanish speakers understand the Latino culture. During his tenure as Committee Chair, in fact, Carranza fostered – via an article drafted to edify association members – an initiative to use humor to overcome language barriers and find common ground. Such bridge-building efforts are important, he suggests, as fostering relationships is “a twoway thing.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

The Aide-de-camp José Martinez

hristy Webber Landscapes, Chicago, owns 220 vehicles, 110 trailers, 45 skid steers and 1,200 other pieces of landscape construction equipment. And thanks to the industriousness of Assistant Asset Manager José Martinez, those in the organization who need to know about asset qualities and deployment can “at a moment’s notice” get information – such as purchase date, cost, miles, hours, service schedule and repair history – thanks to technology harnessed by Martinez, who grasped a newly implemented application to develop an automated asset tracking system. Having been hired in 2013 as a shop helper charged with running for parts and keeping the company’s shop neat, Martinez was promoted to his current position in the midst of a major software change earlier this year – an implementation that prompted him to step up to the plate and create new efficiencies for the organization. “José quickly mastered the new software, and determined how to use it to record and track an enormous amount of information about our assets,” relates Christy Webber & Co. Vice President of Assets & Risk Jason Sloat. The value of the assets for which Martinez is responsible for tracking, for the full-service landscape provider offering design, construction, and maintenance programs to residential, commercial and municipal clients is $6.5 million. “Prior to this year, it was a big challenge to keep track of our inventory,” recalls Sloat, who explains that the company would conduct an inventory on a semi-annual basis. With the new system, however, asset information is current and quickly accessible. “Anything I need to know as asset manager, I can get in seconds,” says Sloat of the system. “It is an enormous improvement over what we had before.”

Martinez, who says he’s “always been a technology guy,” suggests a propensity that drove his eagerness to pitch in: “I like to always try to learn something new every day.” And, his focus on process improvement has, he believes, reduced stress among co-workers by helping processes run more efficiently. “Me making their life a little easier,” he concludes, “makes the company work better.” “José showed a lot of initiative in the way he was organizing tools in our shop, and embraced technology to help us stay organized,” says Sloat, who exclaims, “José is a true success story in our industry.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Focus: The List — People with Impact 2015

The Conservationist Erik Ringstrand

s Owner and Operator of Ringers Landscaping, Fox River Grove, Ill., Erik Ringstrand stresses sustainability in its work with the same commitment to conservation and bettering the community that he has developed personally. His philosophy extends beyond his business – which has helped green-minded clients, such as a local school district achieve the Conservation@School certification from the Barrington Area Conservation Trust – into volunteerism. Ringstrand’s altruistic approach stems from his religious beliefs, and is represented by a tree-planting initiative with the McHenry County Conservation District, as well as work with groups like The Smart Farm of Barrington, which grows fresh food for local food pantries. “There’s more to what we do than show up, work, and leave at 5 o’clock,” he says. Ringstrand’s work in the landscape field began well before 2007 when he and “a buddy” started Ringers Landscaping, which has since grown steadily and been enhanced by the addition of business partner Brandon Losey, who Ringstrand credits with much of the company’s sustainability emphasis. Among the “Green” services Ringers offers are development of organic vegetable gardens, native plantings, rain gardens, and organic lawn care. As a youth, Ringstrand accompanied his father on lawnmowing jobs – helping by picking up sticks and operating a weed whacker. After college, encouraged by an uncle Ringstrand entered the landscaping profession. Ringstrand was subsequently struck by what he saw as an incongruity between operating a business concerned with plants and nature and the “dirty” gas-powered equipment and chemicals it used. 14

“When we realized how destructive chemicals, machinery and practices in an inherently Green industry could be, we not only gained a sense of responsibility, but we saw the opportunity to do things differently and drive change.” Ringstrand affirms. “Through key employees and experience,” he relates, “we’ve gained a unique perspective in the industry. A light bulb went off and we realized that sustainability just makes sense – both in terms of running a business and being a responsible, ethical company.” Ringstrand’s actions are underpinned by the conviction that beneficial returns come about by doing good. “When we put a tree in the ground,” he explains, “it’s not necessarily because we know that we’ll make a buck or two. It’s knowing that that tree will function in the world and provide a host of benefits to the environment, which will eventually find their way back to us.” Ringstrand is “very excited about the future. “I own a business” he says, “that can make a difference.” In looking ahead to further his commitment to applying sustainable solutions in his chosen field, Ringstrand maintains, “We have an opportunity as everyday stewards of the land to have a big impact on the future of our environment.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

The Healer Shawna Coronado

y conveying information about horticulture-related topics, garden blogger and author Shawna Coronado hopes to share the contentment and calm she achieved from directing her work energies to planting and growing, after leaving a fast-paced and stressful marketing career to deal with personal health issues. Although Coronado, who overcame illness through digging in the dirt, started doing landscape design full time in 2007, she learned a thing or two about gardening at an early age growing up on a farm. “That began my journey of the love of gardening,” she recalls. After writing her first book, Gardening Nude, a volume devoted to green living, she started a blog to promote the book, having been told that she needed to use social media as a marketing tool. Her blog grew from there, and since 2008 has gained a legion of followers. On average, 180,000 visitors go to her website at http://shawnacoronado.com monthly, and she reports more than 6,000 YouTube subscribers. “All of my exposure on social media led me to do more television,” relates Coronado, who has also been featured on radio programs. Coronado, who believes her work contributes to enriching both amateur gardeners and industry professionals, watches the garden and landscaping industry, keeping up on trends and events and presenting perspectives to devotees of a plethora of things green and growing. Her website is a compendium of color, commentary and creativity, featuring a montage of planting and cooking ideas, equipment reviews and garden reflections. “My ultimate goal,” she says, “is making a difference for society, connecting outdoor therapeutic landscaping and food

and gardening together to make sure people live a healthy lifestyle.” And, she says, her work to promote ornamental, edible gardening “really applies to ILCA. Professional landscaping groups become interested in ornamental edibles so they can educate their clients,” she says. Coronado cites examples of landscapers getting paid to build and manage vegetable gardens for clients, to support a homeowner’s desire to raise produce to donate to food pantries. Central to Coronado’s message is that the age-old activity of gardening remains a relevant endeavor. “Gardening used to be something that old ladies did,” she says. “This is not true anymore,” she continues, pointing to a trend she sees among young homeowners striving to grow their own, organic food. Coronado is convinced that by encouraging and educating a new generation of gardeners, she can help people appreciate and create, “very practical gardens that are useful, and which might be therapeutic as well.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Focus: The List — People with Impact 2015

The Professor William Sullivan, PhD

LCA members might recognize Bill Sullivan from educational sessions he’s delivered as a faculty member at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to audiences in educational programs over the years. His affiliation with the association, however, precedes his instruction to members. “I have a long-standing relationship with ILCA, and feel very close to the organization,” he remarks. While in high school, Sullivan began working for former ILCA President Jim Busse at JB Design in Wheaton, Ill. “I did all the things you’d expect to do working for a designbuild firm,” recalls Sullivan about his introduction to the field. “In doing that I got a sense of the value we added to people’s lives,” he relates. “The landscapes we built provided an opportunity to slow down from a hectic pace and feel restored from the intensity of life. Our work contributed in important ways to the quality of their lives.” Sullivan recalls, too, his “great opportunity” to win the ILCA’s Basil B. Herr scholarship, which helped him toward earning a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture at UIUC. He would go on to attain allied academic credentials, culminating in a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. His subsequent work in academia included teaching and conducting research examining the impacts of landscapes on human health and wellbeing. Following engagements including teaching at Kansas State University, Sullivan returned to Illinois, where in addition to serving UIUC, his vocation would incorporate design seminars to educate practitioners about trends, communications and technology applications to improve their practices. Beyond his scholastic and professional affiliations and activities – including introducing research findings to industry – 16

Sullivan has concerned himself with improving the lives of what he sees as often disregarded communities. He participates in an Education Justice Project initiative called the Productive Prison Landscape project that operates at Illinois’ Danville Correctional Center, using available resources to create an outdoor learning laboratory for incarcerated men while making the facility’s landscape more sustainable. Sullivan has also focused energies on poor innercity areas, in support of his belief that there exists a “wealth of opportunities in communities, at retirement homes, and among disabled populations to better their lives by creating healthier landscapes.” Recently, Sullivan assumed the position of head of UIUC’s Department of Landscape Architecture, a role he views as an opportunity to further build relationships among university and professional programs in the state – including the ILCA. “Now that I’m department head it’s a relationship I’d like to rekindle,” he says in reflecting on his long-time relationship with the organization. “Through their good work, they touch hundreds of thousands of people, and I want to be connected to that.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

The Craftsman John Staab

ringing design concepts to fruition – and ultimately to application – is not only a demonstration of vision supported by the exercise of skill, but an immensely fulfilling creative progression, suggests landscape architect and designer John Staab, who expresses that “experiencing the process from idea, to paper to installation and then witnessing my clients’ pleasure is gratifying beyond belief.” And although he modestly describes himself as “a quiet and humble craftsman,” many of Staab’s projects materializing from his 32-year affiliation with The Brickman Group in Long Grove, Ill., have garnered industry awards and honors – with one example of his work having been installed in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archive of Great American Gardens. Recognition, however, is not what drives this unassuming professional who has been involved with ILCA design-associated activities. “I gain most satisfaction and reward,” he comments, “from creating unique gardens and pleasing my customers – simply that.” Staab’s focus on pleasing people through exceptional design began early on: He recounts an instance 32 years ago during a summer internship at the Theodore Brickman Co., while studying horticulture. “A chance hallway conversation with Mr. Brickman, Sr. solidified my commitment to the industry and encouraged me to continue on to study landscape architecture,” he recalls. “He framed what we do in larger and more profound terms relating to touching people’s soul through plants and good design.” His interest in horticulture, which was sparked by experiences nurturing and tending plants in his grandmother’s and mother’s perennial gardens and his father’s extensive vegetable garden, would eventually lead him to a career marked by

many residential installations, mostly in the Midwest, but also elsewhere in the country – and even in Mexico and France. His commitment to landscape design extends to his participation in the ILCA, where he has helped teach a design seminar and as well as hosted at one of his gardens during last year’s Design Days Tour. “I continue to encourage all of my colleagues and friends to take advantage of ILCA’s vast range of seminars, programs and shows, and witness how incredibly sharing of knowledge and experience our industry is to one and another,” he remarks. Staab’s appreciation of knowledge sharing, and the respect he has for experts with whom he works – and from whom he learns – denote the awe he expresses at the magic that collaboration, design vision and nature’s offerings together can yield. “The simple notion that an idea can blossom into a sketch that then translate to living plants and beautiful hardscapes that perhaps profoundly affect one’s soul,” he reflects, “is still mysterious and complex to me and greatly gratifying after 30 years.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Focus: The List — People with Impact 2015

The Curators Joy Kaminsky & Craig Kruckenberg

ome to spectacular grounds flanking the historic mansion that graces the former estate of Col. Robert McCormick in Wheaton, Ill., Cantigny Park, hosts 300,000 visitors annually and was the venue for the 2015 ILCA Summer Field Days event. The popular park features almost 30 acres of formal gardens with theme plantings and statuary, and contains an 18,500-square-foot greenhouse that accommodates a series of seasons of annuals, perennials and cut flowers, as well as one showcasing poinsettias. This horticultural wonderland is – as well as is the industry – fortunate to be touched by the talent and commitment of Joy Kaminsky and Craig Kruckenberg, RLA, who serve as the park’s director of horticulture and its horticulture manager, respectively. Besides working to balance what Kaminsky identifies as colorful “wow” displays with durable and lower maintenance perennials that visitors can replicate at home, efforts also are focused on increasing accessibility and sustainability. Anticipating more visitors to the park annually, Kaminsky is concentrated on improved accessibility for all audiences while maintaining the historic character of the gardens. A landscape plan renewal effort is looking at improved pathways, for example, to enable more people with disabilities to interact with plantings. “We’ve had ADA goals guiding how we’re reinterpreting gardens,” she notes. Landscape architect Kruckenberg, who “transitioned” into his position at Cantigny after 27 years in private practice, points to how something such as dispensing with gravel paths can make a difference to visitors in wheelchairs or pushing strollers. In his stewardship role, which involves not only pre18

serving aspects of the renowned gardens, but renewing them to reflect current-day practices and planting options, Kruckenberg is mindful of design integrity. “If it is a piece that is specific, maintain the intent,” he explains. Some of the species onsite, however, are considered invasive and being targeted for removal through “thoughtful phasing” directed by the Cantigny landscape plan. In implementing and endorsing sustainable gardens, Kaminsky acknowledges the role that industry organizations with a “parallel mission” – such as ILCA –can have. “ILCA is the green industry so we’ve enjoyed partnering with them to help us figure out what kind of resources to offer the local community.” Adds Kruckenberg, who maintains an interest in the landscaping industry even while ensconced in the notfor-profit world of museum gardens, “ILCA is an important group of people we need to support.” He sees such relationships as vehicles for transferring information to industry use, and vice versa. “They have knowledge,” he says. “We can learn from them, as well.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

The Motivators Judy Burgholzer & Brian Clement

s coordinator of and professor in the Horticulture Department and an instructor/advisor, respectively, at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill., Judy Burgholzer and Brian Clement occupy an important place in planning and preparing for a career in the field and facilitating professional development. The program they serve presents a core curriculum of some 40 classes, and offers specialized certificates – including Landscape Design and Construction; Greenhouse Management; and Landscape and Turf Management – as well as an A.A.S. in Horticulture. Inspired by a high school biology teacher who “made studying plants fun,” Burgholzer earned a B.S. degree in Agriculture and an M.S. in Horticulture from the University of Illinois. Before joining the College of DuPage faculty in 1987, she worked in a soil testing lab and in interior plantscaping. Now she works to inspire others to explore the field through academic options designed to reflect industry directions and provide exposure to the field. “We try to stay on top of what’s current in the industry,” Burgholzer says, citing endeavors to evolve the program to maintain relevancy and value. A Sustainable Urban Agriculture degree and certificate, for example, is being developed for launch in late 2016. A certificate program in Power Equipment Technology covering small engine repair, portable generators, and compact diesel engines is also slated for introduction then. The Horticulture program recently received accreditation from the National Association of Landscape Professionals, a designation under which a Landscape Contracting and

Management degree sequence is being created. “This degree option, believes Clement, “will be of benefit for our students entering the landscape industry with additional new coursework in estimating and bidding and an online course for the 10-hour OSHA training card.” Having grown up on a farm in downstate Illinois where he studied agriculture in high school, Clement earned a B.S. in Agriculture Education from Illinois State University and an M.S. in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University. His work experience includes teaching middle school and high school agriculture, and horticulture and engineering at the Technology Center of DuPage in Addison, Ill. Clement and Burgholder see value in participating in industry organizations – including ILCA where the former serves on the Education Committee and the latter is involved in forming the Future Landscape Industry Professionals Committee – and where both have presented at the iLandscape show. “We do,” says Burgholzer, “try to encourage students to participate in ILCA activities, such as the design contest.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Highlights from Fall Events

2015 Annual Membership Meeting by Meta Levin

“This was awesome,” says Will Haverkamp,

a sales account manager for C.J. Fiore Company, Inc., looking around the 2015 ILCA Annual Meeting at the Two Brothers Brewing Company in Aurora. A resident of Chicago, Haverkamp admits that the venue was not convenient for him, but it was worth it. “This was a different way for me to network,” he says. “We had great attendance and the building is cool.” More than 300 attendees no doubt agreed with Haverkamp’s assessment. They heard from officers and officials, celebrated milestones and waxed a little nostalgic, especially when George Weyland, ILCA history chair, presented a $700 check to Illinois Landscape Contractors Education & Charitable Organization (ILCECO) fund. In the last nine years the Old Timers group has generated a total of $3,000 for the fund. “This is better than last year,” says Melanie Evans, sales coordinator for Martin Implement Sales, one of the evening’s sponsors. “The people, the beer and the food all are in one room.” This was Evans’ second annual meeting and she hopes to return next year. Martin Implement Sales was one of 10 ILCA members that sponsored the event, making the evening more fun and helping keep the costs down for attendees. “You can’t beat the price,” says Jose Garcia, owner and founder of Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc. Rental Max was the Premier sponsor and SmithAmundsen LLC Sponsored at the “Sweetness” level. Besides Martin Implement Sales, those at the Party level included LaFarge Fox River Stone; RCOP (Ron Clesen’s Ornamental Plants, Inc.); Midwest Groundcovers and Midwest Trading; Russo Power Equipment; Rochester Concrete Products; National Seed and Illinois Brick. “I’ve been around ILCA for at least 25 or 30 years,” says Charlie Keppel of The Care of Trees, A Davey Company. “This is an open place, with everything in one room. You can see people. It’s a laid back atmosphere.” Keppel was concerned, however, with the lack of participation by North Shore companies. It is, he says, difficult to get from there to Aurora, especially at that time of day. Arthur Clesen Turf & Ornamental Supplies, Inc. and B. Haney & Sons, Inc. were honored for 50 years of ILCA membership. (continued on page 22) 20

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Rusty Maulding congratulates Immediate Past President Kevin Vancina The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Highlights from Fall Events (continued from page 20) Honorees for 25 years as ILCA members include: A Touch of Green, Inc.; Carlin Sales Corporation/ProGreen Plus; Country Landscape and Supply, Inc.; Hursthouse, Inc.; Lakeshore Landscaping, Inc.; Lurvey Landscape Supply; Michael Scott & Associates, Inc.; Monroe Truck Equipment, Inc.; Rolling Landscapes, Inc.; Sitarz Landscape & Maintenance; Summit Seed, Inc.; The Fisher Burton Company; Three Brothers Landscape & Maintenance and Tree Care Enterprises, Inc. “This is a great networking event,” says Trish Beckjord, a native plant specialist at Midwest Groundcovers, one of the evening’s sponsors. “It’s comfortable, the room is good sized and they’ve done a great job with the food.” The size of the room was a reoccurring theme with those attending. It made it easy to not only mingle and network, but watch as the Magazine Committee celebrated its win as the Committee of the Year. The committee was up against some equally qualified competition: the Summer Field Day and Design committees. The Magazine Committee persevered during the Recession, as advertisers cut their budgets, but it came out on top. Last year “The Landscape Contractor” magazine posted its strongest financial year since before the Recession. Throughout it all, the magazine never cut content, continuing to offer 64 color pages, even though publications put out by other state organizations have cut back. To add to its accomplishments, “The Landscape Contractor” magazine now doubles as the iLandscape Show issue, turning its lowest performing into its highest performing issue. And this year “The Landscape Contractor” magazine inaugurated its first digital edition, increasing both readership and advertising viewership.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Fifty year members included: B. Haney & Sons, Inc..; Arthur Clesen Turf & Ornamental Supplies, Inc...

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

More Highlights from Fall Events

Pruning Seminar Enjoys a Second at Schaumburg Boomers Baseball The highly

successful Basic Pruning Workshop enjoyed a reprise visit to the Schaumburg Boomers baseball park in Schaumburg. This location provides a near-perfect mix of indoor classroom space with an excellent array of pruning opportunities for the outdoor demonstration. As usual the event was divided into a morning session taught exclusively in Spanish and an afternoon session taught only in English. Course Content Classes included safety and dormant pruning lectures and trainer supervised hands-on pruning. Among the topics covered in both sessions were: • Improved pruning skills • How to properly prune trees and shrubs • Proper tools and proper safety procedures • Identification of the parts of a tree or shrub • Understanding where proper cuts should be made and the effect it will have on future growth • The difference between renewal and rejuvenation pruning ILCA Past President Charlie Keppel is the Event Chairman.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Inning Park

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

iLandscape 2016

iLandscape

the illinois + wisconsin Landscape Show

Keynote Speakers Offer Big Information for a Small Price It’s Showtime! by Meta Levin

The landscape industry is moving at warp speed. It’s exciting. It’s challenging. It’s wonderful, but how are you going to stay afloat when the business side takes up the time you’d really rather spend on innovation and, especially, your vision? Sound familiar? iLandscape has you covered. At 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3, stop by the mainstage in the iLandscape exhibit hall to explore “The Landscape of Leadership” with WGN on-air personality Ana Belaval and three landscape stars: Terri McEnaney, president of Bailey Nurseries; Anna Ball, president and CEO, Ball Horticulture Company and Donna Vignocchi-Zych, president, ILT Vignocchi. Learn how they’ve faced the challenges of time management, delegation and identifying a strategic direction, while the industry has changed around and with them. These professionals have maximized the efforts of staff and colleagues to achieve common goals, discovered how to focus, listen, delegate and to avoid burnout.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

iLandscape Keynotes for 2016 Liza Hausman

On Thursday, February 4, 2016, come back for another high powered presentation: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Houzz & the Empowered Client: How Technology is Transforming Outdoor Renovation,â&#x20AC;? with none other than Liza Hausman, vice president of industry relations for Houzz.com. Liza Hausman Houzz.com is part of the technological revolution that is empowering customers, allowing them to educate themselves, as well as choose design-build landscape professionals. Nice, but what does it mean for you and your business? In recent surveys, ILCA members point to Houzz.com as the single greatest tech platform for driving business to their doors. Let Liza Hausman tell you how contractors and designers benefit from this new age of access. Other socail media platforms are nice, but Houzz is a must. Vice president of industry marketing and community for the app Houzz.com, Liza Hausman has a long history in marketing and business, with expertise in the consumer and B2B web businesses. Her specialties include brand building, defining and building new markets, marketing strategy and tactics, Internet direct response marketing, website ROI optimization, media buying, team development and infrastructure. She helps with content creation and distribution, creative PR and analyst relations, as well as social and community marketing. Hausman looks through millions of eyes to see one vision. She will share that vision and her technology as the driving force behing design-sales.

Terri McEnaney

The fourth generation to be involved in Bailey Nurseries, Terri McEnaney assumed its presidency in 2001. Although she grew up in the family business, she first worked for 3M Co., before heading back to Bailey Nurseries. Since she became president, the company has expanded its international partnerships and created and launched three new plant brands, as well Terri McEnaney as grown in terms of revenue, staff and brand development. She is proud of the fact that she takes the time to learn and remember each employeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and maintains an open door policy in her office.

Anna Ball

Anna Ball is CEO and president of Ball Horticultural Company, a 110 year old, privately held company that specializes in breeding, biotechnology, production and marketing of hybrid flower seeds and other floriculture crops. She also serves as a trustee for The Morton Arboretum, Choose DuPage and is a director of the board of Career Vision. Anna Ball Now in its third generation of family management, Ball Horticultural has more than 20 locations all over the world.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Donna Vignocchi Zych

Donna Vignocchi Zych came to the landscape industry by family connection and a little bit of luck. Unable to find an internship in her chosen field – broadcast – she accepted an offer from her father to work for him. She loved the people she met, eventually learning the family business from the ground up and sticking around. Using her academic background, she put together a Donna Vignocchi-Zych marketing plan for her father, which proved successful. Like her mother, she is an avid gardener, but has found that she naturally gravitated into sales, something she happily does to this day. She serves on the ILCA Board of Directors and has been active in PLANET/ALCA.

Ana Belaval

Ana Belaval is the “Around Town” reporter for WGN Morning News, a three time Emmy Award winner (six time nominee) and has worked as a substitute anchor for the Morning and Midday News, as well as a general assignment reporter. In her spare time she performs stand-up comedy in various Chicago area locations, often working with WGN colleagues Pat Tomasulo and Mike Toomey, and Ana Belaval on the Mikey O Comedy Show. Belaval also hosts WTTW’s Chicago Stand Up Project and recently was invited to be an guest host on ABC’s “The View.” She also writes a blog, “Ay Mama,” based on her experiences as a mother, which now features the musings of seven other mothers.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

iLandscape Show Enhancements for 2016

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Enfoque: Sección en Español

Más cosas que ver... Más cosas que hacer. por Meta Levin

¡Llegó la hora de la

feria! El telón subirá el 3 de febrero para la tercera feria anual de paisajismo, iLandscape. Habrá música, premios, nuevos productos y servicios, sesiones educativas, fiestas y gnomos. Será todo lo que usted ha llegado a esperar de iLandscape y más. “Es un matrimonio entre conciencia de productos, diversión y educación”, asegura Scott Grams, Director Ejecutivo de ILCA. Todos los asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de desempeñar un papel estelar, caminando por la alfombra roja y atravesando el “Paseo de las Estrellas”. La feria se llevará a cabo del miércoles, 3 de febrero al viernes, 5 de febrero de 2016, en el Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel en Schaumburg. Siempre fresca En un esfuerzo por mantener la feria fresca e interesante, el Comité de la Experiencia iLandscape ha modificado y actualizado varios aspectos del evento, prestando al mismo tiempo mucha atención a los comentarios que los 34

miembros del Comité recibieron de los expositores y asistentes a la feria el año pasado. Con ese propósito, el escenario de la feria ha sido trasladado al centro del piso de exhibiciones, lo que permitirá a todos los asistentes ver y escuchar desde cualquier parte del salón, mientras continúan revisando las ofertas de los expositores. (Vea el nuevo plan del piso en las páginas 32 y 33). Las mujeres se expresan en iLandscape 2016 El acto inaugural incluirá un panel moderado por Ana Belaval de la WGNTV. Los panelistas serán tres mujeres de la industria verde con nombres reconocidos y opiniones muy firmes sobre liderazgo. Las tres son Anna Ball, Presidenta de Ball Horticultural; Terri The Landscape Contractor December 2015

McEnaney, Presidenta de Bailey Nurseries, y Donna Vignocchi, Presidenta de ILT Vignocchi. Su conversación se titula el Paisaje del Liderazgo y cubrirá temas esenciales para gerentes, desde control del tiempo hasta visión y delegación y escucha activa. Hay una sorpresa especial el jueves. Liza Hausman es Vicepresidenta de Relaciones Industriales en Houzz. com. Houzz está revolucionando las ventas de diseño. Bob Hursthouse de Hursthouse, Inc. advirtió que se están convirtiendo en su segundo generador más importante de contactos, después de las referencias. ILCA hizo una encuesta entre sus miembros y descubrió que era el único sitio de medios sociales con un impacto directo en los resultados finales. Liza tiene una amplia visión de las tendencias nacionales en paisajismo y diseño y discutirá cómo una presencia en los medios sociales está dejando de ser algo “ventajoso” para convertirse en una necesidad comercial.

... Nuevo giro en una actividad popular Este año, el popular recorrido por la feria dirigido por un conferencista, estará a cargo del Dr. Michael Dirr, Horticultor y Catedrático de la Universidad de Georgia. Dirr dirigirá un paseo entre arbustos (“Shrub Crawl”) desde el Garden Stage. El más reciente de una serie de paseos con el público, muy populares, el recorrido incluirá plantas leñosas de una variedad de proveedores. El sonido de la música Una vez más, iLandscape estará llena de música. El miércoles tocará un guitarrista flamenco en el vestíbulo; el jueves, Dave Byron actuará por segundo año consecutivo y el viernes amenizará

el evento una banda de mariachis. “Habrá músicos durante toda la feria”, afirma Tony Lobello, quien, junto con Katrina House, es copresidente del Comité de la Experiencia iLandscape. Las atracciones no se detienen Si la música no fuese suficiente, Anderson Animal Shelter pondrá algunas adorables mascotas disponibles para adopción y el jueves, el mago Bill Cook saldrá al escenario en el salón de expo-siciones. Por supuesto que los asistentes podrán festejar el miércoles por la noche, con la música de la Tributosaurus Band. “Es un grupo muy talentoso”, afirma Lobello. “Tendremos una fiesta muy divertida”. La Cena anual de Entrega de Premios de ILCA se celebrará el jueves por la

noche. Habrá un jardín de esculturas por el que la gente podrá caminar, así como un área para comer y un punto de reuniones central. “Siempre tratamos de hacer más variada la experiencia”, asegura Grams. “Los artistas y los músicas crean el ambiente adecuado”. Como respuesta a sugerencias de estudiantes que no estuvieron de acuerdo con el formato del panel de estudiantes el año pasado, el Comité lo ha cambiado totalmente. En lugar de sentarse y escuchar conferencias, los estudiantes

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Enfoque: Sección en Español serán divididos en grupos e invitados a sentarse alrededor de mesas con jóvenes contratistas de servicios de paisajismo que contestarán sus preguntas y hablarán sobre sus propias experiencias. “Esperamos ayudarles a comprender mejor la importancia de una red y cómo construirla”, afirma Grams. “Queremos que aprendan las cosas que pueden hacer ahora para tener éxito más adelante”. Y habrá gnomos. Gnomos ocultos, incluyendo un gnomo de oro que representa $1,000 para quien lo encuentre. Ocultos en diferentes lugares del piso de exhibiciones de la feria, asomándose por varios despliegues de proveedores, cada gnomo regular tendrá un valor de $200. Encuentre el gnomo, llévelo al puesto de exhibición de ILCA y reclame su premio. Así de sencillo. Por supuesto que el Comité de la Experiencia también presta atención a los detalles.

Respondiendo igualmente a sugerencias del año pasado, habrá letreros más claros para estacionamiento, así como en las áreas para abordar el autobús de ida y regreso. Y, asegura Lobello, tendremos más espacios para estacionamiento cercanos que en el pasado. Los planes presagian muchas cosas más, pero hasta que todo esté finalizado, Lobello y su equipo guardan silencio. Mientras tanto, promete que la experiencia será diferente. “No piensen que lo vieron todo el año pasado”, afirma Lobello. “Vengan a la feria. Será un fabuloso evento social y de aprendizaje”.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Reorientando la educación en una nueva y audaz dirección Por Meta L. Levin

“Nos sentimos

muy sugerencia de arquitectos paisajistas animados por la diversidad de los que asistieron al evento el año pasado, conferencistas”, afirma Kim Hartmann, las clases elegibles para obtener Presidenta del Comité de Educación de créditos de Educación Continua iLandscape 2016. Esa diversidad incluye durarán 90 minutos. ¡Esto permitirá pollos, pero hablaremos de esto más a los arquitectos paisajistas ganar 12 adelante. Y sí… hay un permiso para créditos en Educación Continua en animales de granja involucrado. iLandscape por solo $78! Los miembros del Comité de Se agruparán las áreas de estudio, Educación de iLandscape volvieron a por ej., todo lo de interés para prestar mucha atención a los comentarios arboricultores se concentrará el mismo de los asistentes al evento el año pasado, El gurú de las plantas día. Igual la nieve y otros temas. enriqueciendo el programa de 2016 con De esta forma, si alguien únicamente puede sesiones educativas para contratistas de asistir un día, tiene garantizado recibir todo lo que se ofrece servicios de paisajismo, representantes de municipalidades, con respecto a un tema específico y maximizar los créditos dueños de negocios, cultivadores, diseñadores e instaladores necesarios para la educación continua. de hardscape (elementos de concreto), peritos tasadores, Oh, ¿y mencionamos que la educación el viernes es capataces, superintendentes, operarios de máquinas gratuita? No habrá cargo por asistir a clases el viernes, con quitanieve, arboricultores, arquitectos y diseñadores el propósito de poner la educación a disposición de más paisajistas y mucho más. asistentes. “Reconocemos que contamos con un público muy amplio Los asistentes podrán aprender sobre temas de recursos en la industria verde y queremos asegurarnos de cubrir a humanos como qué hacer cuando se recibe una llamada todos los interesados”, afirma Hartmann. Esto significa que del Departamento del Trabajo, el mismo día que pueden habrá clases sobre plantas/horticultura, administración y aprender sobre atracción, motivación y retención del personal. operaciones, ventas y marketing, arquitectura paisajista y La experiencia ha enseñado al comité que los asistentes diseño y mantenimiento de jardines, así como remoción de con frecuencia están interesados en diferentes áreas de nieve y control de hielo. El Comité también ha continuado la aprendizaje. Debido a esto, pueden mezclar clases, asistir a tradición de ofrecer varias clases en español con la ayuda del una y después a otra. Comité de Relaciones con los Latinos. Por consiguiente, una persona puede aprender sobre “El año pasado, algunas personas nos preguntaron si “Pre-construcción, estimado y planificación en paisajismo” podíamos ofrecer también en inglés algunas de las clases con Matt Drauss y luego asistir a la clase sobre “Ecología e impartidas únicamente en español”, dijo Hartmann. insectos” impartida por Scott Stewart. Están programadas cerca de 25 clases, cada una de Los favoritos de siempre, como plantas perennes, árboles 75 minutos de duración. Y habrá sesiones educativas los y arbustos y otros temas de horticultura que atraen a grandes tres días, a diferencia del año pasado, durante el cual solo cantidades de asistentes, no han sido olvidados. El gurú de hubo sesiones el primero y el segundo día. Tomando una The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Enfoque: Sección en Español las plantas, Dan Heims, plantador, orador, coleccionista y criador, además de ser uno de los propietarios de Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. en Canby, Oregon, hará su presentación, “Plantas que pagan la renta” ante los asistentes a iLandscape este año. “Siempre está al tanto de las plantas más novedosas”, afirma Hartmann. “Pero en esta presentación hablará sobre plantas que añaden valor intrínseco a la vida y a las propiedades de los clientes”. Esto incluye utilizar plantas que ayudan a ahorrar energía, aumentan el valor de la propiedad y benefician la salud. De regreso al piso de exposiciones de iLandscape, Michael Dirr, Horticultor y Profesor de Horticultura,

dirigirá un paseo entre arbustos, visitando puestos de exhibición cuidadosamente seleccionados para hablar sobre plantas leñosas. “Los paseos con el público han sido muy populares”, afirma Hartmann. Usualmente atraen de 80 a 100 participantes. Dirr, catedrático de la Universidad de Georgia y reconocido experto en plantas leñosas, tiene una Licenciatura y una Maestría en Ciencias con especialidad en fisiología de plantas, de la Universidad Estatal de Ohio, y un Doctorado en la misma materia de la Universidad de Massachusetts en Amherst. Es autor de más de 300 publicaciones científicas y populares, así como siete libros. Además, Dirr ha sido reconocido ampliamente por sus escritos sobre horticultura y propagación de plantas, y su libro, Manual de Plantas Leñosas en Paisajismo: Su identificación, características ornamentales, cultivo y propagación y usos, ha sido adoptado ampliamente como texto de referencia en cursos de horticultura y arquitectura paisajista. Hay una sesión educativa programada para cada mañana (incluyendo el viernes), seguida de tiempo suficiente para examinar la feria y relacionarse con otros participantes, además de dos sesiones por las tardes. Hartmann señala que a diferencia del año pasado, habrá únicamente un conferencista inaugural que hablará desde un escenario en el salón de exposiciones. “La feria y las sesiones educativas se enriquecerán mutuamente”, comenta.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Los créditos de educación continua estarán disponibles para una amplia variedad de profesionales y disciplinas, incluyendo arquitectos paisajistas, arboricultores certificados, técnicos paisajistas certificados/ certificados por la industria paisajista y Profesionales de Viveros Certificados por Illinois (ICN Pros). El Comité de Educación de iLandscape se ha concentrado en la visión de conjunto, mirando tanto el bosque como los árboles, según el dicho popular. Por ejemplo, el “Panel 606” presentará el “606”, el nuevo sistema de parques y senderos de Chicago, desde una variedad de ángulos. El panel estará compuesto por arquitectos paisajistas y contratistas de servicios de paisajismo, representantes del Distrito de Parques de Chicago, contratistas de hardscape (elementos de concreto), planificadores de obras públicas - “todo el equipo funcional”, asegura Hartmann. “Quisimos mostrar el sistema desde el diseño hasta la inauguración”. El proyecto utilizó una antigua servidumbre de paso para trenes y la convirtió en espacio verde, lleno de hierba, árboles nativos y plantas perennes. Más de una década en construcción y ubicado a lo largo de la antigua Línea Bloomingdale, el sistema fue diseñado para unir las artes, la historia y el diseño, con senderos para ciclistas, corredores y caminadores. Incluye áreas para eventos especiales, avenidas para transporte alternativo, espacio verde y abierto. Fue inaugurado en junio.

En su continuo esfuerzo por mantenerse adelante o al menos a tono con las últimas tendencias, iLandscape se está concentrando en el movimiento denominado, “de la granja a la mesa”, especialmente el crecimiento de la demanda de huertos en el patio. Los clientes están cultivando plantas comestibles, pero también se están diversificando hacia ciertos tipos de animales de granja y polinizadores domesticados, como las abejas. Entra “Fowl Profits/Petscaping” (Beneficios con aves de corral/Jardinería y mascotas) con Tim Kline, seguido a poca distancia de pollos, cubiertos con un permiso oficial para animales de granja de Schaumburg – probablemente el primero para iLandscape. No obstante, los pollos estarán ahí, vivos y en persona.

Sin embargo, no se hizo lo mismo con las abejas. El Comité pensó que no sería buena idea traerlas, afirma Hartmann. En lugar de eso, los polinizadores zumbadores serán objeto de discusión. Por consiguiente, no importa cuál sea su interés específico, iLandscape ofrece educación para todos.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Enfoque: Sección en Español

iLandscape

the illinois + wisconsin Landscape Show

Conferencistas inaugurales destacan las oportunidades

por Meta Levin

La industria del paisajismo avanza a velocidad de curvatura. Es emocionante. Desafiante. Maravilloso. Pero, ¿cómo podrá mantenerse a flote cuando el aspecto comercial de su negocio le ocupa el tiempo que quisiera dedicar a las innovaciones y, especialmente, a su visión? ¿Le suena familiar? iLandscape lo tiene cubierto. A las 10:15 a.m., el miércoles, 3 de febrero, visite el escenario principal del salón de exposiciones de iLandscape para explorar, “El Paisaje del Liderazgo” con Ana Belaval, personalidad de WGN en el aire, y tres estrellas del paisajismo: Terri McEnaney, Presidenta de Bailey Nurseries; Ana Ball, Presidenta y Directora Ejecutiva de Ball Horticulture Company; y Donna Vignocchi-Zych, Presidenta de ILC Vignocchi. Aprenda cómo han hecho frente a los desafíos del control del tiempo, la delegación y la necesidad de identificar una

dirección estratégica, mientras la industria cambia alrededor de y junto con ellas. Estas profesionales han maximizado los esfuerzos del personal y sus colegas para lograr objetivos comunes, aprender a enfocarse, escuchar, delegar y evitar el agotamiento. El jueves, 4 de febrero de 2016, regrese para otra presentación de alto calibre: “Houzz y el Cliente Empoderado: Cómo la tecnología está transformando la renovación de exteriores” con la propia Liza Hausman, Vicepresidenta de Relaciones Industriales de Houzz.com. Houzz.com es parte de la revolución tecnológica que está empoderando a sus clientes, permitiéndoles educarse, así como elegir a profesionales del diseño y la construcción de jardines ornamentales. Excelente, pero ¿qué significa esto para usted y su negocio? Los miembros de ILCA están señalando a Houzz.com

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Enfoque: Sección en Español como la mejor plataforma de tecnología para llevar clientes a sus puertas. Dejemos que Liza Housman le diga cómo lo hacen y cómo puede beneficiarse.

Terri McEnaney

Perteneciente a la cuarta generación de Bailey Nurseries, Terri McEnaney asumió la presidencia de la Compañía en 2001. Aunque creció en el negocio familiar, primero trabajó para 3M Co., antes de regresar a Bailey Nurseries. Desde que Terri ocupa la presidencia, la compañía ha ampliado sus asociaciones internacionales Terri McEnaney y creado y lanzado tres nuevas marcas de plantas, además de crecer en términos de ganancias, personal y desarrollo de marca. Terri se enorgullece de dedicar tiempo a aprender y recordar el nombre de cada empleado y mantiene una política de puertas abiertas en su oficina.

Anna Ball

Anna Ball es Presidenta y Directora Ejecutiva de Ball Horticultural Company, una compañía privada con 110 años de existencia, especializada en cultivo, biotecnología, producción y comercialización de semillas de flores híbridas y otros cultivos floriculturales. También es administradora fiduciaria del Arboreto Morton, Choose DuPage y directora de la Junta de Anna Ball Career Vision. En su tercera generación de administración familiar, Ball Horticultural tiene actualmente más de 20 locales alrededor del mundo.

Donna Vignocchi-Zych Donna Vignocchi-Zych entró en la industria del paisajismo por conexiones familiares y un poco de suerte. Cuando no le fue posible encontrar una pasantía en el campo que había elegido – transmisiones radiotelevisivas -, aceptó la oferta de su padre de trabajar con él. Le encantaron las personas que conoció y con el tiempo aprendió el negocio familiar comenzando desde abajo 42

y dedicándole todo el tiempo necesario. Utilizando sus antecedentes académicos, elaboró un plan de comercialización para su padre, que tuvo mucho éxito. Como su madre, es ávida jardinera, pero ha descubierto que por naturaleza tiende hacia las ventas, campo al que se ha dedicado con éxito hasta el presente. Forma parte de la Junta Directiva de ILCA y se ha mantenido activa en PLANET/ALCA.

Liza Hausman

Vicepresidenta de Marketing de Productos Industriales y Relaciones con la Comunidad para la aplicación Houzz.com, Liza Hausman tiene un largo historial en marketing y negocios, con experiencia en el negocio de ventas en la web a consumidores y B2B (negocio a negocio). Sus especialidades incluyen desarrollo de marca, definición y desarrollo Liza Hausman de nuevos mercados, estrategias y tácticas de marketing, marketing de respuesta directa en Internet, optimización del rendimiento de la inversión (ROI) en sitios web, compra de medios, desarrollo e infraestructura de equipos, creación y distribución de contenido de liderazgo reflexivo, Relaciones Públicas creativas y relaciones analíticas, así como marketing social y comunitario.

Ana Belaval

Ana Belaval es la reportera “por la ciudad” del noticiero matutino de WGN, ganadora de tres premios Emmy (nominada seis veces) y ha trabajado como presentadora sustituta en el noticiero matutino y en el del mediodía, así como reportera de asignaciones generales. En su tiempo libre, es comediante de micrófono Ana Belaval en varios locales del área de Chicago, trabajando frecuentemente con sus colegas de la WGN, Pat Tomasulo y Mike Toomey, y en el Show de Mikey O Comedy. Belaval también es presentadora del Proyecto “Chicago Stand Up” de WTTW y recientemente fue invitada al programa “The View” de la ABC. También es autora de un blog, “Ay Mama,” basado en sus experiencias como madre, el cual actualmente presenta las reflexiones de otras siete madres.

Donna Vignocchi-Zych The Landscape Contractor December 2015

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The Landscape Contractor December 2015

More Highlights from Fall Events

Old Timers’ Group Holds Annual Event The 9th

Annual ILCA Old Timers’ Gathering was held at the La Villa Restaurant in Chicago, October 18, 2015. Long-time members, past and present, enjoyed the afternoon of ILCA fellowship and memories. Over the past nine years, this event has donated more than $3,000 to the ILCECO scholarship fund. A check was presented to ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams at the Annual Membership Meeting on November 5, 2015. The event is the idea of, and singlehandedly organized by ILCA historian George Weyland. George deserves a sincere round of thanks for keeping ILCA’s memory alive.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

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The Landscape Contractor December 2015

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Landscape Soils Management (continued from page 46) Similarly, Diblik would substitute Sedum ‘Carl’ or S. spectabile ‘Neon’ for ‘Red Cauli’. “Red Cauli doesn’t always withstand irrigation,” he says. ‘Neon and ‘Carl’ tend to do better on irrigated sites, but too much mulch can still do them in. When it comes to sedums, Diblik defers to grower Brent Horvath, author of The Plant Lover’s Guide to Sedums. Horvath is owner of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, just down the road from the nursery Diblik co-owns, Northwind Perennial Farm. Horvath suggests three possible substitutions for ‘Red Cauli’. Hylotelephium x ‘Thundercloud’ grows just a foot tall and has white flowers in September. Sedum ‘Pure Joy’ is a similar size with pink flowers in September. “I have seen Roy use ‘Thundercloud’ at Northwind. It looks nice among the Sesleria autumnalis,” Horvath reports. A taller selection and Horvath introduction is Sedum x ‘Petrified’, a 15-18”

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The Landscape Contractor December 2015

tall plant whose smokey gray foliage has plum highlights. The flowers start out bicolor pink. In fall, the entire plant matures to burgundy red. “All three can take irrigation,” Horvath says. “None of them will take mulching on the crown, but around the base, yes.” One plant that did a little too well in this plant community is the Bouteloua. “I’d use 5 of them,” Diblik says “They get too big too quickly, and they seed too much.” Instead, Diblik would increase the Sesleria autumnalis to 16. Coreopsis palmate and Salvia x sylvestris ‘Wesuwe’ remain the same in Diblik’s revised grid. Another change he’d make is to increase the number of bulbs. In his new grid, he specifies 3 groups of five Allium atropurpureum, 4 groups of 7-9 Allium moly and 3 groups of 6 to 8 Tulip greigii. In sites where critters are a problem, Diblik recommends substituting Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ for the tulips.

ILCA Business Library

Fact Checker and Degrees of Truth by Jim Paluch

In this season

of political debates, it is very interesting to watch each candidate as they are passionately trying to win our votes. They loudly proclaim their answers to questions or quietly with batting eyes give what sounds like an intelligent and truthful answer. They seem so well rehearsed when it comes time to look in the camera and can make it seem as if it is just them and me, and together we can change the multitude of things that are wrong. The more they say that something is wrong and they can fix it, the better the chance they have of making me and them believe that it is a fact. How often, however, have you asked yourself, “Are they telling the truth?” It happens often for me and I am always interested when I come across a “fact checker” in a paper, magazine, or website. When reading through a “fact checker,” the candidate’s statements are scrutinized, and one of three answers can be the result:

“It was a fact,” “It was almost a fact,” or “It was not a fact.” That prompts one of three responses from me in the same order” “That’s great”, “I wonder what else they are spinning?” and “How do they look themselves in the mirror?” This is not meant to belittle or critique our candidates, who I believe have the best intentions and just like each of us may have convinced themselves of what the facts are even though they may not truly be . . . the facts. Wouldn’t it be great if we had our own personal “fact checker”? Beth and I had an appointment with a nutritionist this week, and it brought this concept of knowing what exactly the facts are and what are not facts to my mind. As the nutritionist started asking questions about what our typical breakfast, lunch or dinner would consist of and how we approached buying groceries, we felt pretty good about how we stood up to her questions. Then a “fact checker”

came into play when she asked what I may eat when I’m on the road travelling. I simply responded with a question of my own, “Is it true that pizza represents all four food groups?” The fact is I had fooled myself thinking through the years that it is okay to go all day, miss lunch and justify a pizza delivered right to my hotel room that evening! The next line of questioning coming from this interrogation specialist disguised as a nutritionist focused in on exercise. “What type of exercise do you do?” she asked me looking over the top of her glasses and seeming to sense she was starting to break through the “fact facade” I had so cleverly crafted in my mind. “Oh that is something that is very important to me,” I said with the pride of an Olympian athlete. “I am a runner!” She then enthusiastically, yet cunningly, replied, “That is awesome. Tell me, how many miles do you run in a week?” Now, I wouldn’t go so far as to say my

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The Landscape Contractor December 2015

life passed in front of my eyes, but in what was only a few seconds, many images passed through my mind of years passed . . . long runs with friends, running in winter storms, on beaches and my favorite thing of all, running through the parks near my home with our Dalmation and in recent years Sam, our boxer! I could feel the smile on my face begin to fade as I heard the alarming words come from my mouth . . . “Well the fact is . . .” I confessed as I thought how well she had broken through my resistance, “in recent months, the runs have happened less and less, and gotten shorter and shorter. Actually they are more of a walk in the woods than a run.”

“That is okay!” she smiled removing her glasses. “It sounds like you do more than 95% of most Americans. At least you are doing something.” With that experience behind me, and during my run this morning with the sunrise painting colors in the eastern sky and Sam bounding after a deer just to my left, I began to wonder how many other “fact checks” I need in my life. As I ran, I started thinking about some criteria to question myself on and the first thing that came to mind was the book I wrote almost 20 years ago, Five Important Things. (continued on page 52 )

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ILCA Business Library (continued from page 51) I thought through each of the five things: • Continue to Learn • Appreciate People • Great Attitude • Set Goals • Don’t Quit With each one I tried to say yes I’m doing that but, the fact is, I knew I could do better. Next, I took the opportunity to consider the next book, Leaving a Legacy, and went through the seven things that this story was built around: • Make the best use of your time • Keep the desire to smile • Life is as we see it • Face the dragon within • Appreciate the value of hard work • Find inspiration in everything • Have the courage to take action

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The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Checking the Facts

Where can we continue to discover criteria to fact check against? The mission, vision and values of our company would be a great place to start or if you are a bit more analytical, look through your position description or last performance review. What are the facts you discover about yourself when you consider these and other things that can give a clear dose of reality when looking at your career or business? How about your family? Do you really have a “date night” with your spouse each month like you say, or would a fact checker point out you used to have date nights but in the last two years it’s happened once or twice? How about family vacations, starting to save for college for the kids or retirement? Are you getting outside and creating memories with your kids or have you put yourself and them stuck steadfast in front of some type of screen creating a

shorter time with them, evident in the fact you are always saying, “how fast it seems they are growing up and how soon they will be moving out of the house!” How about your continued education, community involvement, commitment to your friends, or being there for your aging parents? What about your faith? The fact is, we have so many positive things to inspire our lives. When we start to consider them, we can build on all the things that are going right and not just aimlessly wander around claiming to fix the things that are seemingly going wrong. Wouldn’t that be a great strategy for all those men and women standing in our presidential debates? Let’s all continue to seek the facts and build on the great things taking place around us. The fact is, it would be hard to debate whether living this strategy would produce results that go far beyond, “doing something and that’s (continued on page 54)

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ILCA Business Librar (continued from page 53) more than most people.” The fact is, truth doesn’t come in degrees, and we can improve anything when we know the facts!

Quotes worth consideration “What are you pretending not to know?” - Derek Gracely

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The Landscape Contractor December 2015

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The Landscape Contractor

55 December 2015

Member Profile Dirt-n-Turf Consulting, Inc. 542 Clark Street Hinckley, IL 60520 (630) 251-1511 www.dirt-n-turf.com by Meta Levin

David Marquardt

grew up in the green industry, working for a landscape nursery starting at age 14. It seemed natural that he would make it his career. The owner of Dirt-nTurf Consulting, Inc., in Hinckley, IL, Marquardt brings years of experience to the independent agronomic and horticulture company that he founded. “We are unique, because of our independence,” he says. “Unlike vendors who sell products, we only offer advice and consulting.” He was born and raised in the Bloomington, IL area and graduated from Illinois Central College’s turf and horticulture program in 1975. In fact, while still in school he was inducted into the International Plant Propagator’s Society. For the next 17 years Marquardt worked in retail and wholesale nurseries, as well as in landscape design and construction in central and northern Illinois. In 2001 Marquardt began consulting full time and in 2004 he, along with his wife, Gail, incorporated Dirt-n-Turf Consulting. Today the business serves a range of clients in the green industry, including landscape architects, contractors and nurseries, as well as high end and tournament golf facilities and sports fields, providing soil testing and engineering, and soil and water testing, fertility management and recommendations. “Ninety-five percent of my business comes from repeat clients,” he says. And those range all over the United States, including large properties, as well as university and professional sports complexes and campuses. Marquardt started consulting part time while helping a northern Illinois nursery change its focus and operation. A few years later Brookside Society of 56

Professional Consultants at Brookside Laboratories in New Bremen, OH, invited him to join. This involved completing a training regimen in laboratory and testing procedures. He is still certified with this organization. In the mid-1990s he expanded his experience working with a company to design a line of coarse container media for perennial and woody nursery crops. In fact, Marquardt often recommends current versions of this media to his clients for improving drainage in landscape soils. Landscape contractors and architects hire Dirt-n-Turf to provide soil analysis for sand, silt and clay, nutrient evaluation and fertility recommendations, as well as specification writing and review. Most of the company’s work centers on designing soil physics to allow water to move through heavy soils, such as clay, and providing nutrient corrections to offset sodium accumulation from snow removal salts. Land adjacent to public spaces or that irrigated with high sodium water are at most risk for the latter. “Over the last 10 to 15 years I have sensed some urgency to do a better job with soil to reduce the necessity for plant replacement,” he says. “They want to get the problems fixed, up front.” In addition, Marquardt lectures at McHenry Community College and has taught and spoken at seminars and conferences all over the United States. Dirt-n-Turf recently rejoined ILCA, citing networking opportunities as the primary reason. “We continue to see increased growth in the landscape contracting industry,” he says. Now that the local landscape market has picked up, Marquardt believes it is time to “support

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

those who support us.” In addition to running his consulting business, lecturing and writing, Marquardt is an ordained minister, starting his tenth year as pastor of Rollo Congregational Church in Earlville, IL, 20 miles south of his home in Hinckley, IL.

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The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Classified Ads HELP WANTED Residential Maintenance Account Rep Rosborough Partners, Inc. located in Libertyville, IL is accepting resumes for an experienced Residential Maintenance Account Representative to manage portfolio of residential maintenance clients. Responsibilities include preparing proposals, contract renewals, identifying and selling new sales leads and ensuring quality control is followed on client sites. Revenue and profitability goals will be set each year and accomplished by analyzing, planning, organizing, and adjusting schedules to achieve efficient use of resources and people. Establishing, building and maintaining client relationships are the keys to being successful in this position. Landscape industry experience and/or a horticultural degree is required. English & Spanish fluency is a plus. We offer competitive wages and benefits. Please email resume to: mary@rosboroughpartners.com HELP WANTED  CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING also available on ILCA’s WEB SITE www.ilca.net Call for information (630) 472-2851 

HELP WANTED Woodland Commercial Landscape, Inc

Maintenance Account Manager

A growing western suburbs landscape company is seeking to fill the following positions in our Naperville office: Office manager- this person would be working with our team to properly organize day to day operations such as billing, quick books accountig work, excel work, payroll. Someone well versed at using computers a must. Commercial project manager- running 3-4 crews on a daily basis for all aspects of commercial landscape install. 5 year minimum experience. Bilingual a plus. CDL-A drivers- Looking for a highly motivated driver who knows the Chicagoland area with a CDL A license. Skid steer operation a plus.

Schmechtig Landscapes in Mundelein, Illinois is hiring. We are looking for a Maintenance Account Manager. This position requires thorough knowledge of landscape maintenance and maintenance enhancement procedures; 5 years minimum experience as a supervisor or foreman overseeing and maintaining high end residential properties managing multiple crews; knowledge of estimating, production rates and job costing; excellent understanding of maintenance and horticultural practices. Candidates must have a horticulture degree or certificate and driver’s license with a clean record. Landscape industry certified and bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

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Are You Looking To Move To A Warmer Climate?

Irrigation Contractor looking for the following positions:

Palm Trees Ltd in Charleston, SC is hiring an experienced crew leader. Good driving record, ability to get a CDL, experience operating equipment, installing plants, and supervising employees required. Please email resume to: palmtreesltd@gmail.com or fax 843-559-1766 or mail: PO Box 1535, Johns Island, SC 29457

FOR RENT 5 ACRES HEADQUARTERS OR SATTELITE SITE Frontage onto Square Barn Road, Algonquin, IL With four Buildings: • Heavy Equipment Barn • Indoor Equipment Storage Area • Fertilizer & Equipment Barn • Small Equipment Barn • Plus 3 acre Gravel Parking Lot

Contact: Richard Lamkey 847-878-8228 58

HELP WANTED

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

• Service Manager • Project Manager • Engineer/Designer/Estimator Immediate openings. CAD drafting abilities a plus. Please send resume to: service@hyirrigation.com

Classified Ads HELP WANTED Business Development/Sales Representative At Scott Byron & Co., we create beautiful environments. Located in Lake Bluff, IL We are looking for an experienced Business Development/ Sales Representative to join our team. Requirements include: • Experience in the Green industry • Proven success in selling professional services to commercial accounts • Capability of prospecting for new clients in new territories • Proven independent work style consistent with designated strategic planning • Knowledge of Chicago Markets and demographics for viable market segments • Track record of growing sales territories in current economic climate • Reliability in executing assigned sales strategics and capitalizing on opportunities • Please submit your resume and salary requirements to hrtrybus@gmail.com • We promote a drug-free work environment. Competitive pay based on experience. EOE

HELP WANTED

FULL- TIME ENTRY LEVEL LANDSCAPE DESIGNER Grant & Power Landscaping, a premier contractor in the western suburb, is looking for a creative, efficient and self-motivated designer to add to our team. The ideal candidate has experience with Dynascape and some knowledge of estimating and installation procedures. Experience with Google SketchUp a plus. Prefer a degree in landscape design, horticulture or equivalent industry experience. Competitive salary and benefits offered. Grant & Power Landscaping has been providing outstanding service to our clients for over 35 years. As a design build firm, we specialize in custom residential designs, detailed installations and maintenance. We pride ourselves in providing a quality, full service landscaping experience. Visit our website at www.grantandpower.com Please contact Sarah Grabowski at 630-2310069 sarahgrabowski@grantandpower.com

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES January 2016 issue ads: December 15, 2015 February 2016 issue ads: January 15, 2016 March 2016 issue ads: February 15, 2016 PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50 Optional Website Cost is $7 per line Minimum charge $70 (About 6 words/line) Call Alycia O’Connor (630) 472-2851 or use the online submission form located at www.ilca.net

Obits

D OTY NURSERIES

We take Pride in Our Quality and Customer Service

dotynurseries.com

SHADE TREES • ORNAMENTALS • UPRIGHT CONIFERS Locally grown for over 25 years Ryan Doty sales@dotynurseries.com

P 630 365 9063 F 630 365 9081

45W121 Beith Road Maple Park, IL 60151

www.agrecol.com

Your native plant nursery Bioswales • Basins • Shorelines • Stormwater Phone 608.223.3571

Fax 608.884.4640

ecosolutions@agrecol.com

In Memoriam LOSING A HIGHLY VALUED EMPLOYEE IS NEVER EASY… As anyone in the green industry can attest to it is Especially true when it’s due to an unforeseen reason. A Touch of Green Garden Center recently lost one of its Dearest members to a heart attack on the 27th of October. Ramon Calderon died in his sleep at the age of 48 taking everyone by surprise. For over Twenty Years Ramon had become an integral part of A Touch of Green’s Staff and the patrons who visited. He was a family member, a brother, someone you could always rely on and go to when you needed help. Customers were perennially greeted by that warm smile as they would seek his professional, courteous and kind attention in anything landscape or garden related. Fellow employees and patrons alike absolutely loved him! Ramon did so much for so many, from managing the garden center and answering any questions anyone had no matter how trivial, to providing expert advice and coordination for all the landscape crews.

We have everything on your landscape check list.

Check us out!

4 Convenient locations to serve you! Hampshire: 847-683-3700 Hanover Park: 847-453-1240 Plainfield: 815-439-7188 Volo: 815-344-0944 www.wilsonnurseries.com Se habla español! 60

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

Advertisers

Attention Landscape Contractors:

Agrecol..............................................................60 Bartlett Tree Experts .............................................55

Remember to Support ILCA Supporters!

Beaver Creek Nursery ..........................................51

These include:

Carlin Sales...............................................................6 Chicagoland Gardening .........................................61 Doty Nurseries LLC ................................................60

Where will you find them?

Fairview Evergreen Nurseries ................................53 Goodmark Nurseries ..............................................45 Green Glen Nursery ...............................................63 B. Haney & Sons, Inc. ............................................48 Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. ......................................53 iLandscape 2016 ...................................................28

• Members & Advertisers who supply goods and services • Members who sponsor ILCA programs and events

• ILCA Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide • The Landscape Contractor magazine advertising

• The Landscape Contractor magazine reports of events with sponsor acknowledgments • www.ilca.net member lists – Finding a Landscape Contractor & Suppliers to the Trade

Ken Burns Inc. .........................................................54 Lafarge Fox River Stone .........................................49 Longshadow Planters .............................................10 McGinty Bros. ........................................................52 Midwest Groundcovers ........................................2, 55 Midwest Trading .....................................................2 Mobile Fleet Xpress ...............................................50 ProGreen Plus ........................................................6 RWC Insurance ......................................................54 RugZoom Synthetic Grass .....................................48 Stockyards Brick Co. ...........................................25 The Care of Trees ..................................................6 The Mulch Center ...................................................52 The Landscape Contractor ......................................57 Timber Industries......................................................4 Unilock, Inc. ...........................................................64 Wilson Nurseries ...................................................60

The Landscape Contractor December 2015

By Steve Raczak

Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’

Some plants

— just like All-Star athletes — make everyone around them look better. What’s a plant you can use — and recommend — with confidence? We’ve asked ILCA members to share their thoughts on proven performers. Where low maintenance, high drought tolerance, rare trafficstopping “floating-flowering” uniqueness, and extended winter interest meet garden whimsy, ‘Blonde Ambition’ is sure to live up to its name. This is a plant sure to find its way into the forefront of usage as focal points of interest in perennial gardens, commercial landscapes, and even decorative containers. Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’ is a selection of the rugged native North American (mostly west of the Mississippi) warm season ornamental grass Bouteloua gracilis, commonly called blue gamma or mosquito grass. Narrow, bluish-gray leaf blades form a tufted clump, growing 12-15” tall. A swarming myriad of airy, chartreuse flag-like flowers hang from only one side of the stiff flowering stems that rise 15” above the foliage. The flowers emerge in mid-summer into early fall and literally appear to “float” horizontally. The wispy 3’tall by 3’wide sun-loving clumps turn a golden brown in late summer. The flowers give way to blond seed heads that resemble fluttering/flirting tan eyelashes. Exceptional winter interest fol-

lows as the sturdy stems of the seed heads pop through even a heavy snow and remain standing throughout the winter months, giving this whimsical slick grass 6 to 8 months to conduct its commanding pirouette performance. This blonde bomber’s intermediate size and texture are also extremely cold hardy. This makes it a great low maintenance, complementary choice for use in residential perennial l borders, commercial and sustainable landscape projects, and fall ornamental grass containers. Utilize it as an accent or in sweeps and/or color drifts for a dramatic effect. It is easily grown in average, dry-to-medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Bouteloua is very tolerant of drought and a wide range of soil conditions from sandy soils to heavy (well drained) clays, but struggles to thrive in highly acidic or wet soils. Wait to cut clumps down to a 2-3” height in late winter/early spring to maximize its winter attributes. The unique features, attributes, and outstanding field performance of Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’ don’t come along very often and make it a no brainer to add to your design palette. You’ll find yourself anxiously waiting for breezy summer, autumn, and winter days and the mesmerizing dancing performances to begin!

Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’ facts— Size:

Culture:

3’ tall and wide in flower at maturity Foliage

Full sun in well-drained, average to moist soils. Cut back to 2-3” tall in late winter/early spring.

¼” wide, blue-gray, turns golden in fall, sometimes with red and orange hues. Flowers:

Chartreuse flowers line one side of arching stems that rise to 2.5’ tall in mid summer to early fall. Flowers give way to blonde seeds that persist through winter.

Steve Raczak Chicagoland Area Sales Rep Twixwood Nursery

Steve Raczak is a sales/customer service and training professional and currently serves as the Chicagoland sales representative for Twixwood Nursery.He earned a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in vocational education from the University of UrbanaChampaign. Early in his career, Steve taught horticulture at the high school and junior college levels, followed by a corporate sales management and training role in the travel industry. Steve puts this experience to good use for the ILCA on the Education Committee.

The Landscape Contractor December 2015