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

Weeping Beauties

Fire & Ice 2024

MIDWEST OVERSTOCK

Photo Credits

CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS

ILCA Awards Committee 1, 8-9

Rick Reuland 10-14, 22-29 36-39

Nina Koziol 16-20

Midwest Goundcovers 40-43

Heather Prince 44-54

The official publication of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), The Landscape Contractor is dedicated to educating, advising and informing members of this industry and furthering the goals of the Association. The Landscape Contractor carries news and features relating to landscape contracting, maintenance, design and allied interests. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication. Publication reserves right to refuse advertising not in keeping with goals of Association. www.ilca.net

Volume 65, Number 9. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630) 637-8632

ILCA Staff

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

Statewide Director of Development Kellie Schmidt kschmidt@ilca.net

Director of Events AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@ilca.net

Education Manager Melissa Custic mcustic@ilca.net

Office Manager Alycia Nagy anagy@ilca.net

Membership & Marketing Manager Marissa Stubler mstubler@ilca.net

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

Magazine Staff

Rick Reuland

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

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

Meta Levin Feature Writer meta.levin@comcast.net

Nina Koziol Feature Writer n.koziol@att.net

Heather Prince Feature Writer princeht@sbcglobal.net

Patrice Peltier Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net

Becke Davis EditorialAssistant

September 11, 2024

Turf Education Day (TED)

NIU Naperville Naperville, IL

September 19, 2024

Growers Tour

Multiple Locations in Northern Illinois

September 26, 2024 Golf Outing

Village Links of Glen Ellyn Glen Ellyn, IL

September 27-28, 2024

LIFT: The Landscape Professional Summit for Women

Eaglewood Resort & Spa Itasca, IL

Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better We belong, we belong, we belong together

- Pat Benatar, musician

ILCA held Fire & Ice on August 8th at The Morton Arboretum. We hosted over 1,000 landscape and tree care industry professionals making it the largest Fire and Ice/Summer Field Day event since 2016. Cracking 1,000 attendees was a major milestone for the Fire & Ice Committee and made this the second largest green industry event in Illinois outside of iLandscape.

Fire & Ice began as Summer Field Day, which is the oldest event that ILCA still produces. It was first hosted in 1961 at Tures Brothers Nursery in Plato Center, IL. The principle back then was simple — let landscapers gather for an elevated nursery tour and luncheon during the late summer lull. The event was the first week of August when landscape firms and nurseries had their first opportunity to catch their breath. We have photos of that first Summer Field Day. The attendees, mostly men, in white NASA-style shirts and fedoras lined up to eat hamburgers, network, and go on hayrides. Only the dress code has changed much in the last 65 years.

From Where I Stand — Right Where We Belong

we are pitching them coolest party ever at the wildest fraternity house. Against all odds, we need them to see the same vision we do — that Fire & Ice belongs there. Amazingly, these hosts agree and get downright excited. Our promise to them is that we will be safe, smart, and leave the grounds as we found them.

Todd Jacobson and Michelle Catania of The Morton Arboretum deserve extra-special mention for being our true believers this year. They not only have to see our vision, but then translate that vision into a language an organization as large and departmental as the Arboretum could understand. This includes looping in security, guest services, catering, grounds, tours, the shuttle service, tree science, continuing education, and dozens of paid employees who work in those departments who have never heard of the ILCA. Todd and Michelle have spent the last year convincing their colleagues Fire & Ice belonged there in a language we could have never mastered.

Fire & Ice morphed out of a combination of Summer Field Day and Summer Snow Days. Those two events combined forces to become the newly minted show and the core committee is made up of landscape and snow professionals and suppliers. The history of the name comes from the fire of the sun that powers our industry and the ice of the snow that keeps us busy and profitable in the offseason.

Fire & Ice starts with a basic premise: put a tradeshow in a space where a tradeshow does not belong. This has been done at nurseries, public gardens, colleges, sod farms, and any other spot with a host crazy enough to let us have a go at it. iLandscape is a bear to produce, but we have a hotel, caterer, show decorator, AV company, electricians, plumbers, forklift operators, riggers, and an army of tradesmen to pull it off. At Fire & Ice, welp, that’s all on us.

iLandscape even has exotic features like electricity, indoor plumbing, fresh water, and a roof. At Fire & Ice, we need to provide all of these. It has to go up in two days and come down in two hours. Well, at least that’s the plan. This column is about the team of incredible people who get Fire & Ice to belong at each site that hosts us. Without this group of dedicated volunteers, the hosts, and staff, Fire & Ice would topple like a house of cards. They lift and lug. They sweat and bleed. They plan and react. They teach and learn. They communicate and trust. They allow 1,000 of their peers to descend on a site and then get them back home safely without leaving a trace.

First, let’s start with the host. Put yourself in the shoes of a Fire & Ice host for a minute. We approach them with an idea that their grounds could host this event. The major criteria are that we need somewhere outside, flat, and covered in grass. On top of that, we are not that picky. We are going to let 1,000 people throw axes, demo power tools, carve wood with chainsaws, drink beer, park on the lawn, and wander all over the property. It sounds like

Planning for the site starts 11-months out. We visit the site with a measuring wheel, 250 feet of rope, marking paint, cones, and locate flags. From those materials, we will build the footprint of our show. The first map we draw resembles the world’s worst football play. There are arrows and shapes going in all sorts of directions. We find a fixed object (we call it our cornerstone) and run aisles off of that. It can be a rock or tree or road or birdhouse. This year, the show took place in a meadow with native plants that went up to our chests. There would be no way to verify our conceptual map until a bush hog cut it down four weeks out from the show that had already been sold to 80 exhibitors.

Any landscape professionals knows there is a difference between a 2D design plan and a finished landscape. There are 101 things that can go wrong when getting a landscape design to come to life. Fire & Ice is no different and the group tasked with doing it is our Committee. Words cannot describe how hard the Fire & Ice Committee work over the span of the event. Like the entire event itself, the dedicated group of 20 volunteers are all placed into roles that are not a natural fit for them. Designing, building, and managing an outdoor tradeshow was never a natural skill possessed by any member of the committee when they came into the industry. It is normal for a new committee member to ask, “Do I belong here?” when confronted with the awesome task of running this event.

On paper, none of these volunteers belong in these roles. Yet, they have created a committee culture of teamwork, good-humor, courage, safety, and sacrifice. That camaraderie is what allows them to do the impossible. They refuse to let each other down. They refuse to make a task someone else’s problem. They refuse to shy away from what is needed in the moment. The yellow eyes of coyotes watched this committee unload lowboy trailers at 5am. Hawks watched them pick up every pop can and napkin hours after the show finished. Armed only with UTVs, walkie-talkies, and their wits they MacGyver every situation until the last truck leaves the site.

Oh, and they are one heck of a lot of fun. They have turned belonging into an art form. It is their mantra. I can only compare hanging out with the Fire & Ice Committee to hanging out with a huge Irish-Catholic family. You don’t get all the jokes. You stare

wide-eyed at some of the banter. You laugh until your face hurts. They tease each other, but the air is thick with love and respect. And once they accept you, that friendship and loyalty follows you wherever you go.

The last person that deserves recognition is Director of Events AnneMarie Drufke. She took the reins from Terre Houte and knocked her first Fire & Ice out of the park. You won’t know how you will fare managing an event as rustic as Fire & Ice until the first few prairie voles brush past your feet. AnneMarie’s expected shriek was like a baptism — after that, not much else could rattle her. She brought a new perspective and sense of creativity to the event helping to organize the robotic mower petting zoo, equipment rodeo, lectures, chainsaw artist, Kona Ice truck, and the hundreds of other details baked into Fire & Ice.

Selfishly, one of my favorite aspects of Fire & Ice is it’s the one event my staff gets to share with our families. For most of the year, ILCA events fall during the school year. Three years ago, our Registrar Alycia Nagy’s son Evan worked his first Fire & Ice at Cantigny. Two years ago, my children Zach and Zoe, helped pass out badges and sponsor swag. Zoe ferried attendees to their cars in a golf cart and Zach drove a zero-turn mower by himself for the first time.

This year, they helped hide gnomes, passed out badges, and drove Kubotas. After a short pep-talk, Zoe jumped behind the wheel for her first solo drive in a UTV. As she cautiously made her way down the aisle Chairman Gary Brester turned to me and said, “There you go Dad, core memory unlocked.” He was right. A half hour later, Zoe was helping exhibitors like an old pro as my son lugged trash and broke down boxes with a utility knife.

Evan leaves for college in a week. I met him when he was a toddler. Zoe attended her first Summer Field Day at three weeks old, now she is part of the team that makes it happen. Five days after the 2012 Summer Field Day, my son Zach was born. Now, my best buddy works side-by-side with me at the event. AnneMarie’s kids Derrick and Lila made an appearance this year. After a brief hello, Derrick dove on all fours to look underneath a loader parked in a booth, “I’m looking for gnomes” he said before disappearing into the show. His Mom beamed. Fire & Ice has made our kids feel like they belong too.

Fire & Ice is willed into existence by a small group of people. We see the promise of the event flicker like a mirage in an open field. 1,000 people feel relaxed and connected by an event that was never supposed to be there in the first place. Our sense of belonging overpowers every obstacle put in our way. It has allowed us to gather on a workday for the past 63 years. It has convinced our kids to offer up their last days of summer break to hang with their parents. Fire & Ice may arrive like an unexpected guest, but due to the hard work of so many people it leaves us with one unmistakable conclusion — we belong together.

Sincerely,

Scott Grams, Executive Director August 20, 2024

President Ashley Marrin

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

Vice-President

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

Secretary-Treasurer

Kevin McGowen

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

Immediate Past President

Jeff Kramer

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

Directors

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

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

Ryan Heitman

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

Tom Klitzkie

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

Michael Massat

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

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

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

Mark Utendorf

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

www.ilca.net

President’s Message —

Owners of small companies with one to 15 employees can often feel uncomfortable when asked about the size of their business. I used to struggle when faced with questions about how many crews we have or our revenue—all the while knowing the person asking had a company double our size. No one made me feel inferior—I did it to myself. It’s easy to feel self doubt in a world where we are always comparing ourselves to others. However, our companies are measured on much more than revenue or size.

We are a second generation family business that has remained successful, but we have also stayed fairly close in size to the early days. What I have learned is that success comes in many forms and can be measured in many ways. We all have different dreams and aspirations. To some, work life-balance is more important than working around the clock. Some prefer to have a large staff to delegate to versus being hands on in every aspect of the business. There is no right or wrong here. There are some amazing benefits to being a small company—in fact, many ILCA members fall in this category. And for us, that’s a good thing. Small companies can often adapt quickly to market changes or adjustments in productivity and operations for optimum efficiency.

Be proud of your company no matter the size. Ultimately, success in the landscape industry is more than just the size or revenue of a company. It’s about passion, dedication, and commitment to excellence in everything you do. It’s knowing that you and your team love the work each day and feel equally compensated. So next time someone asks about the number of crews you have or your sales revenue, remember your success is measured in so many more ways.

Stay Positive!

Ashley Marrin

Los dueños de pequeñas empresas con personal de uno a 15 empleados con frecuencia pueden sentirse incómodos cuando se les pregunta sobre el tamaño de su empresa. Solía sentirme mal cuando me enfrentaba a preguntas sobre el número de nuestros trabajadores o el volumen de nuestros ingresos—sabiendo que la persona que hacía la pregunta tenía una compañía dos veces más grande que la nuestra. Nadie me hacía sentirme inferior—me lo hacía a mí mismo. Es fácil sentirse inseguro en un mundo donde siempre nos estamos comparando con los demás. No obstante, nuestras compañías se evalúan por algo más que el tamaño de los ingresos.

Somos una empresa familiar de segunda generación que ha permanecido exitosa, pero también nos hemos mantenido cerca en tamaño a los primeros días. Lo que he aprendido es que el éxito viene de muchas formas y se puede medir de diferentes maneras. Todos tenemos diferentes sueños y aspiraciones. Para algunos, mantener el equilibrio entre la vida y el trabajo es más importante que trabajar día y noche. Algunos prefieren tener un personal voluminoso para delegar tareas en lugar de atender personalmente todos los aspectos del negocio. No hay una manera correcta o incorrecta en esto. Ser una pequeña empresa ofrece algunos sorprendentes beneficios—de hecho, muchos miembros de ILCA pertenecen a esta categoría. Y para nosotros, eso es algo bueno. Las empresas pequeñas con frecuencia se adaptan más rápidamente a los cambios en el mercado o a los ajustes en la productividad y en las operaciones para lograr la óptima eficiencia.

Siéntase orgulloso de su empresa, no importa el tamaño. En última instancia, el éxito en la industria paisajista es más que el tamaño de la compañía o su nivel de ingresos. Son más importantes la pasión, la dedicación y el compromiso con la excelencia en todo lo que se hace. Es saber que tanto usted como su equipo disfrutan de su trabajo diariamente y se sienten igualmente remunerados. Por lo que, la próxima vez que alguien le pregunte el número de sus trabajadores o el volumen de sus ingresos por ventas, recuerde que su éxito se mide de muchas otras maneras.

¡Mantenga una actitud positiva! Ashley Marrin

Ashley Marrin

KD Landscape • Rockdale Apple River Bluestone

Nestled among a mature tree canopy, the backyard enclave on Apple River Drive provided both challenges and opportunities with the design and construction. A client wish list with a multitude of details including two bluestone social spaces and strong structural elements was translated into a working plan. Aside from the details, the client requested the most elusive directive, “Make it wow us!”

Prior to commencement of construction an arborist was engaged to make sure that construction was sensitive to the existing conservancy. All heavy construction took place between December 1st and March 1st while the trees were dormant.

by Nina A. Koziol

ISummer Event Food, Fun, Flowers!

t was a midsummer night’s dream for more than 100 attendees who enjoyed festivities, networking, refreshments and plants last month when they met at Wasco Nursery and Garden Center in St. Charles. The clouds had parted earlier and cool breezes floated across the 100-acre rolling parcel, home to the headwaters of Mill Creek. Many attendees hopped on the hay wagon for a tour through thousands of the nursery’s trees and shrubs. Others strolled the gift shop and 10-acre retail garden center where they admired robust and unusual plants, like a variegated oak tree.

Many were first-time attendees to a Women’s Networking Group event and to Wasco Nursery. “It’s very refreshing — everyone was open to hearing about each other,” said Jess Emrich of Peerless Fence Group in Melrose Park. Networking can be intimidating if you’re new to the industry and don’t know many people. “We had the easiest conversations — I didn’t feel pressured.”

Kathy Holub from Beary Landscaping was there to explore the nursery. “I wanted to see what types of plants they

have and to chit-chat and catch up with friends.” This was the fourth Women’s Networking event for Ashley Rosenstein of Midwest Trading in Virgil. “I usually go to the monthly Coffee Talks when they’re local — I like to network with people in the industry.”

Kathy Trapani, vice president at Fisher Burton in Mundelein, explained, “I’m not a landscape person, I’m more of an office person. I’ve been to about four of these events and it’s for a little networking — I always have fun.”

Wasco’s owner Matt Zerby, led the tours and answered many plant questions. Most popular selling plant right now? “It’s Green Giant arborvitae,” he said. “During Covid, no one wanted to see their neighbors so columnar evergreens were selling.” Zerby began working at the nursery in 1992 at age 14. By the time he was 17, he passed the Illinois Certified Nurseryman’s exam (the youngest person ever to pass). He purchased half of the business in 2005 and the remaining interest in 2012. “We use little to no chemicals and customers appreciate that.”

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Women’s Networking Group Summer Event

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Debbie Danek of Green Leaf Design in Palatine has been an ILCA member for some time. “I’ve attended iLandscape and events at Ball Seed. I love plants and came for the inspiration and to see what’s new.”

A scavenger hunt, raffle and lots of laughs rounded out the evening. “This was the first time for me attending one of these events,” said Krista Majcen, of Davey Tree in Lombard. “I’m in the Women’s Networking Group mentorship program and I really like it.” Don’t miss out on future events, such as LIFT 2024: The Landscape Professional Summit for Women, Sept. 27-28.

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Women’s Networking Group Summer Event

(continued from page 12)

Focus — Funs Ideas for the Summer Landscape

Weeping Beauty

From Victorian gardens to contemporary landscapes

by Nina A. Koziol

When my grandparents bought an old house in Essex, England, the front garden had a very large weeping silver birch, also called a European white birch (Betula pendula). Planted during the Victorian era, that graceful tree with its pendulous branches and attractive bark was sought after as a specimen. Victorians appreciated dramatic weeping trees for their emotional and symbolic effect. Weeping willows were used throughout cemeteries in the 1800s, and weeping mulberries, weeping Camperdown elms, and cascading hydrangeas trained to a single trunk graced many gardens back then.

Today, these uniquely shaped woodies can provide four-season interest. And, there are many newer, improved varieties suitable as small specimens as well as impressive monsters like weeping spruce and pines.

At his home in Manhattan, Illinois, Mike Cook of Cedar Path Nurseries appreciates his 10-foot-tall Lavender Twist® redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’). “I’ve had one for about 19 years. It’s a super nice plant and I have it right up against our patio. It will weep until it hits the ground and then the branches run along, but you can prune it up.” Weeping Ruby Falls redbud (C. canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’) is another favorite. “We grow it in the nursery and I try to get them staked at 8 to 10 feet tall—it’s a really gorgeous tree with its red leaves.” And the fall color is a plus.

For Tim Wood, product development/marketing manager, at Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, MI, Weeping Extraordinaire™, a newer double flowering cherry (Prunus x ‘Extrazam’), is worth checking out. “It’s a beautiful weeping woody that has very nice, big double pom pom flowers — very attractive and heavy blooming. And, the flowers last longer than a single flowered type.”

For smaller landscapes, there are attractive cascading shrubs, like cultivars of native ninebark, suitable for border and foundation planting. “We have a Physocarpus Ginger Wine® that’s a nice weeping plant,” Wood said. “It has very bright orange-red foliage and long graceful stems with flowers up and down. When the blooms pass you get bright pink seed heads. I think it’s really stunning. It’s a plant that’s going to be in the 6 to 8 foot range, but very graceful and quite attractive.”

Most landscapers would raise an eyebrow at the thought of putting a “messy” mulberry into a homeowner’s landscape, but fear not. “There’s the fruitless weeping Morus alba ‘Chaparral’ that looks pretty nice,” Cook said. At 6 to 8 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide, Chaparral is generally top-grafted to a standard white mulberry at about 6 feet off the ground so that all branches weep down.

The Biggies

Another Cook favorite is katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum). “There are two katsura weepers — Amazing Grace and Morioka. But they can be real sticky growers that need consistently moist — but not [soaking] wet —soil. I have one in my yard and it’s never been quite happy — I keep it watered in July and August.” Given the right conditions, the tree’s fall color (and the subsequent cotton candy scent) is a bonus.

While most trees mentioned here are Zone 5 hardy, some, like weeping beeches, can have issues. “I’ve tried weeping beech and they’ve failed,” Cook said. “It may be a drainage issue or soil type.” However, you can see some spectacular specimens of weeping European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’) at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle and at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. The same challenges hold true for Japanese maples. “Some of the most beautiful weepers are the Acer palmatum,” Cook said. “Although I can’t plant one of them at our home, I have a friend in Joliet’s Pilcher Park area who has at least 15 Japanese maples of all types that are just doing fantastic. And, you can go five miles down the road to Mokena State Bank right downtown and on the east side of the building there’s a huge Japanese maple. It’s never been happier. It was the perfect microclimate and probably had a drain tile working for it.”

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Special Feature —

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Weeping Evergreens

Ryan Doty, owner, Doty Nurseries in Huntley, Ill., admires weeping Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’) as a very attractive specimen. “We have always loved the hemlock as part of our plant mix so when we found this weeper we had to add it to the list. It knows its place so it doesn’t get too big, which will allow it to work in tighter spaces. It will take full sun but doesn’t mind a little bit of shade and it also has a great texture. We ultimately like this plant because of

Haywire® false cypress (aka Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘SMNCLUTL’) is an interesting evergreen that Wood recommends. “It’s a long-threaded plant that has nice weeping foliage. And it’s pyramidal— the branches are nice and weeping and it’s not excessively big — somewhere in the 12 to 18 feet tall range. It’s quite attractive and not quite as appetizing to the deer, which is nice.”

Berliner’s Serbian spruce (Picea omorika ‘Berliner’s Weeper’) is another

Doty said. “It’s a weeper, but has more of an upright form, so you could call it a subtle weeper because where the effect comes into play is from the pendulous side branches. Since this plant wants to go up, it can also fit in moderate-sized spaces. The other standout feature is the nice blue-green foliage.”

Many evergreen plants start out on the west coast as liners. “I’ve been lucky to go out to the Portland [Oregon] area, and the plants that attracted me were huge weeping cedars or

Special Feature —

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Third Street in Morris, Illinois, there’s a Chamaeycyparis that is outstanding. It’s a super gorgeous weeping cedar that’s 25 to 30 feet tall. You just don’t see them everywhere.”

Sometimes it’s the little details like cones that add to the interest. For example, there’s Acrocona Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Acrocona’). “As

it grows, it goes in all directions in a beautiful way,” Doty said. “It tends to stay low and goes out, so it needs more width than room for height. It will take some shade because of its Norway spruce heritage. The stand out, stop-youin-your-tracks feature of this one though is that its cones come out with a vibrant reddish color that fade as the season progresses. Even at a young age the cone

production can be fairly consistent.”

Large Crowds Return to Arboretum Site

Fire & Ice Mixes Fun and Business Into One Great Event

By Nina Koziol

It takes an army — of volunteers and staff, that is — to put together a great summer event. With more than 80 exhibitors, education sessions, pruning and planting demos and tours, this year’s Fire and Ice at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill., was outstanding.

“We had more than 1,000 attendees,” said Scott Grams, ILCA’s executive director. “It was the largest summer event we’ve had post pandemic, so we were really excited.”

Attendance jumped from 650 at Cantigny in 2022 to 800 at Ball Seed last year and it’s full speed ahead for 2025. “I felt like we did well establishing a fun day — upbeat, joyful and educational.” Fire and Ice is the second largest landscape event

in the state. “We’re going in the right direction and the planning committee is really creative and kept people engaged with the summer camp theme — something new and different.”

For volunteer Norm Kleber, vice president of development and sales training at Beary Landscaping, it’s been 27 years since his first “summer field day” event. “It’s work, but it’s the networking, the education — this event has been picking up steam because it’s fun.”

Amanda Levins of Green Glen Nursery in Elwood has been to 10 of the summer events. She recognizes that Fire and Ice is a good opportunity to show off the family firm’s (continued on page 24)

Special Event —

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400-plus acres of plants. “This is a show to get together and mingle. We see some of our customers and there are others who don’t know who we are.”

Although August can be a busy month, attendees took a break from work to look at displays of equipment, tools, plants and services. It was the fourth Fire and Ice event for Meghan Kohlman, associate chair of ILCA’s Young Professionals Committee and account manager at Midwest Groundcovers. “I thought this year was very well organized and the committee was incredibly helpful throughout. The games were a ton of fun and it was a beautiful day for networking.” Kohlman and dozens of other young pros met up for a picnic lunch and networking.

First-time exhibitor, Dan Biernacki, owner of Ted’s Greenhouse in Tinley Park, went all in for the fire and ice theme with a bevy of suitably colored annuals. A snow plow was surrounded by frothy white-flowered angelonias, begonias and mandevilla. The fire pit held red-hot celosias, and icicles and snowflakes dangled from the tent. “The real icicles are the dichondras,” Biernacki said. Hanging baskets filled with Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ showed off the annual’s unusual foliage.

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Special Event —

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Container Wars

This year’s event included two container planting challenges with icethemed frosty blue and white plants and fire-themed oranges and reds. Large crowds cheered on the competitors as they raced to design and fill their pots. Competitors could “steal” plants from one another. Although she didn’t win, Kohlman joked, “I really fought for my container.”

“The container wars—having 100 people watching at both of them—were fun and zany,” Grams said. “We try to throw as many new or interesting ideas out there for attendees.” And many walked up a very scenic hill to watch Arboretum staff demonstrate proper planting and pruning techniques. “The Arboretum is always welcoming to landscape pros and they want to see us be better stewards of trees.”

Fire and Ice comes after the typical July 4th lull for many landscapers. “It’s an opportunity to catch your breath,” Grams said. “We think about what people want and need because they have a little more time right now. And, that’s why we try to turn it into a little summer holiday. It’s a great way to reconnect and find out how everyone’s season is going — to see existing vendors and pick up a couple of new vendors, learn some new skills, have some cold drinks and enjoy a slushy. You can catch your breath and realize

this industry is hard and hectic, but you can take a break and enjoy the day in a beautiful setting. Injecting some humor — and the beer — doesn’t hurt.”

It was the second summer event for Alex Tovar, from the City of Elgin. “It was just as fun as the first time.” But note to organizers: “I’m hoping they’ll bring back hatchet throwing next year,” Tovar said.

You’ll find many more opportunities for education, networking and fun in the months ahead: https://ilca.net/ilca-events/.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cedar Path Nurseries

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

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

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

Lockport, Illinois

15235 W. Bruce Road, Lockport, IL 60491 Office 815.838

Barrington, Illinois

15235 W. Bruce Road, Lockport, IL 60491 Office 815.838 Barrington, Illinois

190 W. Penny Road, Barrington, IL 60010 Office 847.551.3700 | Fax 847.551.3707

15235 W. Bruce Road, Lockport, IL 60491 Office 815.838- 4900 |Fax 815.838.4999 Barrington, Illinois

190 W. Penny Road, Barrington, IL 60010 Office 847.551.3700 | Fax 847.551.3707 SALES@CEDARPATH.NET | WWW.CEDARPATH.NET

September 11, 2024

Registration 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM

WELCOME

8:15 AM

ILCA ADVOCACY UPDATE

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM In the Weeds

Scott Gams, ILCA

MORNING KEYNOTE SESSION

8:45 AM - 9:30 AM

Biostimulants – Three Years In and What Have We Learned?

Dr. Ed Nangle, Ohio State University

This talk discusses what is classified as a biostimulant, the many facets of what may create a biostimulant effect, and where biostimulants might fit into a lawncare program.

9:30 AM

Morning Break

A Lawn Disease Recap of 2024

Paul Koch, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison Diseases are often less common pests on lawns than weeds and insects, but they can cause serious damage in the right environment. In this presentation, we’ll cover the most common diseases from 2024, how to identify them, and strategies for managing them and minimizing their damage in future years.

10:45 AM Morning Break

11:15 AM BREAKOUT SESSION

BREAKOUT SESSIONS — 10:00 AM

Turf Protectant Pigments –Just Colors or Impacting Light on Turfgrass?

Dr. Ed Nangle, Ohio State University

This talk covers a broad range of content related to synthetic pigments that have proliferated in the turf market, how you can potentially use them, and pitfalls to avoid when applying these products.

Transitioning

to Electric Maintenance Equipment

Mike Annes, Director of Operations for Greenwise

Organic Lawn Care

Mike will share what Greenwise has learned as they transition their landscape maintenance to being fully electric. This includes trialing and purchasing new equipment as it hits the market as well as the challenges both financially and culturally in implementing this equipment shift. They have ditched the gas cans in most of their core territories and plan to complete this transition in all service areas for maintenance within the next season or two.

An Introduction to Residential Commercial Mosquito Control

Dr. Fred Whitford, Purdue University

We will give a brief overview of the biology of mosquitoes and what we are trying to control. We’ll take a look at application timing and techniques, appropriate personal protective equipment, site assessment, mitigating drift, equipment used, and customer communications.

Dealing with Lawn Patches that

Don’t Clown Around

Dr. Lee Miller, Purdue University

While fewer diseases may afflict turfgrass when the mower blade is raised, several can still raise eyebrows when raging through a lawn or sports field. Several of the illustrious diseases will be discussed, highlighting similarities that can guide similar control practices and differences that must be considered when diagnosing and limiting further spread.

IDA Regulatory Update

Brad Beaver, Illinois Department of Agriculture

Join Brad as he provides an update on the Department Pesticide Programs. He will also address changes to the licensing and certification system, online options for training and testing, and COVID restrictions. Finally, Brad will provide updates on pesticide misuse including issues with posting and notifications.

Lunch — 12:00 PM

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE SESSION

1:00 PM

The Spill Talk

Dr. Fred Whitford, Purdue University

No one intends to spill pesticides, fertilizer or diesel fuel, but accidents happen. Being prepared and taking quick action can make a huge difference in protecting one’s property. If you have a spill, your quick actions during the first few minutes can make a difference in the spill being contained or entering the waters of the state. If you can contain the spill and keep it out of water, then cleanup becomes easier and cheaper. This talk will lay out the steps to keep your staff prepared for a major pesticide spill.

1:50 PM

Afternoon Break

2:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSION

Turf Grass Management in a Changing Climate

Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist

Climate change in the Midwest has created or worsened many challenges in horticulture and landscape design including shifting hardiness zones, increasing insect and disease pressure, and more exposure to extreme heat and humidity. Many of the changes we’ve seen recently are projected to continue or intensify in the future. However, sustainable turfgrass management landscape design is an effective means of adaptation. And with an increasing reliance on nature-based solutions, a healthy green industry is critical for climate resilience in the Midwest. We’ll discuss climate change and the unique turfgrass problems it’s created. We’ll also highlight solutions to help successfully develop and manage landscapes now and into our uncertain future.

Using Fertilizer Technology to Reduce Costs and Improve Results

Keith Woodruff, EC Grow

This session will cover the use of Polymer Coated Urea products in lawn care and landscape maintenance programs. Both agronomic and economic information will be included. Manufacturing and quality control of polymer coated urea production will be explained. Keith will also explain how the nitrogen releases. Rates of application to achieve optimum results will also be discussed. The positive environmental impact of these programs versus more traditional programs will be included.

Conclusion — 2:50 PM - 3:00 PM

THANKS TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS

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Fire & Ice combina diversión y negocios en un gran evento

Por Nina Koziol

Se necesita un ejército —de voluntaries y miembros del personal— para organizar un exitoso evento de verano.

Con más de 80 expositores, sesiones educativas, demostraciones de poda y plantación y excursiones, la feria de Fuego y Hielo de este año en el Arboreto Morton en Lisle, Ill., fue excepcional.

“Tuvimos más de 1000 asistentes”, afirmó Scott Grams, director ejecutivo de ILCA. “Es el evento de verano más grande que hemos tenido después de la pandemia, por lo que fue muy emocionante”. Los asistentes saltaron de 650 en Cantigny en 2022 a 800 en Ball Seed el año pasado y sigue avante a toda máquina para 2025. “Pienso que fue una buena idea establ-

ecer un día divertido—animado, alegre y educativo”. Fuego y Hielo es el segundo evento paisajista más grande del estado.

“Avanzamos en la dirección correcta y el comité de planificación es realmente creative y mantuvo a la gente involucrada en el tema del campamento de verano—algo nuevo y diferente”.

Para el voluntario Norm Kleber, vicepresidente de desarrollo y capacitación en ventas en Berry Landscaping, su primer evento de “día de campo de verano”. “Es trabajo, pero también el establecimiento de contactos, la educación—este evento ha ido tomando impulso porque es divertido”.

Amanda Levins de Green Glen Nursery en Elwood ha asistido a 10 de los eventos veraniegos. Reconoce que Fuego y Hielo

es una buena oportunidad de mostrar con orgullo los más de 400 acres de plantas de la familia. “Esta es una feria para reunirse y compartir. Vemos a algunos de nuestros clientes y hay otros que no saben quiénes somos”.

Si bien agosto puede ser un mes de mucha actividad, los asistentes hicieron una pausa en el trabajo para ver las exhibiciones de equipos, herramientas, plantas y servicios. Fue el cuarto evento de Fuego y Hielo para Meghan Kohlman, presidente asociado de la junta del Comité de Jóvenes Profesionales de ILCA y gerente de cuentas en Midwest Groundcovers. “Pienso que este año el evento estuvo muy bien organizado y el comité fue de gran ayuda. Los juegos resultaron muy divertidos y fue un día maravilloso para establecer contactos”. Kohlman y docenas de jóvenes profesionales se reunieron para almorzar y establecer relaciones.

Dan Biernacki, dueño de Ted’s

Greenhouse en Tinley Park, expuso por primera vez entregándose de lleno al tema de Fuego y Hielo con un conjunto de plantas anuales de colores adecuadas. Una quitanieves estaba rodeada de angelonias, begonias y mandevilla de flores blancas espumosas. En la fogata a la intemperie había celosías de rojo intenso y carámbanos y estrellas de belén colgaban de la tienda. “Los verdaderos carámbanos son las dichondras”, dijo Biernacki. Cestas colgantes llenas de Dichondras “Silver Falls” mostraban el follaje inusual de las plantas anuales.

Guerras de macetas

El evento de este año incluyó dos desafíos de plantación de macetas con plantas colores azul escarchado y blanco y anaranjados y rojos intensos con temática de hielo. Grandes multitudes aplaudieron a los competidores en su carrera de diseñar y llenar sus respectivas macetas. Los com-

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TODOS JUNTOS MEJOR.

petidores podían “robar” plantas del otro. Aunque no ganó, Kohlman dijo en tono de broma, “Realmente luché por mi maceta”.

“Las guerras de macetas—con 100 personas mirando a ambas—fueron divertidas y alocadas”, comentó Grams. “Tratamos de lanzar la mayor cantidad posible de ideas nuevas o interesantes para los asistentes”. Y muchos ascendieron por una colina muy pintoresca para ver a miembros del personal del Arboreto demostrar técnicas apropiadas de plantación y poda. “Los miembros del Arboreto siempre reciben con entusiasmo a paisajistas profesionales y desean vernos ser mejores administradores de los árboles”.

Para muchos paisajistas, Fuego y Hielo viene después de la calma usual del 4 de julio. “Es una oportunidad para recuperar el aliento”, aseguró Grams. “Pensamos en lo que la gente desea y necesita porque ahora tiene un poco más de tiempo. Y por

eso tratamos de convertirlo en una pequeña festividad veraniega. Es una manera estupenda de reconectarse y averiguar cómo se va desarrollando la estación de cada uno — ver a los actuales proveedores y adquirir algunos nuevos, aprender nuevas habilidades, disfrutar de alguna bebida fría y un granizado. Puedes recuperar el aliento y darte cuenta de que esta industria es dura y agitada. Pero puedes tomarte un descanso y disfrutar del día en un lugar agradable. Inyectar un poco de humor—y la cerveza—no es malo”.

Fue el segundo evento de verano para Alex Tovar, de la Ciudad de Elgin. “Fue tan divertido como la primera vez”. Pero una nota a los organizadores: “Espero que el año que viene vuelva el lanzamiento de hachas”, dijo Tovar.

Encontrará muchas oportunidades más para educación, establecer conexiones y diversión en los próximos meses: https:// ilca.net/ilca-events/

Focus — Midwest Plant Talks

Native Plants for Midwest

By Nikki Melin

Birdwatching is a popular pastime that is often associated with hikes in nature. While hiking is always fun, native plants can bring birds into our own backyards. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, providing essential food and shelter for birds. Listed below are some of the top native plants that can transform your client’s backyard into a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Native Forbs

• Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) – Not only does Echinacea provide beautiful rosy-purple flowers during the summer months, it also provides food for Goldfinches, Chickadees, and Northern Cardinals.

• Rudbeckia hirta (Black Eyed Susans) – This drought tolerant biennial flowers bright gold flowers June –

September. Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Sparrows love their seed heads.

• Liatris species (Blazing Star) – This sun loving native plant adds bright purple flower wands to the garden that birds love to perch on. Indigo Buntings, Pine Siskins, and Dark-eyed Juncos enjoy Liatris seeds in the fall.

• Symphyotrichum novae–angliae (New England Aster) – This purple, fall flowering native plant provides a later season food source and is enjoyed by Eastern Bluebirds, Black-capped Chickadees, and White-throated Sparrows.

• Eutrochium purpureum (Joe-Pye Weed) – This tall, stately native plant provides a perching location for birds, as well as food for Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Towhee, and Purple Finches.

Andropogon gerardii — Big Bluestem

Birdwatchers

Native Grasses & Sedges

• Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) – This iconic prairie grass is an excellent source of food for Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Meadowlark, and Savannah Sparrow.

• Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) – With its steely blue foliage, Little Bluestem is an attractive garden plant while providing seed for Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow, and American Goldfinch.

• Carex vulpinoidea (Fox Sedge) – This sedge appreciates being in wetter soil conditions and will provide a dense growth that provides protection for waterfowl. Wood Ducks, Mallards, and Northern Pintails love their seed heads.

(continued on page 42)

Echinacea purpurea — Purple Coneflower

Eutrochium purpureum — Joe Pye Weed

Special Feature — Midwest Plant Talks

(continued from page 41)

• Carex stricta (Tussock Sedge) – Another wetland sedge that can provide nesting habitat for ducks, their seed heads also provide food for Wood Ducks, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat and Eastern Kingbirds. The seeds and tubers are also enjoyed by Sandhill Cranes.

Native Shrubs

• Sambucus canadensis (Common Elderberry) – This large statured shrub not only provides shelter and nesting habitat for birds, it also provides nutrient-rich berries that are loved by Baltimore Orioles, Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and Brown Thrashers.

• Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) – Great for wetter areas and pond edges, Buttonbush provides seed that attracts Wood Ducks, Northern Pintails, and Bluewinged Teals.

Food is just one element to bringing birds to our backyards. Shelter is key, so considering some of the larger shrubs on the list will help ensure they have a place of protection from weather or predators. Larger shrubs can also provide a safe place for nesting. Water is also important. Try integrating a birdbath or small water feature to provide fresh water and remember to keep the water clean. Incorporating native plants into garden designs not only enhances the beauty of the landscape but also creates a vital habitat for birds. By choosing plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting sites, you can transform your client’s backyard into a haven for birdwatching. Whether a seasoned birdwatcher or a novice, these plants will bring the joys of birdwatching right to your client’s doorstep.

Schizachyrium_scoparium — Little Bluestem Sambucus_canadensis — Common Elderberry

Liatris spicata — Blazing Star

Rudbeckia hirta — Black Eyed Susans

Symphyotrichum_novae-angliae — New England Aster

10 Wonderful Wasps

by Heather Prince

People tend to have strong reactions to these versatile pollinators, but wasps do myriad important jobs in the landscape. Some are so tiny, you’ll never even see them, while others inspire fear every August at picnics and backyard BBQs. We spoke with David McKinney, Curator of Collections and Grounds at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens and an entomologist about some of the most intriguing species.

Welcoming Wasps

Why encourage wasps? They are key predators in landscapes, keeping pest species under control, scavenging dead creatures, and pollinating plants. “Plants that we select for other types of pollinators, whether that’s bees or butterflies are also utilized by wasps,” commented McKinney. “A lot of our favorite pollinator plants like milkweeds, bee balms, and daisies are utilized by all types of pollinating creatures,

including wasps. There’s a species feeding on pretty much anything that is in flower.”

Wasps utilize several different nesting strategies from underground dens to hollowing out old wood to building complex nests of mud or reconstituted paper. You can encourage wasps to nest in designated areas with wasp hotels. “One way to ensure that you have wasps in your garden, but not becoming a nuisance to you or your family is to have wasp hotels,” said McKinney. “We’ve all heard of bee hotels, but there’s specific components to a wasp hotel. Many prefer a narrow opening that leads to a large cavity, for example. Then you can allow them to build their nest in a part of the garden where it’s okay for them to be. It prevents negative interactions close to the house or buildings or event spaces – wherever people are likely to be active.”

(continued on page 46)

Special Feature

(continued from page 44)

There are thousands of species of wasps dwelling in our gardens, each in their own ecological niche. Several species are top-notch predators of destructive pests like caterpillars, sawflies, or aphids. For a greater diversity of wasp species, allow room for different types of nests. “If you really want a strong diversity of wasps, have some bare ground,” recommended McKinney. “Include an area that isn’t mulched, and maybe top dress it with sand or small gravel. Many of the ground-nesting wasps eat a lot of our most destructive pest species. They build their nests below ground, and are usually solitary, not colony farmers, so they won’t be aggressive. They like to build holes and put things in them for their larvae, like stink bugs, spiders, caterpillars, etc.”

For the wasps that need decomposing wood, create a place for them that isn’t your deck or balcony. “Have somewhere on your property with some form of decomposing wood, whether that is a stump, or leaving branches out in the corner of your property, or a woodpile,” commented McKinney. “It creates a designated area for them, especially the nest builders. It will help prevent them from chewing on your house or on your deck or places where you don’t want them.”

Lastly, an important component of any garden or landscape designed for pollinators is water. Open water from a pond down to an insect muddle gives myriad animals access to hydration. For insects, because they can get pulled under by the surface tension of water, a shallow pan of sand, pebbles in a birdbath, or a textured bug bath can all provide accessible water. These watering holes can be placed away from populous areas and are important resources in periods of drought for all kinds of insects from butterflies to wasps.

10 Terrific Wasps to Know and Encourage

Wasps are key predators, many immobilizing their prey by stinging them into paralysis before bringing them back to the larvae or egg. However, adult wasps usually forage for nectar and pollen, making them important pollinators in the garden. Each wasp has a specific, and often intricate, relationship with its prey. These are 10 wasps McKinney finds common in landscapes and intriguing to know.

Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus)

This native colony-forming species is an important decomposer of wood as the females make paper to build their distinctive flat honeycomb-looking nests in cavities and on buildings. “They kill all kinds of destructive insect larvae and sap feeders to feed their developing young including aphids,” said McKinney. “They are the American cousin to the European paper wasp and oftentimes get confused with them. The biggest difference is that northern paper wasps have orange and brown in their coloration where European paper wasps are only yellow and black. My favorite thing about them is they don’t have a specific prey species that they go after. They prey on all kinds of destructive insects and kind of eat anything that they can get their mandibles on. They are also less aggressive.”

Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)

This large, jet-black, elegant wasp has wings with blue iridescent highlights. This is a soil-nesting species where the female will excavate several chambers in loose soil. She will then provision each chamber with two to six katydids and lay an egg on one before sealing it away. You will often find adults nectaring on bee balm, mountain mint, and penstemons. “Great black wasps have a little hairy patch between their wings on their shoulders,” mentioned McKinney. “It is a specialized patch for pollinating bee balm, otherwise the rest of their bodies are hairless. We don’t know if it’s a specialized relationship but they like monarda and are a primary pollinator of the plant.”

Special Feature

Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus)

Great golden digger wasps excavate nests in soil before provisioning each cell with prey and laying an egg. They hunt katydids and crickets that are some times larger than the wasp. You can pick them out with the orange bands on their abdomens and orange legs. “My favorite fact about them is that while we talk a lot about milkweeds being important for monarchs, we don’t talk about what’s important for milkweeds,” observed McKinney. “The great golden digger wasp is a primary pollinator of milkweed. They’re one of the few insects other than bumblebees that are big enough to get into that flower and to also carry the pollen from plant to plant. They are sometimes responsible for up to 40% of milkweed pollination.”

Special Feature

Spring Tiphia (Tiphia vernalis)

This is a quiet killer of Japanese beetles. In the 1920s and 30s, scientists imported spring tiphia wasps from Korea to aid in the control of this destructive pest. A solitary shiny black wasp that is one half to three-eighths of an inch long, they sting and paralyze grubs before attaching an egg. “It does a ton of work for us,” reported McKinney. “They are now naturalized and are believed to be one of the reasons why Japanese beetle populations have started to decline in the Northeast and Midwest.”

Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons)

This is the wasp most people associate with bad behavior at the picnic table. A dapper black and yellow, they can be distinguished from other yellowjacket species by the arrow or anchor-shaped black mark on the first abdominal segment. They tend to nest in existing cavities and prey on a wide variety of insects, but also scavenge on dead mammals. “They’re responsible for a lot of large decomposition scavenging services,” commented McKinney. “They pick bones clean of decomposing animals, especially mammals. And so, we see them at a lot of picnics, going after hamburger or hot dog proteins. Nobody really thinks of them as a pollinator, but the adults nectar on fall blooming asters, sneeze weeds, goldenrod, etc. when a lot of our other pollinator diversity has declined. Their massive numbers are what helps with pollination late in the season.”

Special Feature

Mud Dauber (Sceliphron caementarium)

Similar to the great golden digger wasp, mud daubers have a long thread-like abdominal petiole, long legs, and bright yellow markings. The female constructs free-form cylinders of mud on buildings near water. Each cell is provisioned with a single egg and many spiders before being sealed. “Mud daubers are expert spider hunters,” commented McKinney. “The adults also nectar on plants in the carrot family and milkweeds. They will utilize wasp hotels if you don’t want them near people. If you notice nests in the fall, and you can leave them over the winter, by mid-June of the next year, the wasps will be gone and you can scrape the nest off. Those mud dauber nests are a really important winter food source for many birds. Birds will peck a hole and then eat all of the spiders and the wasp larvae living inside.”

Potter/Mason Wasps (subfamily Eumeninae)

Potter and mason wasps mostly nest aboveground, making mud or sand cylinders for their eggs and larvae. Sometimes those cylinders are jug-shaped. They are usually solitary and not aggressive, coming in colors of brown and yellow or black and white. The adults nectar on a long list of native plants while they hunt caterpillars for their young. “They’re the garden cleanup crew as they prey on pest species especially cabbage moths and spiders,” said McKinney. “People see them oftentimes as a nuisance because they do build their nests on smooth surfaces like windows, parked cars, under tables, and swing sets. Because they’re solitary for the most part, they aren’t aggressive even if you hurt their nest. They don’t care because they’ve got six or seven more elsewhere.”

Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)

These industrious black and white wasps build the large papery nests you often see in trees. Each year the females build a new nest for their young. The adults consume rotting fruit, tree sap, nectar, and help decompose dead mammals. They feed masticated flies, other yellowjacket wasps, and sometimes mosquitos to their young.

“They will actually eat other yellowjackets and raid their nests,” observed McKinney.

“They stake out a territory but don’t tend to be aggressive to humans unless you disturb the nest, which is usually pretty high up in a tree.”

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Special Feature

Braconid Wasps

Braconid wasps are very tiny parasitic wasps, each species being specific to its host, but playing big roles in the landscape. One of the most common braconids is the one that parasitizes tomato hornworm. The tiny wasp lays rows of white eggs on the backs of the caterpillars. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae eat the caterpillar from the inside out, leaving them alive. “It’s probably the most charismatic parasitic wasp that people are apt to come into contact with,” commented McKinney. “Some people love the moth, and some folks are vigilant about their tomatoes, but if you can let nature take its course, it’s a fascinating process.”

Micro-wasps

There are thousands of micro-wasps that co-exist with us in the landscape. These tiny insects have complex life cycles intertwined with their prey. They control

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Email: twilliams@masterblend.com Phone: 309-533-4703 masterblend.com

McCullough Kubota

Kyli Markley 7225 Grand Ave Gurnee, IL 60031

Email: kyli@mcagplus.com

Phone: 815-383-7914

www.McCulloughKubota.com

Midwest Organics Recycling

Jessica Polansky & Andrew Klink

29353 N Darrell Rd

Wauconda, IL 60084

Email: jpolansky@ midwestorganicsrecycling.com Phone: 847-521-8449

midwestorganicsrecycling.com

OSCO Oil

Debra J Brown 615 W Mondamin

Minooka, IL 60447

Email: dbrown@oscooil.com Phone: 630-417-5411

Petitti Family of Farms

Jacklyn Krysa 4654 Davis Rd Perry, OH 44081

Email: jk@petittifarms.com Phone: 440-361-7924

petittifamilyfarms.com

Stayfull Fuel Services

Thomas OBrien

7325 Janes Avenue

Woodridge, IL 60517

Email: tobrien@stayfull.com Phone: 630-870-0703 stayfull.com

Member Profile Snapshot

Gingerich Tree Farm

2226 County Road 1700E

Arthur, IL 61911

(217) 717-2534

www.gingerichtreefarm.com

by Meta L. Levin

Jay Gingerich’s path to owning and operating Gingerich Tree Farm in Arthur, IL with his wife, Loretta, was both similar and different from others in the industry.

Like many, he grew up on a farm and loved the outdoors. Unlike many others, that farm was run in the Amish tradition, something he left behind when he was about 18 years old.

In between he worked in construction, then for a garage door manufacturer and drove a truck, becoming the company’s fleet safety director. “I was stuck in an office and I didn’t like it,” he says. “I realized I had to do something else.”

Enter a friend who owned Higgins Tree Farm in Gays, IL, but who also was a deer hunter and, on the side, developed a whitetail consulting business. The latter consumed more and more of his time and attention. Eventually he wanted to focus on it full time.

In 2015 Gingerich Tree Farm purchased the Higgins Tree Farm 7000 tree inventory. Ten years later, they have 50 acres of shade and landscape trees. The former owner stayed involved for three years, training the couple and answering any questions. “It was a steep learning curve,” says Gingerich. “We got a crash course in running the nursery.” The two remain friends.

“It’s grown every year,” he says. “It’s mostly through

had four signs made, each of which was positioned on a main highway. They also touted their bare root trees on a white tail deer hunter podcast and have customers to whom they ship fruit trees across the Midwest and Eastern United States.

In addition to shade and landscape trees, Gingerich Tree Farm now grows potted oak and fruit trees, conifers and shrubs. Most of these go to wildlife and habitat restoration, says Gingerich. They participate in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Run by the Farm Service Agency. It pays farmers to stop planting agricultural crops on environmentally sensitive land, replacing them with species that improve environmental quality. Many of the trees they grow qualify for this program.

These are used locally, but also shipped to other Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, Ohio, Kansas and Missouri.

A relatively small part of the business is wholesale. “We live in a rural community, where it’s tough to do a lot of wholesale,” he says. Typically, their customers are looking for ball and burlap. “Most of our product is 2 ½ inch to 3 inches,” says Gingerich. “Our customers are homeowners who like to come out to look at the trees and see where they are grown.” They are, however, trying to increase sales to landscape contractors.

Gingerich Tree Farms employs about nine people, five of whom are full-time, with the other three or four coming in during

that started with the Gingeriches this past year. “Two brothers and a sister, who live in town,” says Gingerich. “They are the most dependable workers I’ve found.”

Gingerich is proud of what he and his wife have built. “We try to grow a good product and we take care of our customers,” he says. They are, he emphasizes, careful to plant their trees correctly for long term survival, often digging their root balls a little larger, which he believes makes a difference.

The Gingerich family includes two grown children and one who is a senior in high school. The oldest is a nurse, of whom is study ing to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). The middle child has a degree in aerospace engineering, but now works in crypto.

Originally an IGIA member, Gingerich has continued with ILCA. The couple believes that their membership benefits them in several ways, particularly the ability to network, talking shop and bouncing ideas off fellow nurserymen. “The association promotes the industry and allows us to learn from our peers,” he says.

LOCALLY GROWN TREES

Ginkgo, Maple, Crabapple, Oak, Honeylocust, Birch, Linden, Elm, Arborvitaes & MORE.

Classified Ads

HELP WANTED

Artificial Turf Distributor Wanted Capitalize on the Surge in Artificial Grass Demand and Increase Your Profits!

Are you a landscaper or hardscaper ready to elevate your business and boost your revenue? Partner with All Things Turf, the premier name in artificial turf with over 20 years of unparalleled installation experience.

We Are Seeking a Distributor/Partner in Chicagoland!

Why Partner with All Things Turf?

Top-Quality Products: Access our premium artificial lawn turf, rooftop lawns, pet-friendly areas, turf maintenance equipment, and specialty tools. Proven Expertise: Leverage our two decades of industry know-how and support to grow your business.

Exclusive Territory: Be the go-to provider of artificial grass in the Chicagoland area.

Ideal Candidate:

• Owns a brick-and-mortar facility

• capable of hosting a small turf display.

• Owns an established landscape or hardscape business

• Committed to excellence and customer satisfaction.

Maximize Your Business Potential: Contact Doug today to explore this lucrative opportunity and become a key player in the artificial grass revolution! Don’t miss out – Take the first step towards a prosperous future!

How to apply: Email Doug Steevesdoug@allthingsturf.com

HELP WANTED

Crew Worker – Forestry and

Parks DivisionFLSA

STATUS: Non-Exempt

WAGE RANGE: $58,574 - $85,635 / year –will consider hiring above the starting rate if the applicant has previous applicable public works experience

The successful applicant will have the ability to perform general tree and plant care procedures (tree removal, tree pruning, cabling/ bracing, soil amending, planting, pruning, etc.), be able to apply standard aerial lift operations on most trees,and will be able to remove debris, chip brush and perform worksite cleanup.

• Operate and perform forestry work in a fully extended aerial lift truck. Participate in Village horticultural practices including but not limited to turf and landscape maintenance, flower bed maintenance, perennial and annual floral maintenance, and pest control.

• Operate tools and equipment needed to perform job duties while adhering to all safety rules and practices. Report all accidents and injuries according to Village policy and procedure.

• Plan and maintain a safe work site.

• Participate in the full range of Public Services operations, including forestry, street and park maintenance, snow removal, and water and sewer maintenance and repair.

The position offers access to excellent health, dental, and vision insurance benefits, as well as a generous time off package including sick, vacation, and holidays. The Village offers two deferred compensation plans, a post-employment health plan (PEHP), and participation in the Illinois Municipal

HELP WANTED

Retirement Fund (IMRF) public pension system. The selection process includes an application process, interview process, drug screening, driver’s license, and background check. The position is expected to be filled as soon as the interview process and background checks are completed.

Full position posting is on our website. Interested candidates should submit an application, resume, and a cover letter to the Village of Hinsdale, Village Manager’s Office, Attn: Human Resources, 19 E. Chicago Hinsdale, IL 60521 e-mail: hr@villageofhinsdale.org. Visit www.villageofhinsdale.org/jobs for a job application. The Village is an EOE employer. No phone calls, please. The Village is an equal-opportunity employer.

Company: Night Light Landscape Illumination

Night Light is in search of entry-level seasonal team members to install our custom landscape lighting systems on beautiful residences and clubs all around Chicagoland! Apply if you love the outdoors and/or have an interest in electrical work!

**Preferred but not required: some electrical experience. On-the-job training for low (12V) and line (120V) voltage work!

[Starting at $16-$20 depending on experience level]

Offerings:

- Work in the great outdoors!

- PTO for seasonal staff above the statemandated minimum

- Promotion from within with intentional training and established growth paths

Classified Ads

HELP WANTED

- Eligibility for paid benefits (medical, dental, vision)

- Access to a retirement plan and employer match

Responsibilities:

- Learn and perform proper trenching techniques.

- Gain an understanding of the proper tools and equipment required.

- Learn to identify the location of materials/tools in the shop and vans.

- Assist with the organization and restocking of vans.

- Perform regular upkeep to keep vans clean.

- Learn and perform proper installation of cones and caps.

- Gain knowledge of fixtures and their general application.

- Learn and perform proper low-voltage wiring practices.

- Perform site cleanup.

- Learn how to prepare and build fixtures, as directed.

- Understand and execute proper landscape restoration.

- Enter job information accurately into Aspire, whenever riding shotgun.

- Maintain a positive and productive attitude.

CLASSIFIED ADS

CLOSING DATES & RATES

October 2024 issue ads: Sept. 15, 2024

November 2024 issue ads: October 15, 2024

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

Magazine Cost is $5 per line

Minimum charge $50

Website Cost is $12 per line

Minimum charge $120 (About 6 words/line)

Submit your ads online at ilca.net or Call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851

PLEASE NOTE:

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

Submit your ads online at ilca.net

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

- Wear clean and appropriate Night Light attire.

- Perform project installation and service duties that are appropriate for your job and experience level.

- Learn horticultural practices as they relate to protecting green material while performing landscape lighting services.

- Gain a general understanding of designs and working drawings.

- Perform all actions with a focus on your safety, the safety of your coworkers, and the overall safety of those onsite.

How to apply: Request application and email resumés to brian.krupa@nightlightinc.net

Landscape Construction Manager

Established Landscape company in Elmhurst, IL Erwin Steinhebel & Sons, Inc. seeks an experienced construction manager who can effectively schedule, organize, coordinate, and oversee hardscaping and landscape crew. The ability to read and understand site plans and construction details and a thorough of hardscape/softscape materials and proper installation methods are required. Requirements:

- Experience a must

- Valid driver’s license (CDL preferred)

- Polite and friendly with customers

- Reading designs and specifications to determine the scope of work

- Organized, responsive, and has excellent communication skills with our clients and company members.

Please send resumes to: erwinsteinhebel@comcast.net or call 630834-3662 for more information.

Oakton College - Groundsworker

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

We offer:

• Continuing Education

• Great Benefits

• Paid Winter Break

• FRIDAYS OFF during the Summer

How to apply: www.oakton.edu

Editor’s Note: Over time, we run across a mountain of fun, innovative, and generally creative ideas. They don’t always fit with the magazine content, but we do collect them for some future use.

of each offering. So use it, lose it or be inspired to try something different.

to Inspiration Alley, a place where we display pure creativity. It’s up to you to judge the

Seasonal Switcheroo

By Nina A. Koziol

“I want autumnal colors and I want them to persist,” says Anne Roberts of Anne Roberts Gardens in Chicago. She starts changing clients’ containers in midSeptember. “Foliage is more important than blooms, so there are purple cabbages, heuchera, pumpkins, acorus, peppers, dusty miller and textural branches.” And let’s not forget mums.

Cool season pansies, snapdragons, stocks and cabbage

Ornamental cabbag and kale

Mums, cabbage, peppers, curly willow and bittersweet

Osage orange balls, cabbage and peppers

Late season zinnias and bacopa

Queen of Ferns —‘Victoriae’ Lady Fern

By Mark Dwyer

Iwas recently viewing a landscape plan submitted to a former client that is renovating a shade garden. There was an ambiguous blob on the plan labeled as “mixed ferns” which I found perplexing. Have ferns become so mundane that they don’t deserve consideration for their variable features, contributions and stellar texture? Of course, the answer is that ferns can be a very intentional and impactful addition to any landscape and specificity is warranted. I’m already a stalwart supporter of using the broad palette of native ferns to include maidenhair fern, Christmas fern, cinnamon fern, interrupted fern, sensitive fern and so many more. For a punch of color, I might lean on the various Japanese painted ferns and associated hybrids. However, for an exquisite and noteworthy contribution, do consider the ‘Victoriae’ lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) which has earned the well-deserved nickname of “Queen of the Ferns.” This is a personal favorite.

Lady ferns are considered circumglobal and are found in the moist woods, fields, meadows and ravines throughout North America, Europe and Asia. There have been many selections of lady ferns introduced to the market over the years. However, in the year 1861, this VERY interesting lady fern was discovered in Scotland. Ultimately named the ‘Victoriae’ lady fern (z 4-8), this amazing cruciate fern has mesmerized many by featuring fronds whose alternate pinnae (leaflets) criss-cross to form many “Xs” (described as “narrow green boomerangs”!) along the rachis (stem). The tips of the pinnae are also crested with a fan-shaped, forked configuration which looks like fringes or tassels. Reaching 24” in height and width, this superb clumping selection has upright stems that cascade at the crested

ends. This lacy, filigreed foliage is simply dynamite as an accent in the garden.

This fern can tolerate part shade or deep shade and shrugs off humidity. ‘Victoriae’ can even take a fair amount of sunshine if given ample moisture. This selection seems to tolerate drier soils better than most ferns but really does prefer steady moisture and organic-rich situations with some shelter from the wind (to avoid breakage). However, it is not clay tolerant. Air circulation is still important and it’s notable that this fern is also deer and rabbit resistant.

The ’Victoriae’ lady fern is a sure attention grabber, particularly when placed along path edges or in close proximity to the viewer. Texturally, it reads from a distance but the intricate, dark green foliage entices the viewer closer for more detailed examination and subsequent appreciation. I’ve successfully used this plant as a singular accent but repeated throughout a composition where that texture goes well with hostas, coral bells, lungworts (Pulmonaria), barrenworts (Epimedium) and other denizens of the shade garden. In smaller groupings, it is equally impactful although a frequent challenge is availability which, of course, fluctuates throughout the year. My advice would be to source this plant as early as possible to secure a supply of this unique fern that your shade garden clients will adore. The lady fern selection, ‘Dre’s Dagger,’ is thought to be a sport of ‘Victoriae’ and has the identical appearance but on a shorter stature plant reaching 18” in height. Don’t miss the unique potential and contribution of the “Queen of Ferns”!

MODULAR SYSTEM

The U-Cara Modular System is a collection of precision-manufactured aluminum cabinets and panels, which can be used to rapidly build outdoor living features. Easy to transport, assemble and clad with U-Cara fascia panels, these modules are a hardscape game-changer.