The Landscape Contractor magazine October 2016 by Association Publishing Partners

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MIDWEST TRADING HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES, INC.® a Midwest-Orum Company P.O. BOX 398 • MAPLE PARK, IL 60151 630-365-1990 • FAX 630-365-3818

W W W . M I D W E S T- T R A D I N G . C O M

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October 2016

CONTENTS

Excellence In Landscape Awards Project

FOCUS: Making the Most of the Digital World ILCA Members: Getting Social 10 A glimpse into member’s social media habits iLandscape 2017 — Branching Out 18 More exhibits, big-name headliners and more Garden Speak 22 Sage advice

Cost Saving Tips for Common Landscape Jobs Summary of the well received Field Day class

A Conversation with Piet Oudolf 32 One-on-one with the renowned designer and plantsman

2016 ILCA Golf Outing A full course; a great day; fun all around

Turf Education Day 50 One day program draws a crowd Member Profile 52 Green Roof Solutions

Sustainable Landscape Calendar 12 Months of sustainable landscape tips

Plant All-Stars 62 Lindera benzoin — Northern spicebush

EN Español

iLandscape 2017 — Branching Out se está ramificando para 2017 38

On the cover... Christy Webber Landscapes received a Gold Excellence in Landscape award for this 2015 project. The Landscape Contractor October 2016 OCT.16_TLC.indd 3

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message New Members Classified Ads Advertisers Index Photo Credits ILCA Awards Program Rick Reuland Richard Hawke Nina Koziol Marissa Sikirdje Green Roof Solutions

Calendar

4 5 7 54 58 61

OCTOBER October 6, 2016 Women’s Networking Group Fall Event featuring Lynne Franklin Chandler’s Chophouse Schaumburg, IL

1, 8-9 19-21, 28-29, 39-42, 50-51 22-26 32-37 44-47 52

NOVEMBER

Membership Party

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

The 2016 Annual Party and Member Meeting Thursday, November 3, 2016 Two Brothers Roundhouse 205 N. Broadway Aurora, IL 60505 5pm-8pm

Volume 57, Number 10. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Display Advertising Sales: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net Classified ads, Circulation and Subscription: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 Publisher/Editorial office: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630)637-8632 Product Disclaimer: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, the Magazine Committee, ILCA Staff, The Landscape Contractor and its staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products 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 msikirdji@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

Premier Sponsor

NOVEMBER November 17 ILCA Pruning Workshop Schaumburg Boomers Baseball Park Schaumburg, IL

Patrice Peltier Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net Meta Levin Feature Writer meta.levin@comcast.net Barbara Dutton Feature Writer

DECEMBER December 14-15 AutoCAD to Photoshop Workshop NIU Conference Center Hoffman Estates, IL

Nina Koziol Feature Writer Jim Fizzell jjfizz@aol.com

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From Where I Stand — Halloween is just around the corner. Maybe it’s just nostalgia, but I remember a much simpler and quainter version of Halloween than I see today. Sure, we went from house to house collecting candy in hastily made costumes. I just don’t remember Halloween being such a spectacle. Pretty much the week of Labor Day, stores begin converting to Halloween operations. Red, white, and blue gives way to black and orange. Two aisles of the grocery store are lined with miniature versions of every candy bar in existence. Big box stores dedicate hundreds of square feet to decorations that range from inflatable to talking to terrifying. I was recently at my Home Depot and they had a life-sized, motion-activated skeletonized horse. That seems pretty specific. Are there people decorating their homes who are saying to themselves, “Do you know what would cap this off - a life-sized, motion-sensored, skeletonized horse?” I didn’t know I was even afraid of skeletonized horses, but after seeing this in the front of my local hardware store, I’m pretty terrified. Halloween is now second only to Christmas in regards to holiday spending. We spend almost $7 billion dollars per year on candy, decorations and costumes or $74 per person. We buy costumes for kids, adults, and dogs. We study popular culture for six weeks leading up to Halloween for a hilarious and timely costume idea. Five years later, we will look back at photos and wonder, “Why the heck was I dressed like a Chilean miner?” Halloween, of course, changes as we age. From ages 1-3, your parents dress you up in some adorable animal costume and parade you around in a stroller. The neighbors ooh and ahh. You are lucky to get a single Tootsie Roll for your troubles. You are, in essence, a prop. At 4, you pretty much catch on to what is happening and begin to demand both dignity and identity from your parents. No longer are you satisfied being dressed in footie animal pajamas. You want to dress as a superhero or princess and demand your fair share of the loot. From ages 5 to 12, Halloween is pretty much the greatest day of the year that doesn’t end in “istmas.” You shuffle around the neighborhood holding pillow cases like a horde of zombies moaning “Snickers” instead of “brains.” With each year, you get to stay out later and later and your territory grows wider and wider. I think the last year I trick-or-treated I was hitting houses from Kankakee to the Wisconsin border. As you age, homeowners begin repeating the dreaded phrase, “Aren’t you a little bit old to be trick-or-treating?” This is your first mid-life crisis, well, first 1/8th life crisis. You realize you can’t do this forever. After age 12, Halloween becomes, “like the LAMEST thing ever...it’s a stupid day for babies, now leave me alone, I’ll be in my room!” Parents lament how their little girl/boy is all grownup and miss the days of the footie pajamas and candy poaching. At age 21, Halloween costumes become either skimpy or sexy or both. They are just extensions of the lingerie department. At this point, parents miss the teenage years when their kids thought Halloween was lame and just want to throw a sheet with two eyeholes over their daughter now dressed like a sexy kitten. Then,

you have kids of your own, you dress them up in adorable costumes, steal their candy, and the glorious cycle repeats. Of course, Halloween revolves around the art and science of trick-or-treating. This is our annual commitment to public charity that involves giving candy to children because they took the time to dress up and ring your doorbell. I have two small children so we have been forced to do the “please take one” candy bowl for the past few years. This is promptly raided by the first group of boys over the age of nine. Parents of trick-or-treaters go over the top with manners on Halloween. It’s like we are cramming for an exam. We try to jam as many manners into one night that we probably should’ve been working on all year. “No, only ring the doorbell once... ONCE!” “Say ‘trick-or-treat!’” “Say, ‘thank you!’” “Say, ‘please!’” And, of course, the queen mother, the phrase heard most often on Halloween night, maybe even more than “boo” and “trick-or-treat” combined...”DON’T WALK ON THE GRASS!” For some reason, on Halloween night, we act like grass is plush white carpet in that room at our Grandma’s house we were forbidden to go into. The second our children step onto a neighbor’s lawn we launch into full-on apology mode. We act like the greenskeepers at Augusta National diving to our knees to smooth out the temporary footprints our 40lb children just put into the lawn. I feel the ILCA should do a public service campaign every year where we tell thousands of trick-or-treaters that it’s ok to walk on grass. Agronomists see soil compaction occur when equipment weighs over 10 tons per axle. Hordes of trick-or-treaters are not going to cause significant turf damage even if they do eat those 15 Butterfinger bars. Now, I am not advocating that we allow kids to trample across perennial beds, kick mulch, flatten bushes, or crack tree branches, but the grass will be fine. Now, I know why parents say this. It has nothing to do with grass, it has everything to do with respecting our neighbors. We want to audibly thank our neighbors for their Halloween generosity by asking our kids not to trample across the grass like sugar-fueled wildebeests. The baseball player Harmon Killebrew has a famous quote about grass. I guess he’s entitled since he stood on patches of grass for his entire career. When he was young, his dad and brothers would be playing in the backyard. His mom would rush to the back door and scold them for tearing up the grass. Harmon said his Dad would reply, “We aren’t raising grass, we are raising boys.” I like that quote. It adds perspective. I know Americans love our landscapes, especially our grass. It is the one area of the landscape that even the blackest of the green thumbs can still maintain. Yet, grass can be replaced and replanted. We have so few years to enjoy our backyards with our children. If we sit around and worry about the impact on the grass, we truly don’t understand what is at stake. As we age, we forget the sheer joy of playing in the grass. In fact, I encourage everyone, before the weather turns cold and the grass disappears under a blanket of snow, to just lie in the grass on a sunny day and stare up at the clouds. Eschew the fancy patio

Keep on the Grass

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From Where I Stand —

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furniture and just lie down. It’s like a time machine back to our youth. It’s amazing how peaceful the world seems lying on grass staring up at a fluffy cloud inching across the sky. Sadly, on Halloween, we flip Harmon Killebrew’s expression around. We want our kids to be respectful of our neighbors’ property and showcase this with our newfound concern for turf care. At that point, we are raising boys/girls/kids to care more about the mindless pursuit of free candy. I get it, but it sends mixed messages to our kids. My experience with this industry has taught me that successful landscapes are about interaction not aesthetics. They are about creating spaces for people to enjoy with more senses than the eyes. They are not to be enjoyed behind closed windows and patio doors. They are not to become the aforementioned room in Grandma’s house that we were not supposed to go in. By hammering our kids, house after house, to treat grass like plush carpeting we forget why people have grass to begin with. A manicured lawn is a welcome mat. We take pride in our yards because we want our houses to be inviting. There will always be homeowners who treat their landscapes like museums. They are to be enjoyed from a safe distance and with a “look but don’t touch (or smell)” mentality. These are people who spend thousands of dollars to get manicured and weed-free lawns, but I safely bet none are going to lie in them looking up at the clouds. I don’t want to disrespect the viewpoint of these homeowners because they often have the means to invest in incredible landscapes that push the profession forward. Yet, I feel these homeowners miss a greater benefit by being consumed with aesthetics. So much about landscaping is lost if you only admire it from the curb. Landscaping is about deadheading, feeling the soil between your fingers, and the satisfaction received from uprooting crabgrass. It’s about getting on your hands and knees to see the ecosystem of insects that live beneath our feet. It’s about watching an annual blossom, perennial establish itself, or small tree hurdle upwards. When we were kids, the best memories we have were in the rooms and spaces that were our own. They were not in the rooms cordoned off from the family with the vacuum marks in the carpet that were only used when company visited. I remember the comfy couch in my family room and the familiarity of my bedroom. I spent hours in my basement which was “finished” on a budget of $1200 with carpet remnants and cheap wallpaper. Of course we took pride in our house, but we also lived in it too. Landscapes should be no different. This Halloween, along with my “please take one” sign, I’m considering another that reads, “please walk on the grass.” I want my kids to be polite and respectful to their neighbors, but I also want them to be kids. I don’t want my kids to think they need to shuffle across grass like a Geisha Girl. I will still give my kids the crash course in manners on Halloween night, but I refuse to scold them for walking on grass anymore. Kids appreciate grass more than any adult, anyway. It’s their domain, not ours. I might even follow them as we dart across lawns looking for the next big candy score. That is, unless there is a skeletonized horse in the yard, in that case, we are taking the sidewalk.

Scott Grams September 19, 2016

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President’s Message — It was great to see

President

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

Vice-President

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

Secretary-Treasurer

Tom Lupfer Lupfer Landscaping (708) 352-2765 tom@lupferlandscaping.com

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

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 Allan Jeziorski Hartman Landscape (708) 403-8433 allan@hartmanlandscape.net Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net

Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com Maureen Scheitz Acres Group (847) 526-4554 maureen.scheitz@acresgroup.com Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com

www.ilca.net

many of you at the 8th annual Turf Educational Day (TED), at the Chicago Botanic Garden last month. This program is made possible through our partnership with the Illinois Professional Lawn Care Association (IPLCA) and the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Chicago Botanic Garden is a valued partner who always opens up their facility to us, including their remarkable speakers. At the event, I spoke of the IPLCA. You may have heard that an exciting development occurred this year regarding our relationship with the IPLCA. Following the 8th annual TED event, the IPLCA will dissolve as a professional organization. In order to make sure their gains made professionally, educationally and legislatively are not lost, we have agreed to step in and create a standing Turf Committee to support the lawn care industry. We will appoint a number of turf care professionals to our Regulatory and Legislative Committee which tracks legislation that advances or threatens the livelihood of turf professionals in Illinois. Turf care is continually combating new regulations being proposed by groups and the government. The ILCA has a long history in working with concerned groups and government agencies to make sure legislation is passed that benefits the lawn care industry as a whole. If any of you are interested in getting involved with the ILCA’s new focus on turf, please contact our Executive Director Scott Grams. The members of the Association and Board of Directors know the importance of having a governmental voice. This is part of the Board’s strategic plan I wrote about in July. Laws, regulations and unions impact how we do business. The association understands the importance of legislative representation at all levels — local, state and federal. In addition, we try to educate members so they can run their companies in accordance to the law. Here are some examples of how the ILCA keeps you informed of what is happening at the local, state and federal levels: Local: The ILCA learned the residents of Naperville were not happy with the noise level coming from landscape equipment and was looking to pass an ordinance limiting the hours professional landscape companies can work in Naperville. On September 12th this ordinance permitting landscapers to operate 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends was posted to the association’s Facebook page, getting the word out to everyone. In addition, we conducted a flash survey and found a dead even split among the membership on the new ordinance. Due to the split, we decided to take no further action. State: On August 25th, Governor Rauner signed Senate Bill 2138 into law. This is the Accredited Snow Contractor Association’s model legislation, created, introduced, and lobbied hard throughout the process by the ASCA (Accredited Snow Contractors Association) and ILCA. Illinois was the first state to pass the model legislation. The ILCA Regulatory and Legislative Committee guided this process along with Scott Grams, ILCA Executive Director and Kevin Gilbride, Executive Director of the ASCA. This greatly impacts snow contracts and insurance premiums for our association’s snow contractors which make up 60% of our members. National: As reported in our magazine’s August issue, the ILCA has been a strong proponent for Congress to reinstall the return of workers exemption for the H2B program. This exemption allows any returning seasonal guest worker not to be counted against the annual 66,000 visa cap. This exemption adequately allows enough workers to enter the United States for the landscape season so companies can keep up with labor demand. In 2015, the returning worker exemption was reinstalled as part of the appropriations process. Now we are asking our elected officials to keep the returning worker exemption in place and are looking for bill sponsors in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to turn the returning worker exemption into law. Don’t forget our upcoming events: The ILCA Women’s Networking Group Presents “Be the Most Persuasive Person in the Room” featuring speaker Lynne Franklin on October 6th; and November 3rd our New Member Mixer followed by ILCA’s 57th Annual Party & Member Meeting. See you then. Michael Schmechtig

September 13, 2016 The Landscape Contractor October 2016

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Topiarius • Urban Attitude Chicago

Space is precious

in an urban back yard, and even more so when it is 20’ by 30’ or 600 sq. feet (a yard about the size of a wide two car garage). In a townhome community of traditional mid-western architectural influence of red brick and white columns, how does one transform a riotously overgrown back yard into a crisp seating area, with a water feature, herb garden, a new second story stairway, make it “fun for my girls,” and add a little bit of New Zealand color flair along the way? Why, through the wise and thoughtful use of space. The spiral metal stairs efficiently use space while keeping the feel of the yard airy. The newly resurfaced bluestone patio under the existing portico is brought up to threshold height to create the feeling of expansiveness as one walks out the house door. The extension of the bluestone patio/walkway surrounds the building edge to the side entrance to the yard, and then transfers to the continuous grade cedar deck with the girl’s playhouse. Features

abound in the playhouse with a climbing wall, colorful peek-a-boo windows and a chalk board. As the bluestone patio and deck step down into the cozy and colorful seating area, we find ourselves nestled into the focal point of the yard. As one enjoys lounging in the basket chairs and eye-popping settee, they are surrounded by seasonal annual display in containers, a raised planting bed with a shade tolerant Carpinus surround,shade loving perennials below. An amazing silver ball water feature, adds a bit of sparkle magic and lightly masks the urban noises of the town home community. The herb garden is in the sunniest spot in the front yard, along the side of the driveway next to the neighbor’s front entrance stairs. A low profile, irrigated hanging garden of white containers with a collection of herbs and cheery flowers greet the clients as they arrive home. A quick snip and the herbs are ushered into the kitchen as the family gathers in their New Zealand appointed back yard, for an afternoon meal, relaxation, and play.

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Update — ILCA Members Getting Social

Being There: Having a Presence, Making Connections by Barbara Dutton

While some landscapers

might still be exploring social media, others are actively using it to promote their business – deploying a range of sophisticated digital marketing communications. In conducting a survey late last year to gain a better understanding of how members communicated marketing messages via Internet vehicles, Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Membership and Marketing Coordinator Marissa Sikirdji – who estimates that a majority of members do have a website – noted that a little more than a third had embraced social media in the form of Facebook. Based on her observations, Sikirdji suggests that some companies in the field might not be taking advantage of some of the options among a wide range that has emerged in recent years as the online experience has evolved. When it came to making use of the variety of available applications to expand a marketing message through an integrated approach encompassing social media techniques such as Facebook, some companies, she notes, “didn’t have much in the way of a presence.” As to which of the many platforms is right for an individual business, Sikirdji says, “There are so many different platforms out there, so it’s hard to say what will work best for a company, but Facebook is pretty universal, so that would be number one.” She also recommends utilizing Twitter and creating a LinkedIn company page, as well as identifies Pinterest, Instagram and Houzz as social media outlets that contractors interested in posting project images might consider. (To learn how two ILCA members are engaging home remodeling and design platform Houzz, please see the article, “Two ILCA Members Reveal How They Use Houzz” in the August 2016 issue of The Landscape Contractor.)

A very active following

To apprise an audience of relevant events or developments, companies oftentimes issue press releases or publish articles in a newsletter. Such items can be posted on a company website or otherwise conveyed. Acres Group, Wauconda, Ill., for example, presents news of activities and projects on its website, and in a further step, invites site viewers to sign up for a “feed” enabling them to receive announcements automatically upon distribution by the company. According to Acres Vice President of Marketing Sherm Fields, the company is interested in an integrated marketing approach, using a combination of vehicles to provide followers/clients with announcements: A website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter offer horticultural, snow and ice management information, as well as links to partner websites. “We have a very active following for our website with traffic exceeding 45,000 visits per year,” reports Fields. “Our Facebook recently had over 2,000 reaches for an employee’s anniversary post, and our careers page is a significant resource tool for recruitment,” he continues. “We are just starting to use LinkedIn and Twitter more, and hope to see enhanced audience as we build our content.” Taking advantage of options in the burst of social media channels that has appeared in recent years, the company “seeks to drive interest and interaction,” explains Fields, who declares, “We will continue a multimedia platform to reach out to potential clients.” Among the myriad multimedia online options are videos and blogs, which present opportunities to creatively reach an audience through words and visuals. Citing examples of videos that showcase projects via website and YouTube, Sikirdji says, “The 3-D ones are awesome.” Conveying that such a tool can be an (continued on page 12)

There are so many platforms out there, it’s hard to say what will be best for a company, but Facebook is pretty universal...

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Focus — Getting Social (continued from page 10) effective way to help prospective customers understand the landscape process, she notes. “People often don’t know what goes into a project, so showing them is pretty cool.”

Anything informational

... a blog was the easiest way to allow for new content and keywords that search engines would pick up...

Though they might feature still images with text, blogs are still seen as an effective platform for delivering a message. “I definitely think blogs are very useful,” remarks Sikirdji, who suggests that companies interested in blogging should focus on “anything informational.” Discussing tips and trends in articles on a website, she indicates, can express a company’s skill and knowledge, or convey “what they’re doing in the community,” says Sikirdji, who advocates educating the public about the industry to build business. Bret-Mar Landscape, Homer Glen, Ill., for example, publishes a blog that discusses plants – such as Pelargonium and Russian Sage. Installments in the series – which was introduced by video accessible through YouTube and promoted via Twitter – are attributed to a dachshund named Tucker, whose owner, Bret-Mar Office Manager/Landscape Architect Ashley Marrin, focuses on social media at the company and was responsible for rebuilding its website. To make sure the company’s new website would attract attention, Marrin relates that search engine optimization (SEO) was considered essential for introducing the site. “One of the

many ways to maintain a good SEO is by adding or changing content on a website,” she explains. “So a blog was the easiest way to allow for new content and keywords that search engines would pick up.” Bret-Mar utilizes a popular format to add blogs, photos or otherwise make alterations to the website, and shares blog posts on social media outlets such as Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. “The idea is to drive people to our website,” explains Marrin, stating that the intention is to “stay in front of our current customers and engage them.” Bret-Mar also sends monthly e-mails to customers with news and tips – and links to the most current blogs on the company’s website. In addition to talking plants, BretMar blogs discuss awards, community activities, and even ILCA events. To conceive content, Marrin explains, “I began asking some of our closest clients what they would like to see in our blogs. Most people were interested in garden advice like how to keep rabbits from eating my plants.”

Nothing but time

Marrin develops blogs during slow months for posting during busy times, acknowledging the time commitment required. “Having a blog truly costs nothing but time, which can be precious in spring.” The time invested, however, seems to be paying off in increased business. “I have had clients e-mail me that they (continued on page 14)

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The Landscape Contractor October 2016 9/21/16 7:42 AM

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Focus — Getting Social

“ The trend with social media and blogs is about sharing your knowledge.”

(continued from page 12) cannot wait to see Tucker’s next pick,” reports Marrin, adding, “and have even received e-mails saying Tucker sold them on a specific plant so next time we are out they would like us to add that.” Meghan McDonald, design studio manager and landscape architect at Scott Byron & Co., Lake Bluff, Ill., which also publishes a blog on its website, concurs that production time can be challenging, but insists that blogging is worthwhile. “Regardless of the difficulties, and even if posts become less frequent,” she comments, “there’s still value in maintaining a blog if your goals are to introduce the client to people in the company they may not typically meet, give insight into your process and approach, and inform the public on industry information that also pertains to the company.” Techniques may vary, but overall, suggests Sikirdji, companies looking to connect with audiences in a meaningful way should make information about their business able to be found online, “and be seen in a positive way.” She recommends contractors focus on two main messages: the skill they have in delivering projects, and the involvement they have with their community. “Get your name out there and spread it to build company awareness.” Company goals and resources will determine whether a business tweets, seeks Facebook “likes,” blogs about butterflies, or works to make a message go “viral” through video. But even a

website that simply describes services and lists contacts, suggests Sikirdji, is something contractors should create to have a presence in the digital realm, project a more professional image, and show off their expertise.

Sharing your knowledge

“The trend with social media and blogs is about sharing your knowledge,” observes Marrin. “People search the internet for ‘howto’ articles on everything and anything. It takes time to build a catalog of garden advice blogs, but the long-term plan is for people to follow us for the advice we are providing and when the time comes that they might need our services, we will be the first ones to pop into their mind.” Indeed, suggests McDonald, such communication can serve to introduce the team behind the service. “People are naturally curious about who they’re going to be working with,” she notes, “and I think the blog is an important gesture of reaching back to them and saying this is who we are, this is what we believe, this is what we know and how we think we can use that knowledge to your benefit.” Companies interested in attracting customers should, however, work to keep online material fresh. “The constant change of content helps keep us at the top of the google search page,” maintains Marrin. “It also helps when a prospective customer (continued on page 16)

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PROD

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PROOF

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iLandscape 2017

Branching Out with

February 1-3, 2017 by Meta Levin

iLandscape is

Starting in 1970, when he could be seen tooling about town in a Taylor-Dunn, a golf cart like all electric vehicle, Begley branched out into recycling and became a vegan. Today he drives a 2003 Toyota RAV4EV electricpowered vehicle. He now promotes eco-friendly products, such as Toyota’s Prius hybrid electric car, a composting toilet and even his own brand of household cleaner. Begley practices what he preaches. By Hollywood standards he lives in a small house – 1,585 square feet – where he uses solar and wind power to generate energy and even an electricitygenerating bicycle to run the toaster. In response to California’s drought conditions, he has converted his lawn to a drought tolerant garden of all native California plants.

Branching Out in 2017 – creatively, educationally and physically. “This is an opportunity for people to branch out before the season starts,” says ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams.

Keynote Speaker

The event will kick off Wednesday, February 1, 2017 with a keynote speech by actor and environmentalist, Ed Begley, Jr. “He understands; he gets us,” says ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams, of Begley, who may primarily be known for his acting work in television and films, but who also has been celebrated for his efforts in environmental causes since the early 1970s. Begley will be speaking from a stage set back against the south wall of the Discovery Hall, as opposed to the “theater in the round” presentation employed last year. He will be focusing on sustainability.

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Exhibit Halls (Yes, two)

iLandscape’s exhibit space has “branched out,” as well, into two halls to accommodate 237 exhibitors. Named Discovery and Innovation, these spaces allow for more many more exhibitors, some of whom have been on the waiting list for all three years of iLandscape’s life, says Grams. The show is so popular that there still is a waiting list. Many of the returning exhibitors expanded the size of their booths. The two exhibit halls will be hopping places. In Innovation Hall the popular Internet website and app, Houzz, will be helping contractors set up Houzz accounts, as well as to get more out of the accounts they already have. In the wake of last year’s keynote speaker from Houzz, ILCA members who already had accounts sang its praises for actually delivering more work to their doors. This year exhibitors will be featuring coffee breaks, happy hours, caricature artists, phone recharging stations and much more. The ice rink also returns. It will be located near the concession stands in Discovery Hall. Even the ILCA booth will be more prominent and more fun, says Grams. “We will be the first thing that people see.” As for the “more fun” part, that has yet to be worked out. But as of this writing, I’d bet there’ll be more fun activities and plenty of them. Watch the next two issues for details. ILCA and WGIF booths will be adjacent on the show floor. (continued on page 20)

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iLandscape 2017 (continued from page 19) iLandscape’s experience committee is working on ways, including plants, to create a seamless transition between the two halls.

Gardens, Gardens, Gardens

As befits a green industry show, there will be gardens galore throughout. Grams counts five, including an entrance garden, two vignette gardens, a garden stage and another garden in Innovation Hall, all reflecting the principles of garden design. Highlighting the vignette garden will be a “Tiny House” by Titan Tiny Homes. Designed to lower the carbon footprint, it blends in with Begley’s message. “The ultimate goal was to build a house,” says Grams. iLandscape Experience Committee co-chair Dave Warning is credited with suggesting incorporating the Tiny House into the garden idea. “They will be featured in our Cross Roads Garden,” says Warning. Based in South Elgin, IL, Titan recently was featured on “Tiny Home Nation.”

Streamlined Registration

To make life easier for show goers, there will be changes in registration procedures, which are designed to do away with the long lines. A new registration provider, based in Downers Grove, and kiosks for new registrants, should make things easier. There also will be streamlined procedures allowing for smooth onsite registration upgrades. It will be easier to pre-register and pick up materials in the building. “We are looking to improve the experience,” says Grams. “We believe it will be much smoother.” As for the parking, there will be five continuous shuttles to ferry those who park in remote lots to and from their cars. While this story only scratches the highlights, the next two issues will outline education and other show highlights.

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The Landscape Contractor October 2016

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Garden Speak — Practical Plant Evaluations

Sage Advice By Patrice Peltier

‘May Night’

is a salvia that has stood the test of time…even by the rigorous standards of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s plant evaluations. “Honestly, I’m not sure that another sage has diminished its popularity, although it has more competition than ever,” Plant Evaluation Manager and Associate Scientist Richard Hawke says of the 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year. Chicago Botanic Garden has evaluated more than 50 hardy sages since 1993. Its original trial, which included ‘May Night’, ran from 1993-1998. Inspired by the glorious “rivers” of salvia at Lurie

Garden, Hawke decided to take a new look at salvias, adding 15 new types in the last two years alone. So far, five salvias have received a 4-star (Excellent) overall rating. Here’s what Hawke has to say about them.

year. It was always the first to bloom each spring, usually a week before ‘Wesuwe’,” he reports. He notes that ‘May Night’ tends to “relax” and even flop in partial shade.

‘May Night’ (‘Mainacht’)

Although there are new cultivars that bloom earlier than ‘May Night’, Hawke says ‘May Night’ has, for years, been the gold standard for early-blooming salvias. “In our earlier trial, spikes of deep, violet-blue flowers with purple calyces practically smothered the plants every

‘May Night’

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‘Caradonna’ ‘Caradonna’

Our heads are so easily turned as gardeners. It was ‘Caradonna’ that stole Hawke’s heart away from ‘May Night’. “The deep purple, nearly black stems and calyces are striking on their own, but together with the blueviolet flowers, it’s crazy hot,” Hawke says admiringly. He reports that ‘Caradonna’ grew two to three times taller than references said, reaching 36” tall some years. He loves the way Caradonna’s flowers combine with silver and gold in the garden. Always an appreciator of hot colors in the garden, he also likes to combine ‘Caradonna’ with reds and oranges for a bold look.

‘Eveline’

This is an introduction by Dutch designer and plantsman Piet Oudolf. Hawke says this plant was a standout from the beginning. An early-May bloomer, ‘Eveline’ has mauve-pink flowers with dark purple calyces. “’Eveline’ is bushy with strong vertical stems loaded with flowers that keep the bees and butterflies busy for over a month,” Hawke says. ‘Eveline’

(continued on page 24) The Landscape Contractor October 2016

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Garden Speak — Practical Plant Evaluations Three to watch

‘Wesuwe’

Although plants aren’t officially rated until they’ve been evaluated for at least four years, Hawke is keeping an eye on these plants that show promise.

(continued from page 23)

‘Wesuwe’

‘Wesuwe’ is another plant popularized by Oudolf. Hawke says ‘Wesuwe’ is similar to ‘May Night’ but its flowers are a bit lighter and bloom later. “The floral bracts hold their rosy color for several weeks after the flowers have dropped,” Hawke reports. ‘Wesuwe’ maintained an upright form in full sun and recovered quickly from shearing.

Marcus™ (‘Haeumanarc’)

If you’re looking for a smaller plant, Marcus is your man. Only 15 inches tall—flowers and all—the plant is packed with dark purple-blue flowers with purple calyces nearly all summer. “There seems to be a disagreement over whether this is a diminutive selection of ‘Mainacht’ or ‘Ostfriesland’, but honestly, knowing it won’t affect how much you love this little guy,” Hawke promises.

‘Blueberry Beret’

Think of this introduction by Brent Horvath at Intrinsic Perennials as a dwarf ‘Caradonna’. The plant has violetblue flowers and dark purple calyces that hold their color for several weeks after flowering. The plant grows 16 inches tall and 18 inches wide with a compact, bushy habit.

‘Marcus’

Lyrical™ Series

Hawke think this series of compact, well-branched sages from Darwin Perennials shows promise. He likes the deep violet-blue flowers and dark purple calyces of Lyrical Blues which grows 22” tall by 26” wide. Lyrical Rose offers pink flowers with rosy purple calyces on plants 20” tall by 28” wide. A third plant, Lyrical Silvertone, has purple-blue flowers with silvery edges on plants that grow 13” tall and 18” wide. 24

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Top-rated Sages Plant

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Garden Speak — Practical Plant Evaluations (continued from page 25)

‘Sensation Sky Blue’

Hawke describes this plant as “blue tuffets” in June when it is covered from top to bottom with slender blue flower spikes up to 5 inches long. The calyces and stems are lighter purple. Although the flowers are not really sky blue, Hawke says, “I want to live in the technicolor world where the sky is this color.” He adds that at 12” tall and 15” wide, this is the smallest hardy sage he’s grown.

Cutting Remarks As part of the evaluation, half of the plants in each taxa are cut back after flowering to assess their resiliency and to see whether deadheading encourages reblooming.

‘Sensation Sky Blue’

The Name Game Maybe you’ve noticed this about hardy sages, too: every place you see them, they have a different botanical name. “The nomenclature and identification of hardy sages is a bit muddled,” Hawke admits. Popular cultivars such as ‘May Night’ and ‘Wesuwe’ show up some places as Salvia nemorosa and in others as S. x sylvestris. Hawke isn’t going to waste time splitting hairs. “In the end, it’s the cultivar you want,” he says, “regardless of what species name is attached.”

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“Our study revealed essentially no difference in the level of rebloom between the two groups,” Hawke reported. “It was an optical illusion of sorts—the non-deadheaded plants looked like they had fewer new flowers because they were obscured by the messy old stems,” he explained.

Who you callin’ yellow? We think of hardy sages as flowering in shades of purple, blue, pink and white, but did you know there’s a yellow sage? Salvia koyamae, a woodland sage, has pale yellow flowers from mid summer to frost. The plant, which has a spreading habit, prefers a shady site with moist, rich soils. However, Hawke noted that in the evaluation, plants that receives some sun each day had 50 percent more flowers than plants grown in full shade.

3 • • • • • • •

When the plant was first sent to Chicago Botanic Garden for inclusion in the evaluation, its winter hardiness was unknown. Twenty-two years later, the plant is still growing strong. “That alone warrants a shout out,” Hawke says.

The Landscape Contractor October 2016

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Special Feature — Something Worth Knowing About

Cost Saving Tips for Common Landscape Practices by Meta Levin

Summer Field Day featured a pile of mulch.

Nothing else, just the mulch. Attendees, however, were invited to guess how much mulch was there. There was, of course, a method behind this madness and it had to do with the education panel: “Cost Saving Tips for Common Landscape Practices.” The panel, which featured Joe Hobson, Midwest Trading Horticulture Supplies, Inc.; Jim Turcan, Cornerstone Partners Horticulture Services Company; Steve Norman, The Norman Group and Greg Roos, Bertog Landscape Company, emphasized, among other things, the necessity of accuracy in estimating. That’s where the pile of mulch came in. It actually contained 5.75 cubic yards (CY) of mulch. Guesses, however, ranged from 30 CY (considered to be so far out that it probably was a joke) to 1.50 CY, with an average of 6.41 CY. Over or under, no matter how much or how little, can be expensive. And that’s not just the cost of buying the mulch itself.

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A running commentary reminded the audience of what it already knew: there is a labor shortage in the landscape business and contractors are paying more to get the laborers they need. Therefore, mistakes can be costlier, especially if they involve time. The idea is to make the most of what and who you have. “Labor is getting expensive, because we do not have enough,” says Hobson. For that and other reasons, they talked about saving time, getting what you pay for, understanding how over or under loading bulk materials can affect a job, the crucial importance of taking the time to estimate properly and checking your true costs. Using the mulch example: if you underestimate the amount needed for a particular job, someone on the crew must get in the truck and return either to your yard or the vendor to get more. In the meantime, the rest of the crew may have a few things to clear up, but often is awaiting the necessary materials. It’s an expensive waste of time, for which you are paying, fuel for the truck

The Landscape Contractor October 2016 9/21/16 7:42 AM

and perhaps extra time, because the crew is late to the next stop. Your laborers are your greatest asset. At the moment they are in short supply, making them expensive. “We were looking at what impacts labor and how to get the most out of what we have,” says Hobson. Hobson and the other speakers also wanted to shine a light on the constant need to improve equipment, tools and materials, as well as to think out of the proverbial box. “Think differently,” Hobson says. He had an Excel spreadsheet on which he had calculated the actual cost of estimating the number of cubic yards in the pile correctly and, then, for the average guess, as well as the highest and lowest. Attendees were so impressed that several asked for copies of the spread sheet following the presentation. “We used mulch as an example,” says Roos. “A lot of times I’ll admit that I go out and eyeball a project, but really we all should measure it and do the math.”

Roos, who has been in the industry for 35 years, believes he has enough experience that his “guesstimates” probably are close to the actual amount of material needed. “Still, I’m off sometimes. Once we brought up the costs involved, we grabbed everyone’s attention.” He estimates that 70 percent of the cost of running a landscape contracting business is labor and associated costs. Norman suggests buying mulch in bags, especially for smaller jobs. “By using bagged material, you know how much is going out the door, because you know how much each bag contains,” says Norman. More than that, it is easier to control how much is used for each project. Of course, bulk mulch has its place – usually in big, easy to mulch jobs. That most often means large, commercial properties. “Mulching is probably the number one thing that landscape contractors do during certain times of the year, which is why we used it as an example,” says Norman. (continued on page 30)

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Special Feature — Something Worth Knowing About Once you do the math to understand your labor costs, the panelists agreed, you will see the necessity of using your employees well and efficiently. “You want to do anything that can be done to reduce labor costs,” says Norman. Norman uses the example of another landscape contractor for whom he used to work. In the past, crews would meet first thing in the morning to find out where they were headed that day. They would take off and stop to fill-up the trucks, most likely buying a cup of coffee and a donut at the gas station. At the end of the day the crews would bring back the truck and hang around while a few cleaned out the truck and did other chores. They were paid all of this time. “The crew spent eight to 10 man hours that it didn’t need to,” says Norman. That was before the owner changed the routine. Now, as the crew heads back to the yard at the end of the day, they stop to fuel up the trucks. When they arrive at the yard, the crew is cut loose, while the crew leader dumps and cleans the truck. He then, gets his schedule and what he needs for the next day. Some contractors go one step further; they use laborers at the yard to dump and clean the truck, then load it for the next day. The crew leader gets the next day’s schedule, but the crew members go home. When Norman worked for Brickman Group, they would allow food trucks into the yard early in the morning so that

workers could buy something for breakfast and maybe their lunches, as well, before heading out. It’s also important to use the right equipment, often to take the place of the fourth or fifth man on an installation job, says Turcan. As an example, he points to a Dingo mini excavator with multiple attachments. “It used to be that if we had a big job to do, we’d throw 30 guys at it and knock it out,” he says. That no longer is possible, nor is it cost efficient. Now many landscape contractors find that buying or renting the right equipment can replace laborers. “With the right equipment you can use a two or three-man crew, where before you would have six men,” says Turcan. A mini can do the work in a fraction of the time and the team can become more efficient. Turcan suggests investigating the various types of equipment available for the kinds of jobs you need done, then initially renting them. It is important the laborers are properly trained to use the apparatus and that the landscape contractor stay at the job site with a stop watch and a clipboard to record not only time, but other factors during the operation. Turcan goes a step further. He typically rents a new piece of equipment on a Saturday, taking it out to his own property and working with it over the weekend. “I’m able to document how

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The Landscape Contractor October 2016 9/21/16 7:42 AM

long it takes me to dig, load a truck or whatever I have to do,” he says. In any case, he says, “Never pull the trigger on buying until the end of the year; not until you realize how many times you’ve rented it.” You may not want or need to buy a piece of equipment. Instead, if you only use it a few times each season, renting it may make more sense. Another way to get the most out of your resources is to align yourself with a subcontractor who specializes in the kinds of skills you and your crews do not have. “Make it someone who you can trust, because the subcontractor will become an extension of your crew and your company,” Turcan says. “Do not leave them to work on their own and do allow them to be profitable.” Turcan emphasizes the need for a written agreement when using a subcontractor, even if this is someone who you consider

a friend. “It startles me how many subcontractors are working on a verbal agreement,” he says. If this is a contractor you anticipate using multiple times during the season, he suggests a blanket agreement, which can be supplemented with an addendum for each job with a diagram of the job, photograph and any specifics to that particular job, including insurance requirements and a prerequisite that you be alerted before the subcontractor begins work. The panelists were pleased with the interest shown in their presentation, as well as ILCA’s willingness to include it in the Summer Field Day education offerings. “ILCA continues to lead in educational efforts for members,” says Norman. “It’s absolutely wonderful to take advantage of the brain trust among the ILCA members.”

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A Conversation wi Special Feature —

One on One: Plantsman Piet Oudolf revisits Chicago’s Lurie Garden by Nina Koziol

On a warm afternoon

in late August, I sat on a bench in Chicago’s Lurie Garden with its renowned designer, Piet Oudolf. He had traveled from his home outside the village of Hummelo in the eastern Netherlands. “It’s a monarch battle,” he said, eyeing the ‘Blue Fortune’ Agastache where a cluster of monarch butterflies competed with honey bees for nectar. Lurie Garden is 2.5-acre urban oasis with a backdrop of steel, concrete and glass. The rolling prairie-inspired landscape was in full bloom and there was a constant hum of insects. Large lumbering bumblebees hovered over the calamint, goldenrod and Joe Pye weed while a dozen or more goldfinches flitted around the dried coneflowers in search of seeds. The flowers of tall Bottle Gentians (Gentiana andrewsii) and Russian sage formed hazy blue drifts between clumps of Baptisia and ornamental grasses, their seed heads bowing on the breeze. All the while, visitors sat, strolled, took photos and remarked about the plants and the wildlife. Oudolf’s designs for public and private gardens stretch from Chicago, New York and Canada to the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and England, and have made him a landscaping superstar across the continents. In spite of all the acclaim, he’s a down-to-earth, soft-spoken and unpretentious plantsman. Here’s what he had to say.

What brings you back to Lurie Garden? I normally come every two years in June or July to assess the garden. There are always things that can be improved. Plants grow and change--some don’t perform well so we try to find another species to replace them. Some have to be reduced and 32

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brought back in size. We look over the garden from all sides to see if the balance is right and we look at it as a landscape, not just as a garden. Some plants are allowed to seed in places but it’s all about balance, coherency and performance. For example, see the long row of Perovskia? So we say, ya, ‘How can we break the line open?’ We might remove a piece so you can see into other parts of the garden. Then, see this gap here--we think about how we can prevent people from walking through the plants.

What other changes are you making? Coming here in August, I see there’s an unbalance in the Dark Plate (the shady part of Lurie Garden), so we’re taking out big groups of hosta and breaking them up with Anemone so there’s balance on both sides of the garden, like a feeling of being in one story.

What plants have done particularly well here? Perovskia, Allium ‘Summer Beauty,’ and the grasses of course--‘Shenandoah’ (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’) Sporobolus (prairie dropseed), Molinia (moor flame grass). We use the straight Sporobolus species--cultivars like ‘Tara’ are just a little bit low and the garden is too big to use low plants. The Heuchera ‘Autumn Bride,’ they like it, ya? The large area of Salvia was cut to the ground and a sign says, “Area in Transition: Thank you for your understanding.” Is that needed?

The Landscape Contractor October 2016 9/21/16 7:43 AM

with Piet Oudolf

I don’t mind the sign. People ask ‘why is this brown’ or ‘why are there no flowers on the Salvia river’ but it’s a garden for four seasons. If everything was in flower in August, we wouldn’t have anything in June. There’s always something not in flower, but there’s always a lot of interesting things. It’s August and this is mostly blue and mauve flowers-it’s not your typical late-summer yellow garden found in the Midwest. I use yellow but it depends on the theme. Sometimes I use it a lot, sometimes not. I don’t mind yellow, but you have to be careful. In the meadow part here, I use Silphium (compass plant), but I can’t see a field of straight yellow. I don’t want to use plants that take your eye off of the whole. I don’t want the eye to stop except for butterflies or whatever.

Do you have a favorite season in the Lurie Garden? I think the end of August into September. The garden is so rich, not only in flowers but in the decay (he points to the seed heads forming on coneflowers), and in the butterflies, insects, bees, wasps, spiders--everything makes it deeper. I think it’s great. But, you also see one complete circle of life in a garden throughout the year. It gives you four different states of emotion--that’s why it’s so powerful.

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Special Feature —

Why are people so attracted to this garden? I think there’s a certain need we have — feelings that are brought out when you’re here. People see it as sort of wild, because they don’t know the wild. It’s sort of an elementary feeling that comes up, ya? This sort of planting reconnects you with another world, a state of mind. I can look at the garden a million times and I still love it. Why is it that we only have that feeling with plants and not with a new car?

Has your perspective on design changed since you began? Yes, of course. You see something that works for you and that thing becomes your signature. But, we started in 1982 and things were too dogmatic and too many rules. There was too little freedom with design. Gardening then was only about rules--from deadheading to preparing your garden for winter. We wanted to create more spontaneity. We first had a traditional English garden but then, can you imagine, I threw in digitalis seed and other plants through a traditional planting and that created spontaneity.

What advice do you have for landscapers in the Midwest who want to take this type of design concept to their clients? Well, that is hard to do. This garden is sort of a one-off design of what I do and I see it as an expression of putting plants on stage. The gardeners (caretakers) are the most important part. There are so many concepts nowadays and seed mixes that claim to create a similar garden, but that’s not true. You can see this garden as unique, as a place that can stimulate you to become more interested in ecosystems and plantings and perhaps change you from a hardscape to a softscape designer. Start to learn the plants — it’s an ongoing life process. Knowledge creates freedom. You have a bigger choice in plants now — look for the right plants--that is the freedom you have. You can create something different all the time because you know what the plants will do...at least you think you know what they’ll do.

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Lurie Garden is like a canvas that’s constantly changing. Yes, it’s four-dimensional and a performance in time. It changes not only during the year but over the years. As long as you accept that and don’t want to bring it back to the original design, then your garden grows.

Do you have a favorite among all your public garden designs? Lurie Garden, of course, and the High Line in New York. Both are prominent places in the city and they have the most interest from the public. (Note: The High Line is a 1.5- mile stretch of abandoned elevated rail line in New York city that features Oudolf’s plantings. Read more about The High Line at https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/the-high-line) At some point when you can no longer travel to assess your work, how will you pass on your artistic legacy of the Lurie Garden’s plant design? That’s impossible. I see this garden as a moment in time and it’s a good garden, but there will be other people who will do great gardens in the future, don’t you think? For more info: www.luriegarden.org View Oudolf’s own gardens here: http://oudolf.com/garden/ oudolf-hummelo “Oudolf Hummelo” by Noel Kingsbury and Piet Oudolf, Monacelli Press, 2015, 399 pgs, $50.

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Enfoque: Sección en Español —

Por Meta Levin

February 1-3, 2017

iLandscape se

está ramificando para 2017 – creativamente, educacionalmente y físicamente. “Esta es una oportunidad para que las personas se ramifiquen antes de que comience la temporada”, afirma Scott Grams, Director Ejecutivo de ILCA.

Orador de apertura

El evento se iniciará el miércoles, 1 de febrero de 2017, con un discurso de apertura por el actor y ambientalista, Ed Begley, Jr. “Él comprende, nos llega”, afirma Scott Grams, Director Ejecutivo de ILCA, refiriéndose a Begley, quien posiblemente sea más conocido por su trabajo como actor de cine y televisión, pero que también ha obtenido renombre por su promoción de las iniciativas ambientalistas desde comienzos de la década de 1970. Begley hablará desde un escenario colocado contra la pared sur del Discovery Hall, en lugar de la presentación en el “escenario al centro” empleado el año pasado. En su presentación se centrará en la sostenibilidad ambiental. A partir de 1970, cuando era 38

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frecuente verlo deambulando en un Taylor-Dunn, un vehículo totalmente eléctrico parecido a un carrito de golf, Begley comenzó a reciclar y a convertirse al vegetarianismo. En la actualidad, conduce un vehículo eléctrico Toyota RAV4EV de 2003. También promueve productos ecológicos, como el automóvil híbrido gasolina-eléctrico Toyota Prius, una letrina abonera e incluso un producto de limpieza para uso doméstico con su propia marca. Begley pone en práctica lo que predica. De acuerdo con los estándares de Hollywood, vive en una casa pequeña – 1,585 pies cuadrados – donde utiliza energía solar y eólica para producir electricidad e incluso una bicicleta generadora de electricidad para activar la tostadora. En respuesta a las condiciones de sequía en California, ha convertido su patio en un jardín tolerante a la sequía con todas las plantas nativas de California.

Salones de exposiciones (sí, dos)

El salón de exposiciones de iLandscape se ha “ramificado” en dos salones para alojar a los 237 expositores: denominados The Landscape Contractor October 2016

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Discovery Hall e Innovation Hall, ofrecen espacio para más expositores, algunos de los cuales han estado en la lista de espera de iLandscape durante los tres años de vida del evento, afirma Grams. La feria es tan popular que todavía hay expositores en lista de espera. Muchos de los expositores que regresan han ampliado sus puestos de exhibición. Los dos salones de exposiciones estarán interconectados. En el Innovation Hall, el popular sitio web y las aplicaciones de Houzz ayudarán a los contratistas a establecer cuentas de Houzz, así como a sacar más provecho de sus cuentas a los que ya las tienen. En la estela del orador de apertura del año pasado, perteneciente a Houzz, los miembros de ILCA que ya tenían cuentas de Houzz alabaron el sistema por haberles proporcionado más clientes. Los expositores de este año también ofrecerán café, happy hours e incluso una fuente de chocolate en sus puestos de exhibición. Algunos ofrecerán también estacione de carga y habrá un artista conceptual en uno de los puestos. Regresará la pista de hielo. Estará ubicada cerca de los puestos de venta en el Discovery Hall. Incluso el puesto de ILCA será más prominente y divertido, asegura Grams. “Seremos lo primero que verá la gente”. Y en cuanto a la parte de “más divertido”, en eso estamos trabajando. Pero al momento de escribir esto, apuesto que habrá más actividades divertidas y muchas. Espere detalles een las próximas dos ediciones. Los puestos de ILCA y WGIF estarán adyacentes en el piso de exhibición. El comité de la experiencia de iLandscape está trabajando para encontrar maneras, incluyendo plantas, de crear una transición fluida entre los dos salones.

Jardines, jardines, jardines

Como corresponde a una feria de la industria verde, habrá jardines en cantidad por todas Annamaria Leon harvests some rooftop crops.

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Enfoque: Sección en Español — las instalaciones. Grams cuenta cinco, incluyendo un jardín a la entrada, dos jardines viñeta, un jardín-escenario y otro jardín en el Innovation Hall. Todos reflejan los principios del diseño de jardines. Para destacar el jardín viñeta habrá una “Casita” de Titan Tiny Homes. Diseñada para reducir la huella de carbono, combina perfectamente con el mensaje de Begley. “El objetivo final fue construir una casa”, explica Grams. Fue Dave Warning, co-Presidente del Comité de la Experiencia de iLandscape, quien sugirió incorporar la casita a la idea del jardín. “Serán incluidas en nuestro “Cross Roads Garden”, afirma Warning. Con base de operaciones en South Elgin, IL, Titan recientemente fue objeto de cobertura en “Tiny Home Nation.”

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The Landscape Contractor October 2016 9/21/16 7:44 AM

Para que crezca su negocio, unase a...

Servicios y Beneficios • Certificaciones • Seminarios • Talleres de Trabajo • Publicaciones • Capacitación • Videos • Eventos • Programa de Seguros • Trabajadores Temporarios • Subasta de Herramientas de jardinería

El Paso al Professionalismo. Llame al 630-472-2851

Para mas informacion sobre como inscribirse miembro.

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Enfoque: Sección en Español — Inscripciones simplificadas

Para hacerles la vida más fácil a los visitantes de la feria, habrá cambios en los procedimientos de inscripción, diseñados para eliminar las largas filas. Un nuevo proveedor de inscripciones, con base de operaciones en Downers Grove, y quioscos para nuevas inscripciones, facilitarán el proceso. También habrá procedimientos racionalizados que permitirán agilizar las inscripciones en las instalaciones. Será más fácil inscribirse con antelación y recoger materiales en el edificio. “Estamos haciendo todo lo posible por mejorar la experiencia”, asegura Grams. “Estamos convencidos de que todo será mucho más fácil”. Con respecto al estacionamiento, habrá cinco recorridos continuos para transportar a las personas que se estacionen en lotes remotos y desde sus automóviles. Si bien esta historia únicamente describe someramente lo más destacado del evento, las próximas dos ediciones describirán a grandes rasgos los eventos educacionales y otros puntos culminantes de la feria.

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Highlights From ILCA Fall Eventsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

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The Landscape Contractor October 2016 9/21/16 7:44 AM

More Sponsorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Arthur Clesen Atlas Bobcat BelgardBP PRO Earthworks Illinois Brick Company Kankakee Nursery LafargeHolcim Fox River Stone Martin Implement Sales Nels J. Johnson Tree Experts, Inc. Night Light Patten Cat Phoenix Irrigation Supply Platinum Poolcare RelaDyne Rental Max Russo Power Equipment SavATree Straughn Farm Unilock Vermeer Midwest Weed Man Lawn Care West Side Tractor Sales

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Highlights From ILCA Fall Events—

1st Place — Kyle Trippeer, Unilock; Paul Nobis, Heartland Landscape; Allan Jeziorski, Hartman Landscape; Jay Zumbahlen,Wingren Landscape

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2nd Place — Steve Poole, Blu Petroleum; Bob Johnson Blu Petroleum; Paul Carlson, Green Source; Pete Kiraly, Green Source

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3rd Place — Matt Sobacki, Atlas Bobcat; John Johnson, Atlas Bobcat Phil Anello, Atlas Bobcat; Robert Atwater, Apex Landscaping

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50/50 Winner — Brian Dolwick, Wingren Landscape

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Highlights From ILCA Fall Events — 1st Place Winning Team — 1. Kyle Trippeer - Unilock 2. Paul Nobis – Heartland Landscape 3. Allan Jeziorski – Hartman Landscape 4. Jay Zumbahlen – Wingren Landscape

Hole in One! No Winner Sponsored by Atlas Bobcat Longest Putt Craig Keller Sponsored by Russo Power Equipment

Midwest Trading

2nd Place Winning Team — 1. Steve Poole – Blu Petroleum 2. Bob Johnson - Blu Petroleum 3. Paul Carlson – Green Source 4. Pete Kiraly – Green Source

Longest Drive Sponsored by SavATree

Pete Pontikis

3D Brick Paving

Straightest Drive Sponsored by ILCA

Jeff Randall

3rd Place Winning Team — 1. Matt Sobacki - Atlas Bobcat 2. John Johnson - Atlas Bobcat 3. Phil Anello – Atlas Bobcat 4. Robert Atwater – Apex Landscaping Most Honest Team #1— 1. Larry Brasfield – Patten Cat 2. Jose Garcia – Natural Creations 3. Bryan Winek – Patten Cat 4. Eric Garcia – Natural Creations

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Most Honest Team #2 — 1. Jamie Mendez - Ameri Gas Propane 2. Robert Lapiana - Ameri Gas Propane 3. Michael Vaughn - Ameri Gas Propane 4. Daniel Camann – Ameri Gas Propane

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Highlights From ILCA Fall Events â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Turf Education Day September 9, 2016

Jointly sponsored by ILCA, the Illinois Professional Lawn Care Association and the Chicago Botanic Garden TED is held annually in September at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

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n Member Profile

Green Roof Solutions 4309 Regency Drive Glenview, IL 60025 (847) 297-7936 www.greenroofsolutions.com

by Meta Levin

Megan Grant

Their bosses are husband and wife team, Kate and Kurt Horvath, owners of Intrinsic Landscaping, GRS’s parent company. Kurt Horvath is the second generation of his family involved in Intrinsic Landscaping. Kate Horvath serves as the GRS president. They began GRS in response to demand when they began building green roofs. Their first product was edge restraints and drain inspection chambers that they developed with the help of Spectrum Manufacturing in Wheeling. Now GRS offers a variety of options in drainage, water retention, media, plants, maintenance, erosion control, inspection chambers, raised beds, earth boxes, custom planters, vegetable media, living walls products, hardscape, energy, water storage and urban agriculture products. “We focus on custom solutions,” says Barry. The company has manufacturing partnerships all over the country and tries to serve most markets within a 500-mile radius of major cities. Over the last several years, demand for outdoor amenity decks, combining green roofs with vegetation, hardscaping and landscaping has grown both for office buildings and high rise living buildings. Further, with the focus on storm water management, the number of so called “blue roofs,” with an emphasis on storing water, have increased. “This is a huge issue, especially in older cities,” says Grant. Blue roofs have the ability to store storm water, using it for irrigation, as well as slowly releasing it into the storm water sewers, controlling the amount of effluent that the system must handle. “These are long term solutions for real environmental issues,” says Grant. “They are life and health issues.” As designers and architects become more comfortable with the idea, they are pushing the envelope in developing these roofs. For instance, more hospitals and medical centers are asking for healing gardens on rooftops. The company also has participated in a few events in Chicago, such as Grant’s visit to Antioch High School for Earth Day. They’ve helped a few schools develop green roofs and spoken to various groups. GRS joined ILCA last year. “ILCA is a good organization,” says Barry. “Our membership brings us in contact with potential customers.” They see their work as becoming more of a part of the landscape community. Barry and Grant are proud of their ability to work in an industry that improves the environment, not only with the water issue, but also the urban heat effect areas. “We improve the environment and people’s lives,” says Grant. They also place high value on their ability to develop good relationships with clients, as well as their concentration on ethics. “We work on being honest with our customers,” says Barry. A few years ago, GRS gave little mailboxes and birdhouses with green roofs to its customers. “They loved them,” says Barry. So does he.

, Green Roof Solutions’ (GRS) customer service manager, talked with students at Antioch Community High School as part of the Earth Day celebrations. Although the students weren’t conversant with the green roof concept, they showed interest and some knowledge of storm water control issues. “They recognized the problem,” Grant says. It bodes well for the future of companies like Green Roof Solutions that the younger generation is at least familiar with the issues. The company, which started in 2004, develops, manufactures and sells components for green roofs, focusing on traditionally built in place green roof assemblies. “Our goal is to develop and manufacture products made in the United States,” says Brian Barry, GRS’s operations manager. “We provide everything above the water proofing.” Ninety-nine percent of what they sell is made in the USA. Barry, a 20-year veteran of the landscape industry, who has been with GRS for the last five years, prides himself in helping clients find solutions for any number of situations and specialized installations. With an ornamental horticulture degree from the University of Illinois, he has an eye for design and is experienced and knowledgeable in green roof work. Grant has been with GRS for three years and handles all of the logistics for the company. She has dual degrees from the University of Illinois in English Literature and Earth System Environment and Society. “She is smart and easy for customers to deal with,” says Barry. 52 The Landscape Contractor October 2016 OCT.16_TLC.indd 52

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Plans are already underway for the 2017 edition of ILCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green Industry Guide

Contact Debbie Rauen for advertising information

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New Members CONTRACTOR MEMBERS

SUPPLIER MEMBERS

GOVERNMENT/NONPROFIT

Emerald Lawn Care Mark Utendorf 125 W Boeger Drive Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Phone: 847-392-7097 marku@emeraldlawncare.com www.emeraldlawncare.com Provide fertilization, week and pest control for turf, tree, and shrubs. We also treat for mosquitos and household insects with perimeter pest applications.

Caber Hill Advisors Peter J. Holton 820 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 805 Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: 312-618-0715 Fax: 800-645-1963 peter@caberhill.com www.caberhill.com Caber Hill Advisors is committed to working with business owners and CEOs so they can successfully fulfill their personal and professional legacies. We serve small and middle market landscaping and lawn care companies across the country who want to either sell their business, make an acquisition, valuation of their business or create an exit plan. The result is that our clients receive individualized attention and expert guidance specific to their industries.

Glenbrook South High School Chet Bachula 4000 W. Lake Ave. Glenview, IL 60026 Phone: 847-486-4585 cbachula@glenbrook225.org Facility & Grounds Manager at Glenbrook South High School

H & H Lawn Service Inc. Jeanne Hintz 1021 St. Charles St. Elgin, IL 60120 Phone: 847-741-6928 hintz01@hotmail.com www.hhlawnserviceinc.com Lawn maintenance company serving the greater Elgin area. In business since 1969. TruGreen Scott Roberts 6808 Connecticut Trail Crystal Lake, IL 60012 Phone: 847-514-8581 scottroberts@trugreenmail.com Complete lawn care services and plant health care.

Walnut Creek Nursery Paul Hackett 35910 Polk Rd. Marengo, IL 60152 Phone: 815-770-7500 Fax: 815-770-7509 phackett@wcnursery.com wcnursery.com Walnut Creek Nursery is a 260 acre wholesale tree and shrub nursery. We are a family run business committed to quality, service, and satisfaction executed with a hands on approach based on 32 years of nursery experience. We have over 220 acres of B&B as well as over 15 acres of container material. We want to earn your business and help the industry succeed in making the world a greener place. We welcome you to come to the nursery, walk the property and view our plant material.

Not an ILCA Member? This is the time to join! Call Marissa at 630-472-2851 for membership information or JOIN NOW at ilca.net

It will be your best investment in 2016!

ILCA News ILCA Fiscal Year Change Results from one-question referendum included on the 2016-17 dues renewal notices— The question posed to the membership: ILCA Fiscal Year Change – We Want Your Opinion! We’re surveying the membership to find out if members like the July-June fiscal year or would like to change it to a calendar year, January-December. Please mark which option you prefer. q Keep the fiscal year from July-June q Change the fiscal year to a calendar year, January-December 54

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Results: • 242 members responded • 159 members (66%): Keep the fiscal year from July-June • 83 members (34%): Change the fiscal year to a calendar year, January-December Final Analysis: With 2/3 of the voting members selecting the status quo, the Fiscal Year will remain July 1st to June 30th.

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June 1, 2016

Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Annual Calendar

Sustainable Maintenance Guide and Calendar For the next 15 months, ILCA will be releasing a monthly excerpt from the most current version (v3.0) of its Sustainable Maintenance Guide and Calendar in The Landscape Contractor magazine. The entire 12 month calendar is available to download at no cost to ILCA members, non-profits, public agencies, and units of government. Please email information@ilca.net to request a download of the entire guide and calendar. This guide is not available to private landscape companies who are not members of the ILCA. This guide is intended to equip Illinois Landscape Contractors Association members with all the tools necessary to implement a sustainable maintenance program. It takes into account the constraints of a landscape company in regards to costs, time, equipment, personnel, and horticultural knowledge. The guide is written so any landscape company can apply these maintenance principles to almost any commercial or residential landscape and improve the positive impact on the environment without sacrificing aesthetic quality.

The premise of this guide is for when a contractor interacts with a client or inherits a property and the property owner/manager is unwilling to change any significant portions of the landscape. They do not want to plant or remove large sections of plant material, turf, or hardscaping. The irrigation system will remain as well as existing water features. The following seasonal schedule demonstrates how a maintenance contractor can implement sustainable landscaping practices into the landscape. Over time the landscape will become more sustainable and affordable to maintain even with the same landscape design. The guide is organized as a monthly handbook that doubles as a checklist. Each month, crews are equipped with specific instructions on what actions will be completed that month in order to maintain a healthy, regenerative, and successful sustainable landscape. This is a guide written by contractors for contractors. The guide addresses horticultural principles and best management practices instead of concentrating on features and renovations.

SUSTAINABLE MAINTENANCE CALENDAR June 1, 2016

Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Annual Calendar

SUSTAINABLE MAINTENANCE CALENDAR

ÂŠ ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

Every sustainable journey begins with the first step. The Landscape Contractor October 2016

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Classified Ads HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

RYCO Landscaping

GREEN-UP CAREER OPPORTUNITY – ESTIMATOR/SALES ASSISTANT in Plainfield!

The Commercial Maintenance Account Manager must be thoroughly familiar with all aspects of commercial landscape maintenance to include: sales, production, customer service, estimating, training, etc. Oversees all interaction with the customer and keeps him/her informed as to all aspects of the maintenance process. Grooming the relationship with the client while interfacing with company production and accounting personnel, and interfaces with subcontractors and vendors as required throughout the maintenance process. Responsible to conduct monthly walk-throughs with the client, resolve any issues discovered therein, follow through to ensure that all issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the client, and ensure all change orders/enhancements are billed properly. Please send your resume to Debbie Bartsch: DBartsch@rycolandscaping.com GREEN-UP CAREER OPPORTUNITY – ESTIMATOR/SALES ASSISTANT in Plainfield! Green-Up has been creating enjoyable playground and outdoor park spaces for over 30 years and is seeking an Estimator/Sales Assistant to assist with project proposals, do plan take offs, estimates and bids. Join our growing team today! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www.green-up.com or contact Maria @ 847-487-5071.

Green-Up has been creating enjoyable playground and outdoor park spaces for over 30 years and is seeking an Estimator/Sales Assistant to assist with project proposals, do plan take offs, estimates and bids. Join our growing team today! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www. green-up.com or contact Maria @ 847-487-5071. ACRES GROUP CAREER OPPORTUNITYMAINTENANCE PRODUCTION MANAGER in Plainfield! Acres Group, one of the top 20 professional landscape contractors in the nation, is seeking Senior Maintenance Production Manager to coordinate maintenance division activities, while managing and providing daily supervision and support for multiple maintenance managers and their crews. Will assure quality service & customer satisfaction while monitoring job costs & crew safety. Join our industry leading team! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www.acresgroup.com or contact Maria @ 847-487-5071. Grounds Maintenance Person

HELP WANTED Premier Service is a comprehensive design/build landscape, commercial maintenance and snow management contractor. Our service area encompasses the entire Chicagoland market. Premier’s primary mission is to provide the highest level of service in each of its distinct divisions. This combination has resulted in a stable, growth driven environment that allows Premier to remain competitive and provide its clients with the high quality service they require. Premier is seeking to fill the following positions: • Account Manager • Color Coordinator Applicants must be experienced, highly motivated, organized, detailed oriented, willing to work in a team environment, and have a 4-year industry specific degree or equivalent. We offer competitive wage and benefit packages commensurate with experience as well as opportunity for growth. Please submit resume, references, and salary expectations to hr@premierservice.com or fax to 630-321-9540.

Glenbrook South is looking for a Certified Landscape Technician. This position will work as part of a team to maintain the exterior of a 72-acre campus that includes various planting beds, athletic fields, parking lots, and a turf field stadium. Excellent Benefits, IMRF Pension and very competitive salary $39,000 - $50,000. Please contact Chet Bachula @ 847.486.45.85 or email your resume to: cbachula@glenbrook225.org.

HELP WANTED  CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING also available on ILCA’s WEB SITE www.ilca.net Call for information (630) 472-2851 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES JAMES MARTIN ASSOCIATES, INC. Vernon Hills, IL & Boulder, CO

James Martin Associates, Inc. is a leader in the Landscape and Snow Management industry. We have been providing services to our customers for over 39 years. We are seeking candidates for the following positions:

Residential Maintenance Account Manager

Irrigation Technicians

Business Development

Commercial Maintenance Account Manager

To be considered for any of these opportunities, please forward your resume and salary history to b.mcelroy@jamesmartinassociates.com or call Beth at 847-876-8052.

Landscape Architecture • Construction • Maintenance • Snow Management

www.jamesmartinassociates.com

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HELP WANTED

James Martin Associates Vernon Hills, Illinois Boulder, Colorado

Client Relations Manager

Lawn Maintenance Sales / Supervisor

Commercial Account Manager Business Development Associate Residential Maintenance Account Manager Irrigation Technicians – Boulder location • Do you strive to enrich lives by creating andmaintaining beautiful landscapes? • Are you enthused about managing and building client relationships? • Are you looking for a team environment with a company that values work-life balance and promotes safety first? James Martin Associates has given outstanding landscape services to residential and commercial clients in Design/Build, Maintenance and Snow Removal in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago area for almost 40 years. Please see our website, www.jamesmartinassociates.com, for more information about our company. We are also hiring Irrigation Technicians at our Colorado branch, L.I.D. Landscapes! See www. LIDLandscapes.com for a detailed job description and more about our award-winning company. If are interested in joining our team, please send your resume to Beth McElroy, at b.mcelroy@ jamesmartinassociates.com, or call 847-876-8052. HORTICULTURIST Looking to relocate to Northwest Indiana? Lakeshore Landscaping/Lakeshore Seasonal Services, commercial design/build/maintain companies in Valparaiso for over 30 years need a Horticulturist to supervise plant health care in our yard and on job sites, to assist our landscape designers with plant procurement and inventory management, and to train field technicians in proper plant care. Preferred applicants will possess a horticulture degree and several years of experience in the field, and will be very comfortable working in the office with Excel and QuickBooks, and just as comfortable working hands on with inventory and crews. A pesticide applicator’s license, or the ability to obtain it is essential. Spanish language fluency a plus but not required.

At Scott Byron & Co., we create beautiful environments. We are looking for a Client Relations Manager to join our team. This position manages the relationship between the organization and our clients by performing the following duties Responsible for the entire life cycle of the client experience. The CRM has critical responsibilities in client acquisition, client satisfaction and client retention. CRMs must understand the needs of their customers and articulate the ability of our company to meet the clients’ needs with products or services. Directs sales forecasting activities and sets performance goals accordingly. Provides data and sales forecasts to buyers and production for scheduling and material requirements. Coordinates liaison between sales, buyers, yard, production staff and other personnel. Design, develop and implement strategic site standards to address client requirements. Assists Division Manager in preparing periodic sales report showing sales volume, potential sales, and areas of proposed client base expansion. Bachelors Degree required and four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Valid drivers license. Please submit resume to: hrtrybus@gmail.com EOE Forestry Crew Supervisor This is a hands’ on position. A proven track record of operating a bucket truck and climbing for tree trimming and removal required. The Forestry Crew Supervisor organizes and schedules the Forestry crew to provide the cultural maintenance of trees and shrubs, hiking trails, woodland paths and resource management of woodlands and prairies. ISA certified Arborist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, or Urban Forestry. Job listing is available at http://www.cantigny.org under McCormick Foundation. Competitive Salary with excellent benefits (Free Golf) Interested applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and salary requirements to Human Resources at MFResumes@ McCormickFoundation.org

This is a full-time (45-55 hours per week), year-round position. Pay and benefits commensurate with experience. Send resume to hfs@lakeseasonal.com.

• Proficient in the identification of lawn disease as well as knowledge of the care of residential landscape plants, shrubs and trees; • Well organized with strong communication skills and ability to work in a strong team environment; • Ability to promptly resolve client complaints, build new clientele and retain current client relationships; • Experienced in irrigation repairs, sprinkler turn ons and blow outs; • Experience in fertilizer programs. License is preferred, however will be required within 30 days of start. • Daily supervision of lawn maintenance crews, proficiently able to operate and maintain all lawn maintenance equipment. Ability to repair equipment would be ideal but not necessary. • Daily supervision of snow crews, proficiently operate and maintain all snow equipment. Ability to repair equipment would be ideal but not necessary. We are a well established full service landscape and lawn maintenance firm in the south suburbs of Chicago. We are currently structuring for expansion of divisions of this company and are seeking top talent to achieve this goal. We offer year round full time employment as well as benefits. Position is base salary plus commission. *****NO PHONE CALLS - EMAIL ONLY: StraightlineEmployment@gmail.com***** CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES November 2016 issue ads: October 15, 2016 December 2016 issue ads: November15, 2016 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 O’Connor (630) 472-2851

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Immediate Opening for lawn maintenance sales with a supervisory role in South Suburbs of Chicago. Ideal candidate should be:

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Classified Ads HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Landscape Architect/Designer

Green Grass Landscape Architecture & Construction, an always growing and expanding design/build/maintenance firm serving the western suburbs since 1997, seeks to fill two positions. Green Grass focuses on providing a full spectrum of landscape services while specializing in high-end residential landscapes. If you are looking for a fast paced, multifaceted environment where hard work is rewarded this is the place for you!

Rosborough Partners, Inc., an award winning DesignBuild firm in Libertyville, Illinois, is seeking a landscape architect/designer to join our design team. We are looking for an individual with a passion for residential landscape design to assist in all aspects of the design process. Our firm provides an excellent compensation package and an enjoyable place to work. Candidates should have at least 2 to 3 years of experience and possess strong design, graphic, and communication skills, as well as exceptional plant knowledge. Experience with AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office is strongly preferred. A degree in Landscape Architecture or Landscape Design equivalent is required. 7463 West Ridge Road P.O. Box 189 Fairview PA 16415 800.458.2234 Fax 800.343.6819 e-mail: info@FairviewEvergreen.com FairviewEvergreen.com

Please direct inquiries to: Chris Durley, ASLA, PLA chris@rosboroughpartners.com

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT/DESIGNER Applicant is to be well-versed in planting and hardscape design, construction methods, design sales and client/project management. Proficiency in Dynascape/CAD is required. Applicant is to have a BLA or related degree. Minimum 2 years experience. MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT MANAGER/SALES Applicant must have degree in Horticulture, Turfgrass Management or related degree. A thorough knowledge of all landscape plants, diseases, pesticides/fertilizers and maintenance methods is also required. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus. Please email resume, portfolio and salary requirements to: contact@greengrasslandscape.com. All inquiries are kept confidential.

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All-Star Plants

Northern Spicebush Lindera benzoin

Members of the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois will be the exclusive provider of content for the Plant All-Stars page during 2016.

By Trish Beckjord

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 who are also members of the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois — to share their thoughts on proven performers. I have loved Spicebush since I learned this plant in its natural habitat more than 15 years ago. With its early-spring clusters of yellow flowers that bloom before leaf out, Spicebush is considered the forsythia of our native woodlands, but with its golden yellow fall color and shiny bright red fruit, it out performs the introduced species with three-season interest. Its slender multi-branching habit also adds a certain graceful beauty in the winter season. A member of the Laurel family, this 8-12’ large shrub/small ornamental tree prefers dappled sunlight and moist to mesic soil conditions with good organic content. In Illinois in the wild it is found most commonly in the southern part of the state and less frequently northeast Illinois. It adapts well to garden conditions and will have improved form and better fruit set if sited in a location with some sun. This is a perfect plant for those interested in pollinator/butterfly gardens. In addition to being ornamentally attractive, it is the host plant for the larvae of the Eastern Tigertail (Papilio glaucus) and Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio troilus) and the Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethean.). Its fall fruit is also a good energy source for migrating birds. This plant is true to its name; all parts of the plant are aromatic with a spicy fragrance when crushed. It is deer resistant. The species is dioecious so plant more than one to better ensure good fruiting.

Trish Beckjord, RLA Lindera benzoin Size

8-12’ tall with similar spread Foliage Thin, light green, leaves up to 5” long turn attractive yellow in fall

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Native Plant and Green Infrastructure Specialist Midwest Groundcovers, LLC Ornamental Features Clusters of yellow flowers in spring before leaf out; ½” long red drupes mature in fall Culture Full to partial sun in average, medium soil with good organic matter, medium moisture; tolerant of clayey soils, and some drought.

Trish Beckjord is a registered landscape architect and graduate of the University of Michigan’s MLA program where some of her favorite courses involved field study of native plants and ecosystems. She is an experienced designer whose focus has been the successful integration of native plants and ecological restoration strategies into designed landscapes for significant LEED gold and platinum projects including companies such as Advocate Healthcare, Johnson Controls and McDonalds. In addition, she has brought these same ideas to the residential scale through her personal practice.

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