the landscape contractor magazine april 2016 digital edition

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helps prevent frost heave

HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES, INC.®a Midwest-Orum Company

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50

April 2016

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CONTENTS Excellence In Landscape Awards Project 8

FOCUS: Mixed Garden Trends Having Your Landscape & Eating It Too 10 Edibles are finding a bigger place in landscapes Tour the Re-Imagined ILCA Website 16 Check out all the bells and whistles Garden Speak: Practical Plant Evaluations 24 Butterfly bush

Anatomy of an Award Winning Landscape 30 James Martin Associates wins Judges Award Guidance for Growing: Managing Your Business 44 The Landscape of Leadership from iLandscape

Native Plants in the Formal Landscape 50 Rules are bending as natives gain acceptance

Member Profile 60 Bluestem Ecological Services

Plant All-Stars 70 Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’

On the cover... The Brickman Group Ltd. received a Gold Award for this 2015 Residential Landscape Construction project.

The Landscape Contractor 3 April 2016

EN ESPAÑOL Native Plants in the Formal Landscape Las plantas nativas en diseños de jardines formales 38

Hardwood Bark MulchPremium Hardwood Bark Mulch

A premium grade mulch, double processed and screened for size. Produced mostly from red and white oak bark with minimal wood fiber. Slow to decompose.

Premium Plus Hardwood Bark Mulch

Premium Hardwood Bark Mulch is blended with Mushroom Compost, this mulch has the added benefit of enriching the soil with the nutrients from the compost.

Premium Hardwood Bark Fines

A fine textured mulch that retains moisture, moderates soil temperature, reduces weed growth and prevents frost heaving. Our Premium Hardwood Bark Fines Mulch is triple processed to 3/8” minus to create an appealing fine texture.

Adding mulch to the landscape helps retain

moisture, moderates soil temperature, reduces weed growth and also

helps prevent frost heave

HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES, INC.®a Midwest-Orum Company

MIDWEST TRADING

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

P.O. BOX 398 • MAPLE PARK, IL 60151

August 4, 2016 Summer Field DayMidwest Groundcovers/Midwest TradingVirgil, IL

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

Volume 57, Number 4. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is pub-lished 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: [email protected] CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, [email protected], Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630)637-8632

Photo Credits ILCA Awards Program 1, 8-9Richard Hawke 24-28Cardno 38-41, 52, 54Rick Reuland 44-48Marissa Sikirdji 58Mike Scheitz 70

ILCA Staff

Executive DirectorScott Grams

(630) [email protected]

Education Manager Julie Nicoll

[email protected]

Events ManagerTerre Houte

[email protected]

Office ManagerAlycia O’[email protected]

Membership & Marketing Coordinator Marissa Sikirdji

[email protected]

ILCA 2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S

Oak Brook, IL 60523(630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150

www.ilca.net

CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS ILCA Calendar 4 From Where I Stand 5 President’s Message 7 Classified Ads 62 Advertisers Index 69

Magazine Staff

Rick ReulandPublisher/Advertising Sales


Debbie RauenAdvertising Sales

(817-501-2403)debbie.landscapecontractor@

yahoo.com

v

Becke DavisSenior Writer

[email protected]

Patrice PeltierFeature Writer

[email protected]

Meta LevinFeature Writer

[email protected]

Barbara DuttonFeature Writer

Nina KoziolFeature Writer

Jim [email protected]

Calendar

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.

4 The Landscape ContractorApril 2016

AUGUST

so we could keep them all straight. These groups came from every corner of the state, and even the country. NALP, AmericanHort, Future Farmers of America, The Farm Bureau, 4-H, state-funded councils, colleges and universities, horticultural clubs, private companies, non-profits, even one-off clubs and events at local high schools and grammar schools were all attempting to get Illinois young people to consider careers in horticulture and agriculture. What we soon realized was that the lack of young people pursuing green industry careers had nothing to do with awareness; it had

everything to do with value. It would have been a lot simpler to discover

we had a marketing problem. We just had to find a taller mountaintop to shout our message from. We needed slicker websites and glossier brochures. We needed to find out where young people gathered and recruit them like the Marines. If kids only knew the green industry existed, they would come flocking to our degree programs, companies, and, eventually, our pay-rolls. Yet, the green industry found itself in the Deadman’s quadrant: high awareness/low value.

As ILCA was canvassing the country look-ing for materials and messaging that worked with young people, the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) was kind enough to send us the results of a market research study they performed a few years ago.

MNLA started with the question the green industry has been asking itself for five decades, “How can we attract younger people to be inter-ested in our member’s businesses as their career?” MNLA used a bona fide market research group and commissioned two focus groups of high school students - one in Minnesota, the other in Florida.

It was refreshing to see a market research group spearhead the dis-cussion because their questions were direct, cold, and calculating. They weren’t biased in any way and didn’t follow up responses with, “but c’mon, you really want to plant trees, right?”

The results of the focus group were organized into a thick report and 77-slide PowerPoint presentation. It is far too much information to summarize here. With that said, the most inter-esting result was where landscape professions rated on the scale of 1 - 5. Five was the highest and one was the lowest. Green careers scored, on average, a 2.5 out of 5. That is hardly the positive outcome the landscape industry was looking for. Not bad, just kind of “blah.”

Minnesota then asked the $64,000 question that all high school juniors or seniors will eventually have to contend with. What would your parents think about you pursuing a career in the green industry. The results were more depressing than an average score of 2.5. Participants said their parents’ reactions would be nervousness, concerns about financial stability, and skepticism about landscaping as a successful career path.

No one in the focus groups had never heard of landscap-ing. No one was confused as to what a landscape professional did on a daily basis. In fact, they were easily able to close their eyes and envision the look of a landscape professional right down to his work boots. Awareness was clearly not the issue.

Marketing is such a wonderful word, isn’t it? People just love it. They toss it around like a drunk says “I love you.” I think it would be possible to at least be promoted to middle management of a mid-sized company if at every staff meeting you uttered, “I think the key here is to develop and execute a sound marketing strategy.” Everyone would just nod, agree, and whisper, “that guy is going places.” The word marketing is like pixie dust, when in doubt, just sprinkle some on everything and watch the magic happen.

Most often, people confuse marketing with advertising. Advertising is part of marketing, but most of us assume that marketing means getting the message out about a product or service using a variety of distribution channels. When people cry for “more marketing” they want to see a product or service’s name in lights. Hit your cus-tomers hard, and hit them often.

In 2009, ILCA developed a comprehen-sive survey to the membership. We organized all of our activities into a list and asked peo-ple two questions: 1. Were they aware of the event/product/initiative? 2. Did they value it? For years, frustrated committees would look at their sparsely attended event and decry, “we didn’t market it enough!” We decided to put that theory to the test with our survey.

Since we asked two questions instead of one, we organized all of our activities into a matrix. The quadrants were: high awareness/high value, high awareness/low value, low awareness/high value, and low awareness/low value. The results were eye-opening.

Most of our failing programs did not fall into any of the quadrants that could have been helped by more marketing. Many fell into high awareness/low value. That is a scary place to be. That’s the dead zone. That means that plenty of members were aware of our programs, they just didn’t value them. No amount of emails, direct mail, or col-orful brochures were going to save these programs. The break-down was on the value side of the equation. We were awash in marketing and advertising, we just had substandard products.

Prior to starting the Future Landscape Industry Professionals (FLIP) Committee we had been avoiding student-based initia-tives for some time. During the recession, ILCA circled its wag-ons and the programs we decided to continue were aimed at our core group of members. We simply did not have the bandwidth and resources to stay engaged with student-based initiatives.

This half decade off from the world of horticulture and agriculture education really erased our memories. We lost touch with a number of high schools, colleges, and non-profit organizations aimed at drawing students to careers in the green industry. When FLIP was created, we finally had a vessel to reengage with these groups. What we found was shocking.

There is absolutely no shortage of groups attempting to lure young people to careers in horticulture. In fact, we encoun-tered so many, that FLIP Chairman Jim Martin made us devel-op an alphabet soup glossary of the many organizations work-ing to spread the word about careers in the green industry just

High Awareness

LowValue


From Where I Stand —

Increasing the value and use of a product is a more dif-ficult exercise than simply giving the product more exposure. After the first few FLIP meetings, when the sheer number of opportunities to get in front of young people seemed over-whelming, it became apparent that it was the messaging that we lacked. In fact, we kept glossing over the messaging. We’d examine various groups, their events, the expected audience, and how we wanted to make the best splash to differentiate ourselves from other professions. Yet, we didn’t really even know what to say. We didn’t have a grasp on our product. We’d quickly cobble together some information from some internet sites and rush out to tell the world.

FLIP made an important decision in February that mes-saging, not marketing, is the key to drawing young people to the green industry. If you put the cart before the horse, you are merely finding dozens of opportunities to retell the value proposition of the green industry that simply isn’t resonat-ing with today’s young, career-minded professionals. And, to be fair, it hasn’t been resonating for quite some time. Long before millennials there were Gen Yers, before them, Gen Xers, and before them, Boomers. I’ve read ILCA Board min-utes from the mid-1960s and they asked, “how do we attract young people to this industry?”

FLIP was told at their first meeting that they cannot change or fix all the problems of the green industry. They cannot change the hours, pay scales, competition, price wars, and number of illegal operators. They cannot change the fact that clients will yell at you, plants will die, crews will run behind, and it will rain for four days straight. FLIP has to accept those realities and inevitabilities and still learn to love the green industry anyway. You don’t lead with the fact that some weeks are filled with frustration and long hours. Those little details get sand-blasted away and the corners smoothed.

That is why FLIP will be spending more time hunched over desks for the next few months then standing on soap boxes, carnival barking about the green industry. FLIP’s small groups will be developing the value propositions for why a person should pursue a career in the green industry. Only then, can we match the proper marketing to the message. It is comforting to know there are so many active conduits to plug into once we have our messaging in place. Right now, we love our industry, we want to promote our industry, we want others to love our industry, but we haven’t stopped to ask, “Why?” Until we take the time to answer that fundamental question, we are trying to sell a locked box.

In the end, FLIP is just a microcosm of the greater green industry. For too long we’ve labored under the delusion that if people only got to know the green industry, they’d fall in love with us. The problem is, too many people already know their version of the green industry. They have their perceptions and misperceptions. It’s our burden to change their paradigms. Time is short, the stakes are high, but we have such a compel-ling message to share.

Scott GramsMarch 18, 2016


From Where I Stand —

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I think it was in the 90’s that I remember first hearing the title sanita-tion engineer. Then shortly thereafter, someone explained to me that they were garbage men. I remember thinking how ridiculous. At the time I was fairly young and unwise to the ways of the world. I was more concerned about pizza, music and girls (not necessar-ily in that order) than what some PR person dreamed up to try and clean up the image of a profession that may have been going through some pains. I can’t help but think that my initial reaction to that title may still be influencing me today.

Landscapers, grass cutters, mowing guys. What do your clients, and more importantly, prospective clients call our people in the trenches? What is it that these titles bestowed on our industry by the masses, imply? Is this how we want to be known?

I suspect the answer is regionally different even within Chicagoland and certainly across the breadth of our state. We are called on because of the service and tasks we per-form. Like many other trades, take electrical or heating and plumbing for example, we often use what we do in our company names. Landscapes, landscaping, gardening, hardscapes, landscape architects and landscape manage-ment all give clients a pretty concrete idea about the tasks we perform. It shaves some effort off of our marketing and advertising to get our foot in the door when we first get started. That is why so many start-up firms will plaster mowing, mulch, patios and the like all over their trucks. But I think we are our own worst enemies when doing this. It oversimplifies the service that we really provide.

Very few prospective clients call up and know shape, size, material, location and best practices of construction techniques for a patio they want installed. If they did, they wouldn’t call. Or perhaps they thought they did, and so now are willing to pay for a pro-fessional to do it right! Their original notion may have been to build an 8x8 square flush with the back of their home with some cheap pavers a big box store had on sale. But there is so much more that goes into it and that is where we have an opportunity to push back, to educate and to shed some light on what we really do for a living.

I’m still surprised about how many people have a whole plan worked out about what they want done until I start asking them questions. Let’s leave the more complicated and somewhat elevated design build side out of the equation for a moment and look at what is considered a relatively simple maintenance task: shrub trimming.

I ask questions like, “What height do you want these to be in two months? Do you value the floral displays? What views are you trying to block? What do you want to see out of your window? How much do you like your neighbors? Is this impeding your use of the space?” Armed with the knowledge of when they flower, their growth rate, how they will respond to various pruning technique and common plant health maladies, I am then able to recommend a course of action. But I had to ask the questions first and offer well informed answers. It is not uncommon for me to hear later on that they never knew that xyz plant flowered because either they or a previous provider had sheared them into oblivion at the wrong time. That is when I know that I have made a difference and per-haps elevated our profession in their eyes.

These opportunities present themselves every day to thousands in our industry. If we collectively ask the right questions and provide well informed answers (you need to understand the why and how) the title that is bestowed upon us may not matter. The ser-vices and tasks that we perform will stand on their own two feet as a respected trade when we evolve beyond the mowing, mulch and patios perception to providing solutions that involve mowing, mulch and patios.

That being said, landscape professional doesn’t seem as far a stretch as sanitation engi-neer. If you are providing solutions and not just completing tasks, consider referring to your business in this way.

Rusty MauldingMarch 18, 2016

PresidentRusty MauldingNature’s View (815) 592-7582

[email protected]

Vice-PresidentMike Schmechtig

Schmechtig Landscape Company(847) 566-1233

[email protected]

Secretary-TreasurerLisa Fiore Kositzki

Don Fiore Company, Inc. (847) 234-0020

[email protected]

Immediate Past PresidentKevin Vancina

Vancina Landscaping, Inc.(815) 726-2300

[email protected]

DirectorsMark Breier

National Seed Co.(630) 963-8787

[email protected]

Lisa FioreFiore Nursery and Landscape Supply


Jose GarciaNatural Creations Landscaping, Inc.


Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 [email protected]

Tom LupferLupfer Landscaping


Maureen ScheitzAcres Group


Donna Vignocchi ZychILT Vignocchi, Inc.


www.ilca.net


Dean MacMorrisNight Light, Inc.(630) 627-1111

[email protected]

President’s Message —

tailored appearance. Lighting was added to enhance the front entry. In the back, we addressed the 4.5’ grade change between the patio and lawn by building a concrete retaining wall with a seat wall on top. The new patio included a built-in grill, bar height seating, and dining area. The granite boulders and limestone copings repeat architectural details on the house. The placement of the dining area maximizes views of the back lawn, plantings, and pond. The back cedar deck capitalized on the grade change to create an intimate upper deck right out of the office, a lower conversation area, and a connection to the patio. In order to maintain an uninterrupted view from the home office, built-in planters were negotiated with the Village to address safety concerns while eliminating the need for railings. To drain the back lawn, it was regraded to pitch toward rain gardens flanking each side. The rain gardens provide a transition from the cultivated landscape to the back conservancy. Lighting was incorporated throughout to enhance evening entertaining.

The client’s desire for the front was a wel-coming entry to their property, tailored and appropriately scaled foundation plantings, seasonal interest and color, focal point out of the dining room, and to keep the existing drive, front walk, and stoops. In the back, the client’s wish list included reworking the deck and patio, linking the two spaces, creating a seating area with a view out of the home office, enhancing views of the landscape and pond, transitioning from the cultivated plantings to the con-servancy, and addressing the drainage in the back lawn. Lighting was also requested for the front and back. In the front, we planted a large spruce and annuals to enhance the drive entry. A service-berry was planted out the dining room window as a focal point and to buffer the view to the existing drive. Along the foundation and walk, boxwood, tardiva hydrangea, barberry, pachysandra, annual pockets, and planters are appropriately scaled for the home and provide color and year-round interest while maintaining a

Greenhaven Landscape, Inc • House ProudLake Bluff


Focus — Mixed Garden Trends

By Patrice Peltier

It’s not news that people are becoming more interested in growing their own food. So what does that mean to you as a green industry professional? How can you respond to your clients who think they might want to try their hands at this? Is it really any different than planning or installing any other land-scape? The answer is “yes” and “no,” Professor Karen Stoelzle Midden told the audience at an iLandscape education session.

Just like any other landscape design project, growing edibles starts with understanding the client’s objectives, thoroughly assessing the site, understanding the microclimates, evaluating the soil, determining the availability of water and selecting the right plants for the conditions, explained Midden, who teaches landscape architecture and design, among other subjects at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Growing edibles, however, requires knowledge of plants, insects, diseases and maintenance practices that have fallen from our knowledge base over the years. The Victory Gardeners of the 1940s had a clear understanding of the labor required for a kitchen garden. The rest of us, not so much.

Midden, who’s taught for more than 30 years, says in just the last two years, her students have started expressing an inter-est in incorporating edibles into the landscape. The most enthu-siastic say they’ll design land-scapes that are entirely edible.

Just in case you AND your clients are caught up in that kind of unbridled enthusiasm, here are some things Midden suggests you consider.

First, this is something your client should request. Alternatively, if you suggest it, be sure to get big buy-in from the client, Midden says. Make sure they understand what they’re getting into. A 600 square foot garden requires at least half an hour a day of maintenance every day of the week until harvest—and that’s a whole new topic of

conversation, Midden explains. Unless clients are hiring your company to do maintenance, their “pie-in-the-sky” dreams could turn into a weedy summer nightmare, she warns.

Midden suggested asking clients questions such as:• What do you want to grow? Vegetables? Fruits? Herbs?• Do you have special interests such as growing hops for

beer or grapes for wine?• Do you want a few plants so you can enjoy, say, fresh

tomatoes or are you interested in canning, freezing and/or drying foods to enjoy through the winter?

• Who will plant and maintain the garden?• Do you have pets who might want to dig in the garden?• From what kinds of wildlife should the garden be

protected?• Who will harvest the produce? • Are you planning a summer vacation? “They can’t go away

for three weeks, come back and think everything’s going to be fine,” Midden says. “They have to have a clear plan.”

Special site considerationsThe next thing to consider is the site, according to Midden. Will the edible plants be integrated into the existing landscape, or will they be in their own space? “Don’t make this an after-thought,” she advised. “It can be an integral, beautiful part of your landscape design. If the edibles are to be in a standalone garden, make it picturesque,” she sug-gested. “That’s part of the visual beauty of it.”

Midden advised her listen-ers to think outside the box. “Look at every single vertical and horizontal space,” she told the audience at “How to Have Your Landscape and Eat It, Too”. Edibles, especially the newer bush-type and compact varieties,

(continued on page 12)

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(continued from page 10)can be grown in containers on patios and decks. They can be combined into interesting, colorful beds, or grown on trellises, walls or even espaliered. “You can create levels that add dimen-sion. There’s no reason for wasted space,” Midden said. “Get creative.”

Raised beds are another option, according to Midden. They can be used where soil or drainage conditions are not optimal and may help with weed management. They can also help make gardening accessible to children as well as aging or disabled gar-deners, she added.

Even green roofs offer possibilities for edibles, Midden said, adding that the College of Agriculture, where Midden is Associate Dean, is growing crops in three inches of medium on its building roof.

Fabulous to…More than some other plants in our landscapes, edibles have the potential to go from fine to fiasco in short order. “Produce cannot grow without water,” Midden noted. “If a vegetable gets dried up, it’s pretty much gone,” she added, recommending her audience makes sure there’s a convenient source for supplemen-tal irrigation. “Drip irrigation is awesome, and it keeps leaves

from getting wet, which can promote diseases,” she said.Speaking of diseases, disease and insect problems can crop

up seemingly overnight and become devastating if not nipped in the bud. “It happens really fast, so your clients need to know they’re going to have to be involved regularly in monitoring plants,” she explained.

You also have to make sure clients understand not all insects are a problem. “Many edible plants rely on bees for pollination, so be sure your client understands their value,” Midden said. “Point out that if you have vegetables, you’ll have bees. You don’t want to kill them or spray them.”

Edible crops can also deplete nutrients from the soil quickly, she noted. “Your planting can only be as healthy as your soil,” she said. She advised starting with quality soil, preparing plant-ing beds well and having a nutrient plan.

Right plant…Because we expect them to produce food, we have to be a bit more attentive to these plants’ cultural requirements, Midden said. You might push the limits of an ornamental plant—coax it to accept a bit more shade, for instance, but edible plants aren’t likely to produce unless their sun and irrigation requirements are met, according to Midden.




(continued from page 12)Soil temperature is another requirement that is more criti-

cal for edibles. Cool season crops like lettuces, spinach, peas, carrots, Swiss chard, fennel, cabbage, asparagus, rhubarb and horseradish grow best in late spring and early fall. They must be harvested before daily temperatures exceed 70 degrees and the plants start going to seed, she explained.

Cool season crops offer a gardener the opportunity to grow more varied crops by practicing successional planting. Once cool season crops are finished producing, they can be replaced by warm season plants such a cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, okra, melons, pumpkins and peppers. Later, as temperatures cool and the warm season crops diminish, your clients can plant another round of cool season crops.

“You can have fun thinking about your plant palette and how you can change the look through the season,” Midden pointed out.

Not all edibles are annuals, and Midden encouraged her audi-ence to think of ways to combine annual and perennial edibles—either among ornamental plantings or in stand alone vegetable gardens. “Asparagus, with its ferny texture, is really beautiful. Even horseradish is kind of cool,” she noted.

Herbs—both annual and perennial--are another way to add interesting (and sometimes edible) flowers and fragrant foli-age to the garden as well as attracting pollinators. “Herbs can

be stuck into the landscape anywhere—often in niches where nothing else grows—and they add so much to the landscape,” Midden said. Some herbs, such as mints and oregano, can be invasive and should be grown in containers or in pots sunk in the soil, she cautioned.

Midden suggested combining herbs in containers for a vari-ety of colors, forms and textures. “You can really have a lot of fun in your color and texture combinations, and there’s also the pleasure of the aroma when someone walks by the planting and brushes against it,” she said. Your client might even want to bring the herb containers inside for the winter. If so, she cau-tioned, be sure to use containers that will look attractive inside the house as well as considering the size and planted weight of the container.

Finally, when choosing varieties, Midden suggested checking with the local extension office to find the plants best suited to your client’s site.

The process of creating an edible landscape is the same as creating a “traditional landscape,” but the components—the edible plants—add some unique considerations as well as extra opportunities for clients to enjoy their outdoor spaces, Midden said. “Edible landscaping gives us a whole new palette of plants to work with. What’s more beautiful than an eggplant,” she said, pausing before adding, “I’m serious!”

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Guided Tour ilca.net —

by Meta Levin

ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams remem-bers the first time he considered applying for a job with ILCA. It was an assistant director’s position and he started by looking at the ILCA website. It was, shall we say, wide of the mark. He didn’t apply.

A few years later when he did apply for the job he now holds, he looked at the same website in a different way: “I wanted to change it.” That was underscored when he talked with members who told him that they never used it.

That all is changing with the roll out of a brand, spank-ing new website at www.ilca.net. It was a team effort. ILCA Board Member Donna Vignocchi-Zych began by looking at successful members’ websites, asking each, what platforms they use, who is using the site, how often the company chang-es it, what are their thoughts behind it and other relative ques-tions. They found that WordPress was a popular and flexible platform.

In the meantime, Grams began researching website design companies, finally identifying one, Keybridge Communications, which auditioned for the job by redesign-ing the ILCA logo. “The great customer service they provided showed us that they would do a good job,” says Grams.

And then ILCA hired Marissa Sikirdji as its new member-ship and marketing coordinator. During an intensely busy time, when most of the staff was focused on preparations for iLandscape, Sikirdji took the website and ran with it. “She’s the reason we have a new site,” says Grams. “Her help has been invaluable.”

Inch by inch, Sikirdji nudged the staff and the website into an updated look and feel, eventually achieving the three main goals they had set:

1. “We turned over the website to the members,” says Grams. Now ILCA members have control over the look and feel of their online profiles.

2. Promoting ILCA to the end users in a professional and aesthetically pleasing manner. “People have to know that this is a great place to look for a landscape contractor,” says Grams. That’s why the website has a new landing page with easy to use tools delineating separate areas for members and consumers. It’s also where consumers can get helpful information, such as “how to deal with a bad landscape professional” and “how to hire a reputable contractor.” They even can see award winning landscapes, and click on the photo-graphs to visit the company’s website.

3. Present a clean, clear website. “The pages (on the old website) had been littered with text,” says Grams. Now, however, it is loaded with images, space and quick bursts of text, all of which makes it professional looking and easier to navigate. “Users want things in digestible chunks.” They want to get their information quickly, but they still want value.

Generally speaking, landscape contractors have nice web-sites. “Because this is a visual industry, I think that we are miles ahead of other construction industries across the country,” says Grams. “We have to show the consumer that this is a profes-sional industry.”

Take a Guided Tour Through the Re-imagined ILCA Website

Take a Guided Tour Through the Re-imagined ILCA WebsiteHere’s where your ILCA website journey begins — the landing page

By clicking this button, consumers can access a wide variety of information about the industry and ILCA contractor mem-bers.

Highlights include— • Find a contractor near you• Special offers from contractors• A photo gallery of award-winning landscapes that

allows consumers to stop, click, and visit members’ websites

• A resource page that helps consumers to hire a reputable contractor

• Tips on dealing with a bad contractor experience


By clicking this button, industry professionals can enter the world of ILCA and everything the association has to offer.

Highlights include— • Renew your membership on-line• Register and pay for ILCA events on-line• Prospective members can sign up• Find a fellow member• Members can post a classified ad to search for

employees• Member login to manage online profile



This is the beginning of the ILCA Excellence in Landscape award-winning photo gallery. Consumers can scroll over any photo to see which contractor performed the work. If they click on the photo they will be taken to the contractor’s website.

This menu bar provides a variety of valuable options to consumers such as —

• Find a contractor by geographic location• Find a contractor alphabetically• Find a contractor by service• Browse through the photo gallery of award-

winning projects • A handy checklist of tips on how to hire a

reputable landscape contractor• Tips on how to deal with a bad landscape

contractor

Consumer Homepage


Member login page – After entering the professional side, click on the green member login button in the upper right hand corner. The member login page will then show up. Is this your first time? Click “Need a Password” and enter the email address tied to your ILCA membership. Don’t remem-ber which of your many email addresses you used? Call the ILCA office (630-472-2851). Don’t be shy; you won’t be the only one.

Main page after logging in – Here’s where you can see and change your contact information. You can even change your password, see when your membership expires and even renew it. Important: you must click save and continue at the bottom of each page or all your effort will be for naught.

Other tabs allow you to edit your company description, add social media links and upload pictures to their own gallery.

Membership Renewal



Member renewals – Click on “renew or update membership/options” and you get this page. Here you can pay online, pay by check or set up automatic renewals. You don’t have to remember to renew every year. Your credit card will be charged automatically, as long as you have one on file.


Professional Homepage

About• About ILCA • Board of Directors • Committees and Chairs • Staff Contact Info

Education• Certification• Design Tour• Digital Design • Foremanship• Hardscape• Latino Seminar• Pruning

Events• Annual Party • Awards Night • iLandscape • ILCA Golf Outing• Summer Field Day

Classified• Current ads• Ad submission form

Find a Member• Member Directory• Search features

Resources• Advertising • Awards Information/

Submission• Colleges &

Universities• Excellence in

Landscape Award Winners

• Publications • Scholarship Program • Sustainable

Landscaping Resources



Classified Job Postings

Classified ads – Post a classified ad here, view ads and see how many times your ad has been viewed.

The screeen shot on top shows how the ads look online.

The screeen shot to the right shows the submission form to place a classified ad.

Help Wanted ads are only available to members. Other types of classified ads (For Sale, Equipment, Real Estate)are available to non-members.


Member Directory

Member Directory – You can search in multiple ways: city, zip code, member type, services, supplier type. All members are listed: con-tractors, suppliers, govern-ment and non-profit entities, individual members, and students.

Labels – When logged in, it is impor-tant to make sure you select all the services and categories that pertain to your business.

These services and categories will distinguish where your firm is listed when people search the member directory.


Butterfly Bush

These Beauties Can Be BeastsBy Patrice Peltier

Buddleias are hard to beat. From early summer through late fall, they grace the landscape with fra-grant, showy blossoms in an array of appealing colors. They’re a must-have for clients who want to attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. They’re deer resistant, pollution tolerant, and they bloom on new wood, so hard winters or late spring freezes won’t affect the stun-ning summer show.

But, beauty is as beauty does, gramma always said, and these beauties have their unlovely aspects. Winter har-diness can be a problem. More importantly, invasiveness can be an issue. In fact, 30 states include the plant on their lists of problem plants.

“I have mixed feelings about growing and promot-ing butterfly bushes,” says Richard Hawke, plant evalu-ation manager and associate scientist at the Chicago Botanic Garden. “They are beautiful and reliable garden plants, but their weedy nature cannot be denied.”

Which Buddleia are the best? By now, readers of The Landscape Contractor will know that Hawke has some answers. Over the past 7 years, the Chicago Botanic Garden has evalu-ated 72 taxa of Buddleia. As of 2015, nine of those have received a Four-star (Excellent) rating after a minimum of six years of observation.

Here are some he recommends:

Lo & Behold® Purple Haze (B. davidii ‘Purple Haze’)

One of the compact and sterile culti-vars in the Lo & Behold series, ‘Purple Haze’ has deep, purple-blue flowers

that arch outward and downward on low-spreading stems. “Because all the energy is put into making flowers rather than seeds, this plant produces copious flowers continuously,” Hawke reports. Hawke was a bit concerned about wheth-er this plant would be winter hardy, but the plant proved equal to Chicago winters during the trial. “Unlike Lo & Behold ‘Blue Chip’, which has died in three consecutive winters, ‘Purple Haze’ has been reliably root hardy,” he notes.

B. davidii ‘African Queen’If you’re looking for a more tradi-

tionally sized Buddleia with dark violet flowers, you might consider ‘African Queen’. “I found it somewhat surreal to watch these big plants grow, start-ing from nothing and getting nearly

seven feet tall in no time at all,” Hawke says. He was impressed by the plant’s abun-dant 12-inch long plumes. After the first flush of blooms, subsequent flowers were a bit smaller, a pattern common to buddleias, according to Hawke.

B. davidii ‘Red Plume’Although it’s not quite red,

‘Red Plume’ came closest of the trial plants to having true red flowers. And they were big flowers, at that: 12-16 inches long at peak bloom. This is another big Buddleia, reaching 79” tall with a similar spread.

B. davidii ‘Attraction’For reddish flowers on a more com-

pact plant, try ‘Attraction’. Selected as an improvement over ‘Royal Red’, a gold standard among Buddleias, ‘Attraction’ shares the similarly large, abundant, vivid red-purple flowers. The big difference is Attraction’s compact habit—nearly 18 inches shorter than ‘Royal Red’.


Garden Speak — Practical Plant Evaluations

B. davidii ‘Purple Haze’


B. davidii ‘African Queen’B. davidii ‘Red Plume’

B. davidii ‘Attraction’

(continued from page 24)

B. davidii ‘White Bouquet’White flowers with yellowish throatscomplement the fine-textured, silvery green leaves of

‘White Bouquet’. The 12-inch long flowers appear abun-dantly on this robust plant that reaches 79 inches tall with a similar spread. Hawke says the plant’s habit is “near-perfect rounded.”

B. davidii ‘Silver Frost’This plant’s dense habit made it a favorite of evaluators

every year. Its silvery green leaves show off small, milky-white flowers. Although at eight inches long, the flowers are a bit on the short side, Hawke says the plant made up for it by the profusion of flowers from mid-summer to hard frost.

New Kids to ConsiderHawke hates to get carried away before plants reach the

end of the six-year-evaluation period, but sometimes a plant’s early performance is so good, he can’t help but be optimistic. Although it’s still early days, these plants are showing promise.


Lo & Behold® ‘Blue Chip Jr.’ B. ‘Blue Chip Jr.’

Hawke loved the way this plant’s five-inch long, blue-purple flowers bloomed abundantly and almost continuously during the first summer in the trial. Advertised as two feet tall and wide, the plant grew to 26 inches tall and 39 inches wide. Used as a groundcover, that broader habit might be an advantage, Hawke says. “I’m eager to watch ‘Blue Chip Jr.’,” Hawke says. “I hope it proves to be hardier than ‘Blue Chip’ has been for us.”

Flutterby Petite™ ‘Tutti Fruitti Pink’ B. ‘Podaras #13’

This seedless cultivar “bloomed its heart out with an end-less show of pretty fuchsia-pink flowers from mid-summer to late fall,” Hawke says. The plants grew 14 inches tall and 27 inches wide. Their anticipated size is double that, still small by Buddleia standards.



Top-rated Buddleias

Garden Speak Butterfly Bush

Name Height Spread Flower color Flower length Bloom production

B. davidii ‘Adokeep’ (‘Adonis Blue’)

52” 73” Blue-purple 10” Heavy

B. davidii ‘African Queen’

80” 78” Dark violet 12” Heavy

B. davidii ‘Attraction’

56” 75” Red-purple 12” Heavy

B. davidii ‘Purple Haze’ (Lo&Behold™ Purple Haze)

26” 60” Purple-blue 7” Heavy

B. davidii ‘Red Plume’

79” 78” Red-violet 12” Heavy

B. davidii ‘Silver Frost’

65” 67” White 8” Heavy

B. davidii ‘White Bouquet’


B. davidii ‘White Profusion’


B. x weyeriana ‘Bicolor’

67” 78” Lavender and Orange

10” Heavy NOTE: Although this plant received an Excellent rating, this was the least stem hardy of the group. It was killed to the ground during a mild winter.


InSpired™Violet B. ILVOargus2’

This cultivar “has the most graceful flowers of any but-terfly bush I’ve ever grown,” Hawke says. In its first year, the plants violet sprays of flowers were 18 inches long and about ½-inch wide. “My mind might actually be blown away this summer if the flowers attain their purported 30-inch length,” he adds. Also seedless, this plant grew 44 inches tall and 61 inches wide, with an advertised mature size of 4-8 feet tall and wide. Hawke adds that the pink and white flowered culti-vars in the InSpired™ series also performed well in their first year in the evaluation.

Butterfly bush do’s and don’ts• DON’T plant buddleias in wet or poorly draining

soils. This can cause root rot.• DO cut them back to about one foot above ground in

late winter or early spring. This helps improve their leggy habit, keeps the plants somewhat smaller and promotes larger flowers.

• DON’T worry too much about deer browsing or pol-lution. The plant is resistant to one and tolerant of the other.

• DO watch butterflies flock to this bush. Its nectar attracts black swallowtail, eastern tiger swallowtail, great spangled fritillary, monarch, painted lady and western checkerspot butterflies, to name a few, but…

• DON’T expect to see caterpillars of any native butter-flies. They don’t feed on the leaves of this plant.

• DO deadhead plants after blooming to reduce seed production and encourage reblooming.

Editor’s note: For more information on the Buddleia—and other—plant evaluations at Chicago Botanic Garden, go to http://www.chicagobotanic.org/sites/default/files/pdf/plantin-fo/buddleja2015.pdf


James Martin Associates Wins 2016 Judges Award


Anatomy of an Award Winning Landscape —

by Nina Koziol

Diligence, hard work and passion. Those are some of the things that make a company great. And for James Martin Associates in Vernon Hills, they resulted in the firm’s 2016 ILCA Gold Award-winning project, “A Charming Site.”

“We at James Martin Associates, are proud to be the only company who has received the Judges’ Award two times,” said Jim Martin, company president. “Winning an award of this caliber demonstrates to our clients and our peers that we provide high quality, award-winning work.”

For the past five years, the firm’s vice president Cris Poggi has managed the year-round maintenance of the property with a two-person crew. “One of the biggest challenges is having it look pristine. My responsibility is to proactively manage their landscape,” she said. “They’re looking to me for that type of care and service. I attribute a lot of our success to the production crew and their capabilities.”

It’s no small job. The katsura trees flanking the front walk are winter-pruned to keep them in proportion with the house. Attention to detail is evident in the formal boxwood hedges, where the crew provides hor-ticulturally correct pruning methods so they are wider at the bottom and narrow at the top. “There’s weekly maintenance for the front space and during hedge pruning we set up level lines to confirm that the hedges are even,” Poggi says. “It’s pretty easy to create an inconsistent level if you’re using powered shears--we feel that there is more control with manual shears.”

Although boxwood has the

potential for disease problems, Poggi notes that so far the only replacement they’ve done was due to snow damage. “We do proactively treat the boxwood with a fungicide to avoid some of the fungal issues they are presented with. And, I monitor the amount of water we’re applying. They’re on a drip system and I only turn it on during drought.”

Plants in containers are rotated to provide a four-season display with azaleas, tulips, pansies and other cool-season spring flowers that transition to a more vibrant mix of gerani-ums, angelonia, sweet potato vines and tropicals for summer.

All of the pots, including the window box on the balcony, are watered by microtubing. “If you have any sort of debris in the waterline, they often get clogged, or are pulled out, or the lines are not producing enough water. The lines have to be adjusted, cleaned out and monitored. With containers, the soil profile is limited and it can dry out quickly, so you have to be on top of it.”

The property is about 70’ by 180’ but there’s a lot going on. “I’s been really important that before any new detail is added, we look at the existing design features and architectural fea-tures on the house to provide cohesion with the overall design,” Poggi

explained. The firm recently added a hedge along the driveway and a bluestone stepper path was installed for easy access from the driveway to the front door.

The owners needed a play space so the side yard was transformed into a mini sports court. “There was a dog run that extended the entire length of the side yard,” Poggi explained. “We minimized the expanse of the dog run and added another gate.” Artificial sports turf was placed in the new sports area because the clients want


James Martin Associates Wins 2016 Judges Award


A Charming Site



(continued from page 30)to be able to use a space that wasn’t affected by weather. “The sports turf was a good solution so that it could be used year-round,” Poggi said.

Because the client wanted to grow vegetables with her family, two raised planters were installed for edibles. “Some folks are really into it and I promote vegetable gardening especially with those who have younger children. I think that’s a great aspect of our industry--being able to help our clients foster knowledge and awareness about food and where it comes from.”

Another maintenance challenge was a hedge of strug-gling arborvitae and spruce in a side yard. The clients wanted privacy and previously had replaced the plants two or three times. “They were on the east side of the house in shade and the plants were declining. We removed them and used shade-tolerant shrubs, such as hydrangeas in that space. The client recognized that screening wasn’t as much of a priority as hav-ing a planting solution that worked.”

There are times when a client asks for something that may not be completely appropriate for the setting, the scale of the house or the cultural environment or requirements of a certain type of plant, Poggi explains. “My job is to make sure they know the pros and cons and why we might shift the solution

to their request to have something that would be more appro-priate.”

When the firm took over maintenance five years ago, the turf was also in decline and the clients were consider-ing replacing it with synthetic turf. “I suggested a phased-in approach,” Poggi said. “I think there’s value in having real grass. It’s a little bit cooler and provides a more natural set-ting. We did a lot of overseeding and turf renovation and the lawn is more durable now. You can make a great case for artificial turf. It has really been improved in durability and aesthetics. The artificial turf is adjacent to the grass and blends amazingly.”

Besides the lawn, keeping all of the plants healthy requires vigilance. Slow-release fertilizer is incorporated with the annuals at planting time. A fish-emulsion and kelp treatment also is used as needed during the growing season. “We might use that if things look a little chlorotic or need a boost. You’d think differently, however we’ve never had a complaint about fish emulsion and the smell is gone in 15 minutes.” They also use an organic compost tea once during the growing season on the boxwood and arbovitae.

“It’s really about being proactive,” Poggi explains. This includes things like working with other contractors.




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(continued from page 34)monitor work so that plant mate-rial and the landscape is protected and unharmed.”

Maintenance doesn’t end once fall rolls around. In winter, the firm does a full holiday decorating plan, lining all the planting beds with evergreen boughs and decorating all the containers with evergreens, twigs and berries. “We’ve improved the home with outdoor light-ing and outlets tied to interior timers and we use all LED lights,” Poggi said. “We also use natural garland and wreaths on the house.”

And with five years under the firm’s belt, the clients are obviously happy with the work. This latest award means a great deal to Jim Martin. “Being recog-nized by our industry with such a presti-gious award is an invaluable marketing opportunity that we enjoy sharing,” Martin said. Passion does pay off.


Enfoque: Sección en Español —

Por Patrice Peltier

Las plantas nativas se parecen un poco a las habichuelas. Sabemos que benefician al medioambiente, pero, ¿qué podemos hacer para que la gente las disfrute?

Después de 17 años en la industria de las plantas nativas, Mark O’Brien, gerente de operaciones de vivero en Cardno Native Plant Nursery, tiene algunas ideas al respecto. Las compartió con un lleno casi total del auditorio en una sesión educativa de iLandscape.

“Para tener éxito, la plantación tiene que ser atractiva”, aseguró O’Brien. “Si no es atractiva, los clientes se impacientarán y con el tiempo, reemplazarán las plantas nativas con plantas menos beneficiosas”.

Es importante utilizar plantas nativas en nuestros proyectos de paisajismo, porque las plantas nativas, además de ser exóticas, proporcionan el alimento que los insectos nativos necesitan. También son parte importante en la adopción de un enfoque holístico de paisajismo, afirma O’Brien. “No estamos solos en esto”, explica. Según O’Brien, el uso de plantas nativas ayuda a mejorar la calidad del agua, promueve la diversidad, beneficia la flora y la fauna silvestres, elimina el uso de productos químicos riesgosos y reduce la necesidad de riego.

Estas son algunas cosas que de acuerdo con O’Brien se deben y no se deben hacer para ayudar a crear un negocio de paisajismo

exitoso usando plantas nativas.EMPRENDA este proyecto como

si fuera cualquier otro proyecto de diseño. Comprenda las necesidades y los gustos de sus clientes. “Si el campus corporativo del cliente tiene el césped totalmente cortado, es probable que no se sentirá a gusto con jardines de plantas nativas”, dijo.

Tenga en cuenta el panorama general —la salud del suelo, el manejo de las aguas pluviales, las condiciones del sitio. Seleccione plantas que se ajusten al entorno y que tengan tiempos de floración escalonados.

NO use muchas plantas. O’Brien habló de una plantación en autovía para la que se utilizaron demasiadas especies. “Fue como si hubiésemos dicho, ‘Plantemos aquí todo lo que encontremos’”, recuerda y agrega: “Pero todas las plantas crecieron sanas —incluso sin irrigación”.

GESTIONE las expectativas —especialmente cuando empieza desde la semilla. Las plantas nativas pueden tardar de tres a cinco años para crecer y tupirse.

NO perpetúe el mito de que las plantas nativas de las praderas no

necesitan mantenimiento. “Todas las plantas necesitan mantenimiento. Es necesario aclarar esto desde el comienzo. Esto también es una buena oportunidad para vender el aspecto de mantenimiento del negocio”, dijo.

USE letreros para identificar las plantas y explique los conceptos básicos de las plantas nativas. La educación ayuda a las personas a comprender y apreciar lo que está sucediendo.

CORTE el césped. Corte el césped después de la floración primaveral para controlar las malas hierbas anuales. “Si avanzada la temporada el césped adquiere un aspecto irregular, córtelo”, agregó. “Cuando está sembrando una planta nativa

Las plantas nativas en diseños de jardines formales


Las plantas nativas en diseños de jardines formales

desde la semilla, corte siempre que pueda. La mayor parte de la presión de la maleza se debe a las malas hierbas anuales. No deje que vuelvan a soltar semillas y germinar”.

NO agregue flores anuales a la mezcla de semillas. Si bien muchas personas agregan flores anuales para ayudar a que las plantaciones tengan más colorido durante el primer año, Cardno descubrió que esto es contraproducente. “Por una parte, nadie quiere cortar el césped cuando las plantas han florecido y esto hace que las malas hierbas anuales suelten semillas y germinen”, explicó

O’Brien. Segundo, nunca se ven mejor que el primer año —diferente sí, pero no mejor”.

MANTENGA los bordes bien recortados a lo largo de la plantación para lograr una apariencia pulcra.

UTILICE brotes decorativos y telas para control de la maleza como herramientas para reducir el mantenimiento y conservar la nitidez

de las

plantaciones.O’Brien ahondó

en la disyuntiva de usar plantas o semillas para una plantación de nativas. Las semillas tienen mejores resultados cuando se planta en áreas grandes, cuando hay limitaciones de presupuesto y cuando no se necesita una apariencia formal, explicó. Las semillas pueden generar una mayor diversidad de plantas, pero toma más

tiempo establecer las plantas y es difícil identificar las plantas al comienzo, afirmó. “Las semillas no funcionan en islas de estacionamiento grandes”, advirtió.

Según O’Brien, las plantas son una mejor opción cuando se desea una apariencia más formal, cuando se necesita comenzar rápidamente —especialmente para líneas visuales, cuando hay más probabilidades de competencia entre malas hierbas o césped, en aguas estancadas y cuando el presupuesto lo permite.

Utilizar bandejas de semilleros de 50 cavidades o 2- ¼ pulgadas en lugar de recipientes (galones) puede resultar una estrategia más rentable, aseguró. “La

Enfoque: Sección en Español —

diferencia en el costo puede ser de $1.50 vs. $5 y el siguiente año le será difícil distinguir cuáles fueron recipientes y cuáles bandejas.

No todas las plantas nativas son adecuadas para diseños de jardines formales, admite O’Brien. “El hecho de que una planta sea nativa no significa que deba estar en su jardín”, advirtió. “Recuerde, la hiedra venenosa es una planta nativa”.

Estas son algunas de las plantas nativas que O’Brien prefiere usar en plantaciones formales:Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed)Crece entre 1 y 3 pies de altura a pleno sol y suelo seco.

“Esta es una planta estupenda para paisajismo con un espectacular color anaranjado, pero necesita estar en un sitio seco y no se trasplanta bien”.

Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo)Crece entre 1 y 4 pies de altura en

suelos secos y medios. “Esta planta florece de mayo a

agosto, tiene un follaje atractivo incluso después de florecer y no se propaga”.

Baptisia bracteata (Cream Wild Indigo)

Crece hasta 1.5 pies de altura a pleno sol y en suelo entre mésico y seco.

“Esta es un planta estupenda, de perfil bajo. Un poco difícil de conseguir”.

Carex“Use cárices (Carex) para crear

una matriz de cobertura del terreno y controlar la maleza. Hay especies para todo tipo de terreno. Las cabezuelas son lo más espectacular”.

Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master)Crece entre 3 y 5 pies de altura

a pleno sol, en suelos entre secos y medios.

Globos azules con puntas “es todo lo que usted obtiene. Ese es el despliegue floral completo. La planta tiene un buen comportamiento y atrae a los polinizadores”.

Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie)Crece entre 3 y 6 pies de altura a

pleno sol y en suelos medios.“Esta es una planta fabulosa para

paisajismo. Es una planta de terrenos húmedos que crece en terrenos para jardines. Tiene un perfil bajo hasta que despliega su inflorescencia rosada en julio”.

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)Crece entre 2 y 4 pies de altura en

suelos secos a pleno sol.



“Esta planta perenne de crecimiento en matas tiene un color muy atractivo en el otoño, pero no vive tanto tiempo como la Sporobolus”.

Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)Crece entre 1 y 1.5 pies de altura en

el verano con cabezuelas atractivas que alcanzan hasta 4 pies en el otoño.

“La comparo positivamente con cualquier planta ornamental. Es atractiva y tiene un buen comportamiento”.

Gracias a productos químicos y la irrigación, “tenemos la habilidad de cultivar cualquier planta en cualquier lugar, pero lo más recomendable es cultivar plantas sin tanta manipulación”, explicó O’Brien. Animó al público a pensar en el impacto positivo que ejercen las plantas nativas en los insectos, la flora y la fauna silvestres, la diversidad de las especies, la calidad y el uso del agua, entre muchos otros beneficios.

“No soy un purista”, dijo O’Brien desde que comenzó a hablar. “No digo, ‘Tienen que ser plantas nativas o nada’.

Pero hay un lugar para las plantas nativas y es importante que tengan su lugar”, concluyó. “No olvidemos a los otros creativos con los que compartimos el planeta”.

Plantas que funcionan para nosotros…y los polinizadores

No todas las plantas nativas son adecuadas para diseños de jardines formales. Algunas son muy grandes. Otras se propagan muy rápidamente, se auto-propagan abundantemente o tienen hábitos desordenados. Mark O’Brien de Cardno Native Plant Nursery recomienda estas especies nativas del Medio Oeste que funcionan bien en diseños de jardines formales y también benefician a los polinizadores:

• Asclepias tuberosa

• Aster macrophyllus

• Baptisia australis

• Carex

• Chasmanthium latifolium

• Coreopsis lanceolata

• Coreopsis palmata

• Dalea purpurea

• Dalea candida

• Echinacea purpurea

• Eryngium yuccifolium

• Filipendula rubra

• Juncus effusus

• Koeleria pyramidata

• Liatris

• Lobelia

• Monarda fistulosa

• Penstemon

• Pycanthemum

• Rudbeckia fulgida

• Rudbeckia subtomentosa

• Schizachyrium scoparium

• Sporobolus heterolepis

• Solidago rigida

• Zizia aurea


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Celtic Landscaping LLCNeal Bormet24530 W. Bluff Rd.Channahon, IL 60410Phone: (815) 467-9800Fax: (815) [email protected] are a full service Landscaping Design/Build business that work onCommercial and Residential Properties. We also have a maintenance divisionthat does Commercial and Residential Properties. We are known for doingquality work and we stand behind our product. We only purchase locally grownmaterials and use hardscape materials that are only produced in the area. Webelieve that buying locally helps our friends and neighbors which will in turn-help our business. Celtic Landscaping’s

business is made up of 60% mainte-nance and 40%landscaping. We also do snow plowing and sidewalk clearing in the winter months.

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GOVERNMENT/NON-PROFIT MEMBERSCantigny ParkPancho Cabral1S151 Winfield Rd.Wheaton, IL 60189Phone: (630) 260-8121Fax: (630) [email protected]


iLandscape 2016 — The Landscape of Leadership

Guidance for Growing:by Barbara Dutton

In an iLandscape 2016 keynote event titled, “The Landscape of Leadership,” company leaders shared what it takes to inspire and manage staff, and otherwise lead a dynamic 21st Century business.

Three accomplished women; three company leaders; many thoughts on practicing effective leadership.

On stage during this year’s iLandscape show, held in February in Schaumburg, IL., leaders of “growing” industry busi-nesses were asked about developing, maintaining and expressing vision, and polled about characteristics and habits that help them manage resources in the face of challenges and change.

The panel discussion, which is recapped below, was facili-tated by moderator Ana Beleval of “Chicago’s Very Own” WGN Television, and drew thoughtful insights from Terri McEnaney, Anna Ball and Donna Vignocchi.

Terri McEnaney is president of Bailey Nurseries, a fifth-generation family-owned company serving more than 4,500 customers worldwide. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., along with operations in Oregon, Washington and Illinois, the com-pany produces and distributes horticultural products and ser-vices to retail garden centers, growers and landscapers.

As president and chief executive officer of Ball Horticultural Co., Anna Ball is a third-generation leader of the enterprise founded in 1905 by George J. Ball. Based in West Chicago, Ill, the company is a wholesale seed and plant distributor to the commercial horticulture industry, and has a global presence on six continents in 17 countries.

An Illinois Landscape Contractors Association board member, Donna Vignocchi serves as the president of ILT Vignocchi, a Wauconda, Ill., business with more than 45 years of service, and which specializes in landscape architec-ture, landscape design & build, landscape maintenance, irrigation, and commercial snow removal.

The skill of leadershipDeveloping a vision and discovering ways to implement

change, develop human resources and spur growth are chal-lenges that face today’s business leaders. How, for example, can a manager stay up to speed on business trends – and maybe learn a thing or two from others’ insights and experi-ences – and in turn share useful knowledge with others?

Ball, who considers herself a steward of the business she leads, values opportunities to learn by reading. “I read everything,” she says, citing the approach as a way to get ideas that she can apply to business situations, as well as pass along to others.

Passing along responsibility is also seen as valuable to growing an enterprise – and enabling and inspiring others to grow with it. Vignocchi, for example, hopes that through del-egating tasks to others in the organization she can


Managing a Business Effectively

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(continued from page 44)encourage would-be company leaders and develop their skills for advancement in the business.

“Otherwise,” she says, “I have to go outside to find some-one, and that person is one who doesn’t know our company

and culture.” Further, Vignocchi indicates, an important new skill is given to employees when they are accorded added responsibility: “I’m actually teaching you the skill of leadership by teaching the skill of delegation,” she asserts.

But before assignments are handed out to staff, making sure those who are given new tasks to do are capable is no doubt a good idea. In assembling a competent

employee complement, suggests McEnaney, “It is important that you have the right people.”

While evident proficiencies and the aptitude to develop new skills are indeed important in maintaining a capable team, a good manager can enhance an organization by staffing it with people whose attributes include a positive outlook and a can-do demeanor. “You should hire for attitude,” advocates Ball, who advises making sure that a prospective hire “fits the culture,” which to her means looking for people who express “optimism, humility, curiosity and openness to new ideas.”

A really beautiful quiltNot only is selecting promising employees an encouraged

practice, but listening to staff and others with which a leader inter-faces is considered beneficial. The ability to be a good listener, says Ball, who endorses the practice of what she calls “active lis-tening,” is “super important for any good manager to have.”

She advises concentrating on what others are saying, and “not think about what you are going to say next,” as well as asking questions and taking notes. Listening to others is

iLandscape 2016 —

advantageous, suggests Ball, who acknowledges that manag-ers themselves still need to learn. “Admitting you don’t know everything keeps you kind of humble,” she says.

“Communications skills are really important,” agrees McEnaney. In addition to being able to exchange information with others, a basic knowledge as to how to run things is also seen as imperative. “Business acumen is important,” observes McEnaney, who also lists commitment and engagement as key characteristics of a good leader, suggesting that it’s vital to con-vey a “passion for what you’re doing.”

Company leaders would do well to maintain an evenhanded demeanor, notes Vignocchi, who sees a manager as one to set an example for others, inspiring “people to follow you.” She explains that, “a leader needs to be con-sistent and fair.”

Based on the thoughts expressed by the panelists, one can conclude that many dif-ferent strengths feature in the set of skills and mode of conduct needed to be a strong business leader. Indeed, as Vignocchi declares, “Being a leader is like a really beautiful quilt made up of so many things.”

Working to apply competencies cited for a solid leader appears to have its rewards, as each leader on the panel sug-gested in indicating her favorite part of her job. For McEnaney, it is “interacting with people,” while Ball finds exhilaration in “doing something new.” Vignocchi sums up her satisfaction in leading a team to accomplish a productive day’s work, by citing the feeling she experiences at that “moment when we’re mobiliz-ing in the morning.”

Something spectacularKeeping abreast of industry developments, inspiring others

to perform as part of a team, and otherwise steering a thriving enterprise in a dynamic field can take its toll, as company (continued on page 48)

Ana Beleval

Donna Vignocchi

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(continued from page 46)leaders not only must be concerned with clients, colleagues and employees, but also with family, community, and their own personal wellbeing.

McEnaney proposes that busy businesspeople consider their schedules in an effort to avoid neglecting family relationships. “Plan events so you do have time for family,” she says, stressing that, “you won’t regret that.” The reality, however, appears to be that executives with substantial respon-sibilities likely need to accept that running a business is consuming, and requires a steady and intense focus on the job.

“Nothing happens when you’re balanced,” notes Ball, who cautions leaders to keep their eye on the ball, so to speak. “You can try for balance,” she says, “but watch it.” Vignocchi concurs: “If you want to do something spectacu-lar, you have to put in the hours,” she says, suggesting, how-

ever, looking for ways to include family in activities.The ability to “put in the hours,” however, requires vigor

and focus. So, while company managers attend to a host of day-to-day duties – expending considerable energy on con-cerns about staff, customers and others – they need to care for themselves, bolstering the strength and nourishing the spirit necessary to accomplish ambitious goals they have set.

Busy managers, it is suggested, would do well to concen-trate on one problem or task at a time, rather than trying to spread their energy over many at once and thereby diluting the attention given to one issue or job. “The world would be a better place,” quips Ball, if everyone stopped multitasking!”

At the end of the day, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a receptive manner, while cultivating an informed and positive outlook, is fundamental to sustaining the capacity to lead others and constructively direct a business. Getting exercise is cited as beneficial by McEnaney, who also sug-gests that managers looking to “rejuvenate” their spirit and their mind might “get away to nature.”

Not to be overlooked, however, is the importance of get-ting a good night’s rest. For, as Ball exclaims, “As long as you get enough sleep, you can do anything.”

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By Patrice Peltier

Native plants can be a bit like green beans. We all know they’re good for our environment, but how do we get people to enjoy them?

After 17 years in the native plant industry, Mark O’Brien, nursery operations manager at Cardno Native Plant Nursery, has a few ideas about that. He shared them with a near capacity crowd at an iLandscape education session.

“To be successful, it has to look good,” O’Brien said. “If the planting doesn’t look good, clients will get impatient with it, and it will go. Over time the native plants will be replaced with less beneficial plants.”

Using native plants in our landscapes is important because native plants, more than exotics, provide needed food for native insects. They’re also an important part of taking a holis-tic approach to landscaping, O’Brien says. “We’re not in this alone,” he explains. Using native plants helps improve water quality, promotes diversity, supports wildlife, eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals and reduces watering, according to O’Brien.

Here are some Dos and Don’ts, O’Brien shared to help create a successful landscape using native plants.

• DO approach this like any other design project. Understand your client’s needs and tastes. “If the client’s corporate campus is totally manicured, it’s not likely they’re going to be happy with a native landscape,” he said. Look at the whole picture—soil health, stormwater management, site conditions. Choose plants that fit the site and that provide staggered bloom times.

• DON’T use too many plants. O’Brien told about a park-way planting that used too many species. “It was like we said, ‘Hey, let’s plant everything we can find here,” he recalls, adding, “but all the plants were doing really well—even without irrigation.”

• DO manage expectations—especially when starting from seed. It can take native plantings three to five years to fill in.

• DON’T perpetuate the myth that prairie plantings are no maintenance. “All plantings need maintenance. You’ve got to be clear on that up front. This is a great opportu-nity to sell the maintenance side, too,” he said.

• DO use signage to identify plants and explain the native planting concepts. Education helps people understand and appreciate what’s going on.

• DO mow. Mow after spring bloom to manage annual weeds. “If it looks rough late in the season, mow,” he added. “When you’re establishing a prairie from seed, you can’t mow enough. Most of the weed pressure comes from annual weeds. Don’t let them re-seed.”

• DON’T add annual flowers to the seed mix. Although many people add annual flowers to help the prairie look colorful the first year, O’Brien said Cardno has found this counter-productive. “For one thing, nobody ever wants to mow when the plants are in flower, and that lets annual weeds go to seed,” he explained. “Second, it never looks better than it does in the first year—differ-ent, but not better.”

• DO keep a mowed edge along the planting for a tidy look.

• DO use edging and landscape fabric as tools for reduc-ing maintenance and keeping plantings looking neat.

O’Brien delved into the question of whether to use plants or seeds for a native planting. Seed works better when planting large areas, when the budget is tight, and when a formal look is not required, he explained. Seeds can provide increased plant diversity, but the planting takes longer to establish and plant identification is difficult early on, he said. “Seed never works in those long parking island situations,” he cautioned.

Plants are a better option when a more formal look is desired, when a quick start is required—especially for sight lines, when weed or turf competition is more likely, in standing water, and when the budget allows, according to O’Brien.

Using 50’s or 2 ¼” plugs instead of gallons can be a cost-effective strategy, he said. “The difference in cost can be $1.50 versus $5, and next year, you’ll be hard-pressed to tell which were the gallons and which were plugs,” he noted.

Not all native plants lend themselves to formal landscapes, O’Brien admits. “Just because it’s native doesn’t mean it belongs in your landscape,” he warned. “Remember, poison ivy is a native plant.”


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(continued from page 50)Here are some of the native plants O’Brien likes to use in

formal plantings:

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed)Grows 1-3’ tall in full sun and dry soil. “This is a great landscape plant with out-standing orange color, but it needs to be in a dry site, and it doesn’t transplant well.”

Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo)Grows 1-4’ tall in dry to medium soils. “This plant blooms from May to August, has nice foliage even after it blooms, and it doesn’t spread.”

Baptisia bracteata (Cream Wild Indigo)Grows 1.5’ tall in full sun in mesic to dry soil.“This is a great, low profile, plant. It’s a little harder to get.”

Carex“Use Carex to create a matrix of ground-cover to control weeds. There are species for all different sites. The seedheads are the whole show.”

Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master)Grows 3-5’ tall in full sun in dry to medium soils.Spiky blue globes “are all you get. That’s the full flower display. This plant behaves itself, and it attracts pollinators.”

Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie)Grows 3-6’ tall in full sun and medium soils.“This is a fabulous landscape plant. It’s a wetland plant that will grow in garden soil. It has a low profile until it sends up its pink flowerhead in July.”

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Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)Grows 2-4’ tall in dry soils and full sun.“This clump-forming grass has great fall color, but it’s not as long lived as Sporobolus.”

Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)Grows 1-1.5’ tall in summer with attractive seedheads ris-ing to 4’ in fall.“I’d put this up against any ornamental grass. It looks good, and it behaves itself.”

Thanks to chemicals and irrigation, “we have the ability to grow anything anywhere, but the idea is to grow things without all that manipulation,” O’Brien explained. He encouraged the audience to think about the positive impact native plants have on insects, wildlife, species diversity, water quality and use, to name a few benefits.

“I’m not a purist,” O’Brien said from the start. “I don’t say, ‘It’s got to be natives or nothing.’ But there’s a place for native plants, and it’s important that they have their place,” he concluded. “Don’t forget about the other creatives that we inhabit this earth with.”


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Not every native plant is suited to a formal landscape. Some are too big. Others spread too readily, self-sow too abundantly or have untidy habits. Mark O’Brien of Cardno Native Plants Nursery recom-mended these Midwestern native species that work well in formal landscapes and also benefit pollinators:

• Asclepias tuberosa• Aster macrophyllus• Baptisia australis• Carex• Chasmanthium latifolium• Coreopsis lanceolata• Coreopsis palmata• Dalea purpurea• Dalea candida• Echinacea purpurea

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Plants that work for us…and for pollinators


ILCA News

Members of the ILCA FLIP Committee: (l to r) Ashley Marrin, Bret-Mar Landscape; Matt Dingeldein, The Oak Grove Gardeners; Amanda Arnold, Planter’s Palette Landscaping; Matt Ewert, Kishwaukee College; Jay Rients, Alysstone; Bob Hendricksen, R.W. Hendricksen Tree Care.


Members of ILCA’s FLIP (Future Landscape Industry Professionals) Committee participated in Meadow Glens Elementary School’s STEM Discovery Night on Monday, March 14, 2016, to inspire Naperville’s next generation of innovators, discoverers, and entrepreneurs. This highly-acclaimed event is a showcase of exciting and interactive exhibits, activi-ties, and presentations for elementary-aged students to explore and experience the dis-ciplines of science, technology, engineer-ing, and math (STEM). STEM Discovery Night motivates young minds and encour-ages educational choices.

ILCA set up a landscape architecture rendering activity for the students. On the back of the activity page was information for parents about careers in the landscape industry. There was also a PowerPoint running pictures of ILCA Excellence in Landscape award winning projects. But the big hit of the event were the tablets loaded with the game Plants vs. Zombies. The kids really seemed to love this.

Midwest Groundcovers donated plants for the table display and they were a huge

hit with the students. We gave some of the plants out to students who completed the best landscape architecture rendering sheets. Word spread fast that we were giving out plants and some students stopped by in hopes of receiving their very own plant.

Amanda Arnold of Planter’s Palette Landscaping, is a member of the FLIP committee and attended the event. She offered the following thought, “The STEM Discovery Night was a great success for our trial run of a FLIP com-mittee event. The children and parents were engaged in the coloring activities and the games and learning a little more about our industry. We had some great future designers in the group! We also had many surprised parents that this industry had so much more depth than they had originally thought. I had a great time interacting and sharing my passion for my profession and for the industry. I can’t wait for us to try it again!”

Marissa SikirdjiMembership and Marketing CoordinatorIllinois Landscape Contractors Association


Bluestem also is involved in the Come Outside Alive program, which encourages children and families to be outdoors. “We ask ourselves: as a busi-ness what can we do to include clients and vendors in encouraging people to be outside,” Legieza says. “It’s all about being healthy.”

Bluestem was drawn to ILCA in large part for its networking opportunities, especially the chance to discuss trends with other professionals in the landscape industry. “ILCA promotes us all grow-ing, building and learning together,” Legieza says. “It also provides educa-tional opportunities. We are able to be a part of a community.”

Legieza says she loves going to Summer Field Day and iLandscape. Bluestem plans to bring its field techni-cians to the latter this year. “It’s a great way to get a sense of partnership and community.”

Bluestem Ecological Services19812 W. Coral RoadMarengo, IL 60152(815) 568-2927www.bluestemeco.com

by Meta Levin

The fact that sustainabil-ity is at the forefront of people’s minds was apparent to Jeff Sebert. And it was impetus for starting his new, ecological services company, Bluestem Ecological Services in Marengo, IL.

To meet the demand, Bluestem offers four major services: ecological restora-tion, stewardship (maintenance), sustain-able native landscaping and sustainable green infrastructure. His customers “want to know how they can create a sustainable landscape within their bud-gets,” says Bluestem Ecological Services director of sales and marketing, Jodi Legieza.

From the beginning Sebert sought out experienced specialists in sustain-able landscaping, “He was particular about who he wanted to bring in,” says Legieza.

Though relatively new, the company is populated with employees who have years of experience in the field. For instance, Legieza, herself, has spent 25 years in the green industry, working with everything from landscaping to arbori-culture to native restoration. A Certified Horticulturalist and Certified Landscape Designer she has worked with and con-sulted with land developers, builders, property management companies, private estates, city parks and villages.

And Jan Papa, Bluestem’s general manager, has 30 years’ experience in the green industry, including working at the Chicago Botanic Garden, as well as time as an estate co-manager and native plant buyer.

Even those who are new to the field have solid backgrounds. Field Supervisor Eric Sebert recently earned a degree in environmental science/ecol-

ogy from the University of Minnesota. He also has experience working for both Grace Nursery and Sebert Landscaping.

Molly Regan is Bluestem’s restora-tion technician. A recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in recreation administration, Regan also was an intern with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at Moraine Hills State Park and Volo Bog State Natural Area, as well as serving as the program manager for the Lake County Forest Preserve’s summer youth work program.

Bluestem has worked with a variety of clients, including Advocate Hospital to design and build walking paths, eas-ily accessible raised gardens and bird feeders on their property. “Studies have proven the health and well-being ben-efits of just planting a tree, having a garden and working in the garden,” says Legieza. To that end, Bluestem also has collaborated with local schools to help bring the classroom outside. They have installed raised gardens in the schools, as well as prairie areas.

“We believe in what we are doing,” she says, which is to bring elements of the original Midwest landscape back to its natural state, as well as to educate people about the benefits of sustainable landscapes. Bluestem’s long term intent is: to develop native ecosystems that will last for generations.

The company also presents programs about sustainable landscapes to people within the industry, as well as to park district and forest preserve personnel, not to mention working to forge partner-ships with such groups as the McHenry Park District and the Bolingbrook Conservation Center and its Earth Aid program.

Member Profile

Lawn mowersDethatchersAeratorsOverseedersConcrete saws

Skid steersMini excavators

TillersStump grindersWood chippers

LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT CHICAGOLAND

MAXIMIZEPROFIT

WITH

Crest Hill815.729.1466

Downers Grove630.964.1850

Joliet815.726.2723

Lake Zurich847.438.9490

Orland Park708.535.5080

Roselle630.894.1717

St. Charles630.377.1567

Wheaton630.668.8200

www.rentalmax.com

MAXIMUM RESULTS WITH THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT AT THE RIGHT PRICE.

ACRES GROUP CAREER OPPORTUNITY-SPRAY TECHNICIANS in Plainfield!

Acres Group, one of the top 20 professional land-scape contractors in the nation, is seeking Spray Technicians to manage application route assuring quality standards and production timelines are met, mix & apply chemicals, complete turf & ornamental applications, respond to and rectify customer inquiries. Join our industry leading team! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www.acresgroup.com or contactJoel@ 847-487-3257.

ACRES GROUP CAREER OPPORTUNITY-MAINTENANCE PRODUCTION MANAGER

in Roselle & Plainfield!

Acres Group, one of the top 20 professional landscape contractors in the nation, is seeking Maintenance Production Manager to manage mul-tiple crews, equipment and materials during land-scape and snow seasons. 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 Amy@ 847-487-5071.

ACRES GROUP CAREER OPPORTUNITY-SALES ACCOUNT MANAGERS

(junior & senior levels) in Wauconda!

Acres Group, one of the top 20 professional landscape contractors in the nation, is seeking sales Account Manager to manage a portfolio of accounts in lawn and snow providing high levels of customer service, make horticultural recommenda-tions & sell property enhancements in lawn and ice melt in snow, sell new contracted lawn & snow accounts. Join our industry leading team! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www.acresgroup.com or contact Amy@ 847-487-5071.

CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES

May 2016 issue ads: April 15, 2016June 2016 issue ads: May 15, 2016

PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE

LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES

Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50

Optional Website Cost is $7 per lineMinimum charge $70(About 6 words/line)

Use the online submission form located atwww.ilca.net

Call Alycia O’Connor (630) 472-2851

Spray Technician - Plant Health Care

Rosborough Partners, Inc. is seeking an experi-enced Spray Technician. Responsibilities include handling and applying pesticides according to label specifications, loading materials and schedul-ing routes to achieve efficient use of time. This position also requires the ability to neatly organize and store inventory with a minimal amount of space and during peak season- April 1 thru July 1, the ability and willingness to regularly work on Saturday.Requirements for this position are:

• Operator/Applicator license in turf, ornamental and mosquito.

• Class C Driver License.• Horticultural knowledge and landscape

industry experience. • English & Spanish fluency is a plus. • Prefer 3 to 5 years of experience.

Please email resume to:[email protected]

Laborers Needed

Laborers needed. Excellent growth potential. Job entails installing exterior and Christmas light-ing. Must be willing to climb ladders. Drivers License is a plus but not necessary. Three years experience in a landscape based business is pre-ferred.

Email resume to: [email protected]

HELP WANTEDHELP WANTED HELP WANTED

Landscape Architecture • Construction • Maintenance • Snow Management

www.jamesmartinassociates.com

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 37 years.

We are seeking candidates for the following positions:

To be considered for any of these opportunities, please forward your resume and salary history to

[email protected] or call Beth at 847-876-8052.

Team Administrator Account Managers Superintendents

Business Development


Classified Ads


Classified Ads

Wingren Landscape Downers Grove, IL Visit Website www.wingrenlandscape.com

Wingren Landscape, Inc. is an award winning full-service landscape company for both residential and commercial properties. Our outdoor services are virtually limitless and include full-scale landscape maintenance, design, construction, lighting, and irrigation. We are all things outdoors. Founded on a commitment to excellence since 1957. We are seek-ing experienced candidates for the following full time positions:

• Maintenance Account Manager/ BusinessDevelopment

• Maintenance Supervisor/ Superintendent• Lawn-care Technician

Please send resume to:[email protected]

Fax: 630-759-8155

Residential Architect / DesignerPosition Role / Requirements:This person will be responsible for managing all phases of residential design projects of varying types and sizes from initial client outreach to proj-ect managing the job to completion. The position involves design, sales and project management.

• B.S. Landscape Architecture or demon-strated experience.

• Ability to produce high-quality creative designs, estimate and sell jobs.

• Intermediate to advanced skill level in Autocad, Adobe Photoshop, and MS Office. Experience with Sketch Up, LandFX and Asset is considered a plus.

• 5 plus years of experience preferred (Licensed in Illinois a plus)

• Excellent communication and graphic skills

Please send resume and work samples to: [email protected]

Installation Representative

Due to rapid growth, Synthetic Turf of Illinois is in search of people looking to join our installa-tion team. Ideal applicants will be bi-lingual and have a strong background in hardscape, landscape construction or golf course type experience. CDL is a bonus! Great pay and lots of opportunity for advancement. We will train the right person.

Please email or fax your resume to Doug at [email protected] or fax to 708-961-2037.

If no access to a computer or a fax machine, please call Doug at 815-685-5733.

SEBERT LANDSCAPING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Sebert Landscape services the Chicago-land area with a unique and sustainable approach. We call

it “The New Green” and it’s our way of changing the landscaping industry.

*Construction/Enhancement Supervisor*This position is responsible for assisting the resi-

dential Landscape Architect/Designers in supervis-ing construction/enhancement crews and all the functions pertaining to the crews. Supervising job quality and performance are the primary responsi-bilities. Other responsibilities include scheduling of projects, management of crews and materials, and others.

We are seeking an individual who works inde-pendently and has strong problem solving and organizational skills. 2-3 years of experience managing hardscape and landscape projects is highly recommended. This position calls for an individual who is eager to learn and looking to be a part of a growing team. Competitive salary with incentive package, paid vacation, insurance, 401k and vehicle are a few of the benefits available.

*Account Manager*The Account Manager is responsible for managing several crews, and for regular communication with clients through site visits, quality field reports and one-on-one meetings. Good relationship management skills will help with providing enhancement proposals and retaining existing accounts and in developing new prospects to meet Seberts growth goals.

*Landscape Designer*Great Impressions, our residential Naperville branch, is looking for an experienced, highly moti-vated and talented landscape designer/architect to be a pivotal piece of design/build’s growth. A qualified candidate will have the background in sales, knowledge of estimation & construction, and provide premier customer service.

If interested in any listed position, please send your resume to: [email protected]

FULL TIME MECHANIC

Golf Course and Sports Field Contractor seeking experienced equipment and truck mechanic at Marengo shop. Class A CDL required to transport equipment between jobs. This is a salaried posi-tion with benefits.

Please forward resume to [email protected]

Construction Foreman

Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc. (CSG) is an award-winning landscape design/build firm head-quartered in Chicago. We specialize in the design and installation of contemporary urban rooftop gardens and city landscapes. We seek an experi-enced Construction Foreman to join our team.Job Description:

The Construction Foreman is responsible for overseeing a small installation crew on landscape,hardscape and rooftop garden projects. The Construction Foreman:

• Ensures that all installation work is per-formed in accordance with industry and company standards.

• Ensures that each crew member is trained appropriately for each designated job assignment.

• Follows directions from Construction Manager.

• Communicates well with all crew mem-bers, suppliers, supervisor, and clients.

• Strives to improve job skills and develop the potential for upward mobility, and leads by example.

• Tracks and records all job expenses and hours worked accurately.

• Maintains clean and safe job sites.Experience working in city buildings and rooftops is a plus. Two years of Construction Foreman experience or equivalent is required. Valid driver’s license is required. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus. Compensation is BOE. Working season runs roughly between March 1st and December 15th.

Contact: Rick Connolly (Construction Manager) [email protected]

FIELD SUPERVISOR

Garden Prairie Organics; Northern Illinois Compost Facility is seeking for a full time position;

FIELD SUPERVISORExpectations of Position:

• Supervise and work with team in the field• Perform daily tasks in compost operation• Work in conjunction with operations manager• Heavy equipment experience• General equipment maintenance knowledge• Work around all types of moving equipment• Good communication skills• Organized• Self starter• Enjoys working outside

• Experience in organic recycling or mulch operation a plus

Please send resume to: [email protected] fax




Client Relations Manager

The Client Relations Manager manages the rela-tionship 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 perfor-mance goals accordingly.

Provides data and sales forecasts to buyers and pro-duction for scheduling and material requirements.

Coordinates liaison between sales, buyers, yard, production staff and other personnel.

Design, develop and implement strategic site stan-dards 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 com-bination of education and experience. Valid drivers license.

Please send resumes to: [email protected]

Landscape Residential Maintenance Account Manager

Rosborough Partners, Inc. is accepting resumes for an experienced Residential Maintenance Account Manager to manage portfolio of residential mainte-nance clients. Responsibilities include preparing pro-posals, contract renewals, identifying and selling new sales leads and ensuring quality control is followed on client sites. Revenue and profitability goals will be set each year and accomplished by analyzing, plan-ning, organizing, and adjusting schedules to achieve efficient use of resources and people.

Establishing, building and maintaining client relationships are the keys to being successful in this position.

Landscape industry experience and/or a horticul-tural degree are required. English & Spanish fluency is a plus. We offer competitive wages and benefits.

Please email resume to: [email protected]

Landscape Construction Manager

Are you working for a company that just promises but doesn’t deliver? If so read on. We have been in business for over 30 years and service both resi-dential and commercial clients. We’re proud of our people with their, “let’s make it happen attitude”. We have a positive, exciting, family culture, not a, “that’s how it’s done around here” corporate one. We are the Diaz Group serving Chicago and the surrounding area, you can find us on the web at, www.diazgrou-pllc.com.

Because of our rapid growth we are looking for an experienced landscape construction manager to head up our construction operations. Now with this unique position we need a unique person. You need to be familiar with all phases of both residential and commercial construction both masonry and plant-ings. If you can speak Spanish that would be a plus and of course a valid drivers license is required. You will need experience in estimating, buying job materials and managing multiple crews. If you have some working computer skills that would be helpful as well.

This is an outstanding opportunity with a competi-tive salary and compensation package, including a company vehicle and benefits.

If you want to work for a “growing, learning orga-nization” and have experience in executing landscape projects, WE WANT YOU! We will need appropri-ate references and will check them. Does this sound good? If you know your stuff and feel you fit the bill then send me your resume right now to……..

[email protected]

Landscape Construction Supervisor

Western Dupage Landscaping,Inc., an award winning full service company located in Naperville is looking for a Landscape Construction Supervisor to join our residential design-build team. Will work with Clients, Crews, and Design Team. A strong Understanding of Construction and Horticultural Practices are a must.We offer Competitive salary, 401k, profit sharing, insurance, vacation, vehicle.

contact: Kevin (630) 416-0072x5111 [email protected]

Landscape Construction Estimator

Rosborough Partners, Inc. an award winning Design-Build firm in Libertyville, IL, is seeking a landscape construction estimator to join our design-build firm. We are looking for an individual with a passion for estimating residential and commercial landscape proj-ects. Our firm provides an excellent compensation package and an enjoyable place to work.Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in estimating construction projects. Experience with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office is strongly preferred. Good communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are required.

Please direct inquires to: [email protected]

Landscape Construction Project Manager

Rosborough Partners, Inc. an award winning Design-Build firm in Libertyville, IL, is seeking a landscape construction project manager to join our design-build team. We are looking for an individual with a passion for managing the construction of residential and commercial landscape projects. Our firm provides an excellent com-pensation package and an enjoyable place to work.Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in managing construction projects. Experience with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office is strongly preferred. Good communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are required.

Please direct inquiries to: [email protected]

Foracres Landscape Group

We are a full service-commercial lawn maintenance company located in the far west suburbs. We are growing and need your talents to help us continue our expansion. We are looking for individuals who want to make a difference. If you are unyielding to the staus quo, creative, organized, tenacious and self-motivated, COME JOIN OUR TEAM! Positions Available:

Design Build Sales: Experienced/entry level Lawn maintenance Sales: Experienced Foremen: Experienced with Driver’s licenseLaborers: Experienced/entry level

Please send your resume to: [email protected]

or go to our website and fill in your contactinformation: www.foracres.com



Buyer

Clesen Wholesale is the premier wholesale green-house and grower selling to independent garden centers and professional landscapers in the Chicago metro and Southeast Wisconsin areas. Established in 1941, our third generation family business is the best, year round source for Seasonal Annuals and Winter Decorations. We have three commercial greenhouses located in Evanston, Lake Villa and Grayslake IL, with our corporate offices and this position located in the Evanston Location. We are a solid business with years of continuous strong growth behind and in front of us. We are building a stronger culture with great teams and great individuals in order to create beauti-ful environments for the public and individuals.Job Summary:Clesen Wholesale is looking to hire an energetic, passionate and motivated Buyer/Purchasing Agent to manage individual products and new product devel-opment, with focus on growth and profitability. The Buyer is responsible for setting pricing, managing vendors, achieving product P&L goals, and insuring high quality. The Buyer works closely with man-agement, sales, finance, growers, and vendors. The Buyer reports directly to the Purchasing Manager, who is building her new department to support the company’s growth goals.This is an extraordinary opportunity for a career-focused purchaser to take the next step into managing the entire supply chain and assuming accountability for profits.Job Responsibilities:

• Manage assigned vendors and products• Maintain and build partnerships with vendors • Assess demand and replenishment needs to

manage inventory• Manage Item gross margin dollars • Create and issue PO’s to vendors and track all

open orders• Enhance product portfolio performance• Analyze vendors and products• Desired Skills and Experience• Bachelor Degree• 1-3 years of purchasing experience• Horticulture industry experience• A team player able to inspire enthusiasm and

commitment• Strong project management and financial analy-

sis skills

• A natural collaborator, adept at working with sales, growers, vendors, and staff

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel

• Direct and succinct communication style• Sees issues well before they develop, and then

own, solves and implementsBonus Points

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

• Process improvement or quality management• Demonstrated data analytics enthusiasm• Compensation and Benefits: • Competitive market-based salary, commensu-

rate with experience and education• Health, Dental, Vision and 401K plans• An informal, participatory and cross-functional

work environment• An employee-focused company with a variety

of challenging projects• Continuous internal training• A chance to work with top talent professionals

and high-performing teamsTo Apply:

Please submit your cover letter, salary expectations and resume to [email protected]

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer!

Landscape Designer

A growing and progressive full-service landscape-company seeks energetic and artistic

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER.You have a passion for improving the natural envi-ronment. You are able to build relationships with your clients and really get into using your creativity to translate the customers desires into beautiful, func-tional, healthy and sustainable outdoor living spaces.We require creative, highly motivated and career ori-ented individuals looking to achieve an outstanding customer experience from sales, to design, estimat-ing, contract negotiation, and project completion.Computer (Excel/Word) and confident sales skills required.

Please email resume to: [email protected]

Personal Gardener Position

Jane Dilworth & Associates in Downers Grove is looking for an outgoing, customer oriented indi-vidual to work between 15-20 hrs/wk as a Personal Gardener.The right candidate will possess the following quali-fications:

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of landscape plants and their proper care and maintenance.

• Ability to work outside in all types of weather

• Please email resumes to: office @janedil-worth.com or fax: 630-515-8979

• The right candidate will possess the fol-lowing qualifications:

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of landscape plants and their proper care and maintenance.

• Ability to work outside in all types of weather

Please email resumes to: office @janedilworth.com or fax: 630-515-8979

CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES

May 2016 issue ads: April 15, 2016June 2016 issue ads: May 15, 2016

PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE

LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES

Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50

Optional Website Cost is $7 per lineMinimum charge $70(About 6 words/line)

Call Alycia O’Connor (630) 472-2851

or use the online submission form located atwww.ilca.net

Classified Ads

VERMEERMIDWEST.COM

GOODFIELD, IL(309) 965-3300

EAST MOLINE, IL(309) 751-9540

AURORA, IL(630) 820-3030

As your customers seek to enhance their outdoor spaces, they need a professional landscaper that has the right tools to complete their project, whether it’s a simple upgrade or complex landscape makeover. Let Vermeer landscape equipment be your strategic ally in beautifying properties, as well as public spaces; creating green areas, patios, irrigation systems, yards, pathways or projects that require maintenance and care. Whether it is spring, summer, fall or winter, go the extra mile using reliable equipment with applications that can serve all season, year-round.

POWER YOUR LANDSCAPE JOBS


FOR SALE

Reach more buyers and MAKE MORE SALES!

Successful suppliers know— industry leaders read this magazine.The Landscape Contractor is the Midwest’s premier monthly magazine for the landscape, nursery and garden center business.• Sales and marketing statistics show that the single best way to reach buyers is through highly-targeted specialty magazines.

• This award-winning magazine is frequently hailed as the best magazine of its kind. Put your message in this flattering environment.

• The Landscape Contractor has an affordable advertising program for every budget.

Get your 2016 sales year off to a fast startFor immediate attention CALL Debbie

at 817-501-2403 or email — [email protected]

Classified Ads

Announcement of Acquisition Opportunity D. Hill Nursery Co.

January 29, 2016Investment Opportunity: D. Hill Nursery Co.

has been owned and operated by LeRoy H. Harms and family since 1988. The family has continued to expand and improve upon the existing D. Hill quality brand, with its long-- standing reputation for excel-lence and integrity.

D. Hill Nursery has been a successful wholesale grower since 1855. The Harms family is now pre-pared to entertain inquiries from qualified buyers. This is an opportunity to acquire our business with its significant historical heritage and established product brand in the Midwest market.

Our 200-- acre nursery offers a wide assortment of high quality and well-- maintained container and field landscape stock. Existing inventory includes propaga-tion, container and field plants of excellent quality.

This current inventory of plant stock is market ready as of spring 2016… continuing through the next several years. Our workforce is experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of this long-- running operation. Our established customer list is current and active.

Business as Usual: D. Hill will continue to oper-ate as a full service wholesale nursery throughout this calendar year. Potential offers will be assessed concurrently.

Spring Promotion: Don’t miss our spectacular spring sale promotion. Discounts and listed items will be made available in early February. Prices will offer you substantial savings!

In Conclusion: As president, I am reaching out to prospective buyers to consider this rare industry investment opportunity. This is an excellent opening to expand and secure an enhanced position in the Midwest nursery market. Please contact me directly with all inquiries.

Sincerely,Dennis Harms, PresidentCell: 847 344 [email protected]


1st Choice Equipment ............................................43

A. Block Marketing ................................................55

Agrecol..............................................................6

Arthur Clesen Inc. .................................................50

Aspen Valley Supply ..............................................51

Bartlett Tree Experts .............................................57

Beaver Creek Nursery ..........................................57

Cardno ...................................................................46

Carlin Sales...............................................................6

Cedar Path Nurseries ...............................................29

Central Sod .............................................................12

Chicagoland Gardening .........................................69

Clesen Wholesale ...................................................56

Compost Supply .....................................................35

Dayton Bag & Burlap .............................................37

Doty Nurseries LLC ................................................6

Fairview Evergreen Nurseries ................................36

Garden Prairie Organics .........................................51

Goodmark Nurseries ..............................................47

Green Glen Nursery ...............................................71

B. Haney & Sons, Inc. ............................................59

Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. ......................................14

Homer Industries ....................................................13

Illinois Propane Gas Assoc. ..................................48

James Martin Associates .........................................62

JKS Ventures ..........................................................56

Kramer Tree Specialists ..........................................28

Lafarge Rox River Stone ........................................53

Longshadow Planters .............................................11

McGinty Bros. ........................................................59

Midwest Groundcovers ..........................................42

Midwest Trading .......................................................2

Mobile Fleet Express .............................................34

NGL Energy ...........................................................58

Perfect Turf ...........................................................62

ProAp .....................................................................45

ProGreen Plus ..........................................................6

Rainbow Farms Enterprises ....................................37

Rental Max .............................................................61

Rocks Etc. .............................................................52

RWC Insurance .....................................................36

Snowfighters Institute ............................................54

Stockyards Brick Co. ...............................................15

The Care of Trees .................................................... 6

The Mulch Center ...................................................69

Spring Meadow Nursery ........................................49

Unilock, Inc. ...........................................................72

Vermeer Midwest ...................................................67

Xylem, Inc. ............................................................52

Advertisers

By Mike Scheitz

A relatively new kid on the block, White Shield Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) is one of the toughest trees in the market. The straight species osage orange has been around for many, many years. This tree was used back in the pioneer days for building natural fences. Its ability to be sheared into a tight hedge and its unforgiving thorns made great fences to contain livestock and keep unwanted visitors out. Unlike its par-ent plant, White Shield is thornless and fruitless. It also has beau-tiful thick glossy green leaves that turn yellow in the fall.

Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’ facts—

Flowers

Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’ White Shield Osage Orange

Michael Scheitz,Nurseries DirectorGoodmark Nurseries, LLC/ South Branch Nurseries, Inc.

Mike earned a bachelors degree in Agricultural Business/Horticulture in 1985 from Illinois State University. He has more than 30 years of nursery and landscape experience. Mike was hired to establish South Branch Nurseries in 1996 and was able to assist in the acquisition of Goodmark Nurseries in 2001. Mike has led the growth of the two farms from an original 250 acre combined size to over 600 acres currently.

Foliage


35’ tall with equal spreadSize:

Greenish-white, inconspicuous flowers in June

Full sun. Tolerant of wind, salt, pollution, alkaline soils, wet and dry sites.

Culture

White Shield is fast growing and tolerates heat, drought, pol-lution, high pH, and poor soils. All these things make it a great tree for tough sites such as tree pits, parkways, and parking lot islands. It also has very few problems with disease and insects. Overall size is expected to be around 35’ by 35’.

We began growing these trees in 2014 and already sold our entire first crop for 2016 installs. If you have a site where nothing else can thrive, try White Shield. I don’t think you will regret it.

All-Star Plants

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

Glossy, dark green, clean foliage turns bright yellow in fall

the landscape contractor magazine april 2016 digital edition

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