Congratulations Jose Sanchez

Many of you may know Jose; he probably knows your property. He is Nature’s Perspective’s Maintenance Supervisor (Tom’s right-hand man when it comes to maintenance) and does all our low-voltage lighting maintenance and repairs. Jose has worked with Nature’s Perspective since 1985. He has always been an outstanding employee with an exceptional work ethic, keen attention to detail and strong leadership skills. His most recent accomplishment is receiving his Certified Landscape Technician training and diploma.

The CLT is a voluntary, national, hands-on testing program administered by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association. It seeks to recognize proficiency in the landscape workforce and upgrade the status of the landscape professional. Certification recognizes those landscape technicians who demonstrate they can meet strict performance and safety standards. It is a difficult program, involving a long series of written tests as well as many hands-on field tests.  We are very proud that Jose undertook this endeavor and succeeded.

He will be visiting your property each month to monitor your maintenance crew’s work, to help identify and address small problems before they become big ones. Next time you see him at your home, offer him your congratulations on this wonderful achievement.

As the Certified Landscape Technician slogan states—Jose is not just qualified….he’s certified. CONGRATULATIONS JOSE!

Evergreen Accents

Summer’s splendor has come to an end. The lushness of lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers has faded, but a garden should be showing a quieter side just as beautiful as the previous season. Every garden should have its share of plants that provide interest during Chicago’s long winter season. Evergreens provide winter interest because they hold their needles through the winter months. They are, of course, the staples of the landscape; boxwoods and yews cover foundations with their green lushness. But evergreens come in all sizes, textures and colors, and can be used as specimen accents through the landscape. It’s fun to put a few small specimens in the perennial garden for a winter effect, or use a larger plant to add drama at the back of the bed. Here are a few of our favorites photographed up close, during a stroll in our nursery this afternoon.

Mops Golden Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Mops’ is a pretty little plant with a low-mounding, pyramidal form and brilliant yellow, thread-like foliage. Best color shows when planted in sun; it turns green in shade.  60″ tall x 36″ wide.

Hinoki False Cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa Some have described the way the needles are held on this unusual, slow-growing plant as resembling coral formations. Especially attractive in a Japanese garden. Its holds its dark green color best in part shade. 8’ tall x  4’ wide.

Sullivan Falsecypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Sullivan’ has softly drooping branches that provide a semi-pendulous habit. This fluffy yet narrow evergreen grows well in sun to part shade. Tips turn a bright red-orange in cooler months. We feel it performs better in this area than a Canadian Hemlock. 15′ h x 8′ w.

Blue Star Juniper Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ is a little plant with its fantastic, bright, steel-blue needles. Low-growing, slow-growing, mounded in form, it makes a great accent in a sun-loving rock garden, or as a low border plant. 24″ x 36″w.

Hetz Juniper Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetz Columnaris’ is tall and strong, yet delicately textured, with an upright, pyramidal habit and emerald green foliage. Dense, tight habit makes this plant useful as a screen. Best in sun. Blue fruit are very attractive in the fall, turning golden brown. Distilled juniper berries are the source of gin! 10′ h x 5′ w.

Globe Blue Spruce Picea pungens ‘Globosa’ is a bright blue dwarf spruce with a neat rounded habit, flat-topped and densely branched. A beautiful sun-loving specimen deserving of a place by the front door or a special spot in the garden. 36″ tall x 36″ wide. 

Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis ‘Bobazam’ is an delightful little plant that holds it attractive, unusual sage green color on soft, feathery leaves all year. This plant forms a perfectly round, compact globe. Who can resist its name? Loves sun. 24″ tall x 24″ wide.

Fire Chief Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis ‘Congabe’ is a little fireball, compact, and round, with distinctive foliage coloration of green and yellow with pinkish-red tips. Best coloration is achieved when sited in a sunny location. Never needs pruning. 36″ high x 36″ wide.