Optima Towers is a modern, luxury high-rise residential building located in downtown Evanston. A large decorative sign overhead marks the main entrance, and a paved walk flanked with planting areas leads one down a shady, long courtyard to the main lobby. The existing landscaping of sparse, leggy plantings was not thriving due to low light conditions and wet [...]
As autumn nears, it's a good time to think spring. Spring-flowering bulbs can only be planted during the fall. Daffodils are the mainstay of the bulb garden and are reliable performers, while showy Tulips should be replenished each year to keep their impact strong. There are many other spring-flowering bulbs that are not as well [...]
Our clients purchased this charming 1920’s Dutch colonial house with plans of making it their own. The existing landscape consisted of a traditional front lawn with overgrown shrubs and a scattering of perennials. Our clients wanted to simplify the maintenance, add curb appeal and create a garden for all to enjoy. After remodeling the home's [...]
Say goodbye to the dreariness of winter, by installing a fantastic plant (or two!) that will bring plenty of inspiration and interest in your winter garden. Paperbark Maple, Acer griseum, is a low-growing, small deciduous tree with scarlet red fall color and striking cinnamon-colored bark that exfoliates.15-20’h x 10’w. Full sun-part shade. Kousa Dogwood, Cornus [...]
Looking for a dramatic plant to serve as a focal point in your garden? Think Black. Black Lace Elderberry, that is! Black Lace™ Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ ppaf) is fairly new to the United States, introduced in 2006. One could easily mistake this plant for an exotic Japanese Maple, given its lacy, finely-cut leaves that are purple-black in color. But unlike a [...]
We are proud to announce we have been recognized by the Illinois Landscape Contractor Association as a 2011 Excellence in Landscaping Award winner in the category of Residential Landscape Construction. This distinguished honor is unique because of its rigorous application criteria and that the judging is done by fellow landscapers throughout the industry. A landscape upgrade [...]
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 [...]
A well-planned landscape provides continuous, colorful inspiration as the seasons change. Autumn brings dramatic sweeps of brilliant color that last. As autumn colors fade, landscape plantings contrast starkly against winter whiteness to create a striking display of tree silhouettes, distinctive bark, colorful berries on shrubs and snow-dusted perennials rustling in the wind. You can add [...]
We all enjoy the colors of autumn leaves, delighting in their ephemeral beauty, knowing that all too soon their leaves will drop and winter will be here. Have you ever wondered why leaves change color? Plant leaves contain pigments that give them their color. The three primary pigments in a plant leaf are chlorophyll (which gives [...]
Along with the milder temperatures and beauty of fall comes an excellent opportunity for landscaping for your yard. The cooler weather is a signal for plants to stop growing new shoots and leaves above ground, but not below. Trees and shubs continue to extend their root systems, making fall an ideal time to plant. [...]