This July has been a hot one for Chicago, with an especially hot and stormy start to the month! We hope that everyone was still able to have a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend, despite the harsh weather.
In this edition of Nature’s Notes, we’re sharing the first of a two-part series on how landscape projects are priced, covering the cost factors behind plants and hardscape materials. We’ll also spotlight a full backyard transformation that reclaimed privacy and function for a historic Evanston home.
Read Nature’s Notes: July 2026 here!
In this newsletter…
Behind the Scenes: How Are Landscape Materials Priced?
Landscape project materials fall into two categories — hardscapes and plants — each with its own range of costs. Hardscape options span from budget-friendly gravel to long-lasting natural stone, while plant pricing depends on size, growth rate, and maintenance needs, from annuals swapped seasonally to slow-growing, high-value trees. Stylistic choices, like curved pathways or uncommon plant varieties, can also add to the cost. Part two of this series continues next month, covering how site factors and construction affect pricing.
Project Spotlight: Reclaiming Privacy and Pleasure
A charming 1894 Victorian home in historic Evanston had an underused, sloped side yard, accessible only by walking around the house. The redesign added a new rear entrance, a spacious deck, and branching stairways leading to separate dining and lounging areas. A worn three-tiered patio was replaced with elegant Techo-Bloc Aberdeen slabs, and a cedar privacy fence now encloses the space. Working within the city’s historic district guidelines, the project also corrected a sunken driveway, added a perennial parkway bed, and introduced hedging and a Serbian Spruce for year-round front-yard privacy.
Interested in subscribing? Contact us here!
