April 12, 2025
Best Native Plants for Northern Illinois Gardens
Twelve native perennials, shrubs and grasses we keep coming back to for Lake County gardens — what they need, where they shine.
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Field notes from our designers, masons and horticulturists. Practical reads for people who care about how their gardens actually grow.
November 4, 2024
Preparing Your Garden for Chicago Winters
A quiet checklist of what we do (and don't do) at every property as the temperatures drop into the 30s.
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September 18, 2024
Why We Stopped Using Dyed Bark Mulch
Eight years ago we switched all our installations to natural shredded hardwood. Here's what changed in the soil.
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July 22, 2024
A Field Guide to Lake Forest Soils
Why your neighbor's hydrangeas thrive and yours don't — a quick read on the glacial clay under most North Shore lots.
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May 30, 2024
Designing Patios That Age Beautifully
Three lessons from twenty years of laying bluestone in Northern Illinois weather cycles.
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March 8, 2024
The Case for Smaller Lawns
How we help clients shrink turf without losing the feel of their property — and what to plant instead.
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