Where we work in Lake County & the North Shore.
We focus on a tight nine-community service area so we can be on site quickly and know each town's soils, deer pressure and microclimates first-hand.
Mundelein, IL
Our home base — Diamond Lake, downtown and the Loch Lomond neighborhoods.
Libertyville, IL
Brainerd, Greentree and the older Milwaukee Avenue properties.
Vernon Hills, IL
Cuneo Mansion area, Hawthorn Woods edge and Gregg's Landing.
Lake Forest, IL
Sheridan Road estates, Onwentsia, Deerpath and West Lake Forest.
Lake Bluff, IL
Green Bay Road, Shore Acres and the bluff-top homes.
Highland Park, IL
Ravinia, Sherwood Forest and the lakeside homes off Sheridan.
Deerfield, IL
Briarwood, Deerfield Park and the Lake Cook Road corridor.
Glenview, IL
The Glen, Indian Hill and Westmoreland.
Northbrook, IL
Royal Ridge, Mission Hills and the Sunset Ridge area.
Studio in Mundelein. Site visits across Lake County.
Most properties are within a 35-minute drive of our workshop on Quigley Street.
Designing for Northern Illinois — a few specifics.
USDA Zones 5b – 6a
Lake County straddles two USDA hardiness zones. We choose plants tested in our specific microclimate, not just nationally rated.
Deer-aware planting
From Lake Bluff to Lake Forest, deer pressure is real. We design with a tested list of unpalatable perennials and shrubs and use repellents only where necessary.
Heavy clay soils
Most North Shore properties sit on dense glacial clay. We amend, mound and select clay-tolerant species rather than fighting the soil.
Lake-effect winters
Properties closer to Lake Michigan see harsher winter desiccation. We protect evergreens and choose hardy varieties for exposed locations.
Mature tree canopy
Many Lake Forest and Highland Park lots are dominated by oaks and beeches. We plan around root zones and never compact soil within drip lines.
HOA & village permits
We handle permits and HOA submittals — including Lake Forest's strict design review and Mundelein's right-of-way permits where needed.