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CONTENTS
Excellence In Landscape Awards Project
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FOCUS: Turf Education Day Turf Education Day Preview 10 Reflections Water Gardens Wins Platinum Award
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A Visit with Landscape Architect Vallari Talapatra 24 Turf Education Day Program Preview Blazing Star of the Prairie
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EN ESPAÑOL La mejor maner 40 Blazing Star of the Prairie
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Growing Trends Are EAB Treatments Harming Ash Trees? 44 Member Profile Inspire Outdoor Living, Inc. 54 Talking About Turf 56 Dormant Seeding
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Inspiration Alley 60 Go with the Flow Before You Go 62 Lucious Ligularia On the cover... Mariani Landscape won a 2025 Gold Award with this project titled Window to the World. Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTS Events Calendar 4 From Where I Stand 5 President’s Message 7 Classified Ads 57 Advertisers Index 61 Photo Credits
Awards Committee 1, 8-9 Reflections 16-22 Vallari Talapatra 24-30 Midwest Groundscovers 36-38 Daniel Wood 54-55 Rich Hauer/Jack Miesbauer 44-53 Inspire Outdoor Living 54
Dr. Aaron Patton Nina Koziol Mark Dwyer
56-57 60 62
SEPTEMBER September 3, 2026 Turf Education Day (TED) NIU Naperville Naperville, IL September 15-17, 2026 Growers Tour Ohio Nurseries September 24, 2026 Golf Outing The Village Links of Glen Ellyn Glen Ellyn, IL
OCTOBER
The official publication of Landscape Illinois, — Landscape Illinois —The Magazine is dedicated to educating, advising and informing members of this industry and furthering the goals of the Association. Landscape Illinois Magazine carries news and features relating to landscape contracting, maintenance, design and allied interests. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication. Publication reserves right to refuse advertising not in keeping with goals of Association. www. LandscapeIllinois.org. Volume 67, Number 9. Landscape Illinois Magazine (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by: the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send address changes to Landscape Illinois Magazine, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Display Advertising Sales: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 6378632; email: rmgi@comcast.net. Classified ads, Circulation and Subscription: Landscape Illinois (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 Editorial office: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Naperville, IL PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, The Magazine Committee, Landscape Illinois Staff, Landscape Illinois Magazine Staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products.
October 2-3, 2026 LIFT: The Landscape Professional Summit For Women Eaglewood Resort & Spa Itasca, IL October 15, 2026 The Impact Conference NIU Naperville Naperville, IL October 22, 2026 Young Professionals Fall Event Landscape Material & Firewood Sales, Inc. West Chicago, IL
THE STATEWIDE ASSOCIATION FOR LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS
Staff Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@landscapeillinois.org Statewide Director of Development Kellie Schmidt kschmidt@landscapeillinois.org Director of Events AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@landscapeillinois.org Education Manager Melissa Custic mcustic@landscapeillinois.org Office Manager Alycia Nagy anagy@landscapeillinois.org Membership & Marketing Manager Marissa Stubler mstubler@landscapeillinois.org
v Landscape Illinois
2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150
www.landscapeillinois.org
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Magazine Staff
Rick Reuland Publisher/Advertising Sales (630) 637-8632 rmgi@comcast.net Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com Feature Writer
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Meta Levin
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Maggie Thomas Harper Special Correspondent
Contributors Dr. Aaron Patton Kevin Donnelly Daniel Wood
sales@dotynurseries.com P 630 365 9063 MAPLE PARK 45W121 Beith Road Maple Park, IL 60151
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
HUNTLEY 14029 Church Road Huntley, IL 60142
“They say the universe is expanding. That should help with the traffic.”
joined Landscape Illinois, there will still companies talking about the mythical concept of windshield time where crews shouldn’t have to be paid for sitting in the truck going from job to job. Most of the companies who told me that found out the hard way and are either out-of-business or quietly settled class he national average for gas prices was $4.11 per gallon action suits for millions of dollars. When employees leave the at the time of this writing. Gas prices tend to peak in the shop, they are getting paid whether they sit on a mower or in late summer and begin to come back down around Labor the cab of a landscape truck listening to the radio. Day. The recent conflict in Iran means that all bets are off and Urban and suburban infrastructure planners have been gas prices will continue to yo-yo as the Strait of Hormuz opens trying to solve traffic jams since there were cars. Most of and closes like the locks on Lake Michigan. the time, the idea is to get as many drivers off the road and Anytime gas prices get historically high, trade associations into public transportation. That is not going to help service rush to help members find ways to mitigate them. Landscape companies. Other cities have implemented Illinois is no different sending links to articles HOV lanes where Illinois still seems resistant and capturing conversations like our recent to the concept blaming older, narrower roads. “Meeting after the Meeting” with our Owners We already have excessive tolls for the major and Managers committee broadcast on Bloom. interstates. Some cities have even moved to Sure, an extra buck for a gallon of gas congestion pricing where toll prices surge stinks, but aren’t we missing the bigger during rush hour to keep casual drivers at home. picture? When landscape employees climb None of those solutions directly help landscape into a truck, the gas powering the vehicle is the businesses. least of your concerns. The real cost are the 2-3 As we all know, traffic isn’t just because employees sitting in that truck driving between of too many cars. Chicagoland is built around job sites. Complaining about gas prices is like the ribbons of train lines that feed into Union complaining about the $25 baggage fee when Station or the Chicago railyards for intermodal the airline ticket already costs $800. transport. That means that the cities where most Recently, on the Landscape Insider podcast, people live also have heavily trafficked rail hosts Ryan and Aaron were interviewing Adam systems that cause delays throughout the day. Bellas of Bellas Landscaping in Bloomington. Throw in construction, ambulances, accidents, They asked him the biggest difference between and a family of geese slowly crossing a road Central Illinois and Chicagoland. Without and each day on the roads for landscape crews skipping a beat, he said, “the traffic.” He is the Oregon Trail. continued to say that his service routes can be There are very few variables in that equation spread across the city of Bloomington because that a landscape company can change. So, do the time it takes to shuttle a crew or materials we just shrug and accept traffic as a cost of or a salesperson from one side of town to the doing business? Do we invest in helicopters? other is 25 minutes. Bloomington is 28 square Do we all move to Bloomington and compete with Adam miles. That is double or triple or quintuple the size of Arlington Bellas? Heights, Mundelein, or Oak Park, yet it takes a fraction of the First things first, you can’t track what you don’t measure. time to bounce from one end of town to the other. Some companies invest in fleet tracking, some enter the National estimates put the time a landscape maintenance data into their business management system, others just use crew spends in the truck each day at 15-25% of the paid timecards. A company should understand how much time is workday. If a landscape maintenance worker is earning $25 spent in the cab of a truck and determine the true cost of a per hour, and they are working an 8-hour day, that is $750 in route. The clumsy way of tracking is looking at distance. A wages spent sitting in the cab of the truck. The math only gets job far away from the shop will naturally require more time worse from there. Overtime has been a challenge for many in the cab than one close, right? Adam Bellas can have a crew companies this year, so tack on an extra 8 hours at time and half zip across 28 miles in 25 minutes. Does the crew traveling and that swells to over a $1,000 per week. Yet, this can’t simply close to the shop have to cross multiple train crossings? Are be viewed in terms of lost wages. There is also an opportunity they constantly merging? Is there a new construction project? cost because some of those hours could be converted to Are they near a hospital or fire station? Distance is not a true billable hours which can be 3x or 4x the wage. Traffic can indicator of time spent in the vehicle. cost a business $4,000 per crew, per week. Those numbers are Once a company has the data, it can then determine its most staggering when stretched over the course of an entire year for a profitable service routes. If one service route is maximizing maintenance company. billable hours versus drive time, then guess what, that is the There will always be time spent in the truck. When I first most profitable service area. That is where an investment of Landscape Illinois Magazine 5 September 2026 - Stephen Wright, comedian
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The Traffic Jam
marketing and manpower needs to be made. If other service routes are less profitable due to traffic, those routes could use service cost increases. Should those crews start earlier or later? The route should be plugged into AI to determine if the current route is the most practical. That crew should start at the furthest site and work backwards so the jobs get closer and closer as the traffic swells. Maybe autonomous mowers make more sense on those routes to help ditch the trailer and move the crew to a smaller, swifter vehicle. Even considering quieter, electric equipment for those crews, so they can start earlier in the morning, is prudent. When the myth of windshield time was finally busted, it did create a tradeoff. That time belongs to the company. With that said, that is a delicate balance. I would assume that if anyone asks their crews, the crew enjoys climbing back into the cab of an air-conditioned truck on a hot day. Employees get to zone out, check their phones, take a cool drink, listen to music, and talk about their families. Messing with that hidden employee benefit can have consequences. With that said, that can be 1-2 hours per day. Even if management required a crew for one hour a week to listen to a training video, Bloom recording, or company-made toolbox talk brings value. In Cuba, cigar factories are a big business. There are hundreds of cigar rollers called “torcedores” who work side by side hand rolling coronas, robustos, and toros that will be sold for $50 apiece and quality is everything. On top of that, there are hundreds more leaf strippers, wrapper selectors, and color graders who work in the factory. These cigar companies used to play music for their employees and found it did not make them happier or more efficient. The employees just toiled away listening to musicians they didn’t like or choose. In the 1860s, worker’s rights groups introduced the concept of Lectores. These were employees, hand-selected by the other employees to read classic literature while they worked. The joke is that Lectores are the only true democratically elected position in Cuba. The handpicked individual would select the book and read classics like the Count of Monte Cristo, Crime and Punishment, or books by classic Cuban writers. The cigar factories found their workers were happier being exposed to literature when they worked. It energized the mind rather than make it go numb. 200 of these Lectores still work in cigar factories to this day even with smart phones and ear buds. These factories didn’t replace the concept of relaxation, they just flicked the switch from passive to active. I doubt any company is going to mandate their employee listen to 100 Years of Solitude or Moby Dick on Audible. However, there is a proven benefit to keeping the mind sharp even when doing repetitive tasks. Traffic is one of the most insidious cost challenges to service businesses today. It is one of the most difficult to fix and actualize. It is also not going away. No one likes sitting in traffic. Besides the impact on the bottom line, it has a negative impact on the job satisfaction and mental health of employees. Fuel costs are a distraction from the main problem. As an industry, we have been looking at traffic wrong for decades. Data, smart business practices, proper routing, and maybe a 160-year-old lesson learned from Cuban cigar factories can finally take the jam out of traffic.
Garden Prairie, IL (866) MARIANI 627-4264 6
Scott Grams, Executive Director August 21, 2026
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
President
Kevin McGowen Lurvey Landscape Supply (224) 500-4396 kmcgowen@lurveys.com
Vice President
Ryan Heitman The Fisher Burton Company (847) 566-9200 ryanheitman@fisherburton.com
Secretary-Treasurer
Adam Bellas Bellas Landscaping (309) 827-5263 adam@bellaslandscaping.com
Immediate Past President Kim Hartmann Rosborough Partners 847-404-7669 hartmannkim@comcast.net
Directors
Jim Cirrincione Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. (630) 323-1411 jcirrincione@hinsdalenurseries .com Shane Griffith Weed Man (847) 459-9333 shane.griffith@weedmanusa.com Tom Klitzkie Nature’s Perspective Landscaping (847) 475-7917 tklitzkie@naturesperspective.com Ashley Marrin Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc. (708) 301-2225 ashley@bretmarlandscape.com Michael Massat The Growing Place Nursery & Flower Farm, Inc. (630) 355-4000 michaelm@thegrowingplace.com Nikki Melin Midwest Groundcovers (847) 742-1790 nmelin@midwestgroundcovers.com Becky Thomas Spring Grove Nursery, Inc. (815) 448-2097 bthomas@springrovenursery.com Aaron Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 azych@iltvignocchi.com
www.landscapeillinois.org
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had the pleasure of going on the road with Kellie Schmidt in August. We visited members in central Illinois and finished the trip with a Landscape on Tap event in Rockford. In Bloomington-Normal, we visited an arborist, three landscape contractors, and a garden center. Some of the highlights here include a facility where they spelled out the steps for progression in the company on the walls. They showed how many years it would take to advance to each level. What skills they would need to acquire to ascend. The employees were happy to have Kevin McGowen clear direction to advance through the company. As someone who has worked for both small and large companies, I found the transparency very refreshing. Technology was widely accepted. Their use of autonomous mowers was common. They were surprised that Chicagoland wasn’t using them as much. They explained to me how they sell it as a premium service and it’s working. When we stopped at the ISU garden, there was a robot mowing the area. AI was not a naughty word here, as several throughout the region were using it for their operating systems and to help them develop efficiencies in the workplace. It was fascinating. In Peoria, we visited several contractors, a stone supplier, a nursery and a garden center. There was a common theme amongst all locations. Professionalism. Companies talked about nurturing successful careers instead of labor. The fleets of trucks at one location were incredible. Beautifully done. Clearly the presentation of their public image is important. The garden center we visited had a great selection to keep even the most plant crazed person excited. It is Hoerr Nurseries’ 100-year anniversary, and it was an honor to visit. Rockford was our last day, and it came too quickly! Here we visited contractors and a garden center. We also visited the Sinnissippi Gardens between stops to reflect on our days. This is a hidden gem. I had never been before but will go back. AI was also a conversation in Rockford, with some intending to use it more. Overall, this was a great experience. Apologies if we were not able to visit your company. We appreciate your involvement. Finally, I am so grateful for the three days Kellie invested in me to travel the state with her. Her relationships statewide are so critical to us all becoming one, closely knit community. Thank you, Members for your time, your willingness to share and most of all the humanity you bring to your firms every day. You make our state proud.
Kevin McGowen, President Landscape Illinois
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uve el placer de salir de gira con Kellie Schmidt en agosto. Visitamos a varios socios en el centro de Illinois y terminamos el viaje con un evento «Landscape on Tap» en Rockford. En Bloomington-Normal, visitamos a un arbolista, tres contratistas de paisajismo y un centro de jardinería. Entre lo más destacado de esta visita se encuentra una instalación en la que tenían detallados en las paredes los pasos para ascender dentro de la empresa. Mostraban cuántos años se tardaría en ascender a cada nivel y qué habilidades habría que adquirir para ello. Los empleados estaban encantados de tener una orientación clara para progresar en la empresa. Como persona que ha trabajado tanto en empresas pequeñas como grandes, me pareció muy estimulante esa transparencia. La tecnología gozaba de una amplia aceptación. El uso de cortacéspedes autónomos era habitual. Les sorprendió que en el área metropolitana de Chicago no se utilizaran tanto. Me explicaron cómo lo comercializan como un servicio premium y que está funcionando. Cuando paramos en el jardín de la ISU, había un robot cortando el césped. La inteligencia artificial no era un tema tabú aquí, ya que varias empresas de la región la utilizaban para sus sistemas operativos y para ayudarles a mejorar la eficiencia en el lugar de trabajo. Fue fascinante. En Peoria, visitamos a varios contratistas, un proveedor de piedra, un vivero y un centro de jardinería. Había un denominador común en todos los lugares: la profesionalidad. Las empresas hablaban de fomentar carreras profesionales exitosas en lugar de limitarse a la mano de obra. La flota de camiones de uno de los lugares era increíble. Estaba impecable. Está claro que la presentación de su imagen pública es importante. El centro de jardinería que visitamos tenía una selección magnífica capaz de entusiasmar incluso al más apasionado de las plantas. Hoerr Nurseries celebra su centenario, y fue un honor visitarlo. Rockford fue nuestro último día, ¡y llegó demasiado rápido! Allí visitamos a contratistas y un centro de jardinería. Y también visitamos los Jardines Sinnissippi entre una parada y otra para reflexionar sobre nuestros días. Es una joya escondida. Nunca había estado allí antes, pero volveré. La IA también fue tema de conversación en Rockford, y algunos tenían intención de utilizarla más. En general, ha sido una experiencia estupenda. Mis disculpas si no pudimos visitar vuestra empresa. Agradecemos vuestra participación. Por último, estoy muy agradecida por los tres días que Kellie me dedicó para recorrer el estado con ella. Sus relaciones en todo el estado son fundamentales para que todos nos convirtamos en una comunidad unida y muy cohesionada. Gracias, miembros, por vuestro tiempo, vuestra disposición a compartir y, sobre todo, por la humanidad que aportáis a vuestras empresas cada día. Hacéis que nuestro estado se sienta orgulloso.
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Woodlands Landscape • Mundelein Amli 900
hen we met with our client in early 2021, the goal was to develop a 3–5 year landscape plan to reinvigorate tired plantings, fill empty beds, and move beyond the repetitive materials previously recommended. By incorporating native shrubs, perennials, and thoughtfully selected annuals, our vision focused on creating a distinctive urban oasis—one that residents could enjoy while also supporting insects, birds, and butterflies. High-impact color remained a priority, but plant selection centered on species that
thrive in challenging city conditions, including high salt exposure and deep shade. To strengthen long-term success, we also conducted a full irrigation audit and upgraded the system to a smart controller, ensuring efficient watering and precise monitoring across diverse exposures. In tandem with these improvements, we initiated a multiyear pruning program to restore plant health and structure, beginning along Clark Street and moving into the rear courtyard this year.
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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by Meta L. Levin “
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ED is a unique event,” says Brandon Burns, chair of the 2026 Turf Education Day (TED), scheduled for 8a.m. to 3p.m., Thursday, September 3 at Northern Illinois University, 1120 E. Diehl, Naperville. Burns, a partner in Weed Man Lawn Care Epic3 Group, points to the variety of attendees and speakers who annually come together for the increasingly popular event. Business owners can be sitting next to hourly workers, who can talk with academic researchers, vendors and officials from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. And, as immediate past Landscape Illinois president Kim Hartmann found when she attended for the first time in 2025, there is something for everyone in the landscape industry to learn. “While I am not directly responsible for turf management at our company, the horticulture knowledge I gained provided new perspectives on environmental best practices, weed control, turf renovation and regulatory updates,” Hartmann says. “The perspectives gave me insights on how to better manage turf within the context of larger landscape solutions.” As in the past, Scott Grams, Landscape Illinois executive director, will kick off the event with a legislative update.
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He will be joined by Dan Papineau, senior director of strategic initiatives for TruGreen, who will explain “PFAS in Laymen’s Terms.” Dr. Aaron Patton, professor of horticulture and landscape architecture at Purdue University, a popular TED speaker, will deliver the morning keynote. “He has been a great asset to Turf Education Day,” says Burns. At Purdue, Dr. Patton is a leader of the applied research and extension outreach efforts and is executive director of the Midwest Turf Foundation. His keynote, “Identifying and Controlling Summer Annual Grasses,” will cover a guide to identifying and controlling 12 common summer annual grasses that plague turfgrass professionals. This will be a practical presentation. Using real world case studies, he will teach attendees to distinguish between species, as well as what pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides work best, and the dangers of misidentification. Also from Purdue, Dr. Gerald (Lee) Miller, associate professor of turfgrass pathology, will take attendees through the scorching days of late June and July that “put cool season turf (continued on page 12)
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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(continued from page 10) grasses to the test,” in his presentation titled, “Summer of ’26.” He will cover how to manage the diseases primed by these conditions. Dr. Kevin Frank, professor and turf extension specialist, Michigan State University’s Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, will keynote the afternoon session with his presentation, “Fall Turfgrass Management Practices.” He will explain why fall is the best time for turfgrass recovery, as well as to prepare the turf for the next season. Following his morning Keynote, Dr. Patton will speak on, “Purchasing New Products and Technologies: Questions to Ask.” He will discuss seven practical questions to ask yourself when making purchasing decisions. He will follow up with, “Problem Weeds: Trinity of Pain,” during which he will break down the biology behind why some weeds are so stubborn and outline practical strategies for managing them. Attendees will learn how each weed grows and spreads, when to time control efforts and which products and cultural efforts might be most effective. In his morning “Illinois Department of Agriculture Regulatory Update,” Brad Beaver, acting bureau chief, Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Environmental Programs, will talk about licensing and permitting. “He helps shape practical regulations and is
a true asset,” says Burns. Joe Magazzi, president, owner and co-founder of Branford, CT based Green Earth Ag & Turf, will speak twice during the day. At 10:45 am, he will talk about, “A Time of Neoniconoid Bans: Effective Grub Control.” He will focus on the relatively new B.t.g. technology, which is organic and which studies have shown works well when other synthetic products cannot be used for grub treatment. Later in the morning, he will speak on “Organic Pesticides to Use Where Synthetics are Banned.” He will discuss products available in the last few years, including options for weed, grub, pest and disease controls that turf professionals can use to expand treatments in areas where pesticides are restricted or where your client doesn’t want to use them. After his afternoon keynote, Dr. Frank will speak on “Fertilizer Programs and Nutrient Fate.” This will cover how to manage turfgrass while minimizing environmental impacts on water quality. He will include the best management practices for nitrogen and phosphorus applications and fertilizer technologies to minimize environmental losses. To cap the day, Josh Cull, Lawnworks of Joliet, and Jeff Kolbe, Spring Green Lawn Care, will take attendees out into the parking lot for a hands-on demonstration, “Equipment Calibration: Accurate Applications Start with Accurate (continued on page 14)
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HinsdaleNurseries.com
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
(continued from page 12) Calibration.” The work is designed to improve application accuracy, efficiency and safety. During the day, attendees will have ample opportunity to peruse and talk with the vendors and their exhibits. “They can ask questions,” says Burns. They will also hear from Russo®, the premier sponsor. Everyone will take something away from this event,” says Burns.
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Reflections Water Gardens W Platinum Award for Puttin’ On by Heather Prince
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Elevating the Pool Experience he gentle rushing of several waterfalls beckons you out to a magnificent luxury pool experience of rock ledges and elegant waters reminiscent of a tropical resort. Welcome to the Reflections Water Gardens’ Platinum Award winning project, Puttin’ on the Ritz. Rustic boulders seamlessly emerge from a low rise, cradling a custom serpentine swimming pool with a spa, secret grotto, and wading area. Four and a half waterfalls bring music and charm to the installation, softening the soundscape and bringing the magic of moving water to this backyard oasis. The Brief Platinum Pool initially reached out to Larry Carnes, founder and president of Reflections Water Gardens, to assist with the rock work and grotto elements of an extensive suburban pool project. As the project developed, Night Light, Inc. was also brought on board to provide the landscape lighting. “The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, was inspiration for this project, which we named ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’,” commented Carnes. “The clients wanted an escape at home that (continued on page 18)
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Wins On the Ritz
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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(continued from page 16) would duplicate the luxury feel of a five-star resort. They asked the team to create a personalized resort experience in their backyard, with distinct spaces for lounging, socializing and relaxing.” The clients, a professional couple who love to entertain, wanted an experience that combined a luxury oasis with Midwestern natural elements. “The couple’s style is modern and elegant, blending luxury with nature,” said Carnes. “While we originally discussed an Alpine look for the project, their taste evolved into a South Florida or Caribbean resort aesthetic.” With the goal of providing a relaxing party space, Carnes feels, “The installation fits with the couple’s desire to entertain and relax at home in a custom, high-end environment. It gives them dedicated spaces to host parties, sit by the water, jump off the rocks, and enjoy cocktails inside a custom grotto.” Opportunities and Challenges The project installation was not a small endeavor. The pool area is 2,180 square feet and dominates the backyard of the modern home. Carnes installed 300 tons of weathered limestone boulders, plus river stones and cobblestones to create an authentic naturalistic look. By using natural materials, the ledges, waterfalls, and grottos seem to spring from the slope, mimicking the Midwest area’s stacked limestone formations. Four and a
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half waterfalls enliven the space from the impressive falls that cascade over the grotto to smaller secondary ones that are six and eight feet across. The feature piece of the installation is the custom-built grotto. A single 13-foot stone slab conceals a sitting area with clever cocktail ledges built right in. “One of my favorite moments of this project, was driving to a quarry in Wisconsin to hand-pick the perfect massive stone slab for the grotto’s roof,” commented Carnes. “The grotto was to be the signature piece, so the slab roof had to be distinctive, the right size, and perfectly complement the high-end style of the overall design.” All that stonework requires support. The team constructed an 83-inch-tall retaining wall. “The rocks rest on a two-footthick concrete floor built with heavy rebar cages,” reported Carnes. “The boulders are dry set, drilled, pinned with vertical epoxy rebar and backfilled with 40 cubic yards of concrete.” This elaborate system is here to stay no matter what kind of weather Illinois dishes out. To conceal that support system, “635 cubic yards of excavated soil were repurposed on-site to build a large supporting berm.” The team added new turf and planted shade trees to soften and blend the berm into the landscape, creating a natural feel to the installation. As with all landscape installations, there’s a degree of flexibility and thinking on your feet that is required. “The design (continued on page 22)
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(continued from page 18) evolved during construction, requiring the team to redesign structural elements on the fly,” commented Carnes. “Mid-build, the pool equipment pad was relocated to the back corner of the yard. This adjustment required all plumbing to be rerouted around to the front of the pool. The site also presented spatial constraints. The crew had to maneuver heavy machinery and construct the soil berms carefully to avoid encroaching on the property’s septic field.” “The project was an incredible opportunity to enhance our engineering skills in structural permanence and naturalistic design,” said Carnes. “We designed a system that completely hides a massive, heavy concrete support structure under a seamless arrangement of natural boulders. This was a great opportunity to collaborate with Platinum Pool, which handled the pool build and plumbing, and Night Light Inc., which managed the illumination.”
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The Results This extraordinary pool project has far exceeded the clients’ expectations and has become their summertime hot spot. A unique blend of hard and soft, it has become a destination for parties, but also a quiet oasis to soak in some sun, splash in the water, or have a quiet drink. “Everyone on the team feels incredibly proud of the results of this project,” reported Carnes. “It thoughtfully integrates the natural look of the stone with the modern style of the house. One of the important experiences that stands out for me is the structural engineering’s scale and placement. The massive pool and grotto completely transform the once typical Illinois backyard. Today, you would think you’re at a luxury getaway in Orlando or Las Vegas, yet ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz also seamlessly blends into its natural Midwest environment.”
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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A Visit With Landscape Architect Vallari Talapatra and Her Gardens by Nina A. Koziol Editor’s Note: This is another in a series of articles that feature the home landscapes of green industry professionals Landscape Illinois members, plant breeders, nursery owners, public garden staff and educators. After all, who wouldn’t like a little peak at what peers are doing around their own homes?
V
allari Talapatra enjoys her garden every day whether it’s taking a stroll and looking at the plants and butterflies, photographing the sunrise or sunset or looking at the delightful front garden from her office window. “I try to photograph the garden in all its various beautiful modes and in every season.” You may have seen some of her award-winning photos on display at iLandscape. Her journey to becoming a landscape architect took her across the globe and through other disciplines. After earning a degree in architecture in New Delhi, India, she came to the U.S. in 1992 to pursue a degree in landscape architecture. “In India, people put a lot of stress on education,” said Talapatra, president of Eco Scapes, Inc. in Wheaton. “You’re either a doctor or an engineer, and it was the same thing in my family. My dad wanted me to be a doctor, but I wanted to pursue art and engineering. The best thing I ever did was to go into studying architecture. It prepares you to observe beauty, create designs and pay attention to the structure of things and the construction involved,” she said. As an architect, she worked at a conservation firm in New Delhi, where she thrived in one of her projects — creating a master plan for a temple complex. That’s when she realized she loved designing outdoor spaces and decided to pursue that work. Career Talapatra picked the University of Illinois for landscape architecture and had a teaching assistantship. “I specialized in behavioral aspects of design and that’s what I did for my research work at Construction Engineering Research Lab in Champaign. I was studying the impact of trees and vegetation on energy bills at Army installations. This gave me an early understanding of the impact of landscape on people and places.” In 1994, she received a graduate degree in landscape architecture, and soon after began working at The Natural Garden in St. Charles. In 2000, after The Natural Garden dissolved its design (continued on page 26) 24
Backyard, Mixed Border
View of backyard in August
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Playing with Layering and textural contrast
The structural plantings in the backyard
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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(continued from page 24) department, she started her own company, Eco Scapes, Inc. She had a 3-year-old son, Sahas, and her daughter, Anya, was born in 2001. During that decade, seven publications wrote about her work. “I was flying high and had a lot of exposure, but I still wanted to remain small because I really wanted to enjoy my kids.” At Home in the Garden In 1999, she and her husband, Ruchir, purchased a home in Wheaton on one-third acre. “The house is in the historic district near the downtown and the sense of place that it creates is what we wanted,” she explained. The Georgian-style house had orange brick and yews. “It was very 1950s. I didn’t like the front elevation. Before I did anything with the inside, I did the outside.” She removed the yews and designed a low retaining wall to deal with the slope. “In Illinois, if you have a slope, you show it off!” When you walk into her garden, you can tell that it was designed with the “two-pronged approach” that she teaches. “Reading the client and reading the land— those are the two most important things that you should consider when you are designing a garden,” she said. “Start with the structural things first. The serviceberry, Japanese maple and redbud went in followed by shrubs, and lastly, the perennials.” Today, the front garden features a butterfly habitat. “I took all the lawn away — it was so small. What was the point of it?” It’s not a pure prairie, but a mix of nativars and even some old-fashioned irises and peonies that she inherited with the house. Just as she appreciates structure, she also likes working with nature and doesn’t seem to mind when the latter takes over. Butterfly weed pops up through the perennial geraniums. “There’s minimal control. Let me see what nature does.” Some of the perennials include catmint, Dianthus, Penstemon, Stachys, fall-blooming anemones, day lilies and foxgloves. They thrive alongside natives like Ruellia, Callirhoe, Monarda and Liatris. The garden was designed to be enjoyed throughout the year. Her four-season front yard always attracts neighbors who stop (continued on page 28) 26
Front yard prairie
Front yard prairie in summer
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
The slope has been put to good use
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(continued from page 26) to see what’s in bloom. The foundation plantings of boxwoods and hydrangeas and careful positioning of small ornamental trees create the backbone for more informal plantings. “I love structural plants like yuccas and had to use those,” she noted. One of her favorite shrubs is Hydrangea ‘Tuff Stuff’. “It’s short and the blooms are beautiful—a combination of pink and cream. And, in the fall, the garden is an absolute delight.” Native asters, coneflowers, coreopsis and grasses join other perennials. Drifts of golden sedge (Carex elata ‘Aurea’) provide repetition, making the garden feel more cohesive. The back garden features an inviting bluestone patio that runs the width of the house. Talapatra also designed the gardens for two adjacent neighbors, extending site lines in all directions. “The property feels huge, and we have hosted 100 people through our gardens.” Privacy was key and is provided by arborvitaes interspersed with tall hydrangeas and a mixed layered border. Outcropping stones, used for seating, were repeated to unify the garden. The rectangular form of the garden features wall stone that’s used as edging and as a wall. Site lines from the large windows were carefully considered when she created focal points. “Bringing the outside in is a very big part of my design, and I made sure that I was able to do that both in the front and back.” Tiger Eye sumac and Forest Pansy redbud are two accents used in the backyard. Anemones, bleeding hearts, Amsonia, and day lilies join native ferns and woodland phlox. “As a sunset chaser, I especially love the corner of the back yard where I can sit and enjoy the western sky.”
Front yard prairie area in spring and winter
Teaching Talapatra has taught at The Morton Arboretum for 30 years and at the College of DuPage for 10. “I love teaching and giving back some of the things that I have learned over 35 years. I love seeing how students, young and old, can get inspired into going into the landscape design field.” It’s not surprising that she is drawn to teaching as her mother taught elementary (continued on page 30) 28
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Native Callirrhoe spills on to the sidewalk
Though there are no large trees in the garden, the neighbor’s trees have been used effectively to get privacy and the four-season interest of a mixed border.
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
The large windows have made it possible to have the inside-outside connection.
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(continued from page 28) school for 26 years. “And my grandfather set up schools all over the Caribbean Islands, and he wrote 47 books. Pedagogy is in my blood,” she said. Designer at Work Talapatra loves doing design and handdrawn plans. “Absolutely hand drawing! I learned auto-CAD as an architect, but it was brand new then and extremely expensive and laborious. At The Natural Garden, I was hand drawing and it became second nature to me.” She loves teaching some of those same skills in her Landscape Graphics and Landscape Design classes. Talapatra is the first to admit that she doesn’t like dealing with the business side. “Growing into a big company—I would not have enjoyed it. This way I’m in contact with my clients and there’s been a lot of satisfaction with that. Sometimes you just listen to your gut, and my gut was telling me to stay small.” Nowadays, she only takes up to 10 clients a year. “It’s word of mouth. As I am seeking other things to do, I don’t want too many clients. I’d rather work with people who understand me.” Although the bulk of her design work is residential, she does other projects too. She is particularly fond of the planting strip garden she designed in 2022 for the Wheaton Public Library, where she serves on the board. Several natives, including blazing star, bee balm, and prairie dropseed meander through the long, narrow bed. “I did the pathway in the shape of a Fibonacci spiral. The director said it’s a high traffic spot and that the kids love walking through that spiral.” “Though our work with nature is never fully done, what I cherish the most is to see a project completed—to see the plan you drew and the actual results, and then in time, receive beautiful, hand-written notes from clients,” Talapatra said. “Words of affirmation that I truly treasure and above all, the joy that I created a happy spot for them, in turn, makes me feel happy.”
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Pictured in this shot are Gallardia that were given to her by her uncle who grew them from seeds and brought them from Denver. The Stachys were a gift from her friend who had a lot and in the distance are Lilliums that were a gift from her friend for her birthday 5 years ago. This idea of fitting in all these little plants in a cohesive way but yet they are able to tell an individual story is seen all through the garden.
There is no better opportunity for observing dramatic skies than with the garden as a foreground.
September 3, 2026 NIU Conference Center Naperville, IL
THE STATEWIDE ASSOCIATION FOR LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS
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6:00 - 7:15 AM
offer your clients for grubs that worked, and certainly none that were cost-effective. That is no longer the case with the game-changing new B.t.g. technology. B.t.g is organic and has been proven, in side-by-side university studies, to work as well as neonicotinoids or Acelepryn and has no off-target effects on people, pets or other beneficial insects. Price changes mean it is now competitive with Acelepryn G in most areas. In addition, organic products are often allowed or exempted where other synthetic products cannot be used. A true game-changer – B.t.g now gives you a cost-effective option for grub treatment to expand into the fast-growing natural turf care market or for use where synthetic options are not allowed nor desired!
Exhibitor Set Up Atrium 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM
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Room 105 Purchasing New Products and Technologies: Questions to Ask
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE & PFAS IN LAYMAN’S TERMS
Dr. Aaron Patton, Purdue University With so many new products and technologies entering the market, making smart purchasing decisions can be difficult. Learn seven practical questions every turf manager should ask before investing in new equipment or products.
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Scott Grams, Landscape Illinois Dan Papineau, TruGreen
8:45 AM - 8:45 AM
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OPENING KEYNOTE:
Auditorium Identifying and Controlling Summer Annual Grasses
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Dr. Aaron Patton, Purdue University Join Dr. Aaron Patton for an essential guide to identifying and controlling twelve common summer annual grasses that plague turfgrass professionals. Learn how to distinguish species such as crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtails, and Japanese stiltgrass through seedheads, plant characteristics, and growth habits. The session also reviews preemergence and postemergence herbicides, along with real-world case studies demonstrating how proper identification leads to more effective control.
Dr. Lee Miller The Windy City endured several scorching days in late June – through July that put cool season turfgrasses to the test. In this discussion, we’ll talk about the trials and tribulations of the summer season in the context of the weather pattern, and how to manage pesky diseases primed by stressful conditions.
10:45 AM — 11:15 AM
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Room 111 Illinois Department of Agriculture Regulatory Update
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Brad Beaver, Illinois Department of Agriculture Hear the latest regulatory updates affect- Sponsored by— ing Illinois lawn care professionals, including pesticide regulations, compliance requirements, and enforcement priorities.
Morning Break & Exhibitor Visits
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A Time of Neonicotinoid Bans: Effective, Organic Grub Control Joe Magazzi, Green Earth Ag & Turf
Auditorium
Organic Pesticides to Use Where Synthetics are Banned
The environment is changing for turf care professionals; more Joe Magazzi, Green Earth Ag & Turf and more pesticides are being banned or restricted, a younger generation of homeowners are more environmentally conscious Organics are no longer a compromise! With and the demand for more natural or organic options is growing by pesticide laws getting more stringent and an estimated 6% per year (Businesswire by Berkshire Hathaway). customer demand for organic lawns growing, Previously, there weren’t any non-synthetic treatment options to the timing is perfect for new and effective alternatives to 32 Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
synthetic pesticides, so you don’t lose sales in these rapidly expanding markets. Innovative products have become available in the last few years, including many new options for weed, grub, pest, and disease controls to help you grow your natural turf and landscape offerings and expand treatments into areas where pesticides are otherwise restricted or not desired.
1:50 PM — 2:00 PM
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Fertilizer Programs and Nutrient Fate
Room 105 Problem Weeds: Trinity of Pain
Dr. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University
Dr. Aaron Patton, Purdue University Some weeds earn their reputation. Lesser celandine, yellow nutsedge, and creeping bentgrass are a real pain for lawn care professionals, each for different reasons. This Sponsored by— session breaks down the biology behind why these three are so stubborn and walks through practical strategies for managing them. You will leave with a clearer understanding of how each weed grows and spreads, when to time your control efforts, and which products and cultural practices give you the best shot at winning the battle. practices give you the best shot at winning the battle.
Noon -1:00 PM LUNCH - Room 101
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Fall Turfgrass Management Practices Dr. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Fall is the season of turfgrass recovery and renewal. Many practices are optimized in the fall, including reseeding, aeration, fertilization, and weed control. This presentation will discuss the benefits and reasons fall is the perfect time for turfgrass recovery and preparing the turf for the next season. Sponsor:
Turfgrass management, specifically fertilizer applications, are often implicated in urban water quality issues. This presentation will discuss how to manage turfgrass responsibly while minimizing environmental impacts on water quality. Best management practices for nitrogen and phosphorus applications, and fertilizer technologies to minimize environmental losses will be presented.
Room 111 / Parking Lot Equipment Calibration Demonstration : Accurate Applications Start with Accurate Sponsored by— Josh Cull, LawnWorks of Joliet. and Jeff Kolbe, SpringGreen Lawn Care Accurate equipment calibration is essential for achieving consistent, effective, and economical turf and landscape applications. This live, hands-on demonstration will guide industry professionals through the proper methods for calibrating fertilizer spreaders and liquid spraying equipment using real-world application equipment. Attendees will see practical, step-by-step calibration techniques for verifying application rates, identifying common sources of error, and making the adjustments necessary to deliver products at their intended rates. The demonstration will also illustrate how equipment setup, operating speed, spread width, nozzle output, pressure, and other variables can affect application accuracy. Emphasis will be placed on how proper calibration promotes consistent results, reduces over and under-application, minimizes product waste, and improves overall economic efficiency. Participants will leave with practical calibration methods they can confidently apply to their own equipment and operations.
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Midwest Plant Talk
Blazing Stars of the Prairie: Choosing the Right Liatris By Mandy Komes-Leifheit
F
ew native perennials put on a summer show quite like Liatris, commonly known as Blazing Star or Gayfeather. Their vibrant purple flower spikes rise above the surrounding landscape, providing weeks of color while attracting an incredible diversity of pollinators. While they may look similar at first glance, each species has its own personality, making it easy to find the perfect fit for almost any sunny landscape. Natural Garden Natives currently offers four exceptional species, with a fifth exciting accession in production. Liatris aspera – Rough Blazing Star Best for: Dry prairies, savannas, and well-drained landscapes A favorite of prairie restorations and garden settings, Liatris aspera is distinguished by its tall, slender stems and widely spaced flower heads that give it a more open, natural appearance than the dense spikes of L. spicata or L. pycnostachya. Its rough-textured leaves inspired its common name, Rough Blazing Star. Blooming in late summer, it provides an important nectar source when many other prairie flowers are beginning to fade. Height: 3–5 feet • Soil Moisture: Dry to medium • Flower: Large, widely spaced flower heads along a slender stem • Bloom Time: August–September • Pollinators: Monarchs, swallowtails, fritillaries, native bees, bumble bees, skippers, and hummingbirds.
Liatris squarrosa – Scaly Blazing Star Best for: Dry to mesic prairies and naturalized landscapes Unlike the dense flower spikes of many blazing stars, Liatris squarrosa features a looser, more open flower spike with large individual blooms that create a distinctive architectural look. • Height: 18–24 inches • Soil Moisture: Dry • Flower: Open, airy spikes with larger individual flowers • Bloom Time: July–August • Pollinators: Butterflies, native bees, and parasitic wasps
Liatris aspera
Liatris spicata
Liatris spicata – Marsh Blazing Star Best for: Rain gardens, moist meadows, and heavier soils One of the most recognizable blazing stars, Liatris spicata produces dense, bottlebrush-like flower spikes that bloom from the top down — a unique characteristic of the genus. It performs exceptionally well in moist soils but is adaptable to typical garden conditions. • Height: 3–4 feet • Soil Moisture: Moist to well-drained • Flower: Dense, narrow spikes • Bloom Time: July–August • Pollinators: Butterflies, bees, songbirds, and beneficial insects (continued on page 42) 36
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Midwest Plant Talk (continued from page 40)
Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii
Liatris pycnostachya – Prairie Blazing Star Best for: Tallgrass prairies, meadows, and naturalized plantings The tallest species we currently grow, Liatris pycnostachya creates a dramatic vertical accent in the landscape. Its robust stems and dense flower spikes make it a favorite for pollinators and an outstanding cut flower. • Height: 4–6 feet • Soil Moisture: Moist to well-drained • Flower: Thick, dense flower spikes • Bloom Time: July–August • Pollinators: Hummingbirds, butterflies, native bees, songbirds, and beneficial insects
Liatris cylindracea
Coming Soon: Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii This monarch magnet is my personal Favorite. I am excited that we have begun trialing Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii, one of the showiest blazing stars native to the Midwest. This species features large, widely spaced flower heads that create a bold, open display unlike the dense spikes of L. spicata or L. pycnostachya. The dark stems makes this liatris standout. Blooming later than many other Liatris species, it extends the nectar season well into late summer, making it especially valuable for migrating Monarch butterflies and late-season native bees. A Pollinator Powerhouse No matter which species you choose, Liatris is one of the best native perennials for supporting wildlife. Their nectar-rich flowers attract native bees, bumble bees, butterflies, skippers, hummingbirds, beneficial wasps, and numerous other pollinating insects. As the flowers fade, the seed heads continue to provide food for goldfinches and other songbirds, adding ecological value long after the blooms have finished. Whether you’re designing a dry prairie, restoring a wet meadow, or adding vertical interest to a home landscape, there’s a Liatris perfectly suited for the job.
SPECIES
HEIGHT
MOISTURE
FLOWER FORM
BLOOM TIME
TOP POLLINATORS
BEST LANDSCAPE USE
Liatris cylindracea
12–18 in.
Dry
Short, compact flower spikes Jul–Sep with large florets
Native bees, small butterflies Rock gardens, dry slopes, sandy soils
Liatris squarrosa
18–24 in.
Dry
Loose, open spikes with large Jul–Aug individual flower heads
Butterflies, native bees
Dry prairies, open woodlands
Liatris spicata
3–4 ft.
Moist to Medium
Dense, bottlebrush flower spikes
Jul–Aug
Monarchs, swallowtails, bees, hummingbirds
Rain gardens, meadows, garden borders
Liatris aspera
3–5 ft.
Dry to Medium
Tall stems with widely spaced flower heads
Aug–Sep
Monarchs, bumble bees, skippers
Dry prairies, savannas, naturalized plantings
Liatris pycnostachya
4–6 ft.
Medium to Moist
Thick, dense flower spikes
Jul–Aug
Monarchs, hummingbirds, native bees
Tallgrass prairies, large meadows
Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii
3–5 ft.
Dry to Medium
Large, widely spaced flower heads
Aug–Sep
Monarchs, late-season bees
Prairie restorations, pollinator gardens
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Estrellas resplandecientes de la pradera: cómo elegir la liatris adecuada Por Mandy Komes-Leifheit
P
ocas plantas perennes autóctonas ofrecen un espectáculo veraniego como el de la Liatris, conocida comúnmente como «Blazing Star» o «Gayfeather». Sus vibrantes espigas de flores moradas se elevan por encima del paisaje circundante, aportando color durante semanas y atrayendo a una increíble diversidad de polinizadores. Aunque a primera vista puedan parecer similares, cada especie tiene su propia personalidad, lo que facilita encontrar la opción perfecta para casi cualquier paisaje soleado. Natural Garden Natives ofrece actualmente cuatro especies excepcionales, con una quinta y emocionante incorporación en fase de producción. Liatris aspera – Rough Blazing Star (Estrella ardiente rugosa) Ideal para: praderas secas, sabanas y paisajes bien drenados. Una de las favoritas para la restauración de praderas y la creación de jardines, la Liatris aspera se distingue por sus tallos altos y esbeltos y sus cabezas florales muy espaciadas, que le dan un aspecto más abierto y natural que las densas espigas de la L. spicata o la L. pycnostachya. Sus hojas de textura áspera inspiraron su nombre común, ‘Rough Blazing Star’. Florece a finales de verano y constituye una importante fuente de néctar cuando muchas otras flores de la pradera empiezan a marchitarse. • Altura: 3–5 pies. • Humedad del suelo: de seco a medio.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Flor: cabezas florales grandes y muy espaciadas a lo largo de un tallo esbelto. Época de floración: agosto-septiembre. Polinizadores: mariposas monarca, mariposas de cola de golondrina, fritillarias, abejas autóctonas, abejorros, mariposas de la familia Hesperiidae y colibríes.
Liatris aspera
Liatris spicata
40
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Liatris cylindracea
Liatris squarrosa – Estrella ardiente escamosa. Ideal para: praderas secas a mesófilas y paisajes naturalizados. A diferencia de las densas espigas florales de muchas estrellas ardientes, la Liatris squarrosa presenta una espiga más suelta y abierta, con grandes flores individuales que crean un aspecto arquitectónico característico. • Altura: 18–24 pulgadas • Humedad del suelo: Seco • Flor: Espigas abiertas y aireadas con flores individuales más grandes • Época de floración: Julio–agosto • Polinizadores: Mariposas, abejas autóctonas y avispas parásitas Liatris spicata – Estrella ardiente de los pantanos Ideal para: Jardines pluviales, praderas húmedas y suelos más pesados Una de las estrellas ardientes más reconocibles, Liatris spicata produce espigas florales densas, con forma de cepillo de botella, que florecen de arriba abajo —una característica única del género—. Se desarrolla excepcionalmente bien en suelos húmedos, pero se adapta a las condiciones típicas de un jardín • Altura: 3–4 pies • Humedad del suelo: De húmedo a bien drenado • Flor: Espigas densas y estrechas • Época de floración: julio-agosto • Polinizadores: Mariposas, abejas, pájaros cantores e insectos beneficiosos
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Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii
Liatris pycnostachya – Estrella ardiente de la pradera Ideal para: praderas de hierba alta, prados y plantaciones naturalizadas. La Liatris pycnostachya, la especie más alta que cultivamos actualmente, aporta un espectacular toque vertical al paisaje. Sus robustos tallos y sus densas espigas florales la convierten en una de las favoritas de los polinizadores y en una excelente flor de corte. • Altura: 4–6 pies. Suelo • Humedad: Húmedo a bien drenado. • Flor: Espigas florales gruesas y densas. • Época de floración: Julio–agosto. Polinizadores: Colibríes, mariposas, abejas autóctonas, pájaros cantores e insectos beneficiosos. Liatris cylindracea
SPECIES
HEIGHT
MOISTURE
Próximamente: Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii Esta especie, que atrae a las mariposas monarca, es mi favorita. Me entusiasma que hayamos comenzado a probar la Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii, una de las «estrellas ardientes» más vistosas autóctonas del Medio Oeste. Esta especie se caracteriza por sus grandes cabezas florales, muy espaciadas entre sí, que crean un espectáculo llamativo y abierto, a diferencia de las densas espigas de la L. spicata o la L. pycnostachya. Los tallos oscuros hacen que esta Liatris destaque. Al florecer más tarde que muchas otras especies de Liatris, prolonga la temporada de néctar hasta bien entrado el final del verano, lo que la hace especialmente valiosa para las mariposas monarca migratorias y las abejas autóctonas de final de temporada. Un auténtico motor de polinización: independientemente de la especie que elijas, la Liatris es una de las mejores plantas perennes autóctonas para favorecer la vida silvestre. Sus flores, ricas en néctar, atraen a abejas autóctonas, abejorros, mariposas, esfíngidos, colibríes, avispas beneficiosas y numerosos otros insectos polinizadores. A medida que las flores se marchitan, las cabezas de semillas siguen proporcionando alimento a los jilgueros y otras aves cantoras, lo que añade valor ecológico mucho después de que la floración haya terminado. Tanto si estás diseñando una pradera seca, restaurando un prado húmedo o añadiendo interés vertical al jardín de tu casa, hay una Liatris perfecta para cada caso.
FLOWER FORM
BLOOM TIME
TOP POLLINATORS
BEST LANDSCAPE USE
Liatris cylindracea
12–18 in.
Dry
Short, compact flower spikes Jul–Sep with large florets
Native bees, small butterflies Rock gardens, dry slopes, sandy soils
Liatris squarrosa
18–24 in.
Dry
Loose, open spikes with large Jul–Aug individual flower heads
Butterflies, native bees
Dry prairies, open woodlands
Liatris spicata
3–4 ft.
Moist to Medium
Dense, bottlebrush flower spikes
Jul–Aug
Monarchs, swallowtails, bees, hummingbirds
Rain gardens, meadows, garden borders
Liatris aspera
3–5 ft.
Dry to Medium
Tall stems with widely spaced flower heads
Aug–Sep
Monarchs, bumble bees, skippers
Dry prairies, savannas, naturalized plantings
Liatris pycnostachya
4–6 ft.
Medium to Moist
Thick, dense flower spikes
Jul–Aug
Monarchs, hummingbirds, native bees
Tallgrass prairies, large meadows
Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii
3–5 ft.
Dry to Medium
Large, widely spaced flower heads
Aug–Sep
Monarchs, late-season bees
Prairie restorations, pollinator gardens
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Are EAB Treatments Harming Ash Trees? A Milwaukee Case Study By Heather Prince
S
ince first discovered in Michigan in 2002, emerald ash borer (EAB) has been with us for almost 25 years. Although millions of trees have been lost, systemic insecticide treatments have ensured that many trees survive. But how are those treatments affecting the trees? A team of researchers led by Rich Hauer, Ph.D., professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Jake Miesbauer, Ph.D., arboriculture scientist at The Morton Arboretum, has recently completed a study with the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin investigating the long-term impacts of repeated injection treatments of emamectin benzoate to protect the city’s ash tree population from EAB. A research partner with a deep relationship with the professors at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Milwaukee was chosen as a test site because it had thousands of large ash trees that had been treated on the emamectin benzoate three-year cycle for many years. A large population of mature repeatedly treated trees provided an excellent opportunity for data collection. The city also has a remove and replace program, so sample trees were easily available for dissection and testing. When Milwaukee was facing down the EAB invasion in 2008 and crafting a management plan, the city weighed several factors. “At the time, we had roughly 32,000 ash trees and prior to the first injection year (2009), we were considering the economic and environmental impacts of losing or protecting what was roughly 17% of the tree canopy we maintain,” said Erin Stokel, Forestry Services Manager of the City of Milwaukee. “Looking at other municipalities, particularly those in Michigan that were hit with EAB before the industry and preferred treatment methods could fully catch up, we had time to consider our options and what the cost would be to lose such a large portion of our tree canopy.” Emamectin benzoate was approved for EAB treatment in 2008 as researchers scrambled for solutions to the devastating pest. It provided demonstrated effectiveness and quickly became the industry standard. “We had the luxury of planning ahead after seeing cities before us devastated by the rapid loss of (continued on page 46) 44
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
(continued from page 44) their ash tree population. That planning phase included cost/benefit analysis of treating versus removals, strategy to secure funding for ash injections, researching best application methods and products, and preparing a presentation for our Mayor and city council so they understood the consequences of removing versus treating.” As Milwaukee weighed its options between treatment and sanitation by removing ash trees, in many ways it came down to the numbers. “By our estimation, the cost to remove and replace our ash population was $27 million versus $600,000 per year to treat with insecticides,” commented Stokel. “That $27 million (for context, today Forestry’s total annual budget is about $24 million) included the labor costs of removing and replacing the ash and the economic benefit loss from losing such a large number of otherwise healthy, mature trees. There also were concerns about capacity to remove all of the trees before they began falling on houses, vehicles, etc. We wouldn’t have enough staff in-house and were concerned that the (continued on page 48)
46
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
(continued from page 46) private industry also would be saturated with ash removals. While using insecticides is never without risk, we chose trunk injections with a plugs system, meaning that every injection site is sealed with a plug to keep any possible exposure to the public to a bare minimum. The thought was that the cost of treating our ash population was far outweighed by the benefits these trees provide and it was impractical at best to think we could manage the rapid, widespread loss of the ash population before significant damage to property or injury to people took place.” Miesbauer and Hauer chose 60 trees for their study. The ash trees were 16 to 22 inches at DBH (diameter breast height), which was big enough to be manageable in size but also old enough to receive a minimum of four and maximum of six rounds of injections. “We selected the trees in August of 2021 for this study,” reported Miesbauer. “We selected trees based on their size and location, making sure the distribution was fairly even and representative across the city.” Then we each individually ranked the trees’ condition and we averaged our scores. They also recorded whether externally visible blowouts at injection sites were present where the plug wasn’t placed correctly or the incorrect amount of pressure was applied. These blowouts, or damage where the bark separates from the trunk, are quickly sealed by the tree, but the scientists wanted to see if they affected tree health. Additionally, they considered how wide the planting strip was between the sidewalk and the street. According to Miesbauer. “They were all street trees, so we wanted to see if planting location was a factor.” In the late winter of 2022, the 60 trees selected were harvested and shipped to The Morton Arboretum where they were cut with a chainsaw into 6-inch slices or cookies. “We had no idea what we were going to find when we cut open these trees,” commented Miesbauer. It was immediately apparent that the insecticide treatment had caused staining on the interior wood. The injection sites were also preserved as the trees sealed the wounds and grew wood around them. (continued on page 50)
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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(continued from page 48) And the results? “We haven’t seen any real negative repercussions,” reported Miesbauer. “The trees seal over the injection wounds incredibly fast, usually within a year or two. Even a three-inch wide blowout was sealed within three to four years. The staining is most likely some type of defense compound that the trees produced in reaction to the injection. We did find some small amounts of decay fungi when we sent out for DNA analysis, but the wood was solid. Overall, these treatments are working.” The study reinforced the remarkable resilience of trees. “People heal; trees compartmentalize,” commented Miesbauer. “When I get a cut, I get new cells and it disappears. If a tree gets injured, it puts new wood around it. But you’ll still see that injury many years later within the inside of the tree.” Miesbauer stressed that technicians should (continued on page 52)
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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(continued from page 50) rigorously follow the manufacturer directions for pressure and plug placement when injecting pesticides to reduce injury to the tree. The City of Milwaukee continues to treasure its urban canopy and its mature ash trees. “Our ash population is old relative to our entire canopy,” stated Stokel. “Green ash in particular were used on many blocks as a replacement tree for the loss of American elms after Dutch Elm Disease. Although we are more proactive now in diversifying our tree population, that still left us with many neighborhoods or blocks comprised entirely of large, mature green ash lining the streets. Losing these trees in just a matter of a few years would have been devastating to those neighborhoods on many fronts: environmentally, economically, and relative to the benefits a healthy tree canopy can provide for our physical and mental wellbeing. I also consider that even if we had removed more of them early on, the trees planted in their place still would be a fraction of their predecessors’ size now, providing only a fraction of the benefits. Preserving these trees, and the benefits they provide to our community, allows us to be more intentional in replacing them so no one block, street, or neighborhood is disproportionately impacted by the collective loss of our ash trees.”
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Inspire Outdoor Living, Inc. Edvin Lopez Bartlett, IL 60103 (630) 888-9271 contact@inspireoutdoorliving.com Inspireoutdoorliving.com
by Meta L. Levin
E
dvin Lopez and his father, Edvin, Sr., are close. In 2020, Lopez’s father, who had experience in the landscape industry, joined his son in starting Inspire Outdoor Living, Inc. in Bartlett. Although the senior Lopez retired in April of 2025, he continues to serve as a trusted advisor, says his son. “His perspective is invaluable when making strategic decisions that impact the future of the business.” Initially Inspire Outdoor Living was just the father and son. At the time Lopez was working as a safety and environmental manager, “a role that instilled in me a deep respect for systems, structure, accountability and the responsibility that comes with leading people.” He has taken an OSHA training course and holds a project manager certification from Triton Community College in River Grove. The fledgling company benefitted from a unique set of circumstances: during the pandemic, the landscape industry
54
was allowed to continue operations, customers were working from home and many people Lopez knew were out of work and looking for a job. Within the first year, they realized that they needed more help, calling on friends and family members to work for them. “We’re still growing,” he says. Now Inspire Outdoor Living employs eight to 10 people during the season. “Our employees bring an incredible work ethic to our company.” Initially, they offered basic landscape services, but soon clients began asking for more. “Right away we started to hire people with skills,” says Lopez. In addition, he began taking advantage of training available through Landscape Illinois, as well as vendors, such as Unilock®. “I want to continue to educate myself about this industry,” he says. “When I entered the landscaping industry, I started from the ground up, working hands-on in the field and learning every aspect of the trade. Those early years shaped my work ethic.”
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
They also helped to give him a clear vision of not only how he wants to run the company, but his broader mission, as well. “Through continuous education, leadership development and active involvement in professional organizations, I transitioned from working in the field to leading a structured, systems driven company focused on long term relationships, high standards and a strong culture,” he says. To that end, he concentrates on building a company that offers opportunities for its employees, exceptional experiences for clients and a positive and lasting impact in the community. From the beginning, Lopez and his father wanted to provide services, “the right way,” he says. So that they “ensure long-term performance, not just short-term beauty.” Using that approach, Inspire Outdoor Living now offers commercial and residential landscaping, landscape design and installation, hardscaping, property maintenance and cleanup and snow removal. All of which brought him to Landscape Illinois. “It has standards and I want to carry those standards,” says Lopez. “We want potential clients to be confident that we operate
the right way.” Eventually, he hopes to have the time to become involved in the association, but for now he takes advantage of educational opportunities. Originally customers were local homeowners, but the business has expanded to include the Chicago metropolitan area’s northwest suburbs, including Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elgin, Glendale Heights and more. A deeply religious man, he believes he is a “steward of a vision that God placed in my heart, to use this platform to serve others, develop leaders and create something that will outlive me.” Family is important to Lopez. He and his wife, Sandra, have two children, Iker, age 13, and Elisa, who is six years old. He spends regular time in the gym with his son, loves to camp and enjoy other outdoor activities as a family and cheers for his children in their activities. He is also active in his church. His spiritual foundation, he says, “reminds me that success is not measured only by growth or completed projects, but by the way we impact people’s lives and the example we set for others.”
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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Dormant Seeding a Smarter Approach to Successful E by Dr. Aaron Patton
L
ate summer into early fall is the best window for establishing cool-season turf, but professionals regularly face sites that cannot wait until next AugustSeptember. Thin stands from winter or traffic injury, poor recovery following grub or drought damage the previous year, and new home or business construction all create situations where it becomes necessary to plant grass seed. If you miss the optimum fall seeding window, a strong alternative worth adding to your program is dormant seeding. Dormant seeding means sowing seed late in the season so it lies in place through winter and germinates only when soil temperatures climb in April or May. Across most of Indiana, Illinois, and neighboring states, the dormant window runs from around Thanksgiving through early March. The aim is cold enough soil, generally at or below 40°F, so the seed will not sprout prematurely. Several advantages make this approach attractive. Winter freeze and thaw cycles heave and crack the soil surface, opening crevices that pull seed into excellent germination position and improve seed-to-soil contact without heavy tillage. Freeze and thaw cycles also encourage the germination of seed during cool, spring conditions. Scheduling is far easier than chasing narrow, rain-soaked spring openings, since much of the work can be done at your leisure during dry late-fall conditions. Also, dormant seeded areas provide some establishment and cover ahead of the germination of summer annual weeds, and the plants gain extra time to build roots and vigor before summer stresses arrive. Site preparation Dormant seeding is not an excuse to skip seedbed prep. On smaller areas, hand rake to strip excess dead top growth and loosen the surface. On larger areas, core aeration is the best option because it opens the soil and gives seed that falls into the holes a protected place to germinate. There is no need to fill or topdress those holes. Power raking, verticutting, or slice-seeding can also work. Species selection and seed timing Fall weather in recent years has been dry at many locations and this has resulted in unfavorable planting conditions when trying to plant grass in non-irrigated 56
properties or lawns requiring the use of a hose-bibbed sprinkler for lawn establishment. As such, we have recommended to many in recent years to consider a dormant seeding approach instead. Researchers at Kansas State University and my team at Purdue University are seeking to better understand the best way to optimize dormant seeding. This past year we studied several different seeding dates ranging from early-October (a late fall seeding) until mid-March (an early spring seeding) with additional dormant seedings in November, December, or February. We also tested Chewings fescue, hard fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, strong creeping red fescue, and tall fescue to determine which species were easiest to establish across these dates. Our research found that dormant seeding from November 15 to February 15 in West Lafyette, Indiana and from December 15 to February 15 in Manhattan, Kansas produced higher turf cover at the start of summer than seeding in late fall (October) or early spring (March). October seedings worked for some species, such as the fine fescues, but not for perennial ryegrass in Indiana or Kentucky bluegrass in Kansas. Perennial ryegrass likely failed from October seeding because newly germinated seedlings suffered winterkill. This species is winter hardy in the lower Midwest and Southern Great Plains, including Kansas, but winterkill is common farther north in the upper Midwest. Early spring seeding was also effective except for Kentucky bluegrass, which established better when dormant seeded. In the warmer Kansas climate, seeding around October 1 remained safe and effective for fall germination and establishment, but waiting until mid-October or mid-November often triggered premature germination before winter and weaker establishment. Across both regions, early results support mid-winter dormant seeding from December through February. The viability of October and November seedings depends heavily on local climate and species, with Indiana (similar to Northern Illinois) prone to early winterkill and Kansas (similar to Southern Illinois) vulnerable to premature germination, but the overarching strategy is the same. If you miss the optimal early-fall window, wait and dormant seed in winter rather than risk a poorly timed late-fall application.
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Establishment Weed control and watering Weed control is the trickiest part of the dormant seeded program. Most crabgrass preemergent herbicides will injure germinating turf seed and cannot be used. Most often, I recommend using postemergence herbicides to control weeds the first season after establishing the lawn via dormant seeding. Once a dormant seeded lawn is mown a couple of times, it will tolerate most postemergence herbicides. A few products like Drive XLR8 (quinclorac), Pylex (topramezone), Quicksilver (carfentrazone), and Tenacity (mesotrione) can be applied 7-28 days after emergence to tackle weeds early if needed. Review the pesticide label for complete instructions. Do not lean on spring rain alone. Once seedlings begin emerging in April, you may need to irrigate them but often they will germinate and establish with little supplemental irrigation. Monitor stands through mid-spring, give the seed ample time to germinate before judging results, and be ready to overseed any thin areas.
Seedlings visible in mid-April following an early spring slit seeding.
Summary If the early fall window slips away, do not wait until spring to seed. Instead, utilize a dormant approach by seeding between mid-November and mid-March for establishment success.
Aaron Patton Aaron J. Patton is a professor at Purdue University, where he serves as Indiana’s turfgrass extension specialist. His research program explores weed ecology and control, novel grasses, and agronomic practices in turfgrass systems. He mentors undergraduate and graduate students and teaches the senior-level turfgrass science course. Dormant seeding plots on April 21, 2026 in West Lafayette, IN. Seedling for all treatments had germinated but had not started growing vigorously yet. By June 30, average turf coverage in these plots was >80% across all species and seeding dates. Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Landscape, Lake & Natural Resource Manager Lead the Stewardship of One of Illinois’ Most Beautiful Communities Lake Barrington Shores is an award-winning private community recognized for its commitment to environmental stewardship, natural beauty, and exceptional quality of life. Home to over 1,300 residences, a 96-acre lake, ponds, a forest preserve, and natural areas, the community offers a landscape unlike any other in the region. We are seeking an experienced, organized, resident-aware professional to lead landscape, lake/pond, and natural-resource coordination across the community. This is not a routine property-maintenance position. It is a highly visible management role that blends contractor oversight, site quality control, budget planning, resident communication, policy administration, and board/ commission support.
and commissions • Coordinate and track work orders, inspections, estimates, invoices, and project status • Advise on landscape variance requests • Maintain and help enforce applicable landscape policies, standards, and procedures • Serve as a professional, calm, informed point of contact for landscape-related resident concerns
estate or resort-style community management preferred Why This Opportunity Is Different This is more than a landscape management role. It’s an opportunity to shape the future of a distinctive community where natural beauty, environmental stewardship, and resident experience are equally important. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on one of the region’s most unique and respected residential properties.
Position Summary • Landscape, lake, and pond stewardship • Tree management and natural-area oversight • Contractor performance management • Annual and long-range budget management • Landscape related resident communication, landscape variance administration • Project planning and execution support • This position DOES NOT manage snow and ice operations. This role reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Landscape Commission, Lake and Ponds Commission, Finance leadership, Board of Directors, contractors and residents. Responsibilities • Lead day-to-day oversight of landscape, lake, pond, tree, drainage, enhancement, and related site projects • Manage contractor performance, work quality, and accountability • Support annual and long-range planning and budgeting for landscape and lake/ponds operations • Prepare monthly reporting for board 58
Seasonal Work Rhythm • Growing Season: on-site inspections, contractor meetings and quality checks, work order and variance management, resident and condo-rep communication, enhancement project planning and oversite, board/commission preparation • Winter Season: annual planning, contractor review and planning, project / RFP development, policy administration Resident and Meeting Expectations This is a resident-facing leadership role. Standard availability is expected during normal business hours, with limited evening or weekend availability for scheduled meetings or time-sensitive issues. Candidates should be comfortable with recurring board/commission interaction, written reporting, and professional communication in a visible community environment. What We’re Looking For • Five or more years of landscape, horticultural, environmental, or grounds management experience. • Experience managing budgets, projects, and contractor performance. • Excellent communication and presentation skills. • Strong organizational skills • Comfort with budgets, spreadsheets, reports and meeting preparation • Bachelor’s degree in Horticultural or Landscape Management preferred • NALP Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) or similar professional credential preferred • Supervisory experience preferred • HOA, condominium, campus, park, Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Benefits - Benefits package includes use of shared vehicle for travel on property How to apply:
Salary Range: $90,000 +/- DOQ
[]\ CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES Oct. 2026 issue ads: Sept. 15, 2026 Nov. 2026 issue ads: Oct.. 15, 2026 PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO Landscacpe Illinois MEMBER COMPANIES Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50 Website Cost is $12 per line Minimum charge $120 (About 6 words/line) Submit your ads online at landscapeillinois.org Call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851
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Go with the Flow by Nina A Koziol
With its soft splash of water, a fountain provides soothing sounds that transform a space into a peaceful retreat. Wealthy Victorians understood that and the fountains more than a century ago featured herons, frogs and other aquatic species. Contemporary water features today are sleek, streamlined, and elegant. With careful siting, a water feature can maximize space in a client’s small garden or courtyard. There’s a style for every setting.
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Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
Amrise Fox River Stone .....................................37
Green Glen Nursery ............................................63
Midwest Groundcovers ..........................................2
Bartlett Tree Experts ....................................48
Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. .........................................12
Midwest Trading ...................................................49
Bowling Nursery ..................................................39
Homer Industries ...................................................13
SFI Soils................................................................23
Breezy Hill Nursery ...............................................37
Kane County Landscape Materials & Supply............... 50
Spring Grove Nursery .............................................14
Dayton Bag and Burlap .....................................48
Longshadow Planters ...........................................51
The Mulch Center .............................................47
Deerpath Nursery...................................................46
Mariani Plants ...........................................................6
Turtle Creek Nursery ........................................48
DeVroomen ............................................................45
Mariani Plants ........................................................41
Unilock, Inc. ....................................................64
DitchWitch Midwest..........................................35
Masterblend ..........................................................14
Doty Nurseries LLC ..................................................4
McCullough Kubota ..............................................15
Goodmark Nurseries ..........................................11
McGinty Bros. ........................................................50
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Visit Landscape Illinois.org for membership information. Get your career on the right path. Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
61
Lucisous Ligularia
by Mark Dwyer
W
henever I see a robust specimen of Ligularia, also known as leopard plant, ragwort or bigleaf goldenray, I lament not using more of them in my designs and at home! These members of the Asteraceae family are notably not drought tolerant and require consistently moist, rich (humus-heavy), well-drained soil for them to really thrive. In fact, don’t let them dry out at all. All Ligularia benefit from regular, deep watering during hot summers. Striking, distinctive and bold, the wide range of Ligularia species (of which there are over 150!) and varieties that we can grow in the Midwest offer the solid contribution of superior foliage presentation and striking flowers in summer. Native to primarily China, Taiwan and Japan, these selections (hardy in USDA z 4-8) are also quite shade tolerant which makes them invaluable in those darker, wetter garden positions. Some degree of wind protection is also recommended. The large clumping, upright and bushy mounds of goldenray (my favorite common name) feature variable foliage (by species and variety) that can be large (up to 12-15” wide!) and appear round, heart-shaped or triangular. Deeply serrated leaves are notable on some selections. The foliage is often glossy and has a leathery texture which also makes them both rabbit and deer resistant. Leaf color ranges from a deep green to a bronze or maroon. Many selections (‘Britt Marie Crawford’) emerge with near-black, glossy foliage which later transitions to a maroonish-green. The commonly available selections of ‘Othello’, ‘Desdemona’ and ‘King
62
Kong’ have similar, large, rounded foliage that emerges quite dark in spring. Green foliage selections like Ligularia chinensis ‘Chinese Dragon’ and Ligularia przewalskii feature amazingly serrated foliage on a very large plant which is an undeniable focal point in the partly shaded garden. The summer flowers of goldenrays are quite entrancing as well (to bees and butterflies, too!) and present themselves as daisies in a range of yellows and oranges. The orientation of the flowers differs between species and varieties. Some varieties have the flowers arranged on elongated spikes that can reach many feet over the height of the foliage. The old classic, ‘The Rocket’, continues to be popular as are the reduced height forms of ‘Little Rocket’ and ‘Bottle Rocket’. Other selections may present their daisy-like flowers in flattopped clusters closer to the foliage or on elongated stalks. Ligularias are a very bold presence in the garden. Locations in moist shade gardens, woodland edges and sites near water are ideal. They are excellent companions for hostas, wet-tolerant ferns, Rodgersia and much more. Wilting of goldenray foliage is quite common in the heat of summer as a water conservation technique. This drooping is not unusual. If they “bounce back” to form in the evening, they are just fine. Remember that intense afternoon sun can scorch the foliage so some dappled light is ideal. As a bold, architectural addition to the garden, Ligularia selections will thrive with a bit of TLC and thoughtful positioning.
Landscape Illinois Magazine September 2026
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