Seasons

  The fractured moonlight bludgeoned its way through the clouds and splintered through the trees. Jagged shadows stirred and spread across the ground, pulsating in the cracked light. The night was alive! A veritable playground for the wicked and cursed. A prelude to Halloween. It’s hard to believe we’re in…

October, like dusk, gilded the landscape in its ripened rays as the petals and foliage blushed in the cooling air and waning sun.  Beauty was everywhere. As we begin to put our landscapes to bed – tidying, raking, mulching, and pruning, you might consider letting your perennials stand. To many,…

  As the wind whipped through the canopies, animating every leaf and limb, their shadows cast a violent display on the ground – flickering wildly and unhinged.  Fallen leaves thrashed and raged against their new seasonal station. Now that temperatures are beginning to cool and nighttime temperatures beginning to plummet,…

  Blushed and tinged by the blustery, cool winds and subdued sun of October, the landscape was transforming. Nature was starting to slow and savor, wholly at ease. Decreasing sun light and cooler temperatures have set the season in motion. And there are certain preparations that should be made. Container…

  October caramelizes the landscape with deeply saturated tones and sweet, mellow flair.  The static display of Summer foliage turns dynamic, each species unique in color, smoldering in the brisk, cool air. In addition to vivid displays, trees drop their leaves in an effort to conserve energy and nutrition for…

  Sweet, sultry September invites each and every tree to the grand Autumn ball where Summer’s verdant robes are shed for the opulent, jewel tones of the season.  Although we tend to think only of deciduous trees, evergreens too undergo change in Fall. As you know, waning daylight and cooler…

The mellow, ripened sun struck the match that would soon set the landscape ablaze in brilliant umber, vermilion, gold, scarlet and smoky plum.  The verdant greens of Summer would soon smolder in the deep, rich tones of Autumn’s palette, and the show is about to start. As trees prepare for…

Change is in the air. Cool, crisp change. The first day of Fall is Sunday, September 22nd, and I for one welcome it with open arms. Now, is a busy time in our yards and gardens as we take advantage of the perfect growing conditions and prepare for the winter…

The once verdant leaves began to yellow and shed upon her slumped and weary figure.  The unrelenting heat, and sparse rains of late Summer were more than she could bear.  These are the dog days indeed. But August too will soon concede, and with it, any remnants of Summer. Autumn…

  The landscape lay beleaguered, drunk on the sun’s rays and summer heat.  She was beginning to blush and mature in the ripened light of August’s sun, and there was a palpable shift in the air. The winds of change are upon us as our attention begins to turn from…

Late Summer’s beauty and vigor began to wane, but she put on a brave face as August will be sauntering in, hot and heavy, as she’s known to do.  She held a secret and plenty of tricks up her sleeve.  She was ever the opportunist. Late Summer provides ideal conditions…

Sweet, tender Summer was becoming a bit more brazen and fierce as desiccated leaves scraped and scratched their way along the ground.  Although not in a drought, DuPage County and much of Illinois have been behind in precipitation year over year.  Whether it rains or not, this doesn’t mean we…