Mariani Landscape

This established family firm headquartered in Lake Bluff, Ill. is one of the largest landscape design, installation and maintenance firms in the country for residential clients. With over 400 employees, Mariani continues to offer personalized, professional service a half-century after its inception. In 2007, Mariani became the first landscape design, installation and maintenance firm in the country to receive ISO 9001 certification, signifying Mariani’s dedication to client satisfaction. Mariani Landscape is known for installing high profile projects such as Evening Island at Chicago Botanic Gardens and the restoration of Lake Forest’s historic downtown district. The staff includes 20 talented landscape architects. Mariani has received recognition from ASLA, the Professional Landcare Network and the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.

Private Residence, Lake Forest, Ill.

The grounds of this Lake Forest home have been transformed into a landscape more reminiscent of Provence than Chicago’s North Shore. More than half of the developers’ original plantings were moved to fit the new design. The client desired the strong vertical lines of cypress trees and clipped globes of rosemary and lavender common in southern France. The firm substituted wintergreen arborvitae for cypress, as they are greener and broader but present a similar effect. Existing boxwoods were regrouped and yews added in the back for the clipped rounded forms in the landscape.

Two large crabapple trees in front offer color and screening. Flowering shrubs and evergreens were added. Evergreens along the driveway were tethered, allowing them to grow downward and touch the ground, resembling mounds.

Royal Ridge, Northbrook, Ill.

he design/build vision for this 50-acre gated community was a unifying landscape for the 151 home sites, but allowing a bit of individuality through a varied plant palette. Privacy between homes and screenings were prime objectives. The site required extensive soil amendments. A network of streams and ponds contain runoff and provide focal points. The waterways offer native aquatics and a mix of wildflowers for aesthetic erosion control. A windy corridor was dissipated by an 8-ft. high rolling berm. A barrier of 10-ft. tall evergreens on the berm further protects the site.