Top Landscape Design in Des Plaines, Illinois Ranked

Creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space in Des Plaines requires a thoughtful approach that respects the local climate and soil. Landscape design is the art of planning and arranging living plants, hard structures, and outdoor amenities to enhance your property's beauty, usability, and value. It's more than just planting flowers; it's about crafting a cohesive environment that thrives through Illinois' distinct seasons and meets your lifestyle needs. This guide will help you understand the key considerations for your property and how to connect with skilled professionals who can bring your vision to life.

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc

chicago

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc is a family-owned landscaping company based in Elmhurst, Illinois, serving Chicago and surrounding towns. Since 1975, they have offered comprehensive landscaping services including landscape design, installation, grounds maintenance, lawn care, sod installation, drainage solutions, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and brick paving. Their expertise includes digital landscape design layouts to help clients visualize projects before installation, as well as specialized drainage solutions like dry wells to manage water issues effectively. The company focuses on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces that enhance property value.

5.0

157 Reviews

Paul's Outdoor Living

chicago

Paul's Outdoor Living is a landscape design and landscaping company based in Chicago, IL. They create outdoor spaces that combine beauty with durability, focusing on low-maintenance and no-maintenance landscaping solutions. Their work emphasizes detailed design and craftsmanship to meet the needs of homeowners seeking stylish and practical outdoor environments.

5.0

124 Reviews

Junior's Landscaping Inc

831 Dennis Dr, Bensenville, IL 60106

Junior's Landscaping Inc is a landscaping and hardscaping company based in Chicago, IL. They provide services including landscape design, lawn seeding and blanketing, spring cleanup with mulching, and the installation of paver patios and retaining walls. The team handles project permitting and cleanup, ensuring a smooth process from design to completion. Junior's Landscaping Inc is known for transforming outdoor spaces to enhance curb appeal and functionality.

5.0

98 Reviews

Pavestone Brick Paving, Inc

1645 Elk Blvd, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Pavestone Brick Paving, Inc is a family-owned hardscape contractor serving Chicago, IL, and the surrounding north and northwest suburbs. They specialize in designing and installing brick and stone patios, driveways, walkways, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and outdoor lighting. As an authorized contractor for Unilock and Rochester, Pavestone offers high-quality paver products and provides full 3D hardscape and landscape color renderings to assist with project visualization. With over 24 years of experience, they focus on craftsmanship and structural integrity to create durable and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces. Pavestone also offers permeable paver installations for environmentally sustainable projects.

4.9

255 Reviews

Distinct Outdoor Living LLC

205 E Butterfield Rd #136, Elmhurst, IL 60126

Distinct Outdoor Living LLC is a landscaping company based in Chicago, IL, offering a range of services including lawn mowing, lawn care, landscape design, tree removal, stump grinding, land clearing, and brush removal. The company emphasizes a design-first approach, with over 20 years of experience in crafting and maintaining outdoor spaces tailored to clients' needs. Their owner is actively involved in every project from consultation to installation, ensuring personalized service. Distinct Outdoor Living also provides full-service maintenance plans to keep outdoor spaces looking their best over time.

5.0

82 Reviews

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Understanding Des Plaines' Unique Environment

Successful landscape architecture in Des Plaines starts with a deep understanding of the local conditions. The city experiences a full range of seasons, which presents both opportunities and challenges for your yard ¹.

Climate Considerations: Des Plaines has cold winters with average lows dipping to around 19°F and warm, often humid summers ¹. This Zone 5b/6a climate means plants must be hardy enough to survive freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snow. A significant challenge is winter de-icing salt, which can damage sensitive plants near driveways and walkways. Summers bring their own tests, including potential drought periods and the effects of urban heat ^{2 1}.

Soil Foundation: The native soil in the area is predominantly heavy clay and silt, which offers good water retention but can struggle with drainage and aeration ^{2 3}. This dense soil type, with a slightly basic pH, often requires amendment with organic matter to create a healthier environment for plant roots and to prevent waterlogging ³. Understanding this foundation is critical for selecting plants that will thrive and for ensuring proper grading and drainage in your landscape plan.

Designing for Function and Beauty

A well-conceived landscape plan divides your yard into purposeful zones, creating an extension of your living space. This planning phase, or site design, is where your ideas take shape.

Creating Functional Zones: Modern residential landscaping often organizes space into distinct areas:

• Entertainment Zones: These are typically in the backyard and center around features like patios, decks, or pergolas designed for dining and social gatherings.
• Relaxation Zones: Quieter garden nooks, secluded seating areas, or spaces around a water feature provide a retreat.
• Utility Areas: Spaces for composting, storage, or vegetable gardens are neatly integrated into the overall design ^{2 4}.

Front Yard vs. Backyard Focus: Your front yard is your home's public face. Curb appeal can be boosted with structured foundation plantings, clean-edged garden beds, or modern hardscaping elements like walkways and retaining walls. The backyard is your private oasis, ideal for larger projects like outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and spacious lounging patios, often enhanced with privacy screens from hedges or fencing ^{2 4}.

Plant Selection for Resilience and Year-Round Interest

Choosing the right plants is the cornerstone of sustainable landscaping. For Des Plaines, the key is selecting native and adapted species that can handle the climate and soil.

Top Plant Recommendations: Opt for tough, salt-tolerant natives that provide multiple seasons of interest. Excellent choices include:

• Ninebark: Valued for its peeling bark, summer flowers, and colorful foliage.
• Winterberry Holly: A deciduous holly that produces stunning red berries in winter.
• Chokeberry and American Cranberrybush Viburnum: Offer spring flowers, summer foliage, and vibrant fall color and berries ^{2 3}.
• New Jersey Tea: A drought-tolerant native shrub well-suited to the local conditions ³.

For lawns, cool-season grasses are standard, and maintaining a mowing height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches promotes deeper roots and better health ³. Embracing a low-maintenance landscape philosophy with drought-tolerant plantings and turf alternatives can significantly reduce long-term watering and upkeep ⁵.

Incorporating Hardscapes and Outdoor Living Features

Hardscaping refers to the non-living, structural elements of your landscape. These features define spaces, add functionality, and create areas for enjoyment regardless of the weather.

Patios and Walkways: The material you choose-such as pavers, natural stone, or stamped concrete-sets the tone for your outdoor room. These surfaces provide stable ground for furniture and define dining and seating areas ⁴.

Fire and Kitchen Features: A fire pit or outdoor fireplace extends the usability of your yard into cooler evenings. For those who love to cook and entertain, an outdoor kitchen with a grill, counter space, and storage can become a summer hub. Project estimates for these features range widely, from a few thousand dollars for a simple fire pit to $10,000 or more for a built-in kitchen, depending on complexity and materials ^{4 5}.

Supporting Systems: Proper landscape lighting enhances safety and ambiance after dark. An efficient irrigation system, tailored to your plant zones, ensures your investment stays healthy while conserving water.

Navigating Project Scope and Investment

The cost of a landscape design and installation project in Des Plaines varies greatly based on the scope, materials, and size of your property. Understanding general investment ranges can help you plan effectively.

Typical Project Estimates:

• Patio Installation: Installing a new patio with pavers or stone typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on size and material choice ^{4 5}.
• Specialty Features: Adding a fire feature or a basic outdoor kitchen structure can range from $2,000 to $10,000+ ⁴.
• Comprehensive Transformation: A full landscape design and installation that includes new plants, hardscapes, and lighting often starts around $10,000 and can exceed $30,000 for extensive work ^{4 5}.
• Low-Maintenance Makeover: Focusing primarily on plantings, mulch, and edging to reduce upkeep can be a more accessible project, often in the $3,000 to $8,000 range ⁵.

The ultimate goal is to create a space that is both beautiful and durable, designed to thrive in Des Plaines' specific climate. By prioritizing resilient native plants and quality hardscapes, you build an outdoor environment that offers year-round enjoyment and adds lasting value to your home ^{2 3 1}.

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